Friday, January 24, 2025

EPA To Begin Hazmat Removal At 614 Eaton Canyon Fire Sites in Pasadena

STAFF REPORT

Federal officials outline two-phase cleanup strategy as assessment begins for fire-damaged properties across Pasadena

The federal Environmental Protection Agency has completed initial assessments of 614 Pasadena parcels damaged in the recent Eaton Canyon Fire, with hazardous materials removal set to begin Monday as part of a comprehensive cleanup strategy across Pasadena and Altadena.

The information came to light during a Thursday special meeting of the Pasadena City Council. The Council discussion focused on actions set to occur in Pasadena, not in Altadena, which faces substantially greater losses.

“As of this morning, there’s 614 parcels that have been reconned as it relates to the Eaton fire,” said Israel Del Toro, Deputy Director with Pasadena’s Planning Community Development Department. “The EPA currently has 35 staff members and contractors out there completing this task, and they’re continuing to ramp up on that process.”

The Council heard that cleanup will proceed in two phases, beginning with EPA-led hazardous waste removal from residential properties.

Friday, January 24, 2025

Metro Providing Free Transit to Southern California Wildfire Victims

STAFF REPORT

Agency modifies reduced fare program to support affected Los Angeles County residents

Metro, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, has announced immediate modifications to its reduced fare program to assist residents impacted by devastating Southern California wildfires.

Recently, Metro’s Board of Directors approved measures offering 90 days of unlimited free rides to individuals affected by the fires across Los Angeles County.

Under the modified program, eligible riders will receive 20 complimentary trips monthly for six months, with the option to continue participation in the future.

Metro outreach teams will be stationed at resource centers and key locations to help wildfire survivors register for the reduced fare initiative and access available resources.

On Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 25 and 26, a Metro outreach team will be at Pasadena City College’s FEMA Recovery Center between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to assist those suffering economic impacts from the fires in registering for the reduced fare program.

Friday, January 24, 2025

Hindu Temple and Heritage Foundation Organizes Free Saturday Drive-By Essentials For Eaton Fire Victims

STAFF REPORT

Nonprofit continues seva tradition of ‘selfless service’ with drive-through distribution event

Deeply moved by the devastation caused by the Wildfires, the Hindu Temple and Heritage Foundation (HTHF) and its congregation in Pasadena are organizing a free drive-by distribution of essential supplies for families affected by the Eaton Fire. The January 25 event at 676 S. Rosemead Blvd. in East Pasadena aims to provide immediate relief through distribution of water, hygiene products, diapers, snacks, and school supplies, continuing their acts of seva (service) true to their spiritual teachings.

“During these challenging times, the HTHF members stand united to uplift the community, offering hope and support,” states the organization, which hopes “these small acts of kindness will make a big difference in the lives of those impacted.”

The distribution is set to take place at the Pasadena Hindu Temple from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., or until supplies last.

Residents can access the distribution point by driving west on California Boulevard from Michigan Boulevard towards Rosemead Boulevard,

Friday, January 24, 2025

Sikh Organization Serves Thousands of Meals to Los Angeles Wildfire Victims

STAFF REPORT

Community group partners with local temples to provide food and essential supplies through January

UNITED SIKHS, a United Nations-affiliated nonprofit, is providing hot meals and supplies to those affected by the devastating Eaton Fire.

The organization has committed to serving more than 10,000 meals to community members impacted by the recent wildfires, operating from the Pasadena Job Center.

Working alongside multiple different Gurdwaras around California, volunteers are offering hot food, masala tea, and essential supplies daily from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Pasadena Job Center, located at 500 North Lake Avenue.

“The act of sharing a meal transcends cultural and religious boundaries,” said Moninder Singh, Senior Program Manager with UNITED SIKHS. “It’s a simple yet powerful way to show that we care for each other, no matter our backgrounds.”

The initiative has established a dedicated storage facility to maintain continuous outreach, bringing together volunteers from various faiths and backgrounds.

Friday, January 24, 2025

With the Trump-Newsom Political Feud Back, the LA Fires Add A Tricky New Wrinkle

By DAN WALTERS, CALMATTERS

As Donald Trump this week assumed the presidency for the second time, he rekindled his personal and political feud with California and its governor, Gavin Newsom, while also inflating Newsom’s obvious ambition to be resistor-in-chief — and perhaps the 2028 Democratic candidate for the White House.

Had Trump lost to Kamala Harris, it probably would have doomed whatever presidential ambitions Newsom might harbor. She presumably would have run for a second term in 2028. Trump’s win did Newsom a big favor since he can only serve one more term, setting the stage for wide-open scrambles in both parties.

On his first day back on the job, Trump once again singled out California for scorn, thereby burnishing Newsom’s standing within his party.

Trump devoted some of his 30-minute inaugural speech to California, alleging — untruthfully — that the state’s leaders allowed Los Angeles wildfires to burn without “a token of defense.”

“They’re raging through the houses and communities,

Friday, January 24, 2025

State Banks and Credit Unions Offer Mortgage Relief for Fire Survivors

CITY NEWS SERVICE

More than 270 state banks, credit unions and lenders will provide mortgage relief for property owners impacted by the wildfires in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday.

Homeowners will have a 90-day forbearance on their mortgage payments, without reporting these payments to credit reporting agencies and the opportunity for additional relief.

The governor noted this decision will provide survivors with the time and relief to address their immediate needs.

“I thank each of the financial institutions that are offering this help for Californians recovering from this catastrophic firestorm,” Newsom said in a statement. “California will continue working with all stakeholders to support survivors, expedite recovery and provide relief.”

As part of the announcement, qualified borrowers will receive the following:

• 90-day mortgage payment forbearance periods, streamlined processes for requesting initial relief without submitting forms or documents, payment options that do not require immediate repayment of unpaid amounts,

Friday, January 24, 2025

Trump En Route to LA to Visit Fire-Ravaged Los Angeles

CITY NEWS SERVICE

President Donald Trump, who has criticized state and local leaders over what he calls faulty water- and forest-management policies that he says contributed to the region’s deadly wildfires — suggested federal aid should be withheld until changes are made will visit Los Angeles Friday to get a firsthand look at the destruction.

Speaking to reporters Friday morning at the White House before departing for hurricane-ravaged parts of North Carolina, then on to Los Angeles and Las Vegas, Trump again repeated his assertions that California is somehow diverting water away from the L.A. area, hampering the firefighting effort.

Trump said he was going to “take a look at a fire that could have been put out if they let the water flow but they didn’t let the water flow and they still haven’t, for whatever reason.”

After he landed at Asheville Airport in North Carolina, Trump was asked what he wants to see from California leaders as he considered continued federal recovery funding.

Friday, January 24, 2025

Eaton Fire Remains 95% Contained as Rains Bear Down on Pasadena

CITY NEWS SERVICE

The Eaton Fire was 95% contained as firefighters managed to further surround the blaze despite another round of threatening Santa Ana winds that prompted red flag warnings that will be in effect until 10 a.m. Friday.

The fire has burned 14,021 acres in Altadena and Pasadena since Jan. 7, leaving at least at least 17 people dead, according to Cal Fire. Nine firefighters have been injured battling the blaze. It has destroyed 9,418 structures and damaged another 1,073.

There were 1,837 personnel assigned to the firefighting effort as of Thursday morning, Cal Fire reported.

County officials announced Monday that all residents evacuated from the Altadena area may now return, but noted that some areas are still under an evacuation order featuring “soft closures” meaning those areas will be open only to residents with valid proof of residence.

Pasadena activated red flag parking restrictions Monday to allow for improved fire department access and resident evacuation on narrow and/or winding roads,

Friday, January 24, 2025

Pasadena Unified Welcomes Back 3,400 Students in Phase One of Post-Fire Campus Reopenings

By EDDIE RIVERA

Following Eaton Fire, three-phase return to school program begins with combined campuses

The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) welcomed 3,400 students back to their campuses Thursday after a two-week disruption caused by the devastating Eaton Fire. The fire, which began on January 8, destroyed more than 1,000 structures and scattered numerous families within the PUSD community.

Despite the challenges, the district’s leadership, staff, and families expressed a sense of hope as students returned to their classrooms.

On hand to greet the returning students at Willard Elementary School were PUSD Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Blanco, PUSD Board President Jennifer Hall Lee, PUSD Board Member Michelle Richardson Bailey, and Willard Principal Maricela Brambila.

PUSD Board President Lee beamed as she stood outside Willard Elementary.

“I’m smiling, and I haven’t been smiling in a long time. It feels wonderful to see children going into school. There’s something so solid and comforting about it—it feels normal again,” she said.

Friday, January 24, 2025

AME Church Leaders Show Support for Eaton Fire Victims

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

Leaders from the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church spoke on Thursday at an event at local First AME Church after touring the destruction in Altadena and Pasadena caused by the Eaton Fire.

The fire, which is now 90% contained, burned through Altadena earlier this month, leaving rubble and ashes in its wake as it destroyed most of the homes in that town and left nearly 150 homes uninhabitable in Pasadena.

“Never did I think that I would have a fear of saying How are you to my neighbors and now when I say how are you, people nod and say ‘Not doing so well,'” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “The devastation is unquestionable, the impact it’s had on people’s lives. I’ve talked to people whose family home is gone.”

Barger said she stands with the community and is laser-focused on rebuilding Altadena.

Local residents there have expressed concerns over what the community will look like after it is rebuilt and an excruciatingly long process that could hinder efforts to rebuild the community.