Friday, July 25, 2025

Redfin Pegs City of Los Angeles Wildfire Damages at $51.7 Billion

The cost of January’s Los Angeles wildfires has soared to an estimated $51.7 billion in impacted housing within Los Angeles city limits, according to Redfin’s newly released July 24 valuation report. This week’s report focused specifically on properties in the City of Los Angeles and omits Altadena/Eaton-Fire damage as well as every other part of unincorporated L.A. County.

Redfin’s analysis identified roughly 11,000 homes within Los Angeles city limits affected by the blazes, with a typical pre-fire home value of $3.7 million (Redfin, July 24, 2025). The figure—among the highest in recent California wildfire history—focuses exclusively on homes inside city boundaries and does not account for damage in county areas like Altadena.

A prior Redfin report issued January 17 included Altadena and Pasadena, but its figures were preliminary and too soon after the event to present a complete picture.

Local agents and residents say the financial toll in Altadena remains under-assessed.

“Everybody in Altadena thought they were going to rebuild, but depending on their situation,

Friday, July 25, 2025

High School Students to Lead Wildfire Oral History Effort at Pasadena ‘Listening Session’ on Saturday

Altadena residents impacted by recent wildfires are invited to share their personal stories during a community oral history listening session hosted by the USC Annenberg Center on Communication Leadership & Policy (CCLP) on Saturday, July 26, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pasadena Playhouse.

Part of the Wildfire Youth Media Initiative, the event centers on 18 high school journalists—nine from the greater Altadena area and nine from Pacific Palisades—trained by USC faculty to collect oral histories of the fires and their aftermath. The recorded stories will be archived by the Los Angeles Public Library and featured across USC-produced podcasts and short-form content, with potential publication by LAist and KCRW.

“Wildfires have upended lives, destroyed homes, and left lasting emotional and environmental damage,” Geoffrey Baum, senior fellow at USC Annenberg CCLP, said in a statement. “Through this initiative, we aim to honor those experiences and create space for healing and civic memory.”

Attendees will rotate through five question-based story stations organized around themed reflections,

Thursday, July 24, 2025

Local Attorneys Push Back Against Southern California Edison’s Wildfire Compensation Proposal

STAFF REPORT

Attorneys are criticizing the Southern California Edison wildfire compensation program announced Wednesday, likening it to previous efforts by Pacific Gas & Electric that left victims inadequately compensated.

“Experience suggests that these direct payments for victims are neither quick, nor easy, nor equitable,” said Doug Boxer, a Pasadena attorney who has represented thousands of wildfire victims in other major fires. “PG&E offered a similar program and wildfire victims ended up receiving inadequate compensation, and it didn’t happen fast.”

Fellow attorney Mikal Watts, a fire origin expert and trial lawyer known for securing groundbreaking settlements, said Edison appears to be accepting responsibility for the fire.

“After six months of denying responsibility, we are pleased for our clients that Edison has finally reversed course and now acknowledges what we have already proven — they started the fire and need to pay for the damage it caused,” Watts said.

Watts and Boxer will address the issue at a public town hall meeting on Thursday,

Thursday, July 24, 2025

School District Open House Discusses 110-Unit Workforce Housing Development on Former Roosevelt Elementary Campus

By EDDIE RIVERA

First public open house draws nearly 100 hopeful PUSD employees and staff members, along with concerned local homeowners

The Pasadena Unified School District is moving forward with plans to transform the closed Roosevelt Elementary School campus into a 110-unit workforce housing development, with district officials citing staff recruitment and retention as primary drivers for the project.

The District held its first community open house for the project on Wednesday evening for nearly 100 people in a sweltering Arroyo Room at the Brookside Golf Club, where the air conditioning had just failed.

The development—planned for the campus that shuttered in 2021—represents what Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Blanco describes as a solution to a critical staffing challenge.

“Some of our staff drive over two hours a day to get to work,” Blanco said, explaining the district’s motivation for the project.

As Blanco also pointed out, more than 120 PUSD employees lost their homes in the Eaton Fire.

Thursday, July 24, 2025

Villanueva, Who Once Threatened Altadena Substation Closure, Launches Bid to Reclaim Sheriff’s Job

By ANDRÈ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

The man who once threatened to shut down the Altadena sheriff’s substation — drawing fierce criticism from county leaders — is now seeking a return to the top law enforcement post in Los Angeles County.

Former Sheriff Alex Villanueva announced Tuesday night that he will challenge incumbent Sheriff Robert Luna in the June 2, 2026, primary election. Villanueva made the announcement via a campaign video, arguing that the department has faltered under Luna’s leadership.

“Over the last several years, Los Angeles County has seen the consequences of failed leadership, not just in the sheriff’s department, but across our local government,” Villanueva said. “Lawlessness has become the new normal… Families feel unsafe. Deputies feel unsupported.”

In 2020, Villanueva drew sharp rebukes — including from Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger — when he announced the closure of the Altadena sheriff’s station, citing budget cuts. Barger, who represents Altadena, called the move irresponsible and accused Villanueva of ignoring alternatives that would have avoided impacts to public safety.

Thursday, July 24, 2025

Pasadena Law Firm Raises $15,000 for Fire Foundation

STAFF REPORT

Charitable arm supports firefighter training and homeless outreach programs

A Pasadena law firm’s charitable organization raised $15,000 for the Pasadena Fire Foundation at a June fundraising event.

Lagerlof Cares, the charitable division of Lagerlof, LLP, held the fundraiser June 26. The event supported the foundation’s community work following recent wildfire activity.

The funds will support two main programs, a statement from lagerlof Cares said. The Pasadena Outreach Response Team connects homeless individuals to housing, healthcare and social services. The team includes staff from the city’s Public Health and Fire departments and Union Station Homeless Services.

Money will also fund leadership training for Pasadena Fire Department personnel. The training prepares firefighters for high-risk environments as wildfires increase in frequency and intensity.

“We are incredibly proud to help raise funds in support of the Pasadena Fire Foundation, whose tireless efforts this past year during the wildfires saved lives, protected homes, and brought comfort to communities in crisis,”

Thursday, July 24, 2025

Pasadena Library Offers Free Therapeutic Art Sessions for Families Affected by Eaton Canyon Wildfires

STAFF REPORT

Families recovering from the trauma of the Eaton Canyon Wildfires are invited to attend free therapeutic art sessions every Friday this summer, through a joint initiative of Maple Counseling and the Pasadena Public Library.

The next sessions will take place on Friday, July 25, and then on August 1 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Santa Catalina Branch Library.

Open to all ages—ranging from infants and toddlers to teens, emerging adults, adults 50-plus and seniors—the weekly programming is designed to remove financial barriers and support emotional recovery through creative expression. Targeted age groups also include preschoolers, tweens and families with children ages zero to 12.

“Maple Counseling offers evidence-based interventions for depression, anxiety, trauma, grief and loss, stress, and relational problems,” according to the organization’s website maple4counseling.org/about.

The sessions are entirely complementary and guided by mental health professionals from Maple Counseling.

Thursday, July 24, 2025

Report: Just One County Fire Truck in West Altadena as Town Burned

There was just one fire truck in west Altadena when flames from the Eaton fire swept through the neighborhood at 3:08 a.m. on Jan. 8 — while more than 100 others were deployed elsewhere, according to vehicle tracking data reviewed by the Los Angeles Times.

As more than 40 Los Angeles County fire engines surrounded the Palisades fire miles away, and another 64 battled the fast-moving flames in east Altadena and neighboring areas, west Altadena — a racially diverse, unincorporated community — was largely left to fend for itself.

Residents say they were abandoned, including one resident who said the county fire department failed her.

Of the 19 people who died in the Eaton fire, 18 were in west Altadena. Thousands of homes and structures were lost.

On Tuesday, the remains of another person were found.

The Times reports that public anger remains high six months later. A local research firm found nearly one in five residents believes the Los Angeles County Fire Department deliberately let the neighborhood burn.

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

So Cal Edison Offers Direct Payments and Expedited Claim Resolution to Eaton Fire Victims

Southern California Edison announced Wednesday it will launch a comprehensive Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program this fall, offering direct payments and expedited claim resolution to individuals and businesses affected by the Eaton Fire.

The program will cover a broad range of damages, including total and partial structure loss, commercial property loss, business interruption, smoke and ash, physical injury and fatalities. Participation will be voluntary and open to owners, renters, and those with insurance — with no application, administrative, or legal fees charged by SCE. Participants may apply with or without an attorney.

Pedro J. Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International, SCE’s parent company, emphasized that community members need not wait for conclusions from the fire investigation to receive aid.

“Even though the details of how the Eaton Fire started are still being evaluated, SCE will offer an expedited process to pay and resolve claims fairly and promptly,” Pizarro said. “This allows the community to focus more on recovery instead of lengthy,

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Synergy Group to Open Altadena Rebuild Center Aug. 1 Amid Post-Wildfire Recovery

Company aims to support long-term reconstruction efforts with specialized building services

Synergy Group announced it will open its Rebuild Center in Altadena on Aug. 1, offering fire victims streamlined support services for residential reconstruction following recent wildfires in the area.

The Northern California-based firm previously rebuilt more than 200 homes after the 2017 Tubbs Fire and now plans to apply its experience in Southern California, with a particular focus on Altadena and the Palisades. The new office will provide services including site evaluation, architectural planning, permitting, insurance navigation and construction management.

According to Synergy Partner Brian Flahavan, the company intends to remain in Altadena for a minimum of five years to support ongoing rebuild efforts and provide post-construction warranty service.

“We’ve made a commitment that we’re going to be there as long as it takes,” Flahavan said, noting the long timeline many properties face before recovery is complete.

During the Aug. 1 event, residents will have an opportunity to speak with the company’s project managers,