Thursday, October 9, 2025

Smoke Remediation Crews Face Funding Crunch as 100 Families Wait for Help

Program reportedly cleaned 130 homes after January wildfire but needs donations to continue free services

More than 100 families remain on a waiting list for free smoke remediation services nine months after the Eaton Fire. A consortium of community groups announced it has cleaned 130 homes but now faces a funding shortfall.

The program, called Operation Bunny Suits, began in March. It serves Altadena and Pasadena residents whose homes survived the January blaze but were contaminated with toxic substances.

Professional remediation typically costs tens of thousands of dollars. Many families lack insurance coverage for the needed work.

Tests show homes in the fire zone contain hazardous materials including lead and arsenic. These substances pose serious long-term health risks.

Five organizations run the consortium: Fire Poppy Project, Pasadena Community Job Center, National Day Laborer Organizing Network, CORE and All Hands and Hearts.

Fire Poppy Project launched the effort after recognizing low-income families lacked options to address contamination.

“By bringing together the incredible workers from the Pasadena Community Job Center, training and equipping them to conduct professional smoke remediation, we’ve been able to directly address this critical gap,” said Enji Chung, co-founder of Fire Poppy Project.

Day laborers trained for the remediation work wear hazmat suits for protection. They contributed to their community’s recovery while living in the affected area themselves.

ICE enforcement actions have complicated recovery efforts. Jose Madera, director of the Pasadena Community Job Center, said raids created fear among workers.

“When day laborers are being ‘kidnapped’ from our streets by ICE, it creates a palpable fear that is impacting our community’s ability to recover and rebuild,” Madera said.

Samantha Parker’s family lives in the fire zone without renters’ insurance.

“I was so overwhelmed by the thought of the next steps so the service was invaluable and a very important part of our recovery process,” Parker said.

Tracy Reines, disaster response lead for Los Angeles wildfires at CORE, said the need remains immense despite progress.

The consortium seeks donations through GoFundMe to continue operations.