Sunday, March 9, 2025

Sacred Spaces, Shared: Altadena Islamic Congregation Experiences Ramadan Without Their Spiritual Home

Interfaith solidarity emerges as local churches open doors to Muslim community displaced by January’s devastating Eaton Fire

For the first time in over two decades, Altadena’s Muslim community is observing Ramadan without their spiritual home, Masjid Al-Taqwa. Instead, they’re finding refuge in the sanctuaries of Christian neighbors and classrooms of a local Islamic school following January’s Eaton Fire.

The blaze reduced the mosque to ashes weeks before Ramadan began on Feb. 28. Fueled by 90 mph Santa Ana winds and drought conditions, the fire claimed at least 17 lives and left homeless so many community members, including mosque leaders.

“This masjid is sort of like a home, a family place,” said Wynona Majied-Muhammad, a Board member of Masjid Al-Taqwa. “You can always go back to someplace where you can always find familiarity like a family with friends who basically grew up together, or at least your children grew up together.”

The loss has been poignant during one of the holiest months in the Islamic calendar,

Sunday, March 9, 2025

‘Bandit’ Tow Companies Target LA Wildfire Victims

By Deborah Brennan, CALMATTERS

After the Eaton Fire leveled more than 9,400 structures in the Altadena community in January, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger spotted a disturbing Facebook post titled “Eaton Fire Hall of Shame.”

An Altadena resident posted that a tow company called her husband in the middle of the night during the fire, claiming the city had authorized it to tow their car.  Weeks later they learned the company had taken the vehicle to Ontario and was demanding $3,000 to return it.

Other residents responded to the post, recounting similar scams.

Barger asked the residents to contact her if they had suspicious experiences with tow companies amid the wildfire, said Helen Chavez Garcia, spokesperson for the supervisor’s office.

“She thought it was egregious that just one person experienced this,” Chavez Garcia said. “As more information came to her office, we found out that there were more people affected by this.”

When Barger contacted the Inland Empire Auto Insurance Fraud Task Force,

Sunday, March 9, 2025

Army Corps Clears Hazardous Materials From 50% of High-Risk Wildfire Sites

Los Angeles County recovery efforts advance as engineers tackle properties deemed too dangerous for standard cleanup

The United States Army Corps of Engineers has cleared household hazardous materials from 2,269 properties affected by Los Angeles wildfires, marking 50% completion of sites initially too dangerous for standard cleanup. This milestone comes just one week after the Environmental Protection Agency’s deadline for completing Phase 1 hazardous materials removal in wildfire-affected areas.

“We know how much these families and communities have already been through, and we are working with a sense of urgency to help them move forward,” said Col. Eric Swenson, commander of the United States Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles Wildfires Recovery Field Office.

“Safely removing household hazardous materials is a critical first step, and we are pushing forward to complete Phase 1 as quickly as possible. At the same time, we are making steady progress in Phase 2 debris removal, with more than 125 properties completed and returned to the County,

Friday, March 7, 2025

As LA County Sues Edison Over Deadly Fire, is the State’s Wildfire Fund in Jeopardy?

By Alejandro Lazo and Sergio Olmos, CALMATTERS

A potential finding that Southern California Edison’s equipment ignited the deadly Eaton Fire could upend California’s effort to shield utilities from mounting wildfire losses as climate change drives more destructive blazes.

The January blaze, which killed 17 people and destroyed 9,414 structures, remains under investigation, but residents already have filed several lawsuits blaming Edison for sparking the conflagration.

The Eaton Fire ignited near Eaton Canyon in the San Gabriel Mountains and quickly intensified amid powerful desert winds that gusted up to 100 miles per hour, the flames morphing into a fast-moving and destructive wildfire.

On Wednesday, Los Angeles County also filed suit against Edison, saying the evidence was “clear” that the state’s second-largest utility was responsible for the blaze and that it “deliberately prioritized profits over safety” despite knowing of the “extreme fire risk” its equipment posed as Southern California faced an exceptionally strong windstorm.

“In the days and hours leading up to the Eaton fire there were red flag warnings,” Assistant County Counsel Scott Kuhn said.

Friday, March 7, 2025

Su Oh Named Chief Executive Officer of LA County Arboretum

Experienced arts and culture leader to strengthen conservation and community outreach

The Los Angeles Arboretum Foundation and the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation have appointed Su Oh as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden.

Oh, who brings more than three decades of experience in arts, culture and the entertainment industry, will also serve as CEO of the Los Angeles Arboretum Foundation. The appointment, announced on March 6, 2025, follows a nationwide search to find a leader who can advance the Arboretum’s mission of conservation, education and community engagement.

“We are thrilled to welcome Su Oh as the new CEO of the LA Arboretum Foundation. Her proven ability to drive innovation and foster collaboration will be invaluable as we continue to enhance the Arboretum’s role as a beloved local resource and a national leader in conservation, education, and community outreach,” said Annette Castro Ramirez, President of the Los Angeles Arboretum Foundation Board of Trustees.

Friday, March 7, 2025

LA Homeless Mortality Rate Plateaus for Second Year

Preventative work must continue despite slowing death rate

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health released its sixth annual report on homeless mortality, revealing that death rates among the unhoused population have plateaued for a second consecutive year. In 2023, 2,508 people experiencing homelessness died in Los Angeles County, with the mortality rate remaining high at 3,326 deaths per 100,000 people. This represents just a 1% increase from 2022, following a 2% increase the previous year and a devastating 56% surge from 2019 to 2021.

“As the County continues to grapple with the worst overdose crisis in its history, the plateau in the mortality rate among people experiencing homelessness is a clear reminder of the challenges we continue to face in tackling this crisis,” said Hilda L. Solis, Los Angeles County Chair Pro Tem and Supervisor for the First District.

The stabilization is largely attributed to a leveling of drug overdose mortality from 2022 to 2023, supported by a three-fold increase in naloxone distribution during that period.

Friday, March 7, 2025

Free Community Farmers’ Market Launches Today For Altadena Fire Victims

The Food for Health program aims to address food insecurity following devastating wildfire

A new free weekly Community Farmers’ Market is opening in Altadena to provide essential nutrition to residents affected by the devastating Eaton Wildfire. The AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s Food for Health program established the market to address food insecurity among those who lost homes, jobs, and stability in January’s wildfires. 

“When the Eaton and Palisades Fires first broke out, AHF’s Food for Health program was there the very next day, providing free hot meals to evacuees at the Pasadena Convention Center and to first responders on the front lines in the Palisades. Over several weeks, Food for Health provided more than 75,000 free hot meals to individuals affected by or fighting the fires, including 60,000 hot meals to evacuees at the Convention Center,” said Carlos Marroquin, National Director for Food for Health Programs. 

The grand opening is scheduled for Friday, March 7, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Friday, March 7, 2025

Black-owned Radio Station Launches Show to Chronicle Altadena Fire Recovery

The new program, “Conversation Live: Altadena Rising,” will be hosted by James Farr

KBLA Talk 1580 will launch a new weekly radio program Saturday focused on tracking the recovery efforts of Black Altadena following the devastating Eaton Canyon Fire.

“Conversation Live: Altadena Rising,” hosted by James Farr, debuts Saturday, March 8 at 10 a.m., with rebroadcasts Sundays at noon. The one-hour program aims to become a valuable source for documenting Altadena’s recovery, amplifying survivor voices and holding officials accountable.

“We will use this Black-owned media platform to ensure that California, the nation, and the world hear the stories of those impacted in Altadena,” said Tavis Smiley, founder of SmileyAudioMedia, Inc. and Chief Visionary Officer for KBLA Talk 1580. “People have short attention spans, and many will forget the fire and its aftermath in the coming weeks and months. We intend to keep the focus on the families in Altadena and amplify their voices.”

For Farr, the Eaton Fire is personal.

Friday, March 7, 2025

FEMA Wildfire Disaster Assistance March 10 Deadline Fast Approaching

Residents affected by fires have until Monday to apply for FEMA federal aid

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is urging residents affected by the Eaton Fire to apply for disaster assistance before the approaching deadline. With applications closing on March 10, FEMA officials are working to ensure all eligible individuals know they can still seek federal aid for fire-damaged homes.

“With four days left, we are hearing that there may be some people that need to hear our message that they too can apply for disaster assistance and should do so,” said La-Tanga Hopes, Media Relations Specialist with FEMA’s Disaster Operations Division.

FEMA’s disaster assistance is available to anyone who incurred damages where their home is no longer safe, sanitary, or functional compared to what it was prior to the fire. This typically includes homeowners without insurance or within inadequate coverage, renters, independent students, and self-employed people who were affected by the wildfire.

Residents can apply through different methods.

Friday, March 7, 2025

Army Corps of Engineers Expands Tree Marking System for Wildfire Recovery

New color codes aim to improve transparency and simplify waiver process for property owners

The United States Army Corps of Engineers has updated its hazardous tree marking system and clarified the waiver process for property owners affected by Southern California wildfires.

These changes, announced Thursday, March 6, are intended to enhance transparency and address community concerns about tree removal procedures in wildfire recovery areas, according to the USACE.

“We are committed to listening to the community and improving our processes,” said United States Army Col. Eric Swenson, commander of the USACE Los Angeles Wildfires Recovery Field Office. “Our goal is to provide a clear, fair, and transparent system that respects property owners’ choices while prioritizing safety. The new tree markings and flexibility in how information is received reflect our commitment to making this process as accessible and efficient as possible.”

The Corps has introduced two new color markings to complement the existing blue dot system. Trees marked with a blue dot at the base and a barcode have been determined to be hazardous and are scheduled for removal.