Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Fires, Windstorm Force Suspension of Transit Services in Pasadena

Pasadena Transit announced Wednesday the suspension of all public transportation services due to severe weather conditions.

The transit agency confirmed that both regular bus routes and Dial-A-Ride services would cease operations on January 8, with essential medical transportation being the sole exception.

“Pasadena Transit and Dial-A-Ride (except essential medical trips, if conditions allow) are suspended Wednesday January 8, 2025 due to hazardous windstorm event,” Pasadena Transit announced.

The agency indicated that regular service could potentially resume on Thursday, January 9, depending on weather conditions.

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Pasadena Unified School District Schools Will Be Closed Wednesday

The Pasadena Unified School District announced Tuesday night that all schools will close Wednesday.

Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco, Ed.D., made the announcement, citing the need to evaluate and repair storm damage across district campuses.

“The safety of our community is our top priority,” Blanco said in a statement to district families. “With the volatility of the high-wind event affecting our area, increasing reports of wind damage, and a fire near Eaton Canyon, in an abundance of caution, we have made the decision to close all schools.”

The closure comes as city officials consider declaring a state of emergency due to weather impacts.

The district will continue monitoring conditions before making a decision about reopening schools. Officials plan to update families on January 8 about the status of schools.

To ensure students who depend on school meals don’t go hungry, the district will provide grab-and-go meals at three locations.

Families can pick up food between 10 a.m. and noon Wednesday at Madison Elementary,

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Brush Fire Erupts in Eaton Canyon in Hills Above Altadena

CITY NEWS SERVICE

[7:18 p.m.] A brush fire erupted Tuesday evening in the Eaton Canyon area, with flames fanned by gusting Santa Ana winds.

The fire was reported at about 6:20 p.m. in the area of Altadena Drive and Midwick Drive in the hills above Altadena, according to Cal Fire.

Initially dubbed the Close Fire but later changed to the Eaton Fire, the blaze was initially estimated at about 10 acres, but it quickly exploded across 200 acres thanks to Santa Ana winds that prompted critical fire danger warnings throughout the region.

Angeles National Forest officials said evacuations were under way, but it was unclear how many people were impacted.

The fire broke out as emergency crews were already stretched thin due to a massive blaze burning in the Pacific Palisades area.

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Firefighters Battle Dozen Fires Amid Windy Conditions in Pasadena Area

STAFF REPORT

Pasadena firefighters responded to 12 separate fires within a 50-minute period Wednesday, as gusty conditions complicated firefighting efforts across the city and neighboring South Pasadena.

The fires included five vegetation blazes, four outside fires, two residential structure fires, and one traffic collision requiring expanded response, according to Fire Department dispatch records.

Two of the vegetation fires were confirmed as significant incidents, with one located in the 2100 block of Canyon Close Road in Pasadena and another in the 1500 block of Santa Teresa in South Pasadena. Both required multiple fire units for response.

The residential structure fires occurred near Asbury Drive and Sinaloa Avenue, and at North Martelo Avenue and Casa Grande Street, drawing substantial firefighting resources to both locations.

Additional outside fires were reported at major intersections including North San Gabriel Boulevard and East Colorado Boulevard, Highland Street and Santa Rosa Avenue, and North Hill Avenue and East Washington Boulevard.

The rapid succession of incidents within a concentrated time frame tested the Department’s resource allocation capabilities,

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Pasadena Firefighters Dispatched to Help Fight Palisades Fire

By Andrè Coleman and City News Service

A strike team has been dispatched to help battle the blaze in Palisades according to Fire Chief Chad Augustin.

Austin told Pasadena Now that before the fire broke out, the Pasadena Fire Department had a team on standby due to the weather forecast of fast moving Santa Ana winds.

A strike team was placed in a hotel last weekend and ready to assist if the need arose.

And that’s what happened on Tuesday when the fast moving fire aided by Santa Ana winds broke in that area.

Five engines carrying 22 local firefighters were immediately dispatched to Palisades to assist in the fight to save homes and local structures.

The fire has scorched 1,262 acres.

Air tankers and water-dropping helicopters could be seen making drops as firefighters from the area rushed to the scene from across the Southland.

The orders essentially cover the bulk of Pacific Palisades.

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

City to Activate Emergency Operations Center on Tuesday Night

By ANDRÉ COLEMAN, Managing Editor

The City is taking a number of steps to help provide services to local residents.

First, the City’s Cold Weather Shelter was activated at 3 p.m., according to Fire Chief Chad Augustin.

The decision was made to help unhoused residents and those displaced by the current windstorm.

The winds slammed into the City overnight downing power lines and some trees. Although the wind seemed to calm down earlier today, gusts have restarted and are expected to pick up in strength.

The Pasadena Fire Department responded to the 1600 block on Kenilworth after a tree collapsed onto a home. No one was injured.

“We’re doing twice a day City leadership briefings with the National Weather Service to be prepared for what is coming at us,” Augustin told Pasadena Now. “The worst is yet to come. We are activating the Emergency Operations Center this evening.”

The City’s response to the wind storm will go through the Emergency Operations Center which includes a face-to-face coordinated response with representatives from key City departments,

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Pasadena Bad Weather Shelter Opens Early Due To Severe Wind Warning

STAFF REPORT

Temporary shelter at Trinity Lutheran Church to operate through January 10

Local nonprofit Friends In Deed has launched an early opening of its Bad Weather Shelter program in Pasadena, responding to severe high wind warnings threatening the area’s homeless population.

The shelter, located at Trinity Lutheran Church, began operations on January 7 and will remain open through the morning of January 10, providing essential overnight accommodations during hazardous weather conditions.

“We are committed to providing a safe and warm environment for those facing the harsh realities of winter. Our shelter offers more than just a roof — it provides a hot meal, a place to rest, and a sense of security during inclement weather. This wind storm has brought dangerous conditions, and we are grateful to be working closely with the City of Pasadena to ensure our neighbors in need have a safe place to shelter. Thanks to our partnership with Trinity Lutheran Church and the city’s generous support,

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

PWP May Need To Shut Off Power To Decrease Fire Risk

By André Coleman and City News Service

According to Pasadena Water and Power, the City may need to implement power shutoffs to decrease the risk of fires.

“The safety of our community is the City of Pasadena’s top priority,” Pasadena Water and Power officials said on Tuesday. “High winds and fire risk conditions are forecasted from Tuesday through Thursday afternoon. Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) may need to implement public safety power shutoffs to decrease potential fire risk. If this occurs, PWP will restore power as soon as it is safe.”

Many local residents received an alert from AT&T regarding possible shutoffs on their cell phones.

“I urge residents to exercise caution as we experience this windstorm if you are able to remain at home and work,” said Mayor Victor Gordo. “You should do so. Be on the lookout for falling trees and limbs and downed power lines, and if you happen to see any of the dangerous situations do not try,

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Winds Have Died Down, but Santa Anas Will Return, National Weather Service Says

STAFF REPORT

The winds have died down, but they are forecast to return according to the National Weather Service.

“A very strong, widespread, and destructive north to northeast windstorm will bring Extremely Critical fire weather conditions to many areas of Los Angeles and eastern Ventura counties Tuesday afternoon into early Wednesday afternoon,” according to the National Weather Service. “This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION (PDS) Red Flag Warning event in many areas, with the combination of very strong upper level wind support, tightening offshore pressure gradients and moderate cold air advection.”

“The strongest winds with this event are expected to be Tuesday afternoon into early Wednesday afternoon when widespread damaging wind gusts of 50 to 80 mph are likely,” forecasters said. “The San Gabriel mountains, Santa Susana mountains, and foothills of the San Gabriel/San Fernando Valleys will likely see areas of destructive wind gusts between 80 and 100 mph. … The strong winds will likely result in widespread downed trees/power lines,

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

High Winds Prompt Safety Measures at Pasadena Unifed Schools

STAFF REPORT

The Pasadena Unified School District is evaluating unfolding wind events on Tuesday and may use a modified “rainy day” schedule in response to a High Wind Warning and Dust Advisory issued by the National Weather Service for the San Gabriel Valley.

The weather alert, covering January 7-8, 2025, has prompted the District to consider schedule modifications affecting recess, lunch, and physical education. Students and staff should follow regular drop-off and pick-up procedures at the school while using additional caution.

“We are monitoring conditions to ensure the safety and well-being of our students and staff,” Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco, Ed.D., said in a statement to the School District community.

District administrators will continue to monitor the situation overnight and through the next couple of days, with plans to keep the School District community informed of any changes.

The modified scheduling represents a precautionary measure as the District works to ensure student and staff safety during the weather advisory period.