EATON FIRE UPDATE AND PLANNING AHEAD


SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, 2025

Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal 
Housing Opportunity laws. Lic. #01991628. All material presented herein is intended for 
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been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. 
No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square 
footage are approximate. If your property is currently listed for sale this is not a solicitation.E
Resources:
Free temporary housing: 
If you know anyone who has been 
evacuated or lost their home due 
to the fire, they can call 211 which 
has partnered with Airbnb and are 
providing people one week of free 
stay at an Airbnb. 
FEMA Assistance: 
Register Online or by Phone: Call 
FEMA at 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
Los Angeles County Assessor:
Taxpayers whose properties have 
either been destroyed or sustained 
a minimum of $10,000 in damage 
may file a Misfortune and Calamity 
(M&C) claim for property tax relief. 
Assessor’s Disaster Relief Hotline (213) 
974-8658Convoy For Hope:
Organizations like Convoy of Hope 
provide disaster relief and recovery 
services, including distributing relief 
supplies and offering support for 
rebuilding.
Donations: 
CAR Disaster Relief, Pasadena 
Humane Society, MutualAid Los Angeles Network 
Our hearts go out 
to all those affected 
by the Los Angeles 
wildfires. As your 
neighbors, we’re 
here to help our 
community recover 
Jan Greteman 626.975.4033lic #01943630Judy Webb-Martin 626.688.2273lic #00541631Katie Orth 626.688.0418lic #00942500
VOLUME 19 NO. 04VOLUME 19 NO. 04

CITY OF SIERRA MADRE

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR 
DRINKING WATER

DO NOT DRINK – DO NOT BOIL YOUR WATER 
RESOLUTION

To all residents: The drinking water in Sierra Madre is safe for all uses.

As a result of the Eaton Fire, and in an abundance of caution, On Tuesday, 
January 14, 2025 the City of Sierra Madre, State Water Resources Control 
Board Division of Drinking Water (SWRCB DDW) and Los Angeles County 
Health Department issued a “Do Not Drink-Do not Boil Water” Advisory 
to affected residents in Sierra Madre. The notice was in affect for residents 
on Grandview and North of Grandview.

The Eaton Fire did not cause any damage to the City’s critical water infrastructure. 
The “Do Not Drink-Do Not Boil Your Water” notice was issued as 
a precaution to allow the City to conduct additional water quality testing and 
confirm that the fire did not affect the City’s water quality.

Comprehensive water samples have been collected and tested by a third 
party laboratory and the results confirm that Sierra Madre’s water meets 
all State and Federal water safety drinking standards, and there were no 
impacts to drinking water from the fire. 

Therefore, the State Water Resources Control Board Division of Drinking 
Water (SWRCB DDW) has authorized the removal of the “Do Not 
Drink-Do Not Boil Your Water” Advisory, effective Friday, January 24, 
2025. The drinking water in Sierra Madre is safe for all uses. 

Thank you for your patience and cooperation. 

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, 
especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, 
people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can 
do this by posting this public notice in a public place or distributing copies 
by hand or mail.

Posted January 24, 2025:

Laura Aguilar

City Clerk for the City of Sierra Madre, CA

By Kevin McGuire

The Sierra Madre City Council received 
the latest update on the Eaton Fire during 
a thorough presentation by city officials 
and staff at the regularly scheduled 
meeting on January 21, 2024. 

City Manager Jose Reynoso started 
by thanking the numerous personnel 
who fought the fire, kept the community 
safe, and the many behind-the-
scenes individuals who kept the public 
informed through daily briefings and 
kept the city running during this tragic 
event.

As of Friday, January 24, The Eaton 
Fire was 95% contained after burning 
14,021 acres, killing 17 people, and 
destroying 9418 structures across Altadena, 
Pasadena, and Sierra Madre. 
Fifteen structures burned down in Sierra 
Madre, with several other homes/
structures sustaining damage from the 
fire. 

The Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat 
Center was among the damaged 
structures on the 700 N. Sunnyside Avenue 
property. Over the last few years, 
Mountain Views News has extensively 
covered this property as the site of the 
approved Meadows project, which will 
eventually construct 42 new homes and 
a public park in an area now considered 
a high-fire risk. 

What started as a hurricane-force 
wind event eventually initiated evacuation 
orders for more than 2,200 Sierra 
Madre residents, leaving many without 
power for nearly a week. Though power 
is restored and evacuation orders are 
lifted, some residents above Grandview 
Avenue were still under DO NOT 
DRINK orders for tap water. 

The Fire Department

Chief Brett Barlett, who had worked 
tirelessly with his team since the start 
of this emergency, addressed the City 
Council on Tuesday with the latest updates. 
The Sierra Madre Fire Department 
entered into unified command 
with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, 
CAL-Fire, the U.S. Forest 
Service, and the Arcadia Fire Department. 
“They worked their tails off for 
36 hours straight,” Chief Bartlett said of 
the eight firefighters from Sierra Madre 
who battled this blaze. There were no 
injured firefighters or civilian casualties 
in Sierra Madre. 

Damage assessments have been completed 
in the fire perimeter within the 
city, debris has been removed in most 
areas, and drainage systems have been 
cleared. Winds have calmed, and air 
quality has improved to a GOOD level 
as of Friday. 

The Next Steps

According to Chief Bartlett, efforts 
have now turned to erosion issues and 
slope stabilization in the burn area to 
mitigate the fire and mudslides. The 
National Weather Service forecasts a 
quarter- to half-inch of rain for Sierra 
Madre this weekend. Even that tiny 
amount can be of great concern in burn 
areas. Up to 17 free sandbags are available 
to residents to help prevent debris 
flow. Check out https://lafd.org/news/
lafd-provides-sandbags-homeowners 
for information. 

Chief Bartlett is looking for citizens to 
join the Fire Safe Council and Firewise 
USA© Communities and wants to expand 
public education programs on fire 
safety. He also called on the City Council 
to help strengthen resources for the 
department through grants and other 
programs. The Chief took the time to 
thank everyone for their efforts during 
a difficult time. “I extend my gratitude 
to all the first responders, all the volunteers…
and to all the residents for their 
cooperation and resilience…this was a 
100% community effort,” Bartlett said. 

The Police Department

Sierra Madre Police Chief Gustavo Barrientos 
followed Fire Chief Bartlett’s 
update on the Eaton Fire. He also started 
with high praise for first responders, 
the police, and city staff. “Their professionalism 
and commitment were instrumental 
in ensuring the safety of our 
community,” Chief Gustavo said. 

The Police evacuated two-thirds of the 
city during the early stages of the Eaton 
Fire. Over 50 officers from neighboring 
cities helped with this process. Over the 
next few days, the police and National 
Guard had fixed posts in evacuated areas 
to limit traffic and deter criminals 
from taking advantage of empty homes 
in the neighborhoods. 

After fire threats diminished, the police 
assisted in repopulating the affected 
areas while maintaining a maximum 
presence. The National Guard remained 
until Friday, January 17.

(Continued Page 2)


BE A FLOAT DESIGNER 

CONTRIBUTE A DESIGN FOR THE

2026 SIERRA MADRE ROSE FLOAT

:

Each year the Sierra Madre Rose Float Assoc. holds a 
contact to choose a design for our next float. Anyone 
can submit a black & white pencil or pen concept drawing 
on our submission form, along with a description. 
This year’s design contest will be held until Wednesday, 
February 5th, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. 

Please visit our website 

www.SierraMadreRoseFloat.org for additional info, 
rules and guidelines..

©2024 Coldwell Banker Real Estate LLC. Coldwell Banker® is a registered trademark licensed to Coldwell Banker Real state LLC. An Equal Opportunity 
Company, Equal Housing Opportunity. Owned by a subsidiary of NRT LLC. Broker does not guarantee the accuracy of square footage, lot size, 
or other information concerning the condition or features of property provided by seller or obtained from public records or other sources, and the 
buyer is advised to independently verify the accuracy of that information through personal inspection and with appropriate professionals. If your property is currently 
listed for sale, this is not intended as a solicitation.
626.484.8135Barbara.Rogers@camoves.comwww.Barbara.Rogers.comCRE#01169115RBarbara Rogers626.278.0187Eileen.Benson@camoves.comwww.EileenBenson.com 
CRE#01880650BEileen BensonA COMMUNITY UNITED: 
In the wake of the devastating Eaton Fire, our hearts go out to those 
who have lost their homes and livelihoods. This week has brought 
unimaginable challenges, but together, we will move forward. 
Now is the time to come together and support one another as we learn 
about the larger changes this event has wrought in our community. 
Our Sincerest Gratitude to the first responders who ran towards the 
flames as we fled and to the brave citizens who selflessly helped their 
neighbors. 
Our Heartfelt sympathy goes out to all affected. Let us know how we 
can help you!
INSIDE THIS WEEK

SIERRA MADRE NEWS & NOTICES Page 2-3

PASADENA NEWSPage 4

AROUND SAN GABRIEL VALLEY Page 5/6

FRAUD AND SCAM ALERTSPage 7

 MORE RECOVERY INFORMATIO

EDUCATION & YOUTH Page 8

 PUSD OPENINGS

FOOD -DRINK-FUNPage 9

BEST FRIENDSPage 10

THE GOOD LIFEPage 11

OPINION . Page 12

LEGAL NOTICESPage 13

SPORTS & HEALTHY LIVINGPage 14

SUPPORT OUR LOCAL BUSINESSS Page 15

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