10

Mountain View News Saturday, February 22, 2025


DOTTIE

Meet Dottie, an adorable 
6-month-old brown tabby with 
a heart full of love and a playful 
spirit! She adores her toys, 
enjoys exploring her surroundings, 
and at the end of the day, 
she’s happiest curling up in your 
lap for snuggles. Her loving nature 
shines through in every 
cuddle and purr. With her affectionate nature, she’s sure to 
bring warmth and joy to any home. 

 

We’d love for Dottie to 
go to her forever home 
with either one of her 
siblings or another kitten 
companion, as having 
a buddy helps kittens thrive. If you already have a young 
feline friend at home, Dottie would be delighted to join 
the family! 

Are you ready to add this bundle of joy to your life? Dottie 
is waiting to steal your heart! She is thoroughly vetted 
and ready to go! Apply at https://www.lifelineforpets.org/
mindys-kittens.html.


CHRISTOPHER Nyerges 

[Nyerges is the author of several books including “Self-Sufficient Home” 
and “How to Survive Anywhere.” He also leads wilderness classes every 
weekend. He can be reached at School of Self-Reliance, Box 41834, Eagle 
Rock, CA 90041, or www.SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com]


PROFILES FROM THE ALTADENA FIRES: JOE SIERRA

Joe Sierra grew up 
in Altadena, attending 
St. Elizabeth 
parochial school 
through 8th grade, 
and then graduating 
from Pasadena High 
School.

Around 1967, when 
the 210 freeway was 
being built through 
Pasadena, Joe’s father 
purchased one 
of the houses that 
was being displaced. 
His father, Jesus, 
moved it to the family 
property on North Marengo in Altadena, and 
re-built it, with his son Joe. The family lived in the 
smaller, older house in the rear for the new house 
was being repaired. That “new house” was bigger, 
grander, and was the center of countless family 
gatherings all these decades. Until January 7, 2025.

THE FIRE!

Joe recalls that Tuesday, January 7 was extremely 
windy, and in the early evening, he could look to 
the east and see the entire hillside north and east of 
Eaton Canyon on fire. 

“Of course, I didn’t think it would get to me. We’ve 
seen many fires in Altadena, and they always stay in 
the mountains,” commented Joe.

“We kept on eye on the fire,” continued Joe, “and we 
checked the progress on the news. But our power 
went out around 9 p.m., and so we had no more information 
from the news channels. We were using 
candles and various flashlight, and the neighborhood 
was dark, and it was still very windy.”

The power came back on at about 11 p.m., for about 
an hour, til midnight. During that hour, they had 
light and they got vital information from the TV. 
Then the power went out again.

Joe learned that a mandatory evacuation was in effect 
from Lake Avenue eastward. 

“So we thought we were OK,” said Joe. “Marengo is 
quite a few blocks to the west of Lake.”

He dozed off a bit, and then the wind apparently 
shifted. He received an urgent phone call from his 
uncle around 4 a.m, saying, “Joe, are you leaving? 
Are you leaving?” The high wind made it hard to 
hear.

At this point, while still on the phone, Joe’s roommate 
yelled to Joe, “The house across the street is 
on fire!” Joe said he wasn’t certain what was going 
on, and the roommate repeated with emphasis, 
“The house across the street is on fire!”

“So I told my uncle that we’re going too,” said Joe.

They were going to drive away in Joe’s Chevy Malibu, 
so he put his laptop and some clothes in the 
Malibu. They put their 3 cats in crate but the crate 
wouldn’t fit into the Malibu, so they put in Joe’s 
truck instead. Joe described those short tense moments 
before departing.

“I grabbed some things, like my wallet. I figured 
we’d be coming back, but I knew we had to get out 
right then. Smoke was billowing and gusting with 
huge embers. My roommate saw flying embers the 
size of her hand, and I really wasn’t thinking that 
straight. I think I should have shut off the gas to the 
house before leaving. I did remember to go back in 
and get my medications, which I’d just renewed. So 
we pulled out in the truck, not the Malibu where 
I’d left some clothes and my laptop. We saw other 
neighbors also pulling out as we left.”

“Houses were on fire as we were driving down 
Marengo, and the smoke was very thick. It was 
hard to think about things. We saw others leaving 
their homes, and everyone was driving very slow. 
It was hard to see with the smoke and lashing 90 
mph wind. I was on auto-pilot.”

Joe drove south on Marengo to Woodbury, and 
then drove east to Los Robles and went south. He 
didn’t notice houses on fire south of Woodbury, but 
it was too smoky to see well..

“We saw on the news that the Pasadena Civic Center 
weas the relief center, so that’s where we headed,” 
said Joe.

Joe described the scene as chaotic. They sat in the 
truck for a while in the mall parking, and watched 
people showing up. At the Civic Center, buses 
were coming from nursing homes, and buses were 
parked wherever they could. People from the nursing 
home were going into the large conference 
room, and Joe saw people in chairs and cots everywhere, 
with the Red Cross handing out blankets 
and other emergency things. “It was hard to know 
what was going on,” he commented.

Joe reported that he had to use the bathroom and 
there were staff people constantly cleaning it that 
first night, working hard to keep it clean.

By approximately 7 a.m., Joe and roommate walked 
west on Green to Ralphs grocery store to purchase 
some food, such as fruits, protein bars, protein 
drinks.

Back at the Civic Center they talked with various 
Altadena neighbors about their experiences. Later 
in the day Wednesday, things got more organized at 
the Civic with a lot more people showing up.

Joe got the word that the Altadena area would be 
off limits for a bit, and he figured it was highly likely 
that his house was gone, though he didn’t yet know 
that.

“I called my friend in NC and she told me that I 
should go put in a claim for house immediately” 
explains Joe. “So I went to the Pasadena AAA office 
and waited in line to put in my insurance claim. 
(Joe had all his insurance with AAA).” The AAA 
offered a discount coupon to go to Glendale Hotel 
Windam, on Pacific, just below freeway, and so he 
went there for the first two nights. “The air was 
definitely better in Glendale,” he adds, “since it was 
still very smoky in Altadena.”

He did go back to the Civic Center to get updates 
and giveaways, and on the following weekend, went 
there to talk to FEMA advisors. “I learned that my 
house was destroyed and that I couldn’t immediately 
go back to see it.”

Fortunately, Joe had friends who were away from 
their Azusa home for the month, so he weas able 
to stay in Azusa for two nights. After that, he was 
able to stay with relatives in Lancaster, where he is 
currently residing.

Joe finally got back to his property on February 19 
to survey the damage. There is the fireplace that his 
father installed, surrounded by ash and charcoal, 
blackened metal, melted glass. He was able to find 
a few tools, such as shovels, and some hand tools. 
He lamented the scorched citrus trees in the yard, 
which however, already showed signs of recovery 
5 weeks later. Joe relates that though his house 
burned to the ground, his Malibu didn’t burn and 
he got his laptop and clothes.

I wondered how Joe was dealing with the loss of 
a family home, and all the keepsakes that come 
from two generations. “The feeling of loss comes 
in waves, here and there, so I just try to keep dealing 
with what I need to do at the moment. I made a 
to-do list and just keep moving forward, just trying 
to complete what I need to do.”

Joe is not involved in any of the various groups that 
have sprung up since the fire. “I have been media 
deprived, actually,” he explains, and he’d not familiar 
with any of the community activism. He did 
opt to have the EPA do his property clean-up. He’s 
kept in touch with what’s happening by talking with 
others who are in touch with Supervisor Barger

Joe noted that Edison cut lots of tall bushes and 
trees and an oak tree. “I agree some needed to be 
trimmed way bac, but they just cut it out entirely.”

Army Corps of Engineers will then take 6 inches 
of topsoil away and will do no testing for toxins. 
Though, due to the size of the burn area, Joe has 
no idea when they will get to his 1/3 acre property.

“When all is done, my thought is to try to rebuild,” 
says Joe. “I would like to. It depends on many factors.” 
Though Joe is a retired carpenter and built 
houses lifelong, there was always someone else who 
had the blueprints finalized with approved plans. 
So though he’s done lots of work on commercial 
buildings, he never built a house before from step 
one. But he knows the building industry, he explained 
with a positive tone, and he intends to take 
the process step by step.

In reviewing what he did right, Joe was glad that he 
departed when he did. “I don’t think it would have 
been smart for me to stay and try to fight the fire.”

Joe comments that he wishes he’d been more prepared, 
and had grabbed more stuff like passport 
and photos and tax papers. However, “But it all 
happened so quick!” he said.


Pet of the Week

 Boston is a 73-pound bundle of love, energy, and 
unwavering affection. At just two years old, this 
German Shepherd mix is searching for a home 
where he can share his passion for long walks, full-
body cuddles, and, of course, plenty of kisses.Boston 
is the kind of dog who melts into your arms, rolling 
onto his back for belly rubs and soaking up every 
ounce of attention. But don’t let his playful side fool 
you—he also has a relaxed, easygoing nature. After 
a satisfying walk, he’s perfectly content curling up 
for a nap while you go about your day. 

 Car rides are another favorite, especially when they 
lead to new places to explore. Whether it's rolling 
onto his back in the grass, on the carpet, or even on 
the bed, he finds pure joy in the simple things. Boston is a true cuddle bug, always ready 
to snuggle up and shower you with affectionate kisses.

 Boston will thrive in an active household that loves the outdoors as much as he does. 
A spacious, secure yard where he can run freely would be ideal, and an experienced 
dog owner would be a great match to continue his training. In return, Boston will offer 
endless love, loyalty, and companionship. If you’re looking for a big-hearted, affectionate 
pup to share your adventures with, Boston just might be your perfect match.

 The adoption fee for dogs is $150. All dog adoptions include spay or neuter, microchip, 
and age-appropriate vaccines. 

 Walk-in adoptions are available every day from 2:00 – 5:00. For those who prefer, 
adoption appointments are available daily from 10:30 – 1:30 and can be scheduled online. 
View photos of adoptable pets at pasadenahumane.org.

 New adopters will receive a complimentary health-and-wellness exam from VCA 
Animal Hospitals, as well as a goody bag filled with information about how to care for 
your pet. 

 Pets may not be available for adoption and cannot be held for potential adopters by 
phone calls or email.