Edgar McGregor is a climatology senior at San Jose State University. He has collected litter from Eaton Canyon and other natural areas for over 1,400 days. Edgar's climate activist #EarthCleanUp account on Twitter has over 35,000 followers.
In mid-March 2025, the first private residences destroyed by the Eaton Fire near Eaton Canyon have begun to be cleared by the Army Corps of Engineers. This marks a crucial first step in what will be a long recovery process for the area.
According to the Los Angeles County Emergency Management website, 72 structures within one block of the canyon were completely destroyed, with an additional 33 structures sustaining damage. As of the morning of March 19, 2025, four homes have been cleared.
Percent of nearby structures cleared as of 3/18/2025:
6%
Burned structures can release toxic fumes, particularly on dry and windy days. These contaminants include asbestos, lead, mercury, burned plastics, and gasoline residue—many of which pose serious health risks. To mitigate this, the Army Corps of Engineers is removing six inches of topsoil from affected properties to eliminate pollutants that have seeped into the ground.
Beyond the immediate damage, storm drains from fire-ravaged areas to the west also channel runoff into Eaton Canyon’s wash. Approximately 500 homes north of Altadena Drive, between Las Flores Canyon and Eaton Canyon, contribute to this drainage system. A map of these storm drains is available here under “Canyon Infrastructure.”
For air quality to improve, all 72 destroyed structures, along with most of the 500 upstream homes, will need to be cleared. Even then, other significant hazards remain, making it necessary to keep Eaton Canyon closed for public safety and environmental recovery.
When the historic Eaton Fire tore through Altadena in January 2025, it didn’t just destroy thousands of homes, take over a dozen lives, and cause tens of billions of dollars in damages. The fire also took an axe to the 100+ year old urban forest that has been protecting Altadena from the impacts of climate change and the urban heat island of Los Angeles. The scorching hot blaze, fanned by 80 MPH Santa Ana winds ripping inside Altadena Town limits, is responsible for what is one of the most severe urban forest canopy loss events in U.S. history. With the Army Corps of Engineers seeing these trees as an obstacle for Phase II cleanup, efforts are being deployed to save those trees that did survive the fire.
A young Coast Live Oak on a burned down property returns to life before a decision could be made as to whether it should be removed.
Altadena sits on multiple south-facing alluvial fans built over millions of years by water coming down local canyons. It is over 20 miles and 1,000′ in elevation removed from the cooling effects of the Pacific Ocean, and while it is not as hot as the deserts of Southern California, summers are no joke in the region. Just last year, multiple deaths in a single weekend were observed when temperatures soared to 114°F in the area. The urban forest is one of the greatest local solutions to taking the edge off climate change, at least in regards to ambient temperatures. Dense urban forests create shade, stabilize humidity levels, and reduce air pollution. They lower water and energy bills, weaken Santa Ana windstorms, and create a sense of identity with the community.
“Our coastal live oak has new growth and I will chain myself to that tree before I let them tear it down” – Altadena Resident
With summer 2025 on approach and thousands of trees lost to the Eaton Fire, fears of an outright oppressive July – September period are forecasted by climatologists. Hundreds of residents have come together to demand answers from the Army Corps of Engineers who have reportedly cut down trees on private property without the consent of owners.
The CanSIPS model forecasts an early start to the 2025 summer with well above average temperatures in May.
Supervisor Barger, in a statement released electronically, said “I strongly oppose the cutting down of trees in Altadena. I was assured that property owners would be given at least five days’ advance notice before debris removal begins, along with the opportunity to understand whether a tree on their property has been deemed unsafe or requires removal. I have reiterated my expectations to the Corps that these decisions must be made carefully, with thorough communication to property owners to prevent any removals without engagement and support. Trees are a defining feature of Altadena’s character, and I fully support every effort to preserve them. Every possible action must be taken to protect these precious community assets.”
A healthy ~80-year old Western Sycamore with an exceedingly high chance of survival marked for removal (3 blue dots)
On January 7, 2025, Eaton Canyon and surrounding areas were destroyed by the already well-documented Eaton Fire. While there were minor landslides on a few portions of the trail and a handful of fallen limbs, the main trail system was left relatively intact. Cleanup would have only taken a day’s worth of work. However, on the evening of February 13, 2025, a torrential downpour struck Eaton Canyon. With no vegetation to hold back mud and rocks, all canyons and washes were immediately activated. Rain rates in excess of 5.00″ / hour (57.5 dBZ) were recorded by doppler radar as the thunderstorm passed over the canyon. The main trail system was wiped out, with several parts being buried in several feet of mud and rocks. Large landslides completely covered parts of the trail beside steeper terrain, while raging rivers pouring out of Walnut and Coyote Canyons left deep gashes. The damage done to the mountain gorge portion of the canyon is unknown at this time, though it is highly likely to be significant.
This photo from the Midwick Gate looking over the fence shows the main trail completely buried in mud by alluvial fan action below Fern Canyon.
For now, the entirety of Eaton Canyon is under a strict hard closure. This is in place to protect both people and the recovering ecosystem. Trespassers could be fined up $5,000 if caught in the canyon without a Right of Entry permit from the county. The County will need to reconstruct the main trail, or even move it in areas where the old trail path no longer makes sense. This involves laying down decomposing granite, removing larger rocks and sediment, and allowing for set watercourses to pass the main trail without doing too much damage.
In the meantime, the MyEatonCanyon.com team scoped out multiple natural area parks in the region locals can visit while Eaton Canyon and other Altadena/Sierra Madre trails are closed.
1. Cunningham Canyon at the Crescenta Valley Community Park, Glendale
Located in Glendale, the Crescenta Valley Community Park offers cozy walks through dense Oak Woodland forests on the north face of the Verdugo Mountains. The canyon, a Los Angeles County Facility, is tucked away beside the 210 freeway and is relatively unknown outside the neighborhood. It may be a great location to go look for mushrooms, take slow, peaceful walks, and soak up nature especially after heavy rain.
Pros: – A ~20 minute drive from Eaton Canyon – Well shaded – Low visitation rates, especially during the weekdays – Flat trail going alongside the channel – Very San Francisco Bay Area-like
Cons: – Not really an official trail, though in the same way our West Bank Trail isn’t an official trail. Proceed with some semblance of discretion. – Freeway noise from the 210 is prevalent, especially higher up in the canyon – Small trail network, not great for long-distance hikers or people trying to exercise – Concreted-in channel is an eyesore. – No vista points or lookouts
Directions:3901 Dunsmore Ave, Glendale, CA 91214 1. Get off the 210 Freeway at Pennsylvania Ave, and make a left to head south. 2. Turn right onto Honolulu Place, and then another right onto Honolulu Avenue. 3. Turn left on Dunsmore Avenue. 4. Make a right into the first driveway, which should be a parking lot. Be sure not to leave any belongings in your vehicle when parking. We already lost our canyon, no need to lose a backpack!
5. Cross the footbridge on the opposite side of the nearby recreational building. 6. Cross the grassy lawn and head up into the oak woodland. This is Cunningham Canyon. 7. Enjoy!
2. Deukmejian Wilderness Park, Glendale
Also located in Glendale but this time in the San Gabriel Mountains, Deukmejian Wilderness Park offers an extensive trail network, gorgeous chaparral ecosystems, and plenty of lookout points. Unlike the Crescenta Valley Wilderness Park, you won’t find much shade here. The trail network is extensive, steep, and gets plenty of sun. It also includes an incredible Nature Center complete with maps, artifacts, guides, history, and hospitality.
Pros: – An extensive trail network to exercise at – Plenty of biodiversity – Higher in elevation and thus cooler than Eaton Canyon – A Nature Center to explore – A ~20 minute drive from Eaton Canyon
Cons: – South-facing slopes that offer limited shade – Low creek flow even in winter – Nature Center only open Friday 3 PM – 5 PM (2 hours), weekends 9 AM – 5 PM (8 hours) – Limited parking – All trails have some form of elevation gain
Directions: 3429 Markridge Rd, Glendale, CA 91214 1. Get off the 210 at Pennsylvania Avenue, and turn right (north). 2. Turn left on Foothill Boulevard. 3. Turn right on New York Avenue 4. Go to the top of the street and turn left, which is the only option. 5. Turn right into the Deukmejian Wilderness Park driveway.
3. San Gabriel River Park, City of Industry, CA
A vast majority of natural area parks in Southern California are canyons and washes that managed to be spared from the relentless encroachment of human development. Quick thinking by locals and government officials decades ago made these parks, where nature is allowed to conduct its natural processes unimpeded, possible. There is no shortage of Southern California neighborhoods that probably shouldn’t exist because they are too close to the mountains, too close to the ocean, or too deep within a canyon. Water under the bridge now, but what if there were a natural area park that was once fully lost to human development that were brought back? What if there were a natural area that showcased human impact on nature as opposed to nature’s impact on humans?
The Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation had the same thought years ago. Enter: The San Gabriel River Park, a natural area squeezed between the heavily-modified San Gabriel River and underneath the busy 605 freeway, right beside the appropriately named City of Industry. This park is brand new, features expansive views of the snow-capped San Gabriel Mountains, and has a platform in which to view how humans have altered nature.
Pros: – Expansive views of the snow-capped San Gabriel Mountains – Brand new park to get in early on and make an impact – Low visitation rates – Plenty of nature trails to exercise on. – Bikes are allowed, which is rare for natural area parks.
Cons: – Intersected by a major Los Angeles area freeway – White noise from the freeway is constant – Roadside trash within Caltrans jurisdiction that is unsafe to clean up without police escort – 20 to 35 minutes from Eaton Canyon depending on traffic.
Directions:255 San Fidel Ave, Bassett, CA 91746 – Take the 210 freeway to the southbound 605 – Take the 605 past the 10 freeway – Get off at the first exit after the interchange with the 10, which is Valley Boulevard – Veer to the right on the offramp to head east on Valley Boulevard. Stay in the right lane. – Turn right on San Angelo Avenue, which is the second light. – At the other end of the grassy park, turn right on Proctor Street – At the end of Proctor Street, turn right on San Fidel Avenue – Make an immediate left into the San Gabriel River Park parking lot
– Be sure not to leave any valuables in your vehicle. – Walk back up the ramp to enjoy the grassy section, or go through the tunnel under the freeway to reach the main portion of the natural area.
