Edgar McGregor

A major recovery milestone has been achieved near Eaton Canyon at the end of April 2025. Over the past seven weeks, the Army Corps of Engineers have successfully cleared half of all burned structures within one block of the park, or 38 of the 75. Back on March 18, MyEatonCanyon.com publish an article about the first private residences having been cleared by debris removal crews.

As of April 29th:

• 10 of the 26 burned structures near the Pinecrest Gate have been cleared
• 10 of the 17 burned structures near the Midwick Gate have been cleared
• 18 of the 29 burned structures near the Nature Center have been cleared
• 0 of the 3 burned structures in Kinneloa Mesa have been cleared

The remaining structures to be cleared include over two dozen homes, the Eaton Canyon Nature Center, the Coral Innovation Center, the Pasadena Police Department’s Advanced Officer Training building, and the Church of Christ along Kinneloa Canyon Road.

Due to the fact that all private residences are being prioritized over businesses, the next half of the cleanup process may take many weeks longer than the first half. However, at this rate, a majority of debris near Eaton Canyon should be gone by mid-summer 2025. As a first step in the park’s recovery and eventual reopening, all structures near the park need to be cleared of debris. Properties that have been cleaned typically feature level ground, with all hazardous materials, foundation remnants, and charred vegetation (with the exception of trees) removed.

Please stay tuned to the Eaton Fire tab for the latest on the recovery effort at Eaton Canyon.

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.

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.

Here is where those structures were lost:

• Pinecrest Gate: 27 destroyed structures, 3 damaged
• Midwick Gate: 17 destroyed structures, 11 damaged
• Main Gate: 21 destroyed structures, 18 damaged
• East side of the canyon (No entrances): 7 destroyed structures, 1 damaged
  

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.

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.

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.”