ALTADENA (CNS) – Containment of the destructive Eaton Fire grew to 87% Monday as firefighters aided by water-dropping helicopters continued extinguishing hot spots in steep, inaccessible canyons near Winters Creek, Mt. Lowe and Mt. Wilson, as a new wind event moves into the region.
Another Santa Ana wind event moved into the area Monday, with high winds expected into Tuesday, creating a high risk for critical fire weather conditions and rapid fire spread of any new fires. Isolated gusts could reach 50 to 60 mph, according to the National Weather Service.
Pasadena will activate red flag parking restrictions Monday to allow for improved fire department access and resident evacuation on narrow and/or winding roads, city officials said Monday.
The restrictions will go into effect at 8 a.m. Monday through at least 6 p.m. Tuesday unless conditions change. The Southland will be under a red flag warning for extreme fire danger through Tuesday night. Forecasters say a “moderate to strong” Santa Ana wind event is expected, with gusts possibly reaching 60 to 80 mph in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
Parking will be restricted “on posted narrow and/or winding roads within Pasadena’s urban-wildland interface areas,” a city statement said. “Vehicles on restricted roads will be cited and towed. Additional information, including the complete list of streets with restricted parking, is available at CityOfPasadena.net/Fire/Red-Flag-Parking-Restrictions.”
Officials also urged residents to review their evacuation plans and make sure emergency kits are stocked with needed items should they have to evacuate.
Meanwhile, a group of concerned Altadena residents took to the streets Saturday amid reports real estate speculators and others are trying to buy properties from displaced residents in the burn areas, the Pasadena Star-News reported.
The group of about 25 protesters carried signs reading “Altadena: Not for Sale” while demonstrating on the corner of North Lake Avenue and East Woodbury Road and shouted “Defend and Rebuild!” according to the newspaper.
“We want to rebuild,” Altadena resident Mijanou van der Wood, who lost her home in the fire, told the Star-News. “We want to protect and we’re going to defend Altadena.”
The demonstration was organized by the SGV Progressive Alliance and a new group known as Altadena Not For Sale on behalf of residents who want to preserved the racially diverse community, which is known as a historically Black neighborhood.
Officials have completed inspections of 98% of the structures in the fire area, and so far 9,416 have been confirmed destroyed, with another 1,064 threatened.
Evacuation orders were lifted for several areas of Altadena this weekend.
An evacuation center remained open at the Pasadena Convention Center at 300 E. Green St.
Small animals were being taken at the Pasadena Humane Society at 361 S. Raymond Ave., and large animals were being taken at Industry Hills Expo, 16200 Temple Ave., and Pico Rivera Sports Arena, 11003 Sports Arena Drive.
A curfew remains in effect nightly from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in the mandatory evacuation areas, with only firefighters, law enforcement and utility workers allowed in those zones.
The fire has burned 14,021 acres in Altadena and Pasadena since Jan. 7, leaving at least at least 17 people dead. Eight firefighters have been injured battling the blaze.
SoCalGas officials temporarily shut off natural gas service to thousands of customers in the Pasadena, Altadena and Sierra Madre communities as a safety measure. As of Monday, the utility had restored service to 3,040 of those.
The Gas Co. has established an information booth for residents at the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center at Pasadena City College’s Community Education Center, 3035 E. Foothill Blvd. It will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Meanwhile, the Pasadena Unified School District, which includes Altadena, announced that the following 10 schools and programs will re-open on Thursday:
— Hamilton Elementary;
— Willard Elementary & Children’s Center;
— Blair Middle and High School;
— San Rafael Elementary;
— McKinley School;
— Rose City High School;
— Center for Independent Study;
— Pasadena Adult Living Skills;
— Twilight Adult School;
— Aveson Global Leadership Academy.
The entire Angeles National Forest has been closed for public safety and the protection of natural resources through at least midnight Wednesday.
There were 2,475 personnel assigned to the firefighting effort as of Monday, Cal Fire reported.
The Eaton Fire was reported about 6:20 p.m. Jan. 7 in the area of Altadena Drive and Midwick Drive in the hills above Altadena amid hurricane force Santa Ana winds, according to Cal Fire. The cause of the fire has not been determined.
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