Accessibility | Collaboration | Inclusivity | Accuracy
NEW ISSUES EVERY THURSDAY
Issue 14
October 2, 2025
Highlights
Summary (p.3)
This update highlights recovery progress, survivor voices, rebuilding initiatives, mental health needs, and the community’s fight for accountability after the Eaton Fire.
Webinars (p.4)
Wildfire recovery webinars highlighted progress in rebuilding and economic support, the urgent need to integrate mental health into disaster planning, and survivors’ united fight for fair insurance protections.
Doing Good in the Neighborhood (p.5)
After losing his home in the Eaton Fire, builder David Ly launched Rebuild Altadena to help neighbors rebuild affordably and with dignity through bulk buys, guidance, and community support.
Community Updates (p.6)
The Eaton Fire After-Action Review details ignition, evacuations, and impacts but reveals critical gaps that left families without warning, underscoring the community’s demand for accountability and stronger protections.
Events (p.7)
Upcoming events in Altadena will bring neighbors together for recovery updates, community gatherings, and opportunities to connect and support one another.
Funding (p.8)
Visit the Funding section to view eligibility details, amounts, deadlines, and application links.
Contributors (p.9)
This has been a team effort.
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Summary
Community Updates
Doing Good in the Neighborhood
Webinars
This Week
Issue 14 of The Dena Report brings together critical updates on wildfire recovery, including findings from the County’s Eaton Fire After-Action Review that revealed major gaps in evacuation alerts and preparedness, survivor testimony underscoring the human toll of these failures, and community initiatives like Rebuild Altadena working to lower rebuilding costs and restore dignity for fire-impacted families; it also covers countywide recovery efforts, the integration of mental health into disaster planning, and the collective push for insurance accountability—showcasing both the challenges ahead and the resilience of a community determined to rebuild stronger.
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Video
Town Halls and Meetings
After-Action Report on Wildfires
Independent review identified gaps in emergency alerts, evacuations, and inter-agency communication.
Key issues: outdated protocols, insufficient training, and aging technology.
County committed to implementing recommendations to improve future disaster response.
Rebuilding & Permitting
Over 1,800 rebuild applications submitted; hundreds of permits issued with construction underway.
New tools include prefabricated housing guides and a self-certification pilot program.
Goal: streamline permitting and speed up recovery for displaced residents.
Business Recovery Campaign
Wildfires caused widespread revenue loss (50%+ for many small businesses).
“Shop Local, Dine Local, Recover Local” campaign launched countywide.
Efforts include billboards, social media promotion, directories, and gift card programs in partnership with cities and associations.
Homeowner Relief – Mortgage Forbearance Act
Provides up to one year of mortgage forbearance for fire-impacted property owners.
Relief offered in 90-day increments to pause payments and avoid foreclosure.
Helps protect credit while owners pursue loan modifications or repayment plans.
Planners play a critical role in wildfire recovery by leveraging their organizational skills, facilitation strengths, and ability to connect with communities, especially hard-to-reach populations.
Humanity and vulnerability are essential in disaster response—staff should feel empowered to share emotions, acknowledge limits, and support survivors who have lost everything, including their identities.
Mental health support must be integrated into emergency response plans, not just for survivors but also for staff, with ongoing access to counseling, peer support, and wellness resources long after the event.
Relationship-building and trust across agencies and communities before disasters strike strengthens collaboration and improves long-term recovery outcomes.
Prop 103 Is Not the Problem:
The insurance industry is using Prop 103 as a scapegoat for rate hikes and their departure from the state. In reality, the law allows companies to raise rates as long as they provide transparency and can justify the increase.
Consumer Watchdog argues that the companies are raising rates because of their own financial missteps and poor risk assessment, and that California is a highly profitable market they will ultimately return to.
Protecting Homeowners with "Good Driver" Rules:
Consumer Watchdog proposes a new legislative effort modeled after the state's auto insurance mandate. This proposal would require insurance companies to provide coverage to homeowners who meet state-mandated fire mitigation standards, just as they must provide coverage to "good drivers."
This initiative aims to prevent insurance companies from cherry-picking the least risky properties and to ensure that homeowners who invest in making their homes safer can still get insurance.
The FAIR Plan is an Insurer of Last Resort, Not a Solution:
The FAIR Plan was created as a safety net for those who can't get private insurance. However, the private insurance industry has been dumping so many policyholders onto the FAIR Plan that its original purpose has been corrupted.
The real solution is not to improve the FAIR Plan but to make it possible for people to buy coverage on the regular market, a problem that is compounded by the high cost of mitigation.
Collective Action is Crucial for Change:
The speakers emphasize that survivors' collective power is their biggest asset. By organizing and sharing their stories, they can expose the illegal practices of insurance companies and challenge the narrative that "everything is fine." This collective advocacy is essential for pressuring lawmakers to enforce existing laws and pass new legislation that protects consumers.
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Doing Good in the Neighborhood
Finding Comfort in the Ashes
Rebuild Altadena’s Mission to Restore Homes & Hope
After losing his own home in the Eaton Fire, David Ly refused to accept defeat. Drawing on 20+ years of experience in the local building and construction industry, he has stepped into leadership, using his network and know-how to launch Rebuild Altadena — a grassroots, survivor-led initiative aimed at making rebuilding accessible, dignified, and community-centered.
David’s approach is simple but powerful: coordinate bulk buys of construction materials, negotiate discounts, and guide fellow survivors through the grueling process of repair and reconstruction. Whether homeowners are working directly with his efforts or going it alone, Rebuild Altadena promises support, transparency, and real cost savings. He and his partners spend their days sourcing resources, vetting contractors, and designing systems so that communities can rebuild affordably — without sacrificing quality or dignity.
This isn’t just rebuilding houses; it’s restoring community. In a region where many survivors feel overwhelmed by complexity, cost, and bureaucratic delays, Rebuild Altadena is filling a gap. It’s a living example of what cooperation and local expertise can do when disaster strikes at home. As fire survivors navigate permit hurdles, insurance battles, and material shortages, David and his team step in as guides, advocates, and builders.
To learn more, connect, or get support, visit rebuildaltadena.com.
In a landscape of loss, Rebuild Altadena is a beacon: locally rooted, survivor-driven, and built on a belief that no Altadena family should be left behind.
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Community Updates
Community Update: Eaton Fire After-Action Report & Survivor Experience
Summary of the report. Full report here.
The County has released its After-Action Review of the Eaton and Palisades Fires. While the document provides detailed timelines, agency actions, and systemic challenges, it does not fully capture the lived experience of families in Altadena who lost homes, belongings, and a sense of safety.
Ignition and Initial Response
The Eaton Fire ignited on the evening of January 7, 2025, in Eaton Canyon, Altadena.
First reports came at 6:13 p.m. to LASD, followed by a 6:17 p.m. call to LACoFD.
At 6:27 p.m., LACoFD Dispatch confirmed the fire at 10 acres.
The Incident Command Post (ICP) was first established at Eaton Canyon Equestrian Park, moved to Farnsworth Park, and later relocated to the Rose Bowl to accommodate Unified Command as the fire grew.
Escalation and Conditions
Winds reached 70–90 mph, grounding aerial firefighting efforts after only 30 minutes.
The fire produced 200-foot flames with embers traveling up to 2 miles, creating dangerous spot fires.
By January 8, winds shifted directions multiple times, making fire behavior unpredictable.
The fire threatened JPL (with risks from lithium-ion batteries), the Altadena Sheriff’s Station, and several LACoFD fire stations.
First responders described the Eaton Fire as unlike anything they had ever seen.
Evacuation Orders and Warnings
6:48 p.m. Jan 7 – First advisory alert issued: “BE ALERT AND MONITOR.”
7:26 p.m. Jan 7 – First official evacuation orders issued for seven zones, covering areas in Pasadena, East Altadena, Eaton Canyon, Garfias, Mendocino, Midlothian, and Kinneloa Mesa.
9:00 p.m. Jan 7 – 11 more zones added.
10:30 p.m. Jan 7 – 16 more zones added under evacuation.
10:50 p.m. Jan 7 – Call reported fire west of Lake Avenue; not confirmed until 12:55 a.m. Jan 8 at Las Flores Drive.
1:12 a.m.–3:00 a.m. Jan 8 – No new warnings/orders issued, as agencies believed all at-risk areas were covered.
3:25 a.m. Jan 8 – New evacuation messages sent for areas west of Lake Avenue.
8:22 a.m. Jan 8 – Evacuation warning for Scholl Canyon.
11:57 a.m. Jan 9 – Final evacuation order issued for Mt. Wilson.
Impact of the Fire
Residents impacted: nearly 23,000.
Structures destroyed: approx. 9,400, with 1,000+ damaged.
Fatalities: at least 19 confirmed deaths and 9 non-fatal injuries, plus injuries to LACoFD firefighters and LASD deputies.
Economic toll: Combined damages from Eaton + Palisades Fires could reach $9 billion over five years. Property loss estimated at $28–$53.8 billion.
Environmental impact: Thousands of acres burned, including parks, trails, and nature centers, with long-term threats to air and water quality.
Preparedness & Systemic Challenges
Altadena was not historically designated as a high fire risk zone, unlike Palisades, leaving residents with less preparedness and training.
Gaps in alert systems and communications infrastructure — including PSPS shutoffs, downed lines, and damaged cell towers — meant many residents never received alerts or only received them after evacuating.
First responders cited inconsistent evacuation training and resource shortages due to simultaneous fires across the County.
A Survivor’s Experience from The Dena Report Team
On East Palm, west of Lake Avenue, one family of five (including three children) was jolted awake at 3:15 a.m. when a picture frame fell and broke. Their home was already filling with smoke.
They had received no alerts — no sirens, no bullhorns, no app notifications. They had been monitoring their phones all night, but nothing came.
By neighbors’ accounts, their home was gone within the hour. They escaped with nothing but their lives. Generations of family belongings were lost forever.
The trauma of that night will last a lifetime.
The Gap Between Report and Reality
The County’s After-Action Review confirms a 1:12–3:00 a.m. gap when no new evacuation orders were issued. The first alerts west of Lake Avenue did not come until 3:25 a.m.
For families like those on East Palm, this delay meant the difference between a warning and running for their lives. The report is technical and gray, but it does not reflect this reality.
Our community deserves accountability, not just analysis.
SCE – A Separate But Critical Issue
In addition to the County's evacuation and communication failures, Southern California Edison (SCE) has its own role in this disaster. Survivors should know:
The SCE process is separate from the County’s report.
Survivors should read the fine print of SCE’s filings carefully.
We strongly advise seeking independent legal advice before agreeing to or signing anything related to SCE.
The Dena Report will continue to track both the County’s After-Action Review and SCE’s proceedings, ensuring survivors have access to clear updates, a platform for survivor voices, and a strong call for accountability.
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Events
This Saturday, Altadena neighbors have a chance to gather, celebrate, and support one another through three special events. Step into the magical world of Taste of Dena: The Next Chapter at the Altadena Library from 6–9pm, where food, music, poetry, and interactive art installations -- including a whimsical secret garden -- invite you to connect, imagine, and share in the joy of community. Poet Arielle Estoria will headline the evening, making it a night full of creativity and heart. At the same time, wildfire survivors can explore resource-rich events to move forward in their rebuild: Rebuilding & Recovery Workshop at First Church of the Nazarene and Build Back Beyond at AC Hotel Pasadena Old Town, offering guidance on financing, contractors, resilient design, and innovative building strategies. Come for the magic, the resources, or both! Together, we’re writing Altadena’s next chapter.
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NAME OF ORGANIZATION
ELIGIBILITY
AMOUNT
DUE DATE
APPLICATION LINK
Altadena Community Preservation Fund
Homeowner experienced a total loss during the Eaton Fire, lived within U.S. Census Tracts 4602, 4603.01, 4603.02 and 4610 (visit altadenatowncouncil.org to learn your census tract), is 65+, and is uninsured or underinsured, including those on the California FAIR Plan.
$15,000
February 15, 2026
Lift International Church
Fill out application to register your needs.
varies
December 31, 2025
Applicants must have applied to FEMA and received the maximum grant from IHP. Applications that have reached the maximum IHP grant will be automatically transmitted from FEMA to SSGP for processing. There is no separate application process for SSGP. Eligible items covered under the SSGP may include rental assistance, housing, personal property, medical or dental, moving and storage, transportation, or funeral costs.
State Supplemental Grant Program (SSGP)
up to $10,000
December 31, 2025
Primary residence was left uninhabitable due from 1/1/23 - 1/8/25, has a maximum income of $140,700 for all family members on the deed of trust, has a mortgage or reverse mortgage, and owns a single-family home, condo or permanently affixed manufactured home.
3 months of mortgage payments, up to $20,000
CalAssist Mortgage Fund Program
December 31, 2025
One-time financial assistance for security deposit, rental payment, essential furnishings, etc. Amount and duration of assistance a household receives will be based on household needs and funding availability.
USHS Eaton Fire Housing Assistance
varies
December 31, 2025
Individuals with disabilities impacted will be assisted with funding and helps replace lost critical assistive technology, tools and devices, and is also covering some motel/hotel stays.
Richard Devylder Disaster Relief Fund
varies
December 31, 2025
Funding
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COUNCIL'S
CORNER
Council’s Corner
Run for Altadena Town Council 2025!
8 Census Tract Seats Open | Apply by October 17, 2025
Want to make a difference in your community? Now’s your chance. The Altadena Town Council (ATC) is looking for dedicated residents to step up and represent their census tracts in the November 2025 election.
Why Run?
Amplify your neighbors’ voices
Stay informed on local issues and County services
Help shape the future of Altadena
How to Apply
Submit your application + $35 fee (check, money order, or Zelle)
Include a one-page Statement of Qualifications
Deadline: October 17, 2025, at 5:00 PM
Apply online here:
https://altadenatowncouncil.org/2025-altadena-town-council-applications/
Or submit by mail/in person:
730 E. Altadena Dr., Altadena, CA 91001
Attn: Isis Moulden, Election Committee Chair
Candidate statements will be published in the official booklet and online.
Town Council Statement on the Eaton Fire After-Action Report
The Altadena Town Council has issued an official statement regarding the Eaton Fire After-Action Report. You can find the full statement here: READ HERE
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Contributors
Bree Jensen
Jemimah Perez
Meagan Schmidt
Kathy Taing
Altadena Town Council