The Dena Report
Accessibility | Collaboration | Inclusivity | Accuracy
NEW ISSUES EVERY WEDNESDAY
ISSUE NO.
1
April 9, 2025
Highlights
Summary (p.3)
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Altadena Townhall Meeting Video (p.4)
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Doing Good in the Neighborhood (p.5)
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Community Updates (p.6)
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Events (p.7)
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Funding (p.8)
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Contributors (p.9)
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02
Summary
Name of Highlight
Enter summary here.
03
Dena 4/6
Video
Town Halls and Meetings
Community Meeting Summary
The meeting provided updates on fire recovery efforts in Altadena, including debris removal, rebuilding, insurance, and public health concerns. Attendees could submit questions via Zoom, while YouTube viewers were directed to join via QR code to participate.
Army Corps of Engineers:
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1,900+ properties have had debris removed; 885 have final sign-offs.
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Altadena Golf Course site processes 100–150 truckloads daily.
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Air quality and noise are being monitored and currently meet safety standards.
Public Health Department:
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Three-stage soil sampling underway; results for stages 1 and 2 will be shared at a Thursday town hall.
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Cleanup guidance and contractor recommendations are available online or by calling the department.
South Coast AQMD:
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Air monitoring for asbestos and toxic metals shows levels within safe ranges.
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Real-time data is available via an online dashboard.
Sheriff’s Department:
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Increased patrols, undercover operations, and a Home Check Program (12,000+ checks completed).
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Community safety town hall scheduled for April 30. Altadena Golf Course.
Rebuilding and Permits:
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Inspections are being expedited; virtual inspections used for some projects.
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Internal fire sprinkler systems required in all rebuilds.
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Solar panels are required; gas appliances are still allowed.
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No permeable driveway mandate, but it may be part of stormwater compliance.
Insurance and Property Tax:
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Insurance coverage varies; Prop 65 chemical cleanup is not always covered.
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Tax reassessment only applies to square footage beyond the original build.
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No current permit fee waivers, though future reimbursements are possible.
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The county will seek insurance reimbursement for debris removal only after claims are settled and rebuild is complete.
FEMA and SBA Support:
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Homeowners not qualifying for FEMA due to rentals may be eligible for SBA loans (up to $2 million).
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First $50,000 SBA loan disbursement does not require proof of insurance spend.
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Appeals and fraud concerns should be addressed in person at the Disaster Recovery Center on Woodbury Road.
Southern California Edison:
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Existing power poles will be replaced by SCE.
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Residents who received incorrect service discontinuation notices should contact SCE directly.
Resources:
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Visit recovery.lacounty.gov/altadena for updates, FAQs, and contact info.
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Soil sampling town hall: Thursday evening.
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Safety town hall with Sheriff’s Department: April 30 at Altadena Community Center.
03
Doing Good in the Neighborhood
Finding Comfort in the Ashes
In the wake of so much loss and devastation, stories of hope and restoration are what keep our community going. One such story comes from Bree Jensen of 70 E Palm, who, like so many others, faced unimaginable heartbreak in the aftermath of the fire.
Among the belongings lost in the flames were the ashes of her late father, Clayton Miller. For Bree, the idea that this might be his final resting place — scattered in rubble and ruins — was almost too much to bear. But sometimes, hope appears in the most unexpected ways… and with four legs.
“I’d watched a few too many FBI and police shows,” Bree joked, “and I thought — if dogs can locate bodies in disaster zones, could they possibly find cremated remains?”
That curiosity led her on a quick Google search, which brought her to Lynne Engelbert of the Institute for Canine Forensics (ICF). Lynne and her extraordinary canine companion, along with a team of skilled forensic archaeologists, arrived at the site to try and recover what felt impossible to retrieve.
Within minutes, the trained search dog located the spot where Clayton’s ashes had likely settled. From there, the team spent hours delicately working through the debris — squeezing between bricks, separating rubble, and gently sifting through layers of ash and destruction.
What they found was nothing short of a miracle.
Thanks to Lynne, her team, and the incredible instincts of one very special pup, the majority of Clayton Miller’s ashes were recovered. The discovery brought overwhelming comfort to Bree, her husband, and their four children, who now have the opportunity to fulfill Clayton’s wish — to rest beside his beloved wife.
“This was a gift of comfort, a glimpse of light in such a dark time,” Bree shared. “To have even a piece of my dad back — it means everything.”
As our neighborhood continues to heal, it's stories like this that remind us of the extraordinary acts of compassion unfolding every day. From the Alta Heritage Foundation to volunteers and specialists from across the country, people — and animals — are showing up with hope in their hands (and paws).
If you or someone you know is in need of recovery services like this, please reach out to the Alta Heritage Foundation for support and guidance.
To learn more about the life-changing work of Lynne and her team, visit www.icfk9.org.
04
Community Updates
Name of Topic or Category
1. Thursday, April 10 – Live Q&A: Altadena’s Future Recovery
Time: 8:00–9:00 PM PT (Zoom)
Join recovery leaders and local organizers to discuss how Altadena’s Long-Term Recovery Group (LTRG) will take shape—and how you can be part of it.
Register here: Zoom Registration
Hosted by: Eaton Fire Survivors Network
Join the Discord Community: https://discord.gg/Y5atRPvc3V
2. Right of Entry Deadline Extended to April 15
FEMA has extended the Right of Entry (ROE) deadline and expanded eligibility to include:
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Owner-occupied condos
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Multi-family residences
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Certain commercial properties
Make sure your ROE form is submitted by Tuesday, April 15.
3. Tuesday, April 16 – KBLA Talk 1580 Town Hall: “The Eaton/Altadena Fire: 100 Days and Counting”
Time: 4:00–6:00 PM PT
Location: Robinson Park Recreation Center, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena
Details: A powerful community town hall hosted by Tavis Smiley, Dominique DiPrima, and Nii-Quartelai Quartey. James Farr, host of Altadena Rising, will also speak.
Free, registration required: KBLA1580.com
Simulcast on: KBLA Talk 1580 and YouTube
4. Tuesday, April 16 – LAist Live Taping: AirTalk – LA’s Road to Recovery
Join Larry Mantle with Jacob Margolis and Supervisor Kathryn Barger to discuss the fire’s lingering effects and paths to recovery.
Reserve free tickets: https://laist.com/events/at40road2recovery
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05
Events
Name of Topic or Category
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06
Funding
Name of Topic or Category
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