At Press Conference, Officials Give Key Updated Details About Devastating Eaton Fire

Pasadena City, Los Angeles County and State officials gathered outside the Pasadena Convention Center at 4 p.m. Wednesday afternoon to detail the devastating details and impact of the Eaton Fire, which erupted around 6:30 p.m. Tuesday near Altadena Drive and Midwick Drive and has grown to over 10,600 acres with zero containment. The wildfire is unprecedented in Pasadena in modern times.

“We have experienced a tremendous tragedy here in our community,” Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo said at the press conference. “To date, we have over 100,000 people under mandatory evacuation. We’ve had five fatalities, and then we have close to another hundred thousand people who have been warned to evacuate because they’re in a danger zone.”

Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin confirmed between 200 and 500 structures have been damaged or destroyed by the wind-driven blaze, which saw gusts reaching 70-plus miles per hour and ember casting two-plus miles ahead of the fire front.

The rapid spread, complicated by a simultaneous major fire in the Palisades area, prompted a massive response, with 60 strike teams and 750 firefighters now battling the flames, including resources from across California and Arizona.

City Manager Miguel Márquez described the initial response 22 hours into the crisis, noting when first responders arrived, “They found darkness, they found fire, and they found 80 mile per hour winds.”

Air support has been impossible due to extreme conditions, and firefighting efforts were further hampered by water pressure issues caused by power outages and the overwhelming demand on the system.

Pasadena Police Chief Eugene Harris reported officers conducted heroic rescue operations throughout the night, “going in and either evacuating or rescuing numerous folks” who are now sheltered at the Convention Center.

Approximately 150 officers are now deployed to protect evacuated areas from potential looting, and the help with rescues.

The fire has significantly impacted local education facilities.

Pasadena Unified School District Superintendent Elizabeth Blanco announced preliminary assessments show five Pasadena Unified campuses have sustained substantial damage: Elliott Arts Magnet School, Franklin Elementary (80% damaged), and three additional campuses housing other schools — Addison, Loma Alta, and Noyce. All District schools will remain closed for the remainder of the week.

Pasadena City College will also remain closed until Monday, with its emergency management response team and nursing staff deployed to assist relief efforts and serve meals to displaced District families.

Governor Gavin Newsom visited the area approximately an hour before the press conference, meeting with local officials and promising state resources, including National Guard support.

President Biden has declared the fire a national disaster, according to Congresswoman Judy Chu, enabling Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance for recovery efforts. Evacuees are being directed to emergency shelters at the Pasadena Civic Center and Arcadia Community Center.

The Pasadena Humane Society has taken in over 250 pets from evacuated residents, with President and Chief Executive Officer Dia de Vernet reporting they are coordinating with shelters statewide to accommodate more animals. Horse evacuation facilities have been established at the Fairplex in Pomona and Industry Hills Equestrian Center, with the Antelope Valley fairgrounds preparing to open. The Los Angeles Equestrian Center is currently being evacuated. Residents who find injured wildlife are urged to call the Wildlife helpline at (626) 344-1129.

Officials emphasized the ongoing danger.

Red flag conditions are expected through Thursday. Chief Augustin said residents under evacuation orders are urged to leave immediately, and those receiving warnings should prepare to evacuate if necessary.