Barger Outlines Progress, Challenges at Eaton Fire Six-Month Anniversary

As the six-month anniversary of the devastating Eaton Fire approaches, Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger reflected on the recovery efforts underway in Altadena, highlighting rapid progress while acknowledging ongoing challenges.

The January wildfire destroyed nearly 9,000 homes and businesses across Altadena and neighboring areas. In a statement Friday, Barger praised the coordinated response from local, state and federal agencies, while pledging continued support for residents and business owners still recovering.

“This recovery has demonstrated what is possible when government works in lockstep,” Barger said. “But we’re not done yet—there’s still more work to do.”

According to county data, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has cleared debris from more than 5,300 affected properties—95% of eligible residential sites in Altadena—as of July 1. The cleanup is on track to wrap by the end of summer, setting records for both speed and scale, officials said.

Pasadena continues to do its part as well.

The City continues to partner with various agencies, including FEMA, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

As part of the expedited recovery process and the Los Angeles County Wildfire Debris Removal Mission, USACE and their contractors will be leading the removal and clearing of the Don Benito tanks and site located in the Upper Hastings Ranch area.

The demolition work is expected to start this month and will be completed by the end of the summer. Detailed information will be provided as it becomes available. Reliable water service will continue throughout the process.

County-led relief programs have distributed more than $27 million to impacted households, workers and small businesses, while FEMA has approved $140 million in federal assistance. That includes $45 million in housing support, benefiting thousands of homeowners and renters.

“This is the first time we’ve created many of these wildfire relief programs,” Barger noted, crediting the County’s Economic Opportunity and Business and Consumer Affairs departments for spearheading the effort.

To expedite reconstruction, Los Angeles County has launched several new initiatives. These include a Building Plan Self-Certification Pilot Program that allows licensed architects and engineers to bypass the traditional plan check process, and a new artificial intelligence tool—called Archistar—set to launch this summer to help residents evaluate their building plans for code compliance.

The Altadena Rebuilding One Stop Center continues to serve as a central hub for permitting and guidance, offering extended weekday and weekend hours.

Despite the progress, Barger acknowledged lingering community grief and frustration—especially over the loss of life in West Altadena and questions about evacuation protocols.

“I understand how painful the uncertainty has been,” Barger said. “That’s why I directed County departments to fast-track an independent evaluation of our emergency response.”

The McChrystal Group, contracted to lead that evaluation, completed its data collection in June. A public update is expected later this month, with quarterly reports to follow.

Efforts to revitalize Altadena’s commercial corridors are also underway. A “Shop Altadena” campaign launches later this month to boost local commerce on Lake, Lincoln and Fair Oaks avenues.

Meanwhile, the newly formed Altadena Recovery and Rebuild Corporation (ARRC) is working to develop partnerships across the private sector, nonprofits, and local institutions to coordinate long-term recovery.

A foreclosure moratorium on FHA-insured single-family homes remains in place through July 7. Survivors seeking assistance with housing costs are encouraged to contact FEMA or visit recovery.lacounty.gov.

Barger said the next six months will be pivotal, with a renewed focus on infrastructure. The County aims to reduce permitting turnaround times from 49 to 30 days, while upgrading water systems, undergrounding utilities and replacing outdated septic systems.

A Utility Rebuild Taskforce convened this month to coordinate infrastructure efforts, and Barger said she is evaluating the creation of a Reconstruction Authority for Altadena to streamline rebuilding without raising taxes.

“Altadena’s rebuilding is more than a restoration effort—it’s a chance to build back stronger, safer, and more resilient,” Barger said.

Wildfire survivors can access information about available services, deadlines and upcoming workshops at recovery.lacounty.gov.