First Wave of Financial Aid Reaches Altadena Fire Victims, Larger Distribution Coming Soon

Altadena residents impacted by the recent wildfires have begun receiving critical financial assistance, with officials announcing that the first $2.7 million in grant funds has been distributed to businesses, nonprofits, and individual workers affected by the disaster.

During the March 17 Altadena Community Meeting, Supervisor Kathryn Barger reported that these initial funds were awarded to 82 businesses and nonprofits, with each organization receiving grants of $25,000. Additionally, 324 workers received individual grants of $2,000 each.

“I’m committed to getting these public dollars into your hand as quickly as possible to meet your needs,” Supervisor Barger said during the meeting.

The first round of grants prioritized those who suffered the greatest impacts from the fires and those who submitted their applications most promptly. However, applicants not selected for the first phase will have another opportunity soon, as officials announced that an additional $15.9 million in grants will be released this week of March 31st. Any applicant not selected for phase one will automatically be considered for phase two.

Beyond public funding, Supervisor Barger also addressed questions about private philanthropic dollars being raised to support recovery efforts. While Fire Aid has raised an estimated $100 million, Los Angeles County received $8 million of those funds.

“Fire aid is providing funding to more than 100 organizations and is giving community grants ranging from $10,000 to $50,000,” Barger explained.

Of the funds allocated to Altadena, approximately $2 million has been designated for Loma Alta Park because residents wanted services located back in Altadena as soon as possible. Additional Fire Aid funds have been directed to various County departments, including $2.5 million to the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs for the Household Relief Fund, $4.5 million to the Department of Economic Opportunity for the Worker and Small Business Relief Funds, and $1 million to the Department of Arts and Culture.

In significant news for property owners, Supervisor Barger emphasized that “fire impacted residents need to know that they don’t have to pay their property taxes this April, the governor has waived all late fees and penalties until next year for those impacted by the fires.” This measure aims to alleviate additional burdens during the rebuilding process.

Residents were also reminded that the deadline for submitting Right of Entry (ROE) forms for free debris removal is March 31st. Colonel Sonny Avichal from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reported they had increased their workforce to 80 crews (up from 34 crews two weeks prior) and had cleared 212 properties as of the meeting date.

Residents planning to rebuild can access assistance at the Altadena one-stop center located at 464 West Woodbury Road, which is open Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Starting March 17, the center is also open by appointment for Rebuilding Workshops on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings and Saturday mornings.

The San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District is addressing new mosquito breeding habitats that emerged after the fire, having identified over 1,200 damaged swimming pools within the burn area.

Concerns about price gouging were also addressed, with the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs noting that state and local laws prohibit contractors from increasing prices by more than 10% after a declared emergency. These protections have been extended by the Governor’s Executive order until January 7, 2026.

To help residents navigate available resources, officials have added a frequently asked questions section to the recovery website at recovery.lacounty.gov/altadena. This resource will be updated with answers to questions discussed during the weekly community meetings, providing a centralized location for fire recovery information.

“My office will continue to keep the community in the loop on what funding is available and where it’s going,” Barger assured attendees.

The financial aid represents just one component of the broader recovery effort, which also includes debris removal, rebuilding assistance, and other support services for those affected by the fires.