Altadena-based nonprofit Amigos de Los Rios is offering free tree-watering assistance to property owners in Altadena whose properties were affected by fire.
The organization estimates Altadena lost roughly half its tree canopy in the disaster — approximately 14,000 trees in the fire itself, plus thousands more during debris clearance. For the trees that remain, many on lots where homes no longer stand, water is the difference between survival and another loss.
“We understand exactly how important trees are to our community, and we want to help you,” the organization said in its announcement.
Participation is simple. Property owners complete an online form authorizing a trained team to visit and water their trees. The sign-up is available at linktr.ee/amigos_rios.
The organization knows the fire’s toll firsthand. Amigos de Los Rios lost its headquarters in the blaze, and many of its staff members lost their homes.
The nonprofit, which has served the community since 2003 and is best known for revitalizing Triangle Park at Lake Avenue and Altadena Drive, has been watering at-risk trees since mid-June 2025.
For surviving trees on displaced homeowners’ properties — or on lots where irrigation systems were destroyed — regular watering can mean the difference between recovery and death. Each inch of tree diameter requires approximately 10 gallons of water.
Claire Robinson, the organization’s founder and managing director, lost her own home in the fire. She has called the remaining trees “priceless” and described preserving them as “the most valuable thing we can do to contribute to the recovery.”
Property owners in Altadena who want to sign up for free tree-watering assistance can visit linktr.ee/amigos_rios.
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