Pasadena’s District 6 Town Hall Reflects on ‘Worst Day Ever’

In a show of civic unity and gratitude, Pasadena’s District 6 Councilmember Steve Madison led a busy town hall meeting Thursday night at the Pasadena Convention Center, honoring the heroism shown during the devastating Eaton Fire and turning community attention to long-term recovery, budgeting, and environmental safety in the Arroyo.

Before moving to the fire, Madison paid tribute to longtime City activist Nina Chomsky for her decades of advocacy for various causes within the city and in her neighborhood.

Acknowledging her sometimes irascible persistence at City Council meetings, Madison jokingly told Chomsky, “It was a 4-3 vote.”

But back to January 7.

“This city rose to the occasion,” Madison said, recalling, for example,  how Pasadena transformed the Convention Center into a 1,100-person evacuation shelter within 90 minutes of the January 7 disaster. “It was the worst day ever—six days after the Rose Parade’s ‘Best Day Ever’—but we showed who we are.”

City Manager Miguel Márquez and Fire Chief Chad Augustin joined Madison in recounting the events of that harrowing night and detailing the citywide response. From Pasadena Transit drivers who rescued elderly residents from burning facilities, to Pasadena Water and Power staff extinguishing flames in reservoirs, the meeting painted a portrait of extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime selflessness and cooperation.

“This is why we do what we do,” said Márquez. “Every partner we called said yes.” He credited leaders like Rose Bowl CEO and General Manager Jens Weiden and Pasadena Convention Center, Civic Auditorium and Convention & Visitors Bureau CEO Mike Ross for immediate support, along with scores of nonprofits, faith groups, and hotel partners who helped tens of thousands evacuate.

Chief Augustin outlined the city’s years-long preparation, including a new evacuation plan exercised just two months before the fire.

Pasadena’s emergency operations center activated swiftly, even after initial command posts lost power and internet.

“We lost our base before dawn and pivoted,” said Augustine. “We moved to City Hall and kept going.”

The fire, fueled by wind gusts topping 100 mph, claimed homes in both Pasadena and neighboring Altadena. Though outside city limits, Altadena’s nursing facilities received swift aid from Pasadena first responders.

“In a disaster, there are no boundaries,” Augustin said.

Pasadena Police Chief Gene Harris added that officers responded beyond expectations, even though fire response is typically outside their scope.

“If it was gunfire, we’d run in. But this time, our officers didn’t wait,” he said, praising the efforts that prevented loss of life within city limits.

The town hall meeting also looked ahead.

Parks Administrator Mel Alonzo and City Parks Superintendent Jose Mireles announced an imminent brush clearance program targeting 200-foot perimeters around structures, while urging residents to share responsibility for fire mitigation.

“It’s a balance,” said Mireles. “We have to respect the ecology while defending the community.”

Environmental advocate Dan Rossman introduced himself as the new Executive Director of the One Arroyo Foundation and promised collaboration on trail safety and restoration.

Steve Mulheim, President and CEO of the Old Pasadena Management District closed the evening with a call for continued support of the area’s economic and civic revitalization.

“Pasadena,” said Madison, “is big enough to do big things and small enough to do them quickly. And on January 7, we proved it.”