Tournament of Roses Honors Heroes of Deadly Eaton Fire

The Pasadena Tournament of Roses Association set aside its famous New Year’s Day preparations Sunday to honor the first responders who battled the devastating Eaton Fire that killed at least 17 people and destroyed more than 9,000 buildings.

The recognition ceremony on Aug. 24 brought together senior leadership from the Pasadena Police and Fire Departments. Police Chief Gene Harris announced the event for an organization better known for its iconic parade floats and marching bands.

“Your courage and commitment do not go unnoticed – and this gathering is a small way to thank you,” the Tournament of Roses said in a statement.

The Eaton Fire began at 6:18 p.m. on Jan. 7 near Altadena Drive and Midwick Drive in Eaton Canyon. It burned for 24 days before being contained Jan. 31, ultimately consuming 14,021 acres.

The response spanned city and county agencies operating on both sides of Eaton, including units working the Altadena foothills.

For Harris, the fire’s start date held personal significance. It was his birthday.

“I stuck the fork in the cake. I got one bite and the call came that the fire was out of control,” Harris recalled. “I sat down long enough to stand up and turn around.”

The fire became the fifth deadliest and second most destructive wildfire in California history. More than 100,000 residents were evacuated as entire Altadena neighborhoods lost 90-95% of their structures.

Fire Chief Chad Augustin attended Sunday’s ceremony alongside Police Commanders Bill Grisafe and Sean Dawkins. The event honored many who served on the front lines from that first evening.

Harris described dramatic rescue operations at a senior care center where officers carried bedridden residents from a burning building.

“Had our officers not been there, at least 200 more people would be dead in this fire because these people couldn’t move,” Harris said. “Officers were carrying out bedridden residents while the building was burning down around them.”

The emergency response required unprecedented coordination. By Jan. 13, 3,408 firefighting personnel had been assigned to combat the blaze. Resources included 16 helicopters, 375 engines, 29 bulldozers, 50 crews, and 90 water tenders.

The Tournament of Roses Association comprises 935 volunteers who contribute approximately 80,000 work hours annually. The organization’s decision to pause parade preparations highlighted the fire’s profound impact on the Pasadena community.

The departments had previously received the Paul Harris Community Award from the Pasadena Rotary Club in July. During that ceremony, Harris emphasized that frontline responders deserved the credit.

“It was the folks on the front end of this thing that really stood up,” Harris said.

The fire’s cause remains under investigation, though evidence suggests involvement of Southern California Edison transmission lines. The blaze forced school closures and contaminated water supplies.

As Pasadena and Altadena continue recovering, Sunday’s ceremony stands as a reminder of the heroism displayed by so many during those 24 days in January.