Hillside Wilderness Preserve closed until further notice

The Hillside Wilderness Preserve is closed until further notice. 

Although the preserve was basically untouched by the Eaton Fire, it was very much touched by the bulldozers firefighters used to widen the fire break.

From the Ridgeside trailhead, the fire road is mostly untouched until just before Sunset Bench, at which point the road has been widened to maybe 70 or 80 feet and the surface is  churned up like soft sand.

From Sunset Bench down the west side it is graded by bulldozers. The switchbacks below the bench are essentially gone. All that is left is a steep, deep-powder slope with a few of the far corners of the switchbacks still intact.

The westward road from the bottom of the switchbacks (not the southern road) is also churned up into deep sand all the way to the intersection where you can turn off to Arcadia Wilderness Park, or what was once Arcadia Wilderness Park.

From that point to the Cloverleaf entry point everything is pretty clear except for a few fallen branches.

- Brad Haugaard 

Arsonist starts palm tree fire on S. Myrtle

Video of arsonist. Time stamp is an hour off. It happened at about 12:56 a.m.

The owner of a business on S. Myrtle, just below Duarte Road, reports that, "We had a palm tree knocked down on Tuesday night, and last night, someone lit it on fire. Thankfully the fire department put it out quickly and it didn’t damage our building." If anyone has information about the fire, please contact Monrovia Police at 256-8000.

- Brad Haugaard

Arcadia Masonic Lodge Collecting Drinks for First Responders

Arcadia Masonic Lodge #278 (50 W. Duarte Rd., Arcadia) is collecting water, electrolyte drinks, and canned coffee and energy drinks for first responders working on the Eaton Fire. Members of the Lodge asked the first responders directly what their greatest need was, and hands down it was hydration to help them during their 12-hour shifts. Arcadia Masonic Lodge #278 serves Arcadia, Monrovia, and Temple City, as well as the greater SGV.

- Brad Haugaard

A Moment in Monrovia History: Pacific Electric Car at Olive and Myrtle about 1905

Looking north on Myrtle from Olive around 1905 with a group of men standing by Pacific Electric Car 258. Black hat and long black coat: E.J. (Lucky) Baldwin 4th from right in group next to car. In group to the right: Bare-headed: Thomas Neville whose drugstore is on the right of the picture. Man on the left is Ben Overturff. Second from right is the motorman. An arc light hangs over the intersection, which was replaced by the first light standards in 1909. From the Myron Hotchkiss collection. See full details here.

For more historic photos and papers, see the Monrovia Historical Society’s complete Legacy Project collection here. Learn more about the Monrovia Historical Society here.

- Brad Haugaard

Electricity restored but may be switched off tomorrow if winds require it; leaf blowers banned, etc.

City Manager Dylan Feik reports that ...

• The Eaton Fire has burned 14,117 acres and is 33% contained.
• All electricity has been restored throughout the community, and cleanup is underway.
• Tuesday, Jan. 14, may have winds from the northeast from 15 to 30 mph, resulting in increased fire danger. City crews are ready to respond.
• Southern California Edison may switch off power due to winds. Be prepared.
• LA Department of Public Health  is prohibiting the use of power air blowers, including leaf blowers, until further notice. They push ash into the air, worsening air quality.
• The city is no longer accepting food and other donations.

- Brad Haugaard

Parrot talk at Garden Club, Jan. 28.

Local urban parrots will be the topic of the Monrovia Garden Club meeting Jan. 28 at 6:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, downstairs. Brenda Ramirez, who works with Moore Lab's Free-flying Los Angeles Parrot Project (FLAPP), will discuss Red-crowned and Lilac-crowned Parrots, their adaptation to urban habitats, and mixed-species flock formation.

- Brad Haugaard 

New coffee shop coming to Vons shopping center

San Fernando Coffee Company is coming to the old Mooya Burger site in the Vons shopping area at Myrtle and Foothill. The coffee shop is a member of a chain of shops. In addition to coffee and mixed drinks and sandwiches, it will also serve crêpes and waffles. Here’s a more complete glance at its menu.

- Brad Haugaard 

Mental health presentation Friday at library

Workshop on emotional wellbeing and stress, Friday, January 17, 1:30 to 3 p.m., in the library Story Room. Presented by the LA County Department of Mental Health. Covers types of stress, its impact on life, and tips to manage stress effectively. For adults. No registration required.

- Brad Haugaard 

Tweens Cooking Class Wednesday at Library

Cooking class for tweens in the library Story Room, Wednesday, January 15, 3 to 4 p.m. Participants will bake a blueberry breakfast cake and eat their creations. For grades 6 to 8. Registration required by 10 a.m. on January 15. Limited to 12 participants. Register here.

- Brad Haugaard 

Donation Locations in Monrovia

There are at least two locations in Monrovia where people can donate supplies for the relief of fire victims.

Calvary Chapel Monrovia, at the corner of Myrtle and Cherry, is accepting food, water, drinks, and especially medical supplies for burns, such as gauze, bandages, Neosporin, and so forth, and also the things you see in the pictures above taken at the church’s warehouse.

Foothill Unity Center (790 W Chestnut) will be starting again Monday accepting food, clothing, blankets, pillows, sweets for little ones, and other essentials to support families and individuals hurt by the fire. Go to foothillunity.org to donate money.

- Brad Haugaard 

Report from local church on relief work in Altadena

Pastor Angel Baez of Calvary Chapel Monrovia and also a chaplain with the LA Sheriff's Department, reports in this Facebook video on what several churches and organizations are doing to help in Altadena.

- Brad Haugaard

Resources for Eaton Fire victims

Information and resources for those affected by the Eaton Fire from City Manager Dylan Feik.

President Biden declared a Federal Major Disaster Declaration in response to the fires. Funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Small Business Administration (SBA) are now available for those impacted by the fire. This relief includes $770 for essential items and larger direct grants to cover essential costs, medical bills, cars, and more. Small Business Administration low-interest loans are also available for impacted small business owners and residents.

The damage the Eaton Fire has caused our neighbors is unfathomable. Thousands have lost their homes, businesses, places of worship and personal belongings. Some have even lost loved ones. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. Below are resources that will be able to assist those navigating this difficult time.

Additionally, our City Council is already brainstorming ways the City of Monrovia can respond and help our neighbors during their time of need. In addition to resources being provided now, long-term efforts to house, employ, and care for our neighbors is an incredible task, and our community is up to the task!

Resources Available

Alexan Marmont
The Alexan Marmont at 1625 S Magnolia Ave is assisting those who lost their homes or whose homes are unlivable by helping them make the application approval and move-in process easier. They also offer furniture packages from one of their vendors as an option. For more information, please get in touch with Alexan Marmont at 626-275.8560.


Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Visit disasterassistance.gov or call 800-621-FEMA (3362)

• Disaster-related assistance may include:
• Rental Payments for temporary housing for those whose homes are unlivable
• Grants for home repairs and replacement of essential household items
• Unemployment payments for workers who temporarily lost jobs because of the disaster and do not qualify for state benefits
• Low-interest loans to cover residential losses not fully compensated by insurance
• Crisis Counseling for those who are traumatized by the disaster
• Advisory assistance for legal veterans benefits and social security matters.

If you are having trouble applying for assistance, please call Judy Chu's office at 626-304-0110.


Small Business Administration Disaster Loans

• Small Business Administration Disaster Loans help businesses repair or replace disaster-damaged property, inventory, and supplies.
• Homeowners and renters may also be eligible for SBA loans to repair or replace disaster-related damages to homes or personal property. (Homeowners can receive up to $500,000 to repair or replace real estate damage and up to $100,00 to replace personal property.
• For businesses and nonprofits who are interested in applying, please click here.

Nearby Shelter Locations

• Residents can call 211 for shelter information and social and health services.
• Los Angeles County residents who have been displaced from their homes or forced to evacuate due to wildfires can apply for temporary housing through an Airbnb and 211 LA Partnership here.
• Pasadena Convention Center - 300 E Green St, Pasadena, CA 91101. The Humane Society is on-site to accept pets for boarding. Service animals will be allowed inside the Convention Center.
• Pomona Fairplex - 1101 W McKinley Ave, Pomona, CA 91768. They can accept pets
• Arcadia Community Center Staging Area - 375 Campus Dr. Arcadia, CA 91007. This is not a Shelter, but residents can charge their devices, connect to Wi-Fi, and make shelter arrangements.
• For more shelter and animal evacuation locations, please click here

Unemployment Assistance

People who are out of work due to the fire may be eligible for unemployment benefits and may file for unemployment online at edd.ca.gov or my phone Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. by calling one of the numbers below:

• English: 1-800-300-5616
• Spanish: 1-800-326-8937
• Chinese (Cantonese): 1-800-547-3506
• Chinese (Mandarin): 1-866-303-0706
• Vietnamese: 1-800-547-205

Lost Documents
Please click here to view locations and resources to recoup lost documents.

Private Insurance
Please click here for information on filing a claim with private insurance companies.

Historic and Art Preservation
The Altadena, Pasadena, and the Sierra Madre areas are filled with historical artifacts and collections. If you need assistance, please get in touch with the Heritage Responders hotline at 202-661-8068. If you have questions about saving family treasures and heirlooms, don't hesitate to contact them at NHRpublichelpline@.culturalheritage.org


Donations and Volunteering
For a list of verified foundations seeking monetary donations to equip firefighters battling wildfires, please click here.

Please be wary of scam artists and identity thieves who may attempt to take advantage of disaster survivors.

City Facilities & Hours of Operation

City Hall, Public Works Yard, Fire Administration will remain closed through the weekend.

All City facilities will be open for regular hours on Monday and regular business operations will resume. The Hillside Wilderness Preserve will remain closed as long as the bad air quality continues.

Evacuation warnings lifted, Power almost fully restored, but gusty winds expected

Where the fire stopped. The right side of the canyon is Monrovia. It was barely touched.

City managers report on the fire for Jan. 11.

 Good afternoon, Monrovians,

As of 3:00 p.m. today, January 11, all Evacuation Warnings have been lifted. The Evacuation Order has been downgraded to an Evacuation Warning for those residing in the Hillside Wilderness Preserve. Welcome home everyone. 

Also great news...Edison is finalizing repairs to all power outages in Monrovia after nearly five days of outages.

However, the Eaton Fire remains active elsewhere in the community. Thus far it has burned 14,117 acres and is currently 15% contained with a portion of the increased containment along our Santa Anita Canyon. Yesterday, Fire Chief Jeremy Sanchez and I toured the Santa Anita Canyon burn area and were greeted by a strike team (5 engines) out of San Diego and many other smaller emergency vehicles who have all been keeping watch on the eastern edge of the fire. There were no visible flames or some in the area despite a light breeze, and there are none today. 

While the fire did manage to cross the service road and reach Monrovia city limits, as you can see from the photos below, the Eaton Fire reached the Bobcat Fire burn area where there was already little vegetation to burn. 

The weather forecast does include gusty northwest winds tonight through tomorrow, with gusts up to 30 mph with the possibility of another Santa Ana wind event this upcoming Tuesday, January 14. So teams won't be demobilizing anytime soon and the City remains ready to respond to any change in the incident.

- Brad Haugaard 

Foothill Unity Center distributes food to fire victims

Today Foothill Unity Center distributed food, clothing, blankets, pillows, sweets for little ones, and other essentials to support families and individuals hurt by the fire. The center’s Monrovia site (790 W Chestnut) will resume accepting in-kind donations starting Monday. To donate money visit foothillunity.org.

- Brad Haugaard 

Engineering students to visit high speed rail; Advocating for special ed funding

At its next meeting (agenda here) the Monrovia Board of Education will consider ..

~ Approving an extended field trip for Monrovia High honors engineering students to visit Fresno State University Engineering Department and tour the high speed rail construction site. Details. 

~ Approving a letter to elected officials advocating for full funding for special education programs. Details.

- Brad Haugaard