REVISED Health Officer Order Limits Prohibition of Use of Power Air Blowers, Including Leaf Blowers, to Palisades and Eaton Wildfire Perimeter Areas Only
County of Los Angeles Public Health News Release For Immediate Release:
January 23, 2025: Since issuing the temporary ban on power air blowers due to poor air quality from the fires, conditions have improved as the fires have been contained, reducing hazardous smoke and particulate matter across Los Angeles County. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has revised the Health Office Order issued on January 10.
The Order now limits the prohibition of the use of power air blowers to only within the Palisades and Eaton Wildfire Perimeter Areas as defined by the CAL FIRE and The Wildland Fire Interagency Geospatial Services (WFIGS) Group. This revised Order will remain in effect until the County Health Officer determines that fire recovery conditions have progressed to a point where use of air propelling devices will not negatively impact the health of residents and persons working in those areas.
Power air blowers may be used in all areas of the County of Los Angeles that are outside of the 2025 Palisades and Eaton wildfire perimeters.
Although of power air blowers may be used in all areas of the County of Los Angeles that are outside of the Palisades and Eaton wildfire perimeters, please note that in areas where concerning amounts of ash and dust are still present, the County Health Officer recommends that individuals consider alternatives to the use of power air blowers, for example, gentle sweeping followed by wet mopping or HEPA vacuums, to collect and remove them. Individuals cleaning fire-related ash and dust should always wear respiratory, eye and skin protection to limit their risk of exposure to the ash or dust.
On January 10, Public Health declared a Local Health Emergency in response to the widespread impacts of the ongoing multiple critical fire events and windstorm conditions. This emergency declaration remains in effect, as fire events have caused significant health and safety risks for residents across the county.
Public Health continues encouraging residents to follow these recommendations to protect themselves and their family from harmful effects of bad air quality:
· If you see or smell smoke, or notice particles and ash in the air, stay indoors to limit exposure, especially if you have heart or lung conditions, are elderly, or have children, to reduce your risk exposure to particles and smoke. · Keep indoor air clean by closing windows and doors. Use air conditioners that recirculate air to filter out harmful particles. · Wear an N95 or P100 mask if you must go outside in smoky conditions for long periods of time in areas where you see or smell smoke or ash present in the air. · Avoid air conditioners that only bring in outside air and don’t recirculate. Check and replace air filters regularly. Filters labeled “MERV13” or higher are most effective for removing smoke particles. HEPA air purifiers can further reduce indoor particles. · If it’s too hot to keep windows and doors closed and you don’t have an air conditioner, go to a public place like a library or shopping center to stay cool and protect yourself from harmful air. · Avoid using fireplaces, candles, or vacuums. Clean dusty surfaces with a damp cloth and don’t smoke. · If you experience symptoms like severe coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest pain, palpitations, nausea, or unusual fatigue, contact your doctor or go to urgent care. For life-threatening symptoms, call 911. · As a reminder, follow the ash clean-up instructions at http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/wildfire/.
The following is recommended for pets:
· Avoid leaving your pets outdoors, particularly at night. Pets should be brought into an indoor location, such as an enclosed garage or a house. · If dogs or cats appear to be in respiratory distress, they should be taken to an animal hospital immediately. Symptoms of respiratory distress for dogs and cats include coughing or gagging, difficulty breathing, including open mouth or increased noise when breathing (asthma like symptoms) Symptoms for cats are less noticeable. · Additional information can be found here: Wildfire smoke and animals | American Veterinary Medical Association
View the full Order of the Los Angeles County Health Officer here: http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/WildFire/docs/health_emergency_proclamation.pdf |
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Reports are circulating that Trump is heading to Los Angeles Friday to view the destruction caused by wildfires.
There are no details on his plans. Biden could still be in Santa Ynez and Harris is most likely at her home in Brentwood, Los Angeles.
If Trump does end up visiting Los Angeles it would most likely be an awkward visit as the support for Trump in Los Angeles has been fairly low. Visiting and showing his support could possibly help his base of support.
Trump could visit Los Angeles January 24, 2025.
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Cheeseburger Week Postponed to February 23 to March 1. Cheeseburger Challenge, Special Meals and Deals Will Remain Part of Cheeseburger Week.
Eaton Fire, Relief Efforts and Emergency Needs of Community and Participants Prompts Postponement of Annual Cheeseburger Celebration
Due to the ongoing emergency and the focus on immediate relief for those deeply impacted by the Eaton Fire, the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce has postponed the Cheeseburger Week celebration until the week of February 23rd.
We thought it best to postpone Cheeseburger Week for a month until we all understand the extend of the devastation and people most directly impacted may be starting to look for ways to get back on their feet.
We are all dealing with the Eaton Fire tragedy and doing what we can to help those in so much need. Hosting Cheeseburger Week seems to be a distraction at this time, not the celebration it should be.
Two questions:
1. How can we all help? (Will you offer something unique for those who suffered losses related to the fire?)
2. How can we make this Cheeseburger Week special?
Pasadena restaurants celebrate the invention of the cheeseburger in the city in 1924 during Cheeseburger Week® 2025. 40 restaurants, burger joints and more take part in the citywide celebration now rescheduled for Sunday, February 23, 2025, to Saturday, March 1, 2025.
We are asking participants on how you can best support the victims of the Eaton Fire and those who worked so hard to battle the fires and keep local neighborhoods safe. The delay will give us time to see if there is a way we can make the event benefit those who were so devastated by the fires. And we hope to be able to bring a little cheer, maybe a smile, and a lot of cheeseburgers to those who may need them most.
Cheeseburger Week® is organized by the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce with their restaurant members. Continuing at the end of February, 2025, is the Cheeseburger Challenge®. Participants will still be able to vote for their favorites in several categories at www.pasadenarestaurantweek.com during Cheeseburger Week®.
During Cheeseburger Week® from February 23rd to March 1st, Pasadena honors Lionel Sternberger’s genius in being the first to put cheese on a hamburger and serve it at the Rite Spot in Pasadena in 1924. Forty of Pasadena’s favorite restaurants, lounges and burger joints offer their signature burgers, some special creations and great deals during Cheeseburger Week.
Cheeseburger Week is a Pasadena Restaurant Week and California Restaurant Month event presented by the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce. Cheeseburger Week is generously sponsored by Wells Fargo.
If you have questions or concerns, please call Paul at 626-795-3355 or email Paul@pasadena-chamber.org .
Starting Tuesday, January 21 at noon, eight new locations will begin distributing free PPE , including proper respirators, gloves, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, shoes and socks, and goggles. The Pasadena Public Health Department emphasizes that respirators must be obtained in a size that can be tightened over the mouth and nose with a snug seal to the face.
“Pasadena Public Health Department recommends residents at risk of health impacts from the air quality, including older adults, children, people with disabilities, people with underlying health conditions, or people who are immunocompromised, wear respirators,” the department stated. Those with heart or lung disease should consult their doctors before using respirators or working around ashes.
4. Eaton Fire Local Health Emergency
Ensure vulnerable community members like low-income and immigrant workers working in post-disaster
recovery/cleanup know about safety and have access to personal protective equipment (PPE).1
Nonprofit Worksafe has been tracking alleged labor violations during wildfires across the state. “This is one of
the most dangerous kinds of situations that a worker can be in.” When a wildfire burns through a neighborhood,
the low-wage immigrants who work there lose jobs they rely on. Sometimes, they’re recruited into new jobs that
could jeopardize their health and safety.2
In the course of Climate Resolve’s research, it became apparent that vulnerable members of the community –
people who work as caretakers, day laborers, farm hands, landscape specialists and housekeepers – were
neglected during the Woolsey, Hill and Thomas fires.3
“I cleaned all the ash out of certain properties,” [Socorro] says. Socorro is one of dozens of domestic workers
across California who’ve shoveled wildfire ash out of houses [after the Tubbs fire]. Wildfire ash can be toxic, but
a previous KALW investigation4 found that many domestic workers are not provided with masks, gloves, or
other safety gear by their employers. [Socorro] remembers her head throbbing as she worked; at one point, her
nose started bleeding. When the job was over, she says her doctor prescribed her an inhaler to treat the
respiratory problems she developed.5
…domestic workers who participated in cleanups [after the Tubbs fire]…. ended up breaking out in rashes, and a
couple people had respiratory issues and had to go to hospital.6
Cal/OShlA has investigated a range of safety violations during wildfire cleanups over the past few years,
including workers who cleaned burnt or damaged homes.7
According to IDEPSCA8, domestic workers described deep-cleaning homes in Malibu [after the Woolsey Fire]
often without masks, gloves or other basic safety gear.
Yadi
Pasadena City Council Special Meeting
January 17,2025
4. Eaton Fire Local Health Emergency
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3 https://climateresolve.orc)/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/WoolsevReport_Final.pdf
4 httDS://www.kalw.ora/Dost/california-s-wildfires-aet-worse-domestic-workers-fiaht-Drotection
5 httDs://centerforhealthiournalism.ora/our-work/reDortina/domestic-workers-learn-Dast-disasters-new-labor-riahts-fiaht
6 httDs://centerforhealthioumalism.ora/our-work/reDortina/domestic-workers-learn-Dast-disasters-new-labor-riahts-fiaht
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on
8 https://www.idepsca.org/node/16 1/17/2025
Item 4
These results were posted on Jan 17, 2025, days after the water quality deemed safe to drink.
Jan 13,
2025
Eaton Fire – Water Quality Results
* Fire-related analyte.
Treatment Technique (TT): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in the water.
ABBREVIATIONS
- Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. Primary MCLs are set as close to the Public Health Goals as is economically and technologically feasible. Secondary MCLs are set to protect the odor, taste, and appearance of drinking water.
- Detection Limits for Purposes of Reporting (DLR): The DLR is a parameter that is set by regulation for each reportable analyte. It is not laboratory specific and it is independent of the analytical method used (in cases where several methods are approved). It is expected that a laboratory can achieve a Reporting Limit that is lower than or equal to the DLR set by the DDW. This is also known as the Minimum Reporting Level (MRL).
- Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL): The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. The addition of a disinfectant is necessary for the control of microbial contaminants.
- n/a: Not Applicable.
- ND: Contaminant was not detected. The contaminant is less than the DLR.
- ppb: parts per billion.
After the devastation from the Eaton fire, Pasadena issued a do not drink water notice below. Since then the water was deemed safe to drink but without any test results being released to the public as promised by city officials, there was only “assurances” that the water was safe to drink. Was there any testing of the lines between the 7th and the 13th? Where was the water tested? And is the testing continuing and when and where are those results being posted? For transparency those results should be made available, as we are community who’s water, air and soil has been compromised, and need the assurances from city officials with the science to back it up that the air and water are safe, then focus on the long term road to recovery.
Last updated – 12/08/14
Date: 1/8/2025
UNSAFE WATER ALERT
Este aviso contiene informacion muy importante sobre su agua potable. Para una copia en español,
favor de llamar al Pasadena W&P: (626) 744-4138
Eaton Fire Evacuated Areas of Pasadena Water and Power water system
is potentially impacted with debris and elevated turbidity
DO NOT DRINK YOUR WATER IN THE EVACUATED AREAS
Failure to follow this advisory could result in illness
Debris and elevated turbidity from the Eaton Fire potentially impacted Pasadena Water and Power’s
(PWP) drinking water system in the Eaton Fire evacuated areas. The State Water Resources Control
Board, Pasadena Public Health Department, and Pasadena Water and Power Water System are
advising residents of Pasadena to NOT USE THE TAP WATER FOR DRINKING AND COOKING IN
THE IMPACTED AREAS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
What should I do?
• DO NOT DRINK YOUR TAP WATER—USE ONLY BOTTLED WATER. Bottled water should be
used for all drinking (including baby formula and juice), brushing teeth, washing dishes, making ice
and food preparation until further notice. This also applies to pets and domestic animals.
• DO NOT TRY AND TREAT THE WATER YOURSELF. Boiling, freezing, filtering, adding chlorine
or other disinfectants, or letting water stand will not make the water safe.
We will inform you when tests show that the water is safe again. Expected timeframe for
resolution is unknown and dependent on evolving fire, wind, and related conditions.
For more information call:
Pasadena Water and Power 24-Hour Emergency Line (626) 744-4138
Jack Miyamoto, Water Quality Manager (626) 744-3704
Pasadena Water and Power
Pasadena Public Health Department Main Line (626) 744-6004
Chi Diep, District Engineer (818) 551-2016
State Water Resources Control Board
State Water Resources Control Board Main Line (818) 551-2004
This notice is being sent to you by Pasadena Water and Power. California Public Water System ID # 1910124
Date Distributed: 1/8/2025
Please share this information with all other people who receive this water, especially those who
may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes,
schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing
copies by hand.