The City of South Pasadena urges residents to take precautions when cleaning up ash from wildfires. Ash particles are usually bigger than smoke particles, but can still cause health problems. People with heart or lung diseases, older adults, children, and pregnant women should use special caution around ash.
When cleaning up ash: 😷 Wear a tight-fitting disposable respirator (such as a N-95 or P-100 respirator mask) to protect your lungs. 🥽 Wear goggles, gloves, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, shoes and socks to avoid skin contact. 🧹 Mist lightly with water and then sweep gently with a broom or wet mop. Direct ash-filled water to ground areas and away from the storm drains. Don’t use leaf blowers! 🗑️ Collect ash into a plastic bag and dispose in the regular trash. 🏠 Inside your home, use a vacuum with a HEPA filter or, if possible, similar industrial ones with disposable collection filter bags. Misting lightly with water and then sweeping gently with a broom is another option. 🚗 Take your car to the car wash. 🧸 Wash off toys. 🐶 Clean ash off pets.
While parking enforcement is suspended, we strongly encourage residents, especially in the southwest hills area, to keep streets clear for emergency vehicle access.
Here’s who to call in case of issues:
🔌 Downed Power Lines: Call 911 immediately.
🔋 Power Outages: Report to Southern California Edison at 1 (800) 611-1911.
🌳 Fallen Trees: Contact South Pasadena Police Department Non-Emergency at (626) 403-7270.
On Monday, January 13, 2025 the National Weather Service (NWS) Los Angeles/Oxnard issued a red flag warning valid from Tuesday, January 14, 2025 4:00 a.m. until Wednesday, January 15, 2025 12:00 p.m. These winds combined with dry air and dry vegetation will keep the fire weather threat in the area. Continue to practice fire safety by avoiding work that creates sparks and report any signs of smoke. For fire prevention tips and emergency planning, visit readyforwildfire.org. Stay prepared, stay informed, and stay safe.
In response to the windstorm and potential evacuations, parking restrictions are temporarily lifted until further notice. Please remain alert and avoid blocking emergency lanes and fire access routes.
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, City offices will be closed on Monday, January 20, 2025. We will resume services on Tuesday, January 21, 2025.
The South Pasadena Police and Fire Departments will have staff available to assist the public. For non-emergency assistance, you may contact the Police Department at (626) 403-7270, while the Fire Department can be reached at (626) 403-7300.
All South Pasadena Unified School District schools and the District Office will reopen on Monday, January 13, 2025. For more information, please visit SPUSD.net.
As The Los Angeles community face the challenges of the ongoing windstorm event, it is important to remain vigilant against fraudulent activities. Unfortunately, scammers often take advantage of these difficult times, attempting to exploit vulnerable individuals. For more information on scams to be cautious of and ways to protect yourself, please visit southpasadenaca.gov/Windstorm-Event/Donations-Support
The National Weather Service (NWS) Los Angeles/Oxnard issued that Critical Fire Weather conditions will continue through Wednesday. Moderate to locally strong Santa Ana winds will affect the typical Santa Ana Wind Corridors on Sunday morning and again Monday through Wednesday. Periods of winds gusting 30 to 50 mph, except 50 to 75 mph for wind prone mountains and foothills through at least Tuesday with the strongest winds likely into this morning, and again late Monday into Tuesday. These winds combined with dry air and dry vegetation will keep the fire weather threat in the area. Continue to practice fire safety by avoiding work that creates sparks, report any smoke, and stay informed.
Public Health has declared a Local Health Emergency and issued a Public Health Officer Order in response to the widespread impacts of the ongoing multiple critical fire events and windstorm conditions.
The fire events have caused significant health and safety risks for residents across the county. The fires, coupled with strong winds, have severely degraded air quality by releasing hazardous smoke and particulate matter, posing immediate and long-term risks to public health. Additionally, the fires have caused widespread displacement of residents, prompted emergency evacuations from healthcare facilities, and disrupted vital health services and resources.
To help protect the health and wellbeing of residents, the use of power air blowers, including leaf blowers, is prohibited until further notice. These devices stir up ash and particulate matter into the air, further worsening air quality and increasing health risks for everyone and their pets, particularly for those with respiratory conditions, older adults, children, and other vulnerable populations. The order applies to all areas of Los Angeles County due to the widespread presence of ash and particulate matter in the air throughout the entire region.
Additionally, the following recommendations will help you protect yourself and your 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.
➡️ 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 with heavy smoke or where ash is present.
➡️ 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.
➡️ When smoke lingers, fine particles may build up indoors even if you can’t see them. Masks can protect against larger particles, but most don’t block fine particles or toxic gases, which are more harmful.
➡️ 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.
The City has received an outpouring of generosity from the community for donation of time and resources to assist during this time. While the City of South Pasadena is not currently organizing donation collections or volunteer opportunities, the need will arise in the coming weeks. If you are interested in helping in South Pasadena, we encourage residents to register at: https://secure.rec1.com/CA/south-pasadena-recreation-youth-services-ca/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTM0ODQ3NDU=. Once volunteer opportunities arise, we will reach out directly with further details.
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