City Hall Scoop

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.

1/13/2025

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.

➡️ Practice safe clean-up following a fire. Follow the ash clean-up and food safety 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.

For the full press release, please visit: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/phcommon/public/media/mediapubhpdetail.cfm?prid=4937

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.

In response to the windstorm and potential evacuations, parking restrictions have been temporarily lifted in South Pasadena until Monday, January 13, 2025, to allow for easier movement of emergency vehicles and displaced residents. Please remain alert and avoid blocking emergency lanes and fire access routes.

Please note the following program updates for January 10 through January 12, 2025:

➡️ Camp Med After School Program: In alignment with SPUSD, we will also be cancelling Camp Med After School Program.

➡️ Senior Center Services: In light of safety concerns, the Senior Center will be canceling all scheduled programming. The Senior Center will remain open to provide safe refuge for any who may need it, as well as continue offering essential services such as the Nutrition Program.

➡️ Dial-A-Ride: Service will continue to operate, focusing on providing essential transportation for seniors.

➡️ Recreation Leisure Classes: All programs and activities held at City-owned facilities will be canceled.

➡️ Facility Reservations: All indoor and gazebo reservations are cancelled.

In response to the ongoing wildfires exacerbated by recent windstorm conditions, the National Guard has been deployed to assist in firefighting efforts and support emergency response teams. Residents may notice National Guard personnel and vehicles within the city as they work alongside local and neighboring cities’ emergency responders to manage the fires and ensure public safety. We ask that the community remain vigilant and cooperate with authorities as we work together to navigate this critical situation.