Update - January 15 at 1:00 P.M.

Citywide cleanup continues across Monrovia. Neighbors are helping one another and businesses are repairing missing shingles, damaged solar panels and so on. City crews are working feverishly to collect the massive amounts of green waste throughout the community. After Monday's first collection, we had over 300 yards of green waste collected by the City...and only a drop in the bucket! I would request everyone's patience as we continue these cleanup efforts. Athens will continue to collect waste bins with their trucks (please fill those bins as much as you can) and then City crews will follow and pick up remaining waste. Here are some key things to remember:

Monrovia's Friday Night Street Fair

The Friday Night Street Fair is returning this Friday night but with a few special guests...we are welcoming six (6) merchants from Altadena who need a space AND extra support...Monrovia is certainly such a place! Come on down this Friday night where we are also doing a Donation Drive at the Market. Our Street Fair Operator, Raw Inspiration, will be promoting the drive and collecting donations. This is a great way to give and is endorsed by the City of Monrovia. 

Update on Monrovia Water Supply

As reported previously, the City of Monrovia’s water supply continues to be safe for consumption and use. I would encourage everyone to read these updates and caution anyone from posting comments on social media like, “I heard it’s not safe to drink.” or simply posting a notice from neighboring water system. Neighboring communities suffering significant fire damage to personal property may have also impacted their public water systems, or at least the public water systems may have contaminants within and surrounding burn areas.

Monrovia water remains safe for use. We have own water production facility on S. Myrtle Avenue. From that location, the City pumps 100% of the water into our system of reservoirs, pipes and ultimately, households and businesses. On Tuesday, January 7^th during the wind event, citywide power outages affected most of Monrovia including City facilities. What you may not know, is that Public Works also does its best to prepare for emergencies like windstorms and wildfires. Water was pumped into city reservoirs so in the event we lost power, reservoirs were full and ready to use. Staff began messaging “conserve water” on the morning of January 7^th before the windstorm. As a routine matter during power outages, staff immediately placed generators at the water production facility AND at all water pump stations throughout the city. Staff continues to conduct routine testing and sampling to ensure the water system remains in full compliance with State Drinking Water Standards. Even today, we continue to work with the State for compliance sampling and there are no issues, concerns or problems in Monrovia's water system. 

The wildfires and storms of this month may become known as the most destructive in Los Angeles County history. Many of us are working hard to help victims any way we can. Please bear in mind the damage caused will require the longest recovery effort in LA County history also. Keep your own personal health in check and watch for signs of mental health trauma or impact. We should be thinking about side effects of trauma when the wind begins to blow extra hard and anxiety or fear enter our homes. We can help neighbors secure property damage but also prepare emergency preparedness kits for a future event so we feel better prepared in the future. 

It's amazing to see the thousands of volunteers and organizations mobilize to help our neighbors through this tragedy. We are in this together and we hope the resources shared below can be shared with anyone who may find them useful. My next update will be shared as usual, on Friday, January 17th at 10:30 a.m.

As of today, the Eaton Fire has burned 14,117 acres and is currently 45% contained. 

Take care and keep safe!

MODA at Monrovia Station 

MODA at Monrovia Station, located at 228 W Pomona Ave, provided a list of units that are available for residents who have been displaced by the fires affecting Los Angeles County. MODA will be holding these rental rates for the units listed below for 2 weeks beginning, today, Wednesday, January 15. The units available are as follows: 

• #128 (1br),  NOW, $2,438
• #454 (1br),  NOW, $2,528
• #520 (1br),  NOW, $2,528
• #427 (2br),  NOW, $3,176
• #331 (2br),  NOW, $3,016
• #453 (2br),  1/29/25, $3,076
• #344 (1br),  1/30/25, $2,573
• #324 (2br), 1/31/25, 3,041
• #152 (1br), 1/31/25, 2,428
• #439 (1br), 2/9/25, $2,508
• #121 (2br), 2/14/25, $3,076

The terms being offered are: 

• Leases as short as 3 months
• Lease agreements for 3 to 6 months will include 1 week free
• Lease agreements for 6 or more months will include 2 weeks free
• Discounted rental furniture with Cort Furniture

Some people may have trouble providing personal records for income qualifications so MODA will work with the potential tenants to obtain the necessary information online. Please note that MODA staff will be checking ID's to confirm residence is impacted by the fires. 

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.

FREE Real Estate and Housing Help Center

The Arcadia Association of Realtors® is hosting a free, community Real Estate and Housing Help Center to help displaced people find housing.

This walk-in service is being held at 601 S. First Ave. in Arvadia from the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Guests will receive lists of places for rent, lease applications to use and be able to ask questions of our volunteers. No appointments are needed! Call AAR if you have questions 626-446-2115.

Save the image above and share with anyone who may be impacted!

FEMA Transitional Sheltering Assistance Available for Los Angeles County Residents

FEMA and the state of California are working to ensure that displaced survivors of the Los Angeles wildfires have access to safe, accessible temporary shelter. Reimbursement for out-of-pocket hotel costs, financial assistance towards rent and home repair and FEMA-provided temporary hotel or motel stays are currently being provided to eligible households.

Renters and homeowners who have already applied for disaster assistance may be eligible to stay temporarily in a hotel or motel paid for by FEMA through the Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) Program. This program is offered to enable displaced residents to work on their interim housing plan.

Affected residents do not need to request this assistance. FEMA will notify them of their eligibility through an automated phone call, text message, and/or email depending on the method of communication selected at the time of application for disaster assistance.

TSA is a temporary program intended to provide short-term lodging for eligible disaster survivors whose primary residence is uninhabitable or inaccessible because of the disaster and are not covered by insurance additional living expenses or loss of use. Eligible applicants sign a terms and conditions document confirming their eligibility end date when they check into a participating hotel.

Under the TSA program, FEMA pays the cost of room, taxes, and non-refundable pet fees directly to participating hotels and motels. Survivors are responsible for all other costs, including laundry, restaurant/room service, parking, telephone, or movie rental.

Continued eligibility is determined on an individual basis. When eligibility ends, survivors will be notified by FEMA seven days prior to checkout date. TSA is limited to participating hotels and motels. Applicants must refer to the TSA Locator to find a hotel, which will be visible to them when they go to DisasterAssistance.gov

Emergency hotel and motel stays are just one of several ways FEMA is helping wildfire survivors with housing needs. FEMA is offering other forms of housing assistance such as Displacement Assistance, Rental Assistance, and/or Lodging Expense Reimbursement:

• Displacement Assistance helps survivors who can’t return to their home following a disaster by giving them up-front money to help with immediate housing needs. It is money you can use to stay in a hotel or motel, stay with family and friends, or for any other available housing options.
• Rental Assistance pays for alternate temporary housing if a homeowner or renter is displaced from their primary residence because of damages resulting from the wildfires in Los Angeles County. This may include renting an apartment, house or staying at a hotel, bed and breakfast or Airbnb.
• Lodging Expense Reimbursement (LER) pays out-of-pocket lodging expenses that are not covered by insurance benefits like additional living expenses or loss of use. The resident’s pre-disaster primary residence must be unlivable, inaccessible, or affected by an extended disaster-caused utility outage. Eligible expenses may include the cost of the room and taxes charged by a hotel or other lodging provider. This does not include costs for food, phone calls or transportation. LER is limited to reimbursement and is not provided in advance or in the form of direct payment to a hotel or motel. The costs must have also been incurred on or after Jan. 7, 2025. Residents can upload their receipts to their DisasterAssistance.gov account.

To apply for FEMA assistance, homeowners and renters can:

• Go online at DisasterAssistance.gov and in Spanish language at //DisasterAssistance.gov/es.
• Call the FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362 for assistance in multiple languages.
• Download the FEMA App for mobile devices.  
• Go to a FEMA Disaster Recovery Center. To find one in your area, click here  or text DRC along with your Zip Code to 43362 (Example: “DRC 91001”)

If you use a relay service, captioned telephone or other service, give FEMA your number for that service. To view an accessible video on how to apply, visit Three Ways to Apply for FEMA Disaster Assistance - YouTube.

For the latest information about California’s recovery, visit //fema.gov/disaster/4856

Care Solace

As a reminder, the City partners with Care Solace to help those who need assistance accessing resources related to your health and wellness, including:

• Food Assistance- Food pantries, food delivery services, government and non-profit programs
• Mental Health Services- Therapy, psychiatry, and couples/family counseling 
• Shelter Support - Housing programs, transitional housing, and shelters
• Health Services - Low/fee health services, including physical and dental. 

You can connect with Care Solace by calling (888) 515-7881 or visiting Care Solace. We encourage all  to use this free service to help you or your loved ones get assistance.

Price Gouging During an Emergency is ILLEGAL

Increasing the price of goods and services by more than 10% during and immediately after a declared disaster is a crime. Governor Newsom declared a state of emergency for Los Angeles & Ventura Counties because of fire and windstorm conditions that caused the Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, Lidia, Sunset, and Woodley Fire on January 7, 2025 therefore price gouging protections are in effect until February 6, 2025. Watch this YouTube video from LA County DCBA about Price Gouging. 

Landlords cannot increase rent by more than 10% of the previous or advertised priced. For unlisted rentals, the price cannot exceed 160% of HUD's fair market value. 

If you believe you were a victim of price gouging, contact LA County Department of Consumer & Business Affairs (DCBA) to file a complaint by calling (800) 593-8222 or visit online at dcba.lacounty.gov. LA County DCBA Price Gouging website. 

Post-Fire Recovery Scam Warnings

In the aftermath of recent fires, scammers are actively targeting vulnerable individuals and families, exploiting their distress. Below are important warnings to help you recognize and avoid some of the most common scams.

False Job Solicitation Scams:

If you are looking for work related to fire recovery, beware of job offers circulating on social media that claim to be from the government or reputable agencies. These offers are often fraudulent and designed to steal your personal information. The job postings are not from legitimate sources. Scammers may ask you to submit personal details, such as your Social Security number, bank account information, or other sensitive data. Never provide personal information through links found on social media, especially if the offer seems too good to be true. Always verify job offers through official, government-approved channels or the agency's official website.

Fake City, County, or Federal Employees:

Do not trust anyone who approaches you claiming to be a representative of the City, County, or Federal government without proper identification. Government workers will not ask for payment for services on the spot or pressure you into making immediate decisions. Verify their credentials by contacting the relevant agency directly using official contact information, not the details they provide.

Phone and Text Message Scams:

Beware of unsolicited phone calls asking for donations for fire recovery or claiming to help you recover your losses. Legitimate organizations will not cold-call you for donations. Scammers may impersonate FEMA or insurance agents, asking for sensitive information like Social Security numbers or bank account details. Always hang up and call back using verified contact details. Never click on links or attachments in texts from unknown numbers, especially those offering "assistance" or "recovery help." These are often phishing attempts designed to steal your information. If you receive a text claiming to be from a government agency or insurance company, do not respond. Instead, verify their authenticity through official channels.

Unsolicited In-Person Solicitations:

Be cautious of people approaching you in person offering "free help" with repairs, insurance claims, or government assistance. Always ask for identification and do not make decisions on the spot. Contact the agency or organization they claim to represent directly before agreeing to anything.

Gift Card or Payment Scams:

Scammers may ask you to pay for services or "government fees" using gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Legitimate agencies will never ask for payments in these forms. If anyone requests payment in these unusual ways, report the incident immediately.

Fraudulent Donations:

Be cautious when donating to fire relief efforts. Always verify the legitimacy of the charity or organization, especially if they reached out to you directly. Use trusted platforms like Charity Navigator to check the legitimacy of organizations before making a donation.

Resources to Verify Authenticity of badges, credentials, and information you receive:

• Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) -  (877) 275-5273 - www.lapdonline.org
• California Department of Insurance - (800) 927-4357 - www.insurance.ca.gov
• California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) - (800) 321-CSLB (2752)- www.cslb.ca.aov
• Los Angeles County Consumer & Business Affairs - (800) 593-8222 - dcba.lacounty.gov
• Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) - (800) 621-3362 - www.fema.gov
• Better Business Bureau (BBB) - (213) 631-3600 - www.bbb.org

Stay Safe and Informed!

Always trust your instincts. If something feels off, take a step back and verify before proceeding. Together, we can protect ourselves and our neighbors from fraud and scams. Remain vigilant and report scams to the resources given above.

Click here for the official Los Angeles Police Department Facebook page. 

Update - January 13 at 5:50 P.M.

As of today, the Eaton Fire has burned 14,117 acres and is currently 33% contained. The fire's containment is along the eastern perimeter, and the Hillside Wilderness Preserve remains the only area of Monrovia under Evacuation Warning. All electricity has been restored throughout the community, and citywide cleanup is underway.

The weather forecast includes a possibility of another Santa Ana wind event tomorrow, Tuesday, January 14. It's currently forecasted as a red flag warning with northeast gusts ranging from 15 to 30 mph. These strong winds can always lead to fire activity in areas with unburned fuel and can increase damage to both property and power lines. City crews from all departments remain mobilized and are ready to respond to any changes in the incident. Please use this time to prepare your household if Southern California Edison uses a preemptive Public Safety Power Shutoff, or PSPS, prior to Tuesday's increased wind activity. 

On Saturday, the Los Angeles Department of Public Health (DPH) issued a local health emergency related to the ongoing fire events and windstorm conditions. As air quality from the fires is dramatically impacted by the release of smoke and particulate matter, DPH  is prohibiting the use of power air blowers, including leaf blowers, until further notice. These devices pick up ash and particulate matter and push them into the air, worsening air quality and health risks. We ask for all residents, including your landscape crews, to comply with the DPH order. For those who wish to report a violation of this order, please do not contact 9-1-1 or the Monrovia Police Department. Rather, you can visit the LA County Public Health website for more information including reporting. 

As a reminder, the City partners with Care Solace to help those who need assistance accessing resources related to your health and wellness, including:

We encourage all  to use this free service to help you or your loved ones get assistance. 

The City has received so much support for our emergency responders including the Police Department, Fire Department, CERT Volunteers, Public Works staff and many, many others. Your demonstrations of heartfelt support, including meals and donations, have meant so much to us. Currently, our facilities are no longer accepting food and other items.

As each of you are seeking ways to show support, be mindful of scams and people looking to take advantage of this crisis. In the coming weeks, I'll be sure to share a few ideas of ways our community can come together and support local groups, businesses and individuals impacted by the Eaton Fire.  

Take care and keep safe!

Update - January 11 at 4:10 P.M.

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. 

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.

Resources Available

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, our community is up to the task! 

• 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.
• 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. 

Take care and keep safe!

Update - January 10 at 11:50 A.M.

As of this morning, the Eaton Fire has burned 13,690 acres with a containment of 3%. Many people may be asking why containment is so low and it's due to several factors. 404 by L.A. Times created a short video to explain but essentially, containment means "control" and is about how much of the fire's edge or perimeter do firefighters believe they can stop from expanding. There are six factors that impact containment: 

1. Extreme Fire Weather- Dry conditions, low humidity, and strong winds fuel rapid fire growth
2. Rugged Terrain- Difficult access delays firefighting efforts
3. Limited Resources- Simultaneous fires burning throughout Los Angeles has stretched resources and crews
4. Erratic Fire Behavior- Wind driven fires spread unpredictability, sparking new hot spots
5. Dry-dense Vegetation- Los Angeles hasn't seen significant rain in the last 8 months, meaning our landscape and vegetation is more flammable
6. Urban-Wildland Zones- In populated areas, evacuations and protecting structures take priority over direct containment efforts

The Eaton Fire continues to be held at the Santa Anita Canyon and with good weather ahead, our focus increases towards electricity restoration. Many residents had power restored yesterday and early this morning, and restoration will continue. As firefighting efforts continue across Palisades, Hurst, Kenneth and Eaton Fires, we truly appreciate food and other items that have been donated. Your generosity and kindness is deeply appreciated. At this time, the City of Monrovia is no longer taking donations. We strongly encourage you to contact the Red Cross directly at 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) who will provide more information and direct you to how you can help those majorly impacted by these wildfires. They are currently designated to help with donations for wildfire victims in the area. 

There are countless emergency responders in the field today but I'd like to highlight a wonderful message I received about our Public Works Team. As you know, staff have been working around the clock since Tuesday to respond to resident concerns, and we cannot be more thankful for the amazing team that we have here. One resident shared a story about a conversation he was having with his wife. He was sharing how much he loves Monrovia and how it's become the best city they've ever lived in. As he said that, our Public Works crew drove by and was already cleaning debris. His wife responded," "See, that's the difference. They're cleaning up our streets and doing it right away." Thank you Mark Christensen Photography for sharing these photos with us. 

Debris Cleanup - First Phase

We are ready to begin the first phase of our citywide cleanup. For those looking to begin cleaning up your yards and perhaps helping a neighbor, here are details for debris pickup

1. Green Bins- to the extent possible, please fill your green bins/containers as much as possible. Small branches, leaves, clippings and anything that can fit into the bin can be picked up with regular trash/recycling pickup
2. Place larger logs, limbs or items in a neat pile in the parkway adjacent to your home. Place leaves in lawn bags and beginning on Monday, January 13th, City crews will pick these up and haul them off for you. If you have spare time, please volunteer to help a neighbor and share a story.
3. Street sweeping will continue per usual and parking restrictions will be enforced beginning Monday, January 13th. 

There will be additional phases of clean-up to follow. Please do all you can to share this information and help us "ease" the additional workload on staff by complying with these details the best you can. 

City Facilities Hours of Operation

The Monrovia Public Library and the Monrovia Community Center now have electricity! Both facilities will be open on Saturday from 8:00 am to 5:00 p.m. and closed on Sunday.

City Hall, Public Works Yard, Fire Administration will remain closed today.

All City facilities will be open for regular hours on Monday and regular business operations will resume. The Hillside Wilderness Preserve will remain closed do long as it remains under Evacuation Order.  

Trash Service

Athens Trash will be servicing those living in the Evacuation Warning areas of Monrovia today (Friday, January 10th) and tomorrow (Saturday, January 11th). Please leave your trash bins out sometime today or at the latest, Saturday morning. More information to come next week on future trash services.

Emergency Alerts

The past few days have been very difficult for emergency notifications. There is widespread coverage about problems with emergency communication tools used by agencies including Southern California Edison, Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management, and others. We apologize for the confusion this has caused. The City's Fire Chief, Jeremy Sanchez, is actively monitoring the fire along with the Incident Command Team at the Rose Bowl. Should we need to communicate changes to the status of the emergency, we will continue to use this City Manager's Update. And if we need to evacuate Monrovians at any point, the City will use every communication tool we have AND will send every City vehicle into evacuation areas and with lights, sirens and bullhorns.

Update - January 9 at 4:28 P.M.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is Monrovia's water safe to drink and use? Monrovia's public water supply is 100% safe and ok for consumption and use. There are no boil orders in Monrovia and the water is perfectly okay for use.
• How is Monrovia's water supply? At this time, we are asking residents to help us conserve water as power has not been restored to the city’s pump system. Although the pump system is running on generators, generators do have limitations. A collective effort in reduced water usage will allow our water pumps and generators to function as efficiently as possible with less operational strain.
• My gas got turned off. What happened? SoCalGas may be required to shut off gas service to homes and businesses due to public safety concerns and to make repairs in certain areas. Customers should not try to restore natural gas service on their own. SoCalGas crews will assist customers with service restorations. Customers who have had their natural gas service temporarily turned off for safety reasons will not be billed for service during a temporary outage. For more information or to report a gas leak, please contact SoCalGas at 1-800-427-2200.
• My power is still out. When will it come on? Southern California Edison (SCE) is actively working on restoring power throughout Monrovia and our neighboring communities. Due to the extreme winds and resulting damage and fires, detailed outage information and restoration times are unable to be provided by SCE. If you experience a power outage, please report the outage online at sce.com or by calling (800) 611-1911.
• I see a downed power line. What should I do? If it is a downed power line, do not touch or step in water near a downed line. Call 9-1-1 immediately to let them know of the downed power line. If it is a downed communication line, then please contact your telecommunication provider. Power lines are high voltage lines at the top of the utility pole, and communication lines are placed in the middle of utility poles. 
• There's a lot of debris in the streets. When will they be cleaned up? City staff is actively clearing debris throughout Monrovia in our streets, parks, and other reported areas. Due to the extensive amount of damage and debris, it will take a considerable amount of time to clear all debris from the streets and we thank you for your support and patience.
• A large tree branch fell in my backyard? Can Public Works come to remove it? If you have large debris in your backyard, you can place them in your green bins. If they are too large for your green bins, then take them to the curb and Public Works will do their best to pick them up next week. 
• Is street sweeping happening this week? Street sweeping has been cancelled for the remainder of this week and will resume next week.

Update - January 9 at 9:58 A.M.

This morning at 6:00 a.m. along with Monrovia Fire Chief Jeremy Sanchez, I attended the Incident Briefing for the Eaton Fire. The sheer number of firefighters and emergency responders is always incredible to see but there are far more people ready to undertake firefighting operations today. Please keep in mind for this update, I want to highlight how the Eaton Fire is impacting Monrovia because the western edge of the fire continues burning homes and structures and is a very different picture than what we see in our community. 

Last night, weather and wind conditions were favorable and we even watched nighttime firefighting operations above Santa Anita Canyon. The fire did not progress much at all overnight. There is now a small area where the fire is moving up Santa Anita Canyon on the Monrovia side. In looking at the images below, you can see a small area where the fire appears to now be on the eastern wall of the Canyon which is in Monrovia. There were several firefighters on site, keeping the fire in the canyon, and today's priorities for firefighters will be to continue to extinguish the fire and keep it in Santa Anita Canyon. So looking below, the first photo is the fire perimeter map we shared in last night's update. There is also an image of today's fire perimeter showing this small area of "spotting" on our side of the canyon. The rest of the fire perimeter on the eastern edge did not move much at all. Very favorable weather forecasts for the day mean we will see the first full day of aerial firefighting (@Shane Nichols, get your camera out please) along with hundreds of firefighters from across the state and western United States who are now assisting.

That being said, Evacuation Orders and Warnings continue as they were yesterday, but we are cautiously optimistic as the weather conditions and firefighting efforts continue to be in our favor and fire officials are keeping close watch on the progression of the east side of the Eaton  Fire. 

Between Tuesday and Wednesday, Governor Newsom and President Biden declared a state of emergency and approved a Major Disaster declaration for California, respectively, which allows impacted community access to funds and resources to fight the wildfires and also jumpstart any recovery. The City will also declare a local emergency proclamation which the City Council will ratify at the next City Council meeting.

Electricity is being restored in our community as many neighborhoods are coming back online. Even City Hall was restored just an hour ago. But there are still plenty without power, including several businesses, and efforts to restore will continue until the lights are back on, everywhere. Southern California Edison (SCE) has countless people, equipment and resources in the field trying to restore power. While I'm optimistic they'll have everyone's power restored asap, they also shared the following message:

"Due to the dangerous conditions, it will take longer than usual for SCE to restore power, and customers should be prepared for extended and potentially intermittent outages. Many outages from this week’s extreme weather could extend through the weekend and into early next week. For equipment that is damaged by fire or where access is restricted, restoration times could be substantially longer. Ongoing fire and wind conditions may result in some customers whose power is restored to experience a subsequent power shutoff."

While City Hall and other City facilities remain closed to the public, the Community Center will be available to the public from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm and will have snacks, water, and areas to charge your phones. During this time, there will be no street sweeping, because City Hall is closed, we will not assessing any late fees or payment penalties during City Hall closure. 

Finally, residents are asking about the City's water supply as neighboring communities issued notices for "boil orders." Monrovia's public water supply is 100% safe and ok for consumption and use. The only impacts to our water supply occurred when the the community lost power, the City also lost our ability to pump water into our reservoirs for replenishment. With help from generators placed at our different pumps, we were able to resolve the problem and begin filling our reservoirs again. So there are no boil orders in Monrovia and the water is perfectly ok for use.

As we continue to provide you updates on the Eaton Fire and how they affect our community, please keep in mind the other communities, especially our neighboring ones, that are suffering through major devastation. Our thoughts are also with those affected by the Palisades Fire, Hurst Fire, the Sunset Fire and anyone else who has been affected by these devastating wildfires. 

Update - January 8 at 9:04 P.M.

Tonight at 6:00 p.m., we attended an Incident Briefing for the Eaton Fire. Since early this afternoon, the fire along the eastern edge was held generally around the Santa Anita Canyon. With favorable weather today, including little-to-no winds throughout the afternoon, the fire slowly backed down into the Santa Anita Canyon drainage area where  crews were positioned to hold the fire's position. Additionally, a dozer line was placed between the Santa Anita drainage area and Lower Clamshell Trail along the burn scar from the Bobcat Fire. This was done as a contingency in case the fire jumped or moved across the Santa Anita drainage. Air support was also provided this afternoon and is available throughout the night as needed.  Incident Command does not anticipate the fire to grow along the eastern edge tonight, and they expect to continue attacking the fire with significantly more resources early Thursday morning. At this time, there are no changes to previously issued Evacuation Orders or Evacuation Warnings. 

For tonight, Monrovians will see the fire on our hillside, including that eerie glow and occasional flames jumping. The fire will also look a lot closer than it is, as the fire is holding in the Santa Anita drainage area. Monrovia Fire & Rescue staff remain in Monrovia but also are assisting in Sierra Madre and Arcadia, doing their part to combat the fire's movements in our neighboring communities as needed. 

The map below is based off of the infrared map of the Eaton Fire and does not necessarily reflect the fire perimeter. The green area is the boundary of Monrovia with the red representing the Eaton Fire burn area. We anticipate receiving more maps as information becomes available to us. 

Electricity and cell service continue to be spotty as power outages remain widespread throughout the city. Southern California Edison is unable to say when power will be restored so we recommend planning ahead for extended outages. 

Certain City facilities remain without power, including City Hall and will remain closed to the public until further notice. Non-emergency city phone lines will also be out of service until electricity is restored. On Thursday, the Community Center will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and has snacks, water and areas to charge your cell phones. Be sure to stop by and say hi. 

Keep your phones nearby and continue to be ready should weather conditions change. I will provide another update in the morning. 

Update - January 8 at 11:45 A.M.

We are trying to provide as much current information and updates as we can. City crews are working closely with area authorities and will continue doing our best to communicate updates related to the Eaton Fire, areawide power outages and various challenges we are experiencing. 

Currently, the Eaton Fire is now at 10,600 acres with 0% containment. The fire is driven by wind with heavy impacts to the communities of Altadena and Pasadena. The fire is pushing mostly towards cities west of Monrovia including Altadena, Pasadena, La Crescenta and Glendale, but is also backing towards Santa Anita Canyon and the Bobcat Fire burn scar on the east.  

With the possibility of the fire crossing Santa Anita Canyon and impacting the west portion of Monrovia, Evacuation Orders have been issued for the portions of Monrovia north of Hillcrest and west of Myrtle (previously Primrose but now includes Myrtle), and including all of Gold Hills. Currently there is a Evacuation Warning north of Hillcrest, east of Myrtle and Norumbega Drive north of Greystone. 

Local shelter arrangements have been set up at the Arcadia Community Center, Pasadena Civic Center and a few other locations in LA County found here under "Human Shelters." There is also a small animal shelter at the Pasadena Humane Society facility. Continue to read the link above for updates and additional information on evacuation centers and resources. 

Along with the 700 firefighters currently combatting the Eaton Fire, all available Monrovia firefighters have been recalled and are currently staffing five engines in preparation for any impacts to our community. Additionally, police officers, public works crews, park naturalists and a huge number of City employees are working hard to help us all through this emergency. Be sure to thank them when you see them. 

Last night, crews responded to multiple calls for residential structure fires, downed power lines, fallen trees and blockages to public rights of way. We are working alongside Southern California Edison to restore power to the city however, there is no estimate for power restoration at this time. It would be best to plan ahead for extended outages and as a reminder, please do not call 9-1-1 to ask for updates to power outages. We need these lines clear for reporting of actual downed power lines, current emergencies, etc. 

Finally, thank you to all the many community members, businesses and folks who have stopped by to offer support, feed our first responders and show your support. On behalf of all City employees, we love our community very much and will be there thru the entire incident. 

Update - January 8 at 7:20 A.M.

Within the hour, an Evacuation ORDER will be issued for those residing in the northwest areas of Monrovia. The Eaton Fire is continuing to move eastward toward Monrovia and Incident Command staff are insistent that certain residents in Monrovia evacuate. When they issue the Evacuation Order, it will include areas north of Hillcrest and West of Primrose Avenue. Portions of Gold Hills will also be included in the Evacuation Order. From Primrose Avenue East, and Foothill North, the northeast area of Monrovia will remain under Evacuation Warning. 

LA County Emergency Management has activated this page to provide information about emergency shelters, animal shelters and other important resources. 

The Monrovia Community Center, which is without power, does have City staff onsite who can answer questions. It is not currently set up as an emergency shelter so those who evacuate should find a family member, hotel room or safe place to stay away from the fire evacuation area. 

The Evacuation Order affecting those who live north of Hillcrest and West of Primrose, will be forthcoming shortly.

Update - January 8 at 5:00 A.M.

As of Wednesday morning, the Eaton Fire is currently burning approx. 1/2 mile west of Santa Anita Avenue. Areas of Monrovia have been issued Evacuation Warnings which include residences West of Myrtle Avenue and North of Hillcrest (i.e. the NW section of Monrovia). At 6:00 a.m. this morning, emergency management teams will be conducting an incident briefing for area agencies including Monrovia. We will certainly report back once we have additional information. 

As the Eaton Fire continues burning towards Monrovia, you should anticipate seeing flames on the hillside as they move eastward. As the Eaton Fire moves closer to Monrovia, it will also encounter the Bobcat Fire Burn Area which will mean less extreme flames on the hillside. It's a good thing when the Eaton Fire begins to burn into a previously burned area as there is less brush and fuel for the Eaton Fire to burn. However, the weather remains very unpredictable and as emergency responders make decisions about evacuations, if you receive a notice about an Evacuation Warning or Evacuation Order, please follow the guidance prescribed.

 Power outages will continue through the day as there are numerous downed power lines, fallen trees and damaged structures throughout Monrovia. City staff will be working hard to clear debris, respond to incidents and assist wherever we can. 

Please keep watch for more updates as they come. I'll issue another update later today once we receive more information from the Incident Briefing. 

Update - January 7 at 11:57 P.M.

The Eaton Fire was reported on Tuesday, January 7th, 2025 at around 6:12 PM near Eaton Canyon in Pasadena, California. The fire is currently estimated to be approximately 1,000 acres. The Angeles National Forest is in unified command with the LA County Fire Department and Pasadena Fire Department. There are mandatory evacuations in effect for residents of Altadena, and some residents of Pasadena with Arcadia and Sierra Madre already evacuating some areas and issuing warnings for others. 

As the Eaton Fire continues burning towards Monrovia, and due to current excessive winds, the City of Monrovia is issuing an Evacuation Warning for certain areas in Northwest Monrovia, including areas west of Myrtle Avenue AND north of Hillcrest. Residents living in these areas should prepare a "Go Bag" of necessary supplies in the event an Evacuation Order is issued. Those residing in the area who require additional time to evacuate, or who require special assistance, should evacuate as a precautionary measure. 

Power outages will likely occur throughout Southern California and Southern California Edison (SCE) is considering cutting off early 300,000 customers to decrease the risk of dangerous wildfires. Some of your households may have already received an email from SCE regarding Public Safety Power Shutoffs, or PSPS. For the latest updates, outage map, and information about customer care services, visit www.sce.com/psps. 

In addition to power outages, we are likely to see scattered downed trees and debris through our city streets. City staff will be working hard to clear debris. 

The Hillside Wilderness Preserve will be closed as a precautionary measure through Wednesday, January 8, or until the warning has been lifted. 

The City will have staff and CERT volunteers on standby to assist with downed power line and any non-emergency situations. Please continue to read this special update below for what you can do in preparation of the windstorm, and what to do and not to do when it comes to power lines, tree branches and power outages. 

Additionally, here are some extra precautions we advise everyone to consider as we weather through this storm:

Update - January 7 at 8:40 P.M.

As many are aware, the Eaton Fire is burning near Altadena and is visible from Monrovia. Earlier this evening, Altadena and some Pasadena residents in the area were sent evacuation notices. Due to certain limitations of the emergency alert system used, some Monrovia residents also received this evacuation notice. Other cities may be advising residents to “voluntarily evacuate.”

To clear any confusion please note there is no evacuation warning or order for the City of Monrovia at this time. 

City staff are working closely with area authorities while also responding to downed power lines, structure fires, and other local emergencies. We will continue keeping a close watch and will do so throughout the night. 

As power outages continue to occur throughout our City, please help us to conserve water as water pumping capabilities are temporarily limited.

Thank you and continue to follow us on Instagram and keep up with the updates on the City website.

Update - January 7 at 8:01 A.M.

As you may have seen in the news already, or even experienced this morning on your way to work or school, a significant Santa Ana wind event is forecasted this week and is already beginning. While incredible wind events are rare in Monrovia, it's always best to prepare for the worst out of an abundance of caution. 

The National Weather Service is predicting extremely high winds and dangerous fire conditions from Tuesday evening through Thursday afternoon with potential for moderate to strong winds lasting through Friday. Weather experts have expressed high confidence for localized gusts over 80 mph with sustained winds of 35-55 mph in Monrovia. With the combination of dry vegetation and the potential of high winds, many Southern California cities are within the critical fire risk area, including Monrovia, as shown below on the map from the New York Times (the map has been slightly modified to show the approximate location of Monrovia). 

Power outages will likely occur throughout Southern California and Southern California Edison (SCE) is considering cutting off early 300,000 customers to decrease the risk of dangerous wildfires. Some of your households may have already received an email from SCE regarding Public Safety Power Shutoffs, or PSPS. For the latest updates, outage map, and information about customer care services, visit www.sce.com/psps. 

In addition to power outages, we are likely to see scattered downed trees and debris through our city streets. City staff will be working hard to clear debris. 

The Hillside Wilderness Preserve will be closed as a precautionary measure through Wednesday, January 8, or until the warning has been lifted. 

The City will have staff and CERT volunteers on standby to assist with downed power line and any non-emergency situations. Please continue to read this special update below for what you can do in preparation of the windstorm, and what to do and not to do when it comes to power lines, tree branches and power outages. 

Additionally, here are some extra precautions we advise everyone to consider as we weather through this storm:

• Secure loose objects around your property to prevent wind gusts from blowing them away and into power lines. 
• Ensure you have sufficient food, water and emergency supplies for your household.
• Make sure your phone, flashlight and necessary electronics are charged and ready for use in the event we lose power.
• Conserve water use as much as possible. Should the City lose power, this will affect City pumps and limit our ability to pump new water into storage tanks
• Lastly, please do not contact 911 to report power outages but rather report them directly to SCE. Please DO contact 911 to report downed power lines, which present an immediate danger to the public