Altadena experienced the brunt of the Eaton Canyon Fire that burned over 14,000 acres, and residents of the area lost everything. On Thursday, May 22, officials from LA County Parks, the USDA Forest Service, Eaton Canyon Nature Associates, and the Altadena Mountain Rescue Team held a press conference to inform the public why Eaton Canyon Natural Area and Angeles National Forest trails remain closed to protect the public and to allow nature to rejuvenate.
The press conference will be held at Henninger Trailhead, North Altadena Drive at Midwick Drive. It will consist of the following speakers: Norma E. García-González, Director, County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation; a USDA Forest Service representative of the Angeles National Forest; Karen Mateer, Vice President of Eaton Canyon Nature Center Associates; and Daniel Page, Reserve Deputy of the Altadena Mountain Rescue Team.
In other news regarding Altadena and its residents, they received another disappointing blow. Some victims of the wildfires learned they were ineligible for the Los Angeles County relief grant program because their homes didn’t burn down, even though all that’s left is ash and rubble.
The LA County Household Relief Grant awarded fire victims up to $18,000 to use for things not covered by insurance and other assistance. The program is critical for those uninsured or underinsured, but some say they were denied by the program because the county claims their homes are still standing.
In an interview with CBS News Altadena, renter Lidia Medel explained her reaction to finding out she was denied the grant. “This was my sanctuary. I am heartbroken that I am no longer here,” she said. “I loved my apartment, and anybody who knows me knows how much I loved Altadena.”
At 63 years old, Medel thought she would live the rest of her life here. Instead, she is bunking at a friend’s house. Since she didn’t have rental insurance, she immediately looked for outside help.
“When I came across the LA County household grant, I applied and was denied,” Medel said.
In an email response, Medel learned her application was denied because her apartment “was not destroyed and not uninhabitable.”
“I was told to go back into my apartment and live in it,” Medel said. “I just felt like I got punched in the stomach all over again, where I have to prove to my county that my apartment is destroyed.”
