A catastrophic fire swept through Altadena during the night of January 8th into January 9th, 2025, leaving a path of widespread devastation across neighborhoods, streets, and key infrastructure.
The blaze consumed numerous homes, buildings, and vehicles, with the destruction concentrated along Lake Avenue, Loma Alta Drive, Lincoln Avenue, and Harriet Street. Streets such as Fair Oaks, Maiden Lane, and Mount Curve saw entire blocks reduced to rubble. Among the hardest-hit areas were a home on Lake Street at Marcheta, the 200 block of Loma Alta, and Harriet Street, where a house became fully engulfed. The iconic Loma Alta Elementary School and the historic Farnsworth Park Building also fell victim to the flames.
Crews worked tirelessly on hotspots, such as Lincoln Avenue north of Altadena Drive and hills above Millard Canyon off Cheney Trail, while battling fires on residential properties. Burnt vehicles were seen at Mariposa and Lake Street, alongside damaged utility poles and destroyed power lines. SoCal Gas teams are in the area, working to shut off natural gas from blowing pipes.
Survivors describe the aftermath as devastating, with nothing left but brick chimneys and charred remains. Filipe Carrillo, a resident of 386 Loma Alta Drive, shared footage of his burned house, truck, and nearby properties, highlighting the toll on the community.
The fire has also displaced wildlife, with peacocks seen wandering through the area. Crews continue to assess damage and stabilize infrastructure. Residents are urged to avoid affected areas for safety as recovery efforts progress. Further updates are expected in the coming days.