By California Black Media
Fire crews walk past the ashes of a home and an open gas leak. Altadena, Calif. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.
For many in Altadena, staying in their homes meant keeping the flames from their neighbors’ house from spreading. That process required a mix of wit and diligence — and consistent watering with garden hoses. Altadena, Calif. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.
A mailbox and a citrus tree in blossom are among a few recognizable remains on this severely damaged property. Altadena, Calif. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.
A sign marking a neighborhood corner remains standing beneath a smoke-filled sky and amid falling ashes. Altadena, Calif. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.
A firefighter walks back to the truck as another crewmember uses a shovel to put out a relatively small fire. Altadena, Calif. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025
A view of the interior of a burned structure. Altadena, Calif. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025
A man stands at what was once the front porch of his home still decorated for Christmas. Many families have returned to sift through the ashes of their homes and recover what they could. Altadena, Calif. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.
Firefighters doused a downed transformer. Although it had been disconnected from a power source, the chemicals and caustic smoke remained dangerous. Altadena, Calif. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.
A lone staircase and a scalloped wall are all that remain of a residence. The Eaton Fire burned down an estimated 200-500 structures. Altadena, Calif. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.
Waiting patiently, a fire crew watches for sparks from a downed transformer. Altadena, Calif. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.
The blue flames of a gas leak can be seen in the remains of a structure fire. These leaks were a threat – and major worry — for nearby homeowners with unaffected homes worried about explosions or embers. Altadena, Calif. Wednesday, January 8, 2025.
A home burned to the ground continues to smolder. Many of the structures that had already burned helped to spread the fires to other homes. Altadena, Calif. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.
Trees and bushes in or near yards were typically the first to catch fire before the blazes spread to homes. Altadena, Calif. Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.
