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The fires had been burning out of control for such a long time. So many homes and businesses had been entirely destroyed, so many people had lost so much and endured such great adversity.
“I’ve always loved their song — gentle and soothing when light winds blew, cacophonous and urgent, like a frantic bebop band, during Santa Anas. But when the metallic clang of our ragtag band of front porch wind chimes startled me awake at 1:10 a.m. last Saturday, their tune had taken on a new foreboding. Were the winds kicking up still more tragedy? I wonder if I’ll ever feel the same way about our wind chimes, the Santa Anas, or Los Angeles.”
“I was going to write a nice little column about how Claremont has changed over the years. Then there were the fires. And, suddenly, in the blink of an eye, my column wasn’t so nice, wasn’t so little. For many of us, the fires are our story. They have so far have wiped out tens of thousands of acres, thousands of structures, and caused at least 25 deaths, and may well go on to do who knows how much more destruction. They are my story.”
“It’s unreal,” said Gracie Gonzalez. “I mean I’m sure you’ve seen it all on TV that homes are gone. It looks like they just dropped a bomb. And it’s just so devastating. We just can’t comprehend it.” Nearby Franklin Elementary School, which their children attended decades ago, was destroyed. Neighbors’ homes were gone as well. “This is our hurricane, the way you see on TV when the hurricanes go through and just wipe out everything,” said Gilbert Gonzalez Sr. Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo
Claremont Police Department officers and firefighters from two area stations were among those helping with emergency efforts last week at the Eaton and Palisades fires. As of Wednesday evening, fire engines and crews from stations 101 and 102 continued working on the Eaton Fire, where they have been since January 7. An additional crew from station 102 was assigned to the Santa Clarita Valley Wednesday in advance of a wind event. Photo/courtesy of Claremont Police Department
The dangerously high winds predicted for Tuesday and Wednesday were milder than expected, giving firefighters and residents a much-needed bit of good news in Altadena and Pacific Palisades, though fire danger in those areas remains critical. At press time Thursday the death toll from the wildfires had risen to 25, the Palisades Fire had burned 23,713 acres and was 22% contained, and the Eaton Fire in Altadena had consumed 14,117 acres and was at 55% containment. Photo/by Jhovany Quiroz
The dangerously high winds predicted for Tuesday were milder than expected, but fire officials say gusts up to 30 mph will blow through parts of northwest Los Angeles and southern Ventura County through 6 p.m. today. Fire danger in those areas remains critical. The death toll from the wildfires has risen to 25. As of 9 a.m. Wednesday, The Palisades Fire had burned 23,713 acres and was 19% contained, and the Eaton Fire in Altadena had consumed 14,117 acres and was at 45% containment. Courier photo/Mick Rhodes
In anticipation of Donald Trump’s second term and with speculation growing over potential changes to U.S. immigration and travel policies, several undergraduate Claremont Colleges have issued statements affirming their commitment to supporting international students, those protected under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, and undocumented students.
The death toll from the windstorm-fueled Los Angeles wildfires has risen to 24, with several people still unaccounted for as of 7 a.m. Tuesday. The Palisades Fire has burned 23,713 acres and is 17% contained, and the Eaton Fire in Altadena has consumed 14,117 acres and is at 35% containment.More strong winds are in the forecast through Wednesday, leaving fire officials on edge and fire conditions severe. The winds are forecast to blow from the northeast, with the strongest gusts up to 70 mph affecting the western San Gabriel Mountains/5 Freeway corridor; the northern San Fernando Valley, and mountain passes in Ventura and northern Los Angeles counties, including Simi Valley, Moorpark, and Santa Paula. Courier photo/Mick Rhodes
Though Tuesday’s jarring windstorm left its mark on Claremont in the form of downed trees, limbs, and some property damage, the city and the surrounding communities were clearly spared the worst. Violent wind gusts up to 90 mph drove fast-moving firestorms through several other Southern California communities, resulting in at least 11 deaths and more than 12,000 homes, businesses, and structures destroyed. Among those structures lost are national landmarks and regional treasures. Courier photo/Mick Rhodes
“I think we couldn’t just sit there and do nothing,” Herrera said, “and our hearts were very, very heavy so we felt very called to make an impact. We know a lot of people that know people that have been affected by it, and that’s what called us. We couldn’t just sit back and not do anything.” Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo
“I woke early and made a pot of good coffee. Outside, bright sunshine mingled with storm clouds. The lake was blue again, magnificent, massive, and soothing. The condo had three east-facing balconies, each with a 180-degree view of the lake. I stepped outside on the top floor to take it in. Deep breaths. Gratitude. My quasi-spiritual moment was interrupted when I noticed a set of very large bear tracks in the fresh snow below, trailed by a smaller set. I alerted the kids. They were a little shaken. It seemed dad’s weekslong nagging about ursine etiquette suddenly made sense.”
Donation drives to help residents affected by the fires in Los Angeles will take place through 5 p.m. Friday, January 10, and from 8:30 to noon Saturday, January 11 at PETCO, 915, W. Foothill Blvd., Claremont. Items accepted include water bottles, snacks and non-perishable goods, socks, underwear, blankets, dog and cat food, hygiene items, first aid kits, baby care products, gift cards, and backpacks. Photo/courtesy of Susan Brunasso
The high winds buffeting Southern California felled trees this evening on Foothill Boulevard just east of Indian Hill, and College Avenue just south of Foothill, and widespread power outages have been reported in north Claremont. There are also reports of trees down in Lewis Park. The heavy winds are expected to continue through Wednesday. Courier photo/Peter Weinberger
The Claremont Police Department announced Saturday that it had arrested 31-year-old Covina resident Hector Bernal, who is alleged to have committed a series nighttime commercial burglaries between January 2 and January 4. Police say Bernal hit six businesses over three days, including four in the 800-900 block of W. Foothill Boulevard, and two in the 700 block of S. Indian Hill Boulevard. Courier file photo
It’s not unusual for those in Boy Scouts of America Troop 407 to earn the rank of Eagle Scout. Since 1962 the troop has had 132 Eagles. And, over the last five years, 23 have reached scouting’s plateau, including this year’s class of Kate Emmert, Jacob Watson, and Porter Wonacott. The highlight of the December 28 Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony at Claremont United Church of Christ was arguably Kate’s promotion, as she is the first girl from Troop 407 to make it to Eagle. “I’m really excited and I feel like it’s a really big accomplishment,” Kate said. “I mainly am just excited to help future generations see that it is possible and inspire them.” Courier photo/Andrew Alonzo