Pasadena Weekly, Year in Review: The biggest news stories in Pasadena of 2025
By Pasadena Weekly Staff
Jan 1, 2026
The year 2025 in Pasadena and Altadena was a period of extreme contrast, defined by both unprecedented disaster and remarkable resilience. From the devastation of the historic Eaton Fire to the community’s persistent efforts to rebuild and seek accountability, this retrospective chronicles a year marked by hardship, healing and hope.
Read about the biggest stories of 2025 below.
JANUARY
January in Pasadena and Altadena began with the typical grandeur of the Rose Parade but quickly descended into one of the most harrowing months in local history. The month was defined by a jarring transition from the celebration on New Year’s Day to the catastrophic Eaton Fire just a week later.
The year started on Jan. 1 with the 136th Rose Parade. Under the theme “Best Day Ever,” the event featured Grand Marshal Billie Jean King, a sports icon and equality advocate.
However, the festive mood vanished on the evening of Jan. 7 when the Eaton Fire ignited in the foothills near Altadena Drive. Driven by hurricane-force Santa Ana winds, the blaze spread with terrifying speed, overwhelming neighborhoods within hours. The fire eventually charred over 14,000 acres, damaging more than 9,000 structures, and claimed several lives, marking it as one of the most destructive wildfires in California history.
Altadena landmarks like Fox’s Restaurant, the Altadena Hardware Store and the Altadena Senior Center were leveled. In Pasadena, the Convention Center was converted into a massive evacuation shelter for thousands.
The month ended with communal resilience. On Jan. 19, the third annual Pasadena Neighbor Day shifted its focus to fire relief, raising thousands of dollars for affected families and local schools. As the month closed, the Pasadena Weekly reported on legal actions mounting against Southern California Edison.
FEBRUARY
On the recovery front, the focus moved from emergency shelters to long-term aid. The Disaster Recovery Center at the Pasadena Convention Center officially shuttered, with all services consolidating at the Altadena site on West Woodbury Road.
The community’s spirit was on display at the annual Black History Festival on Feb. 15. Originally planned as a traditional celebration, the event at Jackie Robinson Park pivoted to a “recovery and resilience” theme. City officials used the gathering to connect fire survivors with the newly formed Office of Rent Stabilization, addressing the housing crisis exacerbated by the disaster.
The month closed with the Tournament of Roses looking toward the future, announcing the 2026 theme: “The Magic in Teamwork.”
MARCH
March was defined by a transition from emergency response to a protracted struggle for accountability and legislative protection.
The month’s most significant legal development occurred on March 5, when the City of Pasadena filed a major lawsuit against Southern California Edison (SCE).
The city sought compensation for catastrophic damage to municipal infrastructure, alleging that the utility’s equipment was a primary cause of the January disaster.
On the policy front, the Pasadena Rental Housing Board took decisive action on March 12 by adopting emergency amendments to protect displaced residents.
These new rules temporarily waived restrictions on additional occupants and pets, allowing survivors to seek shelter with friends or family without facing eviction.
Amidst the heavy policy debates, ArtNight Pasadena on March 14 provided a vital spiritual reprieve. Drawing thousands to several venues, the spring edition centered on the theme of the “healing power of the arts.”
In Altadena, grassroots resilience took center stage. The Eaton Fire Collaborative, a coalition of over 80 community groups and nonprofits, was officially introduced at a Rose Bowl press conference on March 19 to streamline rebuilding efforts. Meanwhile, the owners of Fairoaks Burger partnered with “Food for Health” to launch a weekly free farmers’ market for fire victims. Despite these efforts, the struggle remained visible; by the end of the month, news reports highlighted Altadena residents living in RVs on their scorched lots.
APRIL
In April, the narrative in Pasadena and Altadena shifted from the immediate physical cleanup of the winter’s disasters to a season of investigation, legal escalation and long-term legislative reform.
The month began with a major legal escalation. On April 1, the Los Angeles County government officially filed a lawsuit against SCE, joining the City of Pasadena’s previous filing.
The county’s suit alleged that SCE’s negligence in maintaining power lines and failing to de-energize equipment during high winds directly caused the fire that displaced thousands. This legal pressure was bolstered by a damning April 3 investigation into the red fire retardant used to protect homes.
In late April, the City of Pasadena kicked off its Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month celebrations, featuring virtual and in-person library programs that highlighted local resilience. Preparations also began for the unveiling of a new, 5-foot-tall memorial plaque for the Robinson family on Pepper Street, honoring Jackie and Mack Robinson’s deep roots in the city.
MAY
During an interview on AirTalk, the CEO of Southern California Edison (SCE) indicated that utility equipment was at likely fault for igniting the fire. This admission came as the City of Pasadena and LA County continued to press their lawsuits for infrastructure damages. Simultaneously, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reached a major milestone in their debris removal mission.
The month also saw a return to municipal “business as usual,” though with a post-disaster lens. The City of Pasadena began strictly enforcing leash laws in parks to manage the influx of pets in public spaces.
JUNE
While the summer heat intensified concerns over the parched landscape, the month was anchored by a profound celebration of Juneteenth and significant developments regarding the institutional accountability for the winter’s tragedies.
The Juneteenth celebrations in mid-June took on a heightened significance this year. In Altadena, the fifth annual “DENA Juneteenth” at Loma Alta Park and the Peace March at Charles White Park provided a space for the Black community to gather for healing circles and resource sharing.
The fallout from Southern California Edison (SCE) CEO’s May admission of liability continued to ripple through June. By the end of June, Phase 2 debris removal reached a major milestone, with thousands of parcels finally cleared of structural remains, allowing property owners to begin the slow permitting process for actual reconstruction.
Governance also saw a shift toward transparency. On June 23, the Pasadena City Council appointed three new members to the Community Police Oversight Commission. This move was seen as a vital step in maintaining public trust during a period of high social and economic stress.
JULY
The month began with a solemn milestone. On July 7 at 6:18 p.m. — the exact time the fire ignited six months earlier — hundreds of Altadenans gathered at the Grocery Outlet on Lake Avenue for a community-led commemoration.
The event featured tributes, song, poetry and chalk art, serving as a visceral reminder of the 19 lives lost and the thousands of homes destroyed.
In response to the mounting pressure, SCE announced in mid-July the creation of an Eaton Fire Wildfire Compensation Fund. While the utility framed this as an “expedited” path to restitution.
The Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning began drafting an “Urgency Ordinance” to streamline “like-for-like” rebuilds, aiming to bypass the zoning and setback hurdles that had stalled hundreds of property owners.
Despite the heavy administrative lift, Pasadena sought to reclaim its summer rhythm. On July 10, the City of Pasadena kicked off its 14th annual Parks After Dark program at several local parks, including Villa-Parke and Robinson Park. These events provided vital social spaces for families, particularly those still living in temporary housing. By the end of July, although Eaton Canyon remained closed and debris removal was still visible on nearly every block, the successful rollout of summer festivals and the legal push for environmental justice signaled a community transition from survival to active restoration.
AUGUST
The month’s most defining news this month came on Aug. 11, when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced it had begun debris removal on the final opt-in property in the Eaton Fire recovery area. This marked the completion of “Phase 2” for thousands of residents, effectively transitioning the neighborhoods from a disaster zone of ash and ruins to a blank canvas ready for reconstruction.
The Rose Bowl Stadium hosted a massive, sold-out crowd for electronic group RÜFÜS DU SOL on Aug. 16.
The City of Pasadena Department of Transportation (DOT) received council authorization on Monday, Aug. 25 to purchase 17 fuel cell electric buses, fueled with hydrogen, for the Pasadena Transit fleet.
This marked the first zero-emission multivehicle public transit order for the City, which, when delivered, will transition 46% of the Pasadena Transit fleet to zero-emission. These new electric buses are expected to go into service in spring 2027.
SEPTEMBER
The City of Pasadena made rental housing information more accessible with the addition of a new feature to the Rental Registry online portal, it announced in September. The Rental Registry and online portal were created to collect required information from landlords and to share important rental housing data with the public.
In September, the Pasadena Public Health Department received a report of a bat infected with rabies near the intersection of S. San Rafael Avenue and Nithsdale Road.
Human rabies cases have not been reported, and the overall risk to the public remained low.
A group of nonprofits and local organizations have launched the Eaton Fire Collaborative Long Term Recovery Group, an initiative designed to help families and communities across Altadena, Pasadena, Sierra Madre and the greater Eaton Canyon region recover from the January 2025 Eaton Fire.
The Colleges of Law announced it was relocating its Hybrid Juris Doctor (J.D.) residency from its Ventura location to Pasadena. The residency will now take place at Pacific Oaks
College. The Colleges of Law, accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission and the State Bar of California, launched the state’s first accredited Hybrid J.D. program in 2018.
OCTOBER
This month, the city vibrated with the return of Fall ArtNight on Oct. 10. This edition featured several venues, including new partners like Fulcrum Arts and Pasadena Heritage. Simultaneously, the Rose Bowl’s Brookside hosted global pop sensation Chappell Roan for two nights (Oct. 10–11) as part of her “Visions of Damsels” pop-up shows, bringing a surge of energy and tourism to the city.
Beginning in October, Pasadena city crews began installing new multi-space pay stations along sidewalks near the Pasadena Playhouse. These stations feature pay-by-app functionality, allowing users to pay via smartphone or credit card.
On Oct. 8, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses announced that Magic Johnson would serve as the Grand Marshal of the 2026 Rose Parade.
A five-time NBA champion, three-time MVP, and Olympic gold medalist, Johnson is celebrated not only as one of the greatest players in basketball history but also as a dynamic force in business and philanthropy. He is the chairman and CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises.
In January 2025, Johnson received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Nation’s highest civilian honor, from President Joe Biden for his exemplary contributions and impact in business, sports and philanthropy across the world.
The Pasadena Public Health Department confirmed its first case of West Nile virus in a human for 2025 on Oct. 9, recommending prevention tips.
NOVEMBER
A primary highlight of the month was the rollout of the 2025 Best of Pasadena, which recognized the most beloved community staples, as voted upon by the community.
On Nov. 20, the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) board voted 4-3 to cut $25 million from its budget.
The Pasadena Weekly reported on Altadena resident Rebecca Zandovskis helping families rebuild after the Eaton Fire through her work with Genesis Builders, a company that offers a program to help homeowners return to their community faster and easier. She also lost her home in the fire and is currently rebuilding with Genesis.
The City of Pasadena has selected Karin Schnaider to be the next Director of Finance.
DECEMBER
As the community approached the one-year anniversary of the Eaton Fire, the month was marked by symbolic homecomings, a deepened fiscal crisis in public schools, and a transition from the heavy rains of November to the bright, tradition-filled preparations for the Rose Parade.
The month began with a major emotional milestone on Dec. 5, as the first families who lost their homes in January officially moved back into their rebuilt properties. These “Homecomings” were celebrated across Altadena as symbols of defiance against the disaster.
Following the $25 million budget cut in November, the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) board submitted its First Interim Report to the L.A. County Office of Education in early December.
In Altadena, the return of Christmas Tree Lane provided a much-needed beacon of light
The month concluded with the city shifting into tournament mode. By late December, “Decorating Places” saw thousands of volunteers swarming the Rosemont Pavilion to apply the final petals to floats for the 137th Rose Parade.
