Photo: Mario Tama / Getty Images News / Getty Images
A wildfire, known as the Eaton Fire, ignited in Eaton Canyon near Altadena on January 7, 2025, around 6:30 PM PST. Fueled by strong Santa Ana winds, the fire rapidly expanded to over 1,000 acres within six hours.
Tragically, the Pasadena Jewish Temple & Center in Pasadena was destroyed by the flames. Alex Fernandez, a congregant, expressed his devastation: "I feel numb to it. It's like a bad, bad horrific dream to see that it's not going to be here tomorrow. This whole place is lighting up."
The fire has prompted evacuation orders in the San Gabriel Valley, affecting residents in Altadena, Pasadena, and surrounding areas. The Pasadena Unified School District has announced the closure of all schools in the district for Wednesday, January 8, in response to the fire.
Firefighters are battling the blaze amid strong Santa Ana winds, which have exacerbated the fire's rapid spread. The cause of the Eaton Fire remains under investigation.
Residents are urged to stay vigilant, adhere to evacuation orders, and monitor official channels for updates as firefighting efforts continue under challenging conditions.
Follow official updates on the Eaton Fire Live on KFI and at CalFire (hyperlinked for your convenience).