CPI – L.A. On the Ground Near the Site of Eaton Fires

By Dan ‘Nowman’ Niswander

CPI’s Los Angeles group was in Pasadena, Arcadia, and near the site of the residential area in the unincorporated city of Altadena where the Eaton fires originated covering the ongoing story of the community support after this devastating event that began on January 8th, 2025.

What stood out the most was the complete absence of support from any level of our government. Firemen and first responders were reporting that fire hydrants had no water. There was water, but it wasn’t properly delegated. We’ve known for years that a lot of our water was delegated to wealthy agricultural companies such as almond growers. Governor Newsom cut funds for firefighting. The budget for fire department personnel itself was cut because some of the needed resources had been sent to Ukraine. The Mayor of Los Angeles was in Ghana at the time of the fires, and despite the crisis, she didn’t end her trip immediately to return to L.A.

The community support after these disasters has been incredible, but where is the local, state and Federal government? It becomes more and more obvious why we really do need a responsible government of action for working families. Here is the story of our experience on the ground in the San Gabriel Valley: