Thousands of fans celebrated at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day, but nine days later, it became a base for 1,600 firefighters battling the devastating Eaton Fire near Altadena and Pasadena.
On Friday morning, dozens of exhausted firefighters rested in tents outside the stadium, while trucks from across California arrived. A sprawling camp sprang up, complete with meal tents and traffic management by police.
Meanwhile, across the street, chaos unfolded at a makeshift aid center in a parking lot. Hundreds of displaced residents flocked to collect clothes, diapers, and food. Volunteers hustled to pack donations into cars as Pasadena police announced the center must relocate to accommodate more fire crews.
“Stop looking and start packing,” aid worker Damita Goodall urged the crowd. The operation was later moved to Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, where vast donations continued to pour in.
Denise Doss, 63, waited for food at the Rose Bowl and hoped to return to her destroyed Altadena home to salvage anything. Her home and cake business were lost. “I just want to say goodbye until we rebuild,” she said.
Everett Wilson, 78, picked up donated clothes, worrying about looters targeting his intact home. “I don’t want someone to take my marathon trophies and African American art,” he said.
As firefighters continued their battle under hazy skies, the community rallied with donations and support, determined to recover from the fire’s devastation.
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