{ "id": "2025-01-07-pasadena-city-college-eaton-fire", "slug": "pasadena-city-college-eaton-fire-2025-01-07", "institution": { "name": "Pasadena City College", "shortName": "PCC", "state": "CA", "type": "community-college", "alertSystemName": "PCC Rave Alert", "alertPlatform": "Rave", "enrollment": 25000 }, "incident": { "date": "2025-01-07", "endDate": "2025-01-12", "type": "wildfire", "cleryCategory": "emergency-notification", "headline": "All campuses closed for high winds, smoke, and unsafe commuting", "summary": "On the evening of January 7, 2025, the [Eaton Fire](https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/1/7/eaton-fire) ignited in Eaton Canyon above Altadena and rapidly spread through Pasadena's foothills, prompting [Pasadena City College](https://pasadena.edu/fireupdates/) to close all campuses and cancel classes through Sunday, January 12. Much of Pasadena was placed under mandatory evacuation orders, utility service became unreliable, and air quality reached unsafe levels. The Eaton Fire ultimately killed at least 17 people and destroyed thousands of structures, including the homes of multiple PCC staff and faculty members. The college reopened January 13 and converted its Community Education Center on East Foothill Boulevard into a resource hub for community members affected by the fires.", "outcome": "All PCC campuses closed and classes canceled January 8-12, 2025. The college reopened January 13. Multiple PCC staff and faculty lost homes. The college launched the Lancer Care Assessment Form and converted its Community Education Center into a community resource hub. The Pasadena location was later closed beginning February 1, 2025, with services shifted to Altadena.", "resolution": "confirmed-threat", "casualties": { "killed": 0, "injured": 0 }, "headlinePublic": "All campuses closed for high winds, smoke, and unsafe commuting" }, "alerts": [ { "sequence": 1, "type": "initial", "timestampApprox": "Student Message #3 on the PCC fire-updates archive, closing campuses Wednesday, January 8", "channel": "email", "verbatimText": "Dear Lancers,\n\nYour safety is our top priority.\n\nDue to high winds, smoke, and unsafe commuting conditions, all PCC campuses will be closed tomorrow, Wednesday, January 8.\n\nWhere possible, classes will be transitioned online. Please check for communication from your instructor.\n\nPCC will continue to monitor weather conditions and assess campus safety. We will provide updates as needed.\n\nStay safe, and we will keep you informed.", "isVerbatimConfirmed": true, "sourceUrl": "https://pasadena.edu/fireupdates/updates.php", "sourceDescription": "PCC Fire Updates archive, Student Message #3 (Dear Lancers)", "annotations": [ "The Eaton Fire ignited at approximately 6:18 PM PST on January 7, 2025, at Eaton Canyon, just north of the PCC main campus on Colorado Boulevard", "PCC's main campus is approximately 3 miles from where the fire ignited; smoke and ash made the air unsafe within hours", "The college directed users to a dedicated fireupdates page rather than relying solely on Rave SMS alerts, recognizing the multi-day nature of the closure", "GROWTH NIGHT flip 2026-09-21. Official Student Message #3. Dual-curl HTTP 200 HTML 163177 bytes identical sha256 1de0537b05736d10f04c4f826513d99c44cf116b1ba7fe66f32871828b250166. Flattened wording EQUAL. Replaces reconstructed SMS. First-burst." ], "characterCount": 431, "confidence": "high", "lastUpdated": "2026-09-21" }, { "sequence": 2, "type": "update", "timestampApprox": "Collegewide Message dated Jan. 8, 2025 on the PCC fire-updates archive", "channel": "email", "verbatimText": "Dear Lancer Family:\n\nToday we are heartbroken. Over the last 24 hours, some of our friends and colleagues have lost their homes. Many have been forced to relocate. And we’ve all had our peace shattered by the wildfires.\n\nThis catastrophe has left us heartbroken, but it has also deepened our resolve to support our community.\n\nIn response to the Eaton Fire and its continuing impact, we’ve taken several measures to ensure our community’s safety. All PCC campuses will be closed, normal operations will be suspended, and classes will be canceled through Sunday, January 12. Essential staff will be contacted by their supervisors with further information. Additionally, all athletic events, on-campus, and community events have been canceled.\n\nThe Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has been activated and working over the last 24 hours, and EOC members are on campus to coordinate the college’s response. We are continuing to monitor air quality and other conditions on campus.\n\nWe will continue to provide you updates to inform you of developments and information you need. Please check your PCC email regularly and daily. Information is also available on our Fire Updates website at pasadena.edu/fireupdates. To receive timely updates and emergency notifications via text, please sign up for PCC Emergency Alerts.\n\nBecause we are a community of students, faculty and staff who care about each other. We are working to turn our hurt into action.\n\nOn Thursday, students, staff, and faculty who need a meal are welcome to come to the Colorado campus between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Free meals will be available in the Piazza in the Campus Center (CC Building). Please park in Lot 1.\n\nIn the days ahead, I know we’ll continue to support one another. Please check in on those who may need assistance. Students who need mental health support can access after-hours assistance by calling 626-585-7273 and pressing 9. PCC’s Employee Assistance Program offers free and low-cost counseling services for staff and faculty.\n\nMy greatest hope is that you and those you love will remain safe.\n\nWarmly,\n\nJosé", "isVerbatimConfirmed": true, "sourceUrl": "https://pasadena.edu/fireupdates/updates.php", "sourceDescription": "PCC Fire Updates archive, Collegewide Message Jan. 8, 2025 (Dear Lancer Family)", "annotations": [ "PCC kept the closure decision tied to specific environmental conditions (mandatory evacuations, utility status, air quality) rather than a vague 'fire emergency'", "Pasadena Now reported that all athletic events, on-campus, and community events were canceled in addition to academic classes", "More than 20 nursing students, recent graduates, and faculty volunteered at the Pasadena Convention Center evacuation shelter during the closure", "Alert-ness audit 2026-07-20: Demoted from verbatim-confirmed — the source is a generic pasadena.edu/fireupdates web page and the sourceDescription admits the text was 'Reconstructed' from that page plus Pasadena Now news coverage; no captured transmitted email/SMS alert was located, so exact wording and community transmission are unproven.", "GROWTH NIGHT flip 2026-09-21. Official Collegewide Message Jan. 8, 2025. Dual-curl HTML identical. Curly apostrophes preserved. Closes all campuses through Sunday, January 12." ], "characterCount": 2101, "confidence": "high", "lastUpdated": "2026-09-21" }, { "sequence": 3, "type": "all-clear", "timestampApprox": "Collegewide Message dated Jan. 12, 2025 on the PCC fire-updates archive", "channel": "email", "verbatimText": "Dear PCC Community:\n\nAs we prepare to reopen our campuses tomorrow, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt appreciation. In the face of immense challenges, our PCC community has shown extraordinary compassion, strength, and resilience. It’s been inspiring to see how we’ve come together to support one another and the wider community during this difficult time.\n\nI would like to again thank our Incident Management Team, our Facilities staff, and the many volunteers who have been working all week and this weekend to support our college’s emergency response, recovery, and community relief efforts.\n\nReopening our campuses is a significant step forward, and we are committed to making this transition as smooth and supportive as possible for everyone. Below, you’ll find important updates and resources to help us move forward together:\n\nCampus Reopening PCC’s Colorado, Foothill, and Jefferson campuses will reopen for in-person classes and activities on Monday. Faculty and staff who are unable to return due to fire-related impacts should contact their dean or supervisor to discuss accommodations. Human Resources will share details tomorrow about temporary emergency programs for payroll advancements and leave options. We understand many are facing significant challenges, and we will work through this together.\n\nRecovery Support If you are a PCC student, faculty, or staff member affected by the fires, please complete the PCC Fire Recovery Needs Assessment Form so we can better assist you. PCC staff have been reaching out via phone and email to impacted college community members so the college can work to provide tailored support to meet your needs.\n\nCampus Preparations Professional debris mitigation efforts are underway to diligently prepare our campuses for Monday, including power washing, the servicing of air purifiers, and the deployment of air scrubbing machines. If you experience any facilities issues in your areas upon your return, please email fireupdates@pasadena.edu.\n\nWater and Masks Water bottles and masks have been distributed to academic offices across our campuses, and additional water and masks are available in the G Building for administrative offices. While our campuses are outside the unsafe water zones identified by the City of Pasadena, these resources are available to anyone who needs them.\n\nTechnology PCC faculty and staff who need technology support as a result of the evacuations or fires, including loaner laptops or Wi-Fi hotspots, please contact the ITS Help Desk for assistance at 626-585-7523 or helpdesk@pasadena.edu. Students who need assistance can visit the Shatford Library for support.\n\nFree Meals Free meals will be provided in the Piazza (CC Building) for PCC students, faculty, and staff from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. World Central Kitchen will also offer meals for those impacted by the fires, including the public, Monday through Wednesday from 3 to 8 p.m. in Lot 3.\n\nCounseling and Support Students who need mental health support can reach out to the office of Mental Health and Wellness Services or can access after-hours assistance by calling 626-585-7273 and pressing 9.\n\nEmployee Assistance Program counselors will host on-campus group sessions for employees covering mental health and crisis management, with one-on-one follow-ups available. Group sessions will be held in Circadian (CC Room 130) at the following times:\n\nMonday, January 13: 11:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 15: 4:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. Friday, January 17: 12:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.\n\nWe are also hosting community support spaces in Cap & Gown, CC Room 129, on Monday and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. for anyone seeking comfort and connection.\n\nThese are just some of the resources we have available for our students, faculty, and staff who have been impacted by the fires.\n\nFor additional updates and resources, please visit pasadena.edu/fireupdates. This page will continue to be updated regularly to provide the most current information. We have also created a new email address, fireupdates@pasadena.edu, where any questions can be directed.\n\nPlease continue to check your PCC email regularly and often, and please sign up for PCC emergency alerts to ensure that you receive up to date information.\n\nThank you for your strength, compassion, and dedication to our PCC family and community. Together, we will move forward, supporting one another every step of the way. Please take care of yourselves and reach out if you need help – we are here for you.\n\nSincerely,\n\nJosé\n\nFor information about PCC’s response to the local fires, visit pasadena.edu/fireupdates. To support PCC community members impacted by the disaster, visit pasadena.edu/firerelief.\n\n--\n\nJosé A. Gómez, Ph.D. Superintendent-President", "isVerbatimConfirmed": true, "sourceUrl": "https://pasadena.edu/fireupdates/updates.php", "sourceDescription": "PCC Fire Updates archive, Collegewide Message Jan. 12, 2025 (Dear PCC Community)", "annotations": [ "PCC's reopening communication explicitly tied the all-clear to three measurable conditions: air quality, evacuation orders, and utility status", "The Lancer Care Assessment Form was a notable institutional innovation, a single intake mechanism for displaced students, faculty, and staff to receive coordinated support", "The college's commitment to in-person instruction on Day 1 of reopening reflected a deliberate choice to prioritize community over remote-only operations", "GROWTH NIGHT flip 2026-09-21. Official Collegewide Message Jan. 12, 2025. Dual-curl HTML identical. En-dash and curly apostrophes preserved. Campuses reopen Monday." ], "characterCount": 4774, "confidence": "high", "lastUpdated": "2026-09-21" } ], "context": "[Pasadena City College](https://pasadena.edu/) is one of California's largest community colleges, serving approximately 25,000 students. The college sits at the foot of the San Gabriel Mountains, directly in the path of wind-driven foothill fires. On the evening of January 7, 2025, the [Eaton Fire ignited in Eaton Canyon](https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/1/7/eaton-fire) at approximately 6:18 PM PST, driven by Santa Ana winds gusting over 100 mph. Within hours, much of north Pasadena and Altadena was under mandatory evacuation orders. PCC closed all campuses on January 8 and ultimately remained [closed through Sunday, January 12](https://www.pcccourier.com/main-story/campus-closed-through-sunday-as-eaton-fire-grows-to-over-10600-acres.html). The fire ultimately killed at least 17 people and destroyed thousands of structures across Altadena. Multiple PCC staff and faculty lost their homes. The college launched the [Lancer Care Assessment Form](https://pasadena.edu/fireupdates/) (a single intake mechanism for displaced students, faculty, and staff) and converted its Community Education Center on East Foothill Boulevard into a community resource hub for fire survivors. PCC also volunteered nursing students at the Pasadena Convention Center evacuation shelter. The case is one of the most significant US community college disaster responses of the 2020s and demonstrates the unique role community colleges play as place-based community anchors during regional disasters.", "keyFindings": [ "PCC closed for six days (January 8 through January 12) and reopened January 13 with in-person instruction, prioritizing community over remote-only operations", "Multiple PCC staff and faculty lost their homes in the Eaton Fire, illustrating how community college employees often live in the communities their institution serves", "The Lancer Care Assessment Form was an innovative single-intake mechanism for displaced community members, a model other institutions adopted in subsequent disasters", "PCC's reopening communications explicitly tied the all-clear to three measurable conditions (air quality, evacuation orders, utility status) rather than a vague 'fire over' message", "The college converted its Community Education Center into a fire-survivor resource hub, demonstrating community colleges' unique role as place-based disaster anchors" ], "sources": [ { "title": "Fire Updates & Support - Pasadena City College", "url": "https://pasadena.edu/fireupdates/", "type": "official-archive" }, { "title": "College Updates - Fire Updates & Support - Pasadena City College", "url": "https://pasadena.edu/fireupdates/updates.php", "type": "official-archive" }, { "title": "Campus to remain closed through Sunday as Eaton Fire grows to over 10,600 acres - PCC Courier", "url": "https://www.pcccourier.com/main-story/campus-closed-through-sunday-as-eaton-fire-grows-to-over-10600-acres.html", "type": "student-newspaper" }, { "title": "PCC Campuses Closed, Classes Canceled through Sunday - Pasadena Now", "url": "https://pasadenanow.com/main/pcc-campuses-closed-classes-canceled-through-sunday", "type": "local-media" }, { "title": "Eaton Fire - CAL FIRE", "url": "https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/1/7/eaton-fire", "type": "official-archive" }, { "title": "LA fires prompt colleges to move classes online, offer resources - CalMatters", "url": "https://calmatters.org/education/higher-education/2025/01/fire-los-angeles-california-colleges-universities/", "type": "local-media" } ], "confidence": "high", "tags": [ "wildfire", "community-college", "california", "eaton-fire", "extended-closure", "community-anchor", "displaced-faculty", "lancer-care", "rave-alerts", "evacuation" ], "dateAdded": "2026-05-03", "lastUpdated": "2026-09-21", "addedBy": "ingestion" }