In Wind and Candlelight, Altadena Remembers the Eaton Fire

A portion of the crowd in attendance (Photo – Amy Barach)

More than 1,000 residents and supporters filled the parking lot of Grocery Outlet on Wednesday evening to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Eaton Fire. A gathering that was at once solemn, uplifting, and deeply moving became eerily paradoxical due to the wind that seemed to come out of nowhere.

By Suzanne York

Old and young, longtime residents and newcomers, elected officials, artists, clergy, and community leaders came together to reflect on how the devastating fire reshaped their lives, and how its impact will continue to be felt for years to come.

The event reflected the breadth of Altadena’s experience since the fire: grief and displacement alongside generosity, creativity, and a fierce commitment to community. Local restaurants and vendors donated abundant food, reinforcing a spirit of care that has become a hallmark of the recovery.

The evening began with remarks and introductions by Mark Mariscal, known affectionately as “Mr. Altadena,” who welcomed the crowd and introduced Victoria Knapp, former chair of the Altadena Town Council. Both Mariscal and Knapp lost their homes in the fire, a reality shared by many in attendance.

Music opened the program, led by the brass ensemble from Melodia Mariposa, a grassroots collective that began years ago playing in the driveway of its founder, Altadena resident Irina Voliskina, who also lost her home in the blaze. Their performance set a tone of remembrance and resilience.

Altadena Music Theatre followed with a stirring rendition of “Here Comes the Sun.” The ensemble was led by its founder, Sarah Azcarate, whose family was made homeless by the fire. Their performance offered a message of hope that resonated powerfully with the crowd.

Speakers included Gilda Moshir, a representative from Rotary, whose contributions totaled more than $500,000 in aid to the community, as well as elected leaders Assemblymember John Harabedian, State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez, and Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger. Each spoke of Altadena as a unique enclave, an artist-rich, civically engaged community nestled in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. and described how inspiring it has been to work alongside residents determined to rebuild with intention and heart.

One of the most compelling reflections came from Paulina McConnell, an Altadena resident and first-year Yale University student majoring in environmental studies. McConnell spoke candidly about how the fire displaced her family and altered her worldview, noting that while the fire is a cautionary tale of climate change and mass displacement, it also strengthened her resilience and commitment to environmental justice. “Being uprooted makes us more durable,” she said. “It is a strength that lies in understanding what you need to flourish, no matter where you are—a strength to ground ourselves despite instability.” She continued, “I wonder if we are practicing a kind of living that the future holds. Of the 20 million people displaced by climate change each year, the vast majority are forced to travel without food or water in areas of immense conflict.” She reminded the crowd that we are all at the mercy of an unpredictable climate.

Emotion again ran high when current Altadena Town Council Chair Nick Arnzen took the stage. Fighting back tears, Arnzen described the terrifyingly volatile nature of his grief. “I have never felt as alone as I do tonight,” he said, an admission made all the more poignant by the thousands of people gathered to support him.

Perhaps the most solemn moment of the evening came when nineteen local clergy members were introduced. Each carried a photograph of one of the nineteen people who lost their lives in the Eaton Fire. As each victim’s name, age, and address were read aloud, the crowd stood in silence. Chamber of Commerce Chair Judy Mathews then asked everyone to turn on their phone flashlights for a minute and 19 seconds of silence. The glowing lights, held aloft in the dark, created a powerful collective memorial that left many in tears.

The evening continued with poetry by resident Shé Shé Yancy, who recited a piece dedicated to Altadena, capturing both its pain and its enduring beauty.

Altadena Music Theatre closed the program with “Lean on Me,” inviting the audience to sing along. Voices rose together in a final expression of unity and mutual support. As the crowd slowly dispersed, many lingered, embracing neighbors, wiping away tears, and standing quietly in reflection.

The anniversary was not simply a marker of time passed, but a release of grief carried for an entire year, reminding all who were present that healing is not linear. Remembrance, in itself, is an act of care. The gathering affirmed that Altadena is still mourning, still rebuilding, and still holding on through the long emotional aftermath of loss.

Suzanne York is a retired PUSD teacher and a member of the Pasadena Environmental Advisory Commission, the Hahamonga Watershed Park Advisory Committee, and the board of Altadena Music Theatre. She is an avid community supporter.

A portion of the crowd in attendance. More than 1,000 people gathered in the Grocery Outlet parking lot in Altadena to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Eaton Fire (Photo – W.K.)