![[UPDATED] Brush Fire Above Burbank Prompts Evacuations, Closes Trails](https://coloradoboulevard.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Walnut-Fire-Burbank-Colorado-Boulevard-Newspaper-150x150.jpg)
Pasadena Unified School District (Photo – Brigham Yen)
The Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) Board of Education voted today to preserve up to 57 protected trees while moving forward with the removal of other trees as part of 11 fire-related soil remediation projects across the district.
By News Desk
The decision follows community feedback and presentations from district staff and environmental experts exploring alternative approaches that could preserve more trees while still meeting required health and safety standards.
PUSD officials said the district remains committed to restoring safe and healthy school campuses following the Eaton Fire by removing soil contaminated by fire-related pollutants. State environmental regulators reviewed the contamination findings and determined that removal of affected soil is necessary to protect public health.
District leaders also acknowledged strong community interest in preserving campus trees and green spaces. PUSD said it shares the community’s commitment to environmental stewardship and is working to balance safety requirements with conservation efforts.
In the coming days, environmental and safety teams, along with certified arborists, will continue evaluating each project site to identify opportunities to remove contaminated soil while preserving as many protected trees as possible. Officials said the assessments will help determine potential impacts on individual campuses, project costs, and construction timelines, including possible effects on summer programs and preparations for the upcoming school year.
While those evaluations continue, all remediation sites will remain closed. According to the district, soil within the restricted areas contains fire-related contaminants at levels considered harmful to the health and safety of students, staff, and the broader school community. Officials said limiting access is necessary to protect public safety and allow assessments to proceed efficiently.
PUSD also stated that contractors involved in the 11 remediation projects have committed to complying with all applicable environmental laws and regulations. Wildlife protection measures are incorporated into the work, and contractors are trained to identify active bird nests. Trees containing active nests cannot be removed. A qualified wildlife biologist has also been retained to assess trees located within contaminated areas affected by the fire.
District officials said the wildlife review process reflects both legal requirements and the district’s commitment to conducting remediation efforts responsibly and transparently.
PUSD thanked community members for their continued engagement and said it will keep evaluating options, considering public input, and providing updates as remediation work moves forward.
Imagine how much positive change could be possible if parents cared this much about the quality of education their children receive at PUSD.
I was present at the board meeting. Although they referenced 57 trees in discussion, the number of trees is not in the amendment to the resolution.
The PUSD board said the amendment to the resolution to continue implementation of the remediation project is that they would “voluntarily evaluate potential retention alternatives for remaining protected trees, except protected trees that would disrupt the regular operations of schools.” (time stamp 3:50:18 Board Meeting Video on 6/18).
Additionally, they made it known publicly that they would not be following the Pasadena City Tree Ordinance, which requires them to get a permit for every single protected tree that they work around. They do not appear to understand their requirements, and we should all be concerned that more trees could be lost imminently.