When the Winds Changed Everything: The Edition We Never Planned

Editor’s Note: This article originally appeared in our January 2026 print Special Edition on the Eaton Fire.

January 2025 Special Edition (Photo – Graphics Dept.)

On the evening of January 6…

…our editorial team, finalizing the layout for our January print edition, reached a decision: leave a blank space on the front page, just in case the winds took a destructive turn. Little did we know, those winds would bring a storm of devastation, turning the story of our print edition into an unexpected journey of community strength and solidarity.

As the firestorm ravaged the region in the following days, our January issue quickly became obsolete. The usual rhythm of the newsroom gave way to urgent reporting. With the community reeling, our team transitioned to our online platform for continuous coverage. The print edition was sidelined and we made a swift decision: a special edition would be printed in just 24 hours the following week. Writers worked tirelessly, crafting stories that captured the pain, the advice, the heartaches, and the small incredible acts of kindness emerging from the ashes.

The result was a unique and deeply personal special edition, a snapshot of the moment in time when our community faced an overwhelming crisis. The special edition hit the streets, with the front page showcasing the collective spirit of resilience, and it was gone in a matter of days.

We decided to save 100 copies for the Altadena community, a place where many of our readers lived and struggled through the aftermath. A month later, the Army Corps of Engineers recovered one of our newspaper newsstands that had been engulfed in flames. Charred and weathered, the stand now served as a symbol of survival. It was placed at the local Grocery Outlet, thanks to the generosity of its owners who allowed us to display the special edition for all to see.

Within a day, all copies had been taken. Libraries and historical societies requested copies to preserve for future generations. Some businesses framed the front page, making it a permanent fixture in their establishments.

This special edition became more than just a publication; it became a symbol of community resilience.

We are grateful to all of you who stood with our communities during that time. Your support, your kindness, and your shared grief made all the difference.

From our newsroom to your hearts, we love you all.