A brush fire fueled by high winds ignited the evening of Tuesday, Jan. 7 in the Eaton Canyon area in Pasadena. It has burned parts of Pasadena, Altadena and Sierra Madre and forced evacuations including La Canada-Flintridge. While the fire is still burning and it’s difficult to know the total damage, whole neighborhoods appear to be lost.

The lingering emotions and ongoing angst among many in Altadena and Pasadena found some outlet Saturday evening, Jan. 18, when a Texas-based artist organized an impromptu vigil on the southeast corner of North Lake Avenue and East Villa Street.

Many who fled the flames were forced to make devastating choices about their pets. Some, terrified, hid or refused to leave. In other cases, their owners were away from home and could not safely return.

Schools in the Pasadena Unified School District will be reopened in phases over a two-week period in the aftermath of the deadly Eaton Fire.

Although many small businesses in Pasadena are struggling in the wake of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires, some owners are rebuilding while also helping their communities. Burrito Express in Pasadena has been operating since 1978.