Statement: Fire and Windstorm Impacts to LA County Parks
The County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation (LA County Parks) is deeply saddened by the devastating impacts of the fire and wind on homes, neighborhoods, and public infrastructure throughout Los Angeles County.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all first responders for their heroic efforts to save human life, nature and animals, personal property and public infrastructure.
The LA County Parks team is assessing the damages from the ongoing high winds/firestorms that began Jan. 7. Our top priority is the safety of our employees and neighbors. With the Red Flag Warnings still in effect through at least Thursday, all events/programs have been cancelled through Sunday, Jan. 12.
To support communities, safety net free food programs will continue for our youth snack program (17 and under), meal program at senior centers and snack program for Our SPOT teen centers.
We are devastated by the overwhelming impacts of these fires. Sadly, our beloved Eaton Canyon Nature Center, Farnsworth Park – Davies Community Center – on the National Historic Register, and the Altadena Golf Course Club House and adjacent buildings were destroyed in the Eaton fire. Currently, Charles White and Loma Alta parks in Altadena have fire damage.
Regrettably, due to the fast-moving firestorm, we were not able to activate our evacuation plan for the reptiles and valuable items at Eaton Canyon Nature Center. LA County Park staff have enacted emergency evacuation plans for many other Park facilities.
Many LA County Parks’ sites are closed due to fire damage, hundreds of fallen trees/debris/branches, power outages, air quality, and evacuation areas.
Weather and fire conditions are dynamic; check https://lacounty.gov/emergency/ for updates.
For LA County Parks updates, see our social media https://www.instagram.com/lacountyparks/ and website https://parks.lacounty.gov/
About the County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation
The County of Los Angeles Department of Parks and Recreation manages 183 parks. It also operates a network of 9 regional parks, 38 neighborhood parks, 20 community parks, 16 wildlife sanctuaries, 8 nature centers, 41 public swimming pools, 23 splash pads, 14 lakes including 3 with swimming beaches, more than 240 miles of multi-use trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, and the largest municipal golf system in the nation, consisting of 20 golf courses at 18 facilities. The department also maintains four botanical centers: The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, the South Coast Botanic Garden, Descanso Gardens, and Virginia Robinson Gardens. The department also owns the iconic Hollywood Bowl, and the John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, providing County residents with valuable entertainment and cultural resources. Visit: https://parks.lacounty.gov/
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