Altadena Rebuilds: Survivors Brave Heat in Recovery Efforts

Rebuilding efforts in Altadena continue under the challenge of lingering Southern California heatwaves. Residents and construction crews are finding innovative ways to manage the intense temperatures.

One resident, Mike Curran, who returned to his property destroyed by fire last January, installed a stock tank filled with cold water. He relies on a solar panel for power, as electricity is still unavailable, but it does not power air conditioning. Curran noted the neighborhood feels hotter than ever after the fire destroyed many trees.

Construction workers are laboring through triple-digit heat to complete projects before the rainy season. Homeowner Mark Lansdown acknowledged the difficulty, particularly for those working on roofs, but stressed that pausing construction is not always feasible. The community's determination remains focused on bringing Altadena back to its former state, one day at a time.