The City Council and community of Monterey Park extends its heartfelt condolences to all those impacted by the recent wildfires in Los Angeles County. These devastating fires have caused significant loss of property, displacement of families, and posed grave risks to lives.
Our deepest gratitude goes to the courageous first responders across the region, including firefighters and emergency personnel from the Monterey Park Fire and Police Departments, who are providing mutual aid and working tirelessly alongside other agencies to protect lives and property, as well as to our own Monterey Park Public Works Department which has also worked to keep our City running smoothly during the emergency.
On January 6, the Monterey Park Fire Department dispatched firefighting equipment and personnel to Pacific Palisades to be strategically staged and ready for any emergencies. The following day, January 7, MPFD personnel were actively deployed to combat the initial fire outbreak in Pacific Palisades. On January 8, MPFD extended mutual aid to Pasadena, sending additional equipment and personnel to support lifesaving efforts. To ensure the safety of Monterey Park residents, MPFD has increased staffing levels to address any potential issues within the City while remaining prepared to respond swiftly to the needs of both our community and regional partners.
The Monterey Park Police Department received an emergency request for mutual aid from Pasadena Police Department the evening of January 7 and initially sent four officers and a supervisor to assist Pasadena PD with emergency evacuations and looting suppression. Officers helped evacuate dozens of people whose houses were engulfed in flames and worked to save structures both alone and alongside fire fighters. MPPD continued to send officers in 12-hour rotations to assist Pasadena with protection and evacuation assistance. Pasadena PD decreased their mutual aid request this morning and officers returned to Monterey Park. MPPD stands ready to assist our area partners and the Monterey Park community during the coming operational period.
The Monterey Park Public Works Department has worked around the clock since the start of the red flag weather conditions to ensure that the streets remain safe and clear in Monterey Park, that parks and City facilities are safe and secure, and that residents continue to receive uninterrupted services. As of this morning, PW staff have removed 44 downed trees or limbs across the City. Staff will continue to conduct cleanup of parks and streets and inspect damaged trees over the next week to determine which will require removal.
These fires serve as a stark reminder of the importance of emergency preparedness. Monterey Park residents can take proactive steps to protect themselves, their loved ones, and their neighbors by attending Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) classes, which equip participants with essential disaster response skills. For more information on upcoming CERT classes, please visit www.montereypark.ca.gov/CERT.
Additionally, residents are encouraged to review the Monterey Park Disaster Preparedness Guide at www.montereypark.ca.gov/disasterguide, which offers practical tips and checklists for staying safe during emergencies.
To stay informed during emergencies, residents can:
For those who wish to support relief efforts, donations to trusted organizations make a significant difference in helping affected individuals and families. Visit www.redcross.org/donate to contribute to the American Red Cross, or https://www.calfund.org/funds/wildfire-recovery-fund/ to donate to the California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Recovery Fund. The American Red Cross has also published helpful information and resources for anyone affected by the fires: https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/press-release/2025/red-cross-helping-in-southern-california-as-wildfires-force-thousands-from-their-homes.
For more wildfire resources, please visit www.montereypark.ca.gov/wildfireresources.
Media Contact
City Manager’s Office
City of Monterey Park
626-307-1255
cmo@montereypark.ca.gov
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