Latest Update

January 17th…update from Leadership

Although still in a mandatory evacuation zone, today we commenced the steps to ready MonteCedro for residents to return home. This morning, under Sheriff’s Department escort, the ECS and MonteCedro leadership teams accompanied representatives from our general contractor, restoration specialist and property insurer to the community to assess the buildings and grounds and begin to plan the required repairs, re-provisioning and any refinishing.

The absolute destruction of so much of the Altadena foothills neighborhood compared with the relatively unscathed condition of the campus shows the cruel indifference and fickleness of the firestorm. Residents will be returning to the comfortable secure home they know at MonteCedro, but within environs so catastrophically ravaged as to be almost unrecognizable.

We will continue to update residents, the team and families as the evacuation order is lifted, the restoration plan is solidified and the timeline for utilities restoration becomes clear. All efforts are underway to expedite residents’ swift return home.

James Rothrock, President & CEO, Episcopal Communities & Services

Sharon Pewtress, Sr. VP & COO, Episcopal Communities & Services

David Weidert, Executive Director, MonteCedro

To support MonteCedro team members impacted by the Eaton Fire, please donate to the Staff Assistance Fund for Emergencies (SAFE) – Fire Relief at https://www.ecsforseniors.org/montecedro/donate

Past Updates

January 15th

January 15, 2025 A message from leadership…

January 15^th A message from leadership…

The shock of last week’s fires has transitioned into profound sadness and sympathy for the lives and homes so heartbreakingly lost.

Residents and team members may be feeling a sense of anxiety from being abruptly relocated and the uncertainty about the timing of getting back home and resettled. The team understands and is working to retrieve as many essential items for residents as possible to ensure wellness, comfort and the ability to communicate. We are providing outreach to residents and team members to ensure they are receiving information and support.

The damage to Altadena’s critical utility infrastructure (power, water, gas, cable, internet, etc.) and the surrounding neighborhood is overwhelming. As soon as officials permit access, our contractors stand ready to assess and prepare MonteCedro for residents’ return.

We’re moved by everyone’s grace, connection, generosity and resilience. Thank you for being in community with us.

James Rothrock, President & CEO – ECS

Sharon Pewtress, Sr. VP & COO – ECS

David Weidert, Executive Director – MonteCedro

To support MonteCedro team members impacted by the Eaton Fire, please donate to the Staff Assistance Fund for Emergencies (SAFE) – Fire Relief at https://www.ecsforseniors.org/montecedro/donate.

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January 13

January 13th Community Update

MonteCedro remains in a mandatory evacuation zone with no utilities and potential airborne toxins from the burning of lead paint, asbestos and car batteries. While officials estimate the evacuation order could be lifted as early as Thursday, the required repairs, remediation and re-provisioning of MonteCedro will stretch well beyond that day before residents can safely, healthily and comfortably return. We will advise as soon as we have estimated timing.

Today, amid extremely restricted access by the Sheriff’s Department, a small MonteCedro team was able to retrieve essentials for at least 70 more residents. The team is working with officials to determine when we may be able to retrieve residents’ cars and will advise as soon as possible.

To support MonteCedro team members impacted by the Eaton Fire, please donate to the Staff Assistance Fund for Emergencies (SAFE) – Fire Relief at https://www.ecsforseniors.org/montecedro/donate.

January 11th

January 11th Community Update:

Altadena continues to be under mandatory evacuation with robust, highly visible security established and enforced by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and National Guard. There is no power, gas, water, phone or cable/internet service and utility providers have only begun to assess a timeline for re-establishing service.

While authorities are permitting Altadena residents one trip into the evacuation zone for essentials, MonteCedro’s multi-building/multistory size is outside the scope of authorities’ “one trip for essentials” policy because without power the buildings are very dark and simply unsafe for visitors.

Yesterday afternoon, the authorities permitted a small team to travel to MonteCedro to retrieve vital medical items and other resident essentials. The MonteCedro team will continue to work with residents to retrieve essentials. Please do not attempt to visit MonteCedro at this time.

MonteCedro is secured with parking gates closed so that the garage is inaccessible. The team will coordinate with residents when we are able to remove cars.

The team is working to restore MonteCedro so that we are ready when the evacuation mandate is lifted. The community still needs power, gas, water, phone and cable/internet services restored plus a very good tidying up.

We all look forward to welcoming everyone home, and we remain astonishingly grateful for the fate our vegetation and buildings were granted.

January 9 PM

The Eaton Fire has disrupted so many lives, and tragically destroyed the homes of so many Altadena neighbors and several MonteCedro team members. We hold all those who have been so brutally impacted by this firestorm in our thoughts and prayers.

Today, we obtained an escort, by the Sheriff’s Department, to enter MonteCedro, to walk the community and do a preliminary assessment of any damage. There is no obvious sign of water damage or indication that the fire sprinklers were triggered. While unable to inspect every apartment, the preliminary assessment is very promising and provides confidence that the interior of the building is in very good condition. At this time MonteCedro is without water or electricity service, remains in an evacuation and fire zone and is inaccessible due to Sheriff’s Department restrictions.

ECS community, Twelve Oaks, in Glendale, which wound down operations at the end of 2024 for redevelopment is undamaged by the fire.

ECS communities, The Canterbury and The Covington, each welcomed several evacuated MonteCedro residents late yesterday. Most other residents chose to stay with families or friends with a small number of residents relocated to an area hotel with MonteCedro team members onsite for support.

January 9 AM

The building remains standing and has withstood the fire. Staff is awaiting word when they may enter the property to assess damage. All residents have been relocated to other ECS communities, to stay with family, or to a nearby hotel. We will update as soon as we have additional information about the MonteCedro building and Phase 2 construction. Thank You.

January 8th

Just before dawn this morning the Los Angeles County Sheriff and Fire Departments imposed a mandatory evacuation for the neighborhood in which MonteCedro is located due to the Eaton Fire. The Departments supervised and carried out the safe evacuation of all residents to the Pasadena Convention Center for their immediate safety. Provisions are being made for meals and residents’ care. All residents have been accounted for with many choosing to go stay with family or friends.

We will continue to update residents, the team and families as developments occur.