FAQ

To report power outages in your area, please visit:https://www.sce.com/outage-center/report-an-outage or call SCE at 1-800-611-1911.

To report downed power lines to Southern California Edison (SCE) call 1-800-611-1911; if the situation is an immediate emergency, call 911 first and then contact SCE.

For immediate emergencies related to fallen or broken trees, call 911. For non-emergency situations involving fallen or broken trees, please call the non-emergency dispatch line at 1-626-403-7270.

• Remain indoors with windows and doors closed or seek alternate shelter.

• Avoid vigorous physical activity.

• Run your air conditioner if you have one and make sure it has a clean filter. Close the fresh air intake if your air conditioner has the option so that it is recirculating the indoor air to prevent bringing additional smoke inside. A higher efficiency filter (i.e. higher MERV rating) will filter out more smoke particles than a low efficiency one.

• Create a space in your home with filtered air, by using a portable high-efficiency or HEPA air cleaner while keeping doors and windows closed. This can be a room where you spend a lot of time, such as a bedroom. More information about air filters and air cleaners can be found here: Fact Sheet on Indoor Air Filtration.

• If you can stay cool without them, avoid using a whole-house fan or a swamp cooler with an outside air intake.

• Avoid using indoor or outdoor wood-burning appliances, including fireplaces. Avoid combustion sources inside the home such as candles and incense that could further degrade indoor air quality.

• If you must be outdoors in smoky conditions, keep it brief, and use a disposable respirator (N-95 or P-100). These respirators can offer some protection from smoke particles if they are worn properly and have a tight fit. Do not rely on surgical masks or cloth masks for protection. Information about using respirators to protect from wildfire smoke or ash can be found here: Fact Sheet on Respirators

• Commercial building managers should follow their Smoke Readiness Plan. Guidance on developing a plan can be found here: https://www.epa.gov/emergencies-iaq/wildfires-and-indoor-air-quality-schools-and-commercial-buildings. 

Los Angeles County has revised its emergency health order on the use of leaf blowers in efforts to clean up ash and debris from the wildfires. The use of leaf blowers is now only prohibited in the Eaton and Palisades fire burn area perimeters. Press Release: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/phcommon/public/media/mediapubhpdetail.cfm?prid=4952

South Pasadena residents can resume use of electric leaf blowers, per the local municipal code. For further instruction on ash clean-up following wildfires, please visit: http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/media/wildfire/.

In an emergency declaration, landlords can't increase the price of rental housing by more than 10% of the previously charged or advertised price. For rental housing that was not rented or advertised for rent prior to the declaration of emergency, the price cannot exceed 160% of the fair market value of the rental housing as established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

For more information about emergency limits on rent hikes and other price gouging restrictions, visit the California Attorney General’s Frequently Asked Questions on price gouging at https://oag.ca.gov/consumers/pricegougingduringdisasters.

South Pasadena residents who have experienced property damage or loss due to the windstorm events, fire event, power outages or related incidents may submit claims to their private insurance carriers. For anyone seeking to file a claim with the City for review, or for any questions related to claims to the City, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (626) 403-7230 or by email at CityClerk@SouthPasadenaCA.gov. 

To expedite green waste clean-up from residential areas, Athens Services is now offering all account holders the additional option of scheduling a one-time green waste “bulky item pick-up” at no charge. Residents can make a direct request to service up to 6 total bags and/or bundles of green waste which include palm fronds, branches, and twigs. Plastic bags are allowed and will be separated from the green waste at sorting facilities. Bundles must be tied. Bags and bundles should be 35 pounds or less and should be placed on the parkway (the area between the curb and the sidewalk) or at the edge of your property where it is visible. Do NOT place bags/bundles on the street or hanging over the curb onto the street. All green waste must be bagged or bundled; loose piles will not be collected.

Please note that yard waste from regular gardening services should continue to be placed inside your yard waste/organics barrel for collection on your regular service day. This type of yard waste should not be piled on your property or parkway. Regular barrels that are overflowing will not be serviced.

To schedule a one-time free green waste “bulky item pick-up,” residents can call Athens Customer Service at (888) 336-6100.