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Category: Latino Politics & Policy Initiative

Altadena’s Black community disproportionately affected by Eaton Fire, report shows

UCLA study shows systemic inequalities and redlining practices contributed to fire vulnerability and impacts

The 2025 aftermath of the Eaton Fire in Altadena. / Photo Courtesy: Mayra Beltran, Los Angeles County

Kacey Bonner

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The Eaton Fire has had devastating and disproportionate impacts on Altadena’s Black community, according to a new data brief from the UCLA Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies, the UCLA Center for Neighborhood Knowledge and the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute.

“Altadena’s Black community has long served as a symbol of resilience and opportunity in the Los Angeles region, but the Eaton Fire exposes how decades of segregation and the legacy of redlining practices have left Black households more vulnerable,” said Lorrie Frasure, a professor of political science and African American studies who directs the Bunche Center. “The recovery process must acknowledge this historic legacy and the disparities stemming from it to provide tailored support that ensures the restoration and future of this vibrant community.”

According to the report, at least 2,800 Black households were forced to evacuate within a day of the Eaton Fire’s outbreak on Jan. 7, 2025. As flames ravaged the area, a disproportionate number of homes damaged or destroyed were concentrated in neighborhoods historically occupied by Black residents. Now, the middle-class enclave not only faces the challenge of rebuilding and restoring residents’ homes, but also the long-term challenges stemming from systemic inequities to sustain and grow this historic Black community.

The study highlights several key findings:

  • Disproportionate impact: 61% of Black households in Altadena were located within the fire perimeter, compared with 50% of non-Black households. Nearly half (48%) of Black households were destroyed or sustained major damage, compared with 37% experienced by non-Black households.
  • Impacts of redlining and legacy of housing discrimination: Historical redlining practices resulted in the concentration of Black families into the areas of Altadena most affected by the fire, exacerbating vulnerabilities.
  • An aging population at risk: With 57% of Black homeowners in Altadena over age 65, many face unique barriers to recovery, including the possibility of insufficient insurance and risks of financial exploitation related to rebuilding or restoring their homes.
  • Interruption of generational wealth and declining homeownership: The fires will directly disrupt the passage of property to younger Black community members, making the transfer of generational wealth in this community uncertain. Additionally, rising property values and preexisting barriers to homeownership for Black buyers prevent younger Black people from buying in the area. These two factors threaten to erase Altadena’s Black community altogether.

The data brief notes that Black residents impacted by the Eaton fire, which burned more than 14,000 acres, will face unique challenges that require tailored solutions to address systemic inequities exacerbated by this crisis.

“The Eaton Fire has the potential to accelerate the decline of Altadena’s Black community, erasing generations of progress,” Frasure said. “Policymakers and relief organizations must act swiftly to protect the legacy and future of this historic community.”

“It is critical to place the consequences of the Eaton Fire in a broader historical and societal context,” said Paul Ong, research professor and director of the UCLA Center for Neighborhood Knowledge. “Doing so highlights the numerous challenges and inequalities African Americans face in the United States today.”

The authors stress that Altadena, a hub of Black homeownership and cultural vibrancy, now faces an uncertain future. They point to their findings as a stark reminder of the systemic inequities that persist, at least in part, due to the legacy of discriminatory housing policies. Their report calls for disaster recovery strategies that are equitable – prioritizing not only immediate restoration but also the sustainability of historic communities, which remain among the most vulnerable to disasters.

This story was originally published in the UCLA Newsroom on January 28, 2025

New UCLA Data Brief Reveals Wildfire Impacts Beyond Burn Zones, Highlighting Disparities in Health and Economic Vulnerability Among Latino and Underserved Communities

Hillside on fire with bright orange flames and black smoke making heart shape during California Woolsey Fire

This brief is the first in a continuing analysis of the event. Upcoming publications will examine the full scope of wildfire impacts, affected workers, displaced jobs and small businesses.

Hillside on fire with bright orange flames and black smoke making heart shape during California Woolsey Fire

UCLA LPPI

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LOS ANGELES (January 10, 2025)—A new data brief from the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute and the UCLA Center for Neighborhood Knowledge reveals that the Palisades, Hurst, and Eaton wildfires have far-reaching effects. They extend beyond evacuation zones to disproportionately impact Latino and other underserved communities across Los Angeles County and neighboring communities. 

The brief reveals a stark truth about Latinos who work in outdoor occupations like construction, delivery, transportation, and agriculture: 17% of residents in Latino neighborhoods are employed in these sectors compared to just 6% in white neighborhoods. Wildfire smoke puts these workers at risk of respiratory illness and income loss due to work disruptions. Many outdoor workers may also experience income disruptions as their places of employment are destroyed or closed, and air quality plummets across the county. 

Authored by Chhandara Pech, Dr. Silvia R. González, and Albert Kochaphum, the brief underscores urgent disparities in health, economic vulnerability, and preparedness, including: 

  • Health disparities: Latino neighborhoods experience nearly double the exposure to diesel and PM2.5 pollution compared to white neighborhoods, compounding the health risks of wildfire smoke. Asthma-related emergency room visits average 67 per 10,000 residents in Latino neighborhoods—over 2.5 times higher than in white neighborhoods (25 per 10,000).
  • Lack of Preparedness: Latino households and small businesses often lack disaster plans or insurance coverage, leaving them financially unprepared. Nearly 30% of surveyed small businesses reported having no insurance for fire or natural disasters, limiting recovery options.
  • Access to health care: With 14% of residents in Latino neighborhoods uninsured—compared to 3% in white neighborhoods—access to critical medical care during and after disasters remains a significant barrier.

“These findings show that wildfires exacerbate long-standing inequities, not just for Latinos, but for all underserved communities in Los Angeles County,” said Pech, deputy director of the UCLA Center for Neighborhood Knowledge. 

“We must take immediate action to address these disparities through equitable disaster response, preparedness, and recovery efforts,” said Gonzalez, research director at UCLA LPPI.

The authors call for policy solutions such as expanding healthcare access, employer-mandated protections for outdoor workers, and investment in culturally responsive emergency preparedness programs to safeguard vulnerable populations countywide.

The full data brief can be read here. 

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