The Residency Project @ 880 in northwest Pasadena survived the January 2025 Eaton Fire. We grieve the devastating losses that occurred in the community of Altadena, just north of us. The fire claimed eighteen human lives, dozens of animals, and over 9,000 structures including homes, schools, businesses, and houses of worship. While some families may rebuild in Altadena, the impact is permanent for many. Black residents who called Altadena home for generations are among those most effected by this recent disaster. Needless to say, our community is forever changed.

Though our house survived, The Residency Project has faced its own set of challenges. On January 7th, TRP's full-time residents fled the house in the middle of the night. The power had gone out, flames were visible from our upstairs studio, and smoke was quickly filling our home. The windstorm that preceded the fires reached 100mph, uprooting trees, downing power lines, and causing widespread damage. Sustained winds rapidly spread the flames, and the Eaton Fire burned for over 3 weeks. Toxic ash rained down on our neighborhood and those even further away, damaging homes and businesses far beyond the burn zone.

The physical and emotional toll was significant, and TRP had to cancel our three Winter/Spring 2025 artists-in-residence. Our house required a full roof replacement, and the smoke/lead remediation process was grueling. After six weeks of displacement, the TRP family was finally able to move back home, but only after the house and all of its contents had been deep-cleaned by a specialized team certified in hazmat remediation. Though many Alta/Pasadena homes including ours were never in the direct burn area or forced evacuation zone, they were unlivable for weeks due to the ash, smoke, and wind damage. Many structures on the outskirts of the fire are still undergoing restoration these several months later, and I've spoken to community members who are still displaced, at the mercy of over-stretched disaster remediation crews and arduous insurance processes.

The future of TRP @ 880 is up in the air as we explore alternative spaces and program models that will work better for us in this next chapter of life. In the meantime, we are focusing on supporting our neighbors and healing as a community. The broader fallout of the fire—including the short and longterm social, economic, and environmental impacts—are still being examined. Meanwhile, many people in similar situations to ours are still under-resourced, and their burdens are under-recognized. To those in similar circumstances: We see you. We are with you.

With love and hope,
Sarah Umles
Founder & Steward, The Residency Project