How racism fueled the Eaton Fire’s destruction in Altadena − a scholar explains why discrimination can raise fire risk for Black Californians
- Written by Calvin Schermerhorn, Professor of History, Arizona State University
Altadena is inherently prone to fire. But Black residents are the most vulnerable. Mario Tama/Getty ImagesThe damage from the Eaton Fire wasn’t indiscriminate. The blaze that ravaged the city of Altadena, California, in January 2025, killing 17 people and consuming over 9,000 buildings, destroyed Black Altadenans’ homes in greatest...