Pasadena Skips Fire Retardant Spraying in Arroyo This Year, Shifts Focus to Prevention and Community Safety

In a break from custom, the Pasadena Fire Department has decided not to apply Phos-Chek fire retardant on the hillsides of the Arroyo Seco near the Rose Bowl ahead of this year’s 4th of July festivities. 

Fire Chief Chad Augustin linked the decision to the cancellation of AmericaFest, the huge fireworks show in the Rose Bowl historically tied to the application of Phos-Chek. 

“With the cancellation of this year’s Americafest, a unique opportunity has opened up for Pasadena Fire to evaluate the need for a Phos-Chek application,” said Augustin.

Instead of AmericaFest, the stadium will host 80,000 fans at the LA Galaxy’s soccer match against the LAFC. Match-goers will be treated to a pared-down 20-minute post-match fireworks show.

Chief Augustin said the risk profile for the smaller fireworks show is notably different from that of AmericaFest’s massive 2,500 pounds of pyrotechnics.

Also in contrast to previous years when fans could park and tailgate without attending the event:  this year only soccer match ticket holders will be allowed in the fireworks viewing area.

“Vehicles and fans will not be permitted to enter the area without tickets for the soccer game,” Augustin said.

The Fire Chief said that AmericaFest usually ended up with a partially full stadium, with attendees engaging in activities such as tailgating and barbecuing in surrounding areas, leading to the use of illegal fireworks and an elevated fire risk. 

“There were frequent reports of illegal fireworks which created an increased fire risk around the area of the Arroyo. Due to these hazards, Phos-Chek application was of potential benefit,” he explained.

Taking a more community-centered approach, the Pasadena Fire Department (PFD) has shifted its focus towards prevention and abatement this year. 

Chief Augustin reported that the Fire Dept. has completed nearly 4,000 residential inspections in the high fire hazard severity zones of Pasadena, ahead of schedule. 

“As we evaluated how best to use our resources to the betterment of the entire community of Pasadena, it was determined that we would focus efforts on prevention and abatement,” he said.

In addition, the Fire Dept. collaborated with City Parks and regional partners to clear over 50 acres of City-owned lots around the Arroyo in what Augustin described as a “monumental effort” to reduce fire risks.

The Fire Dept. is also is enhancing fire resources around the Rose Bowl and other high-risk areas to ensure rapid response to any fires caused by illegal fireworks.

It is deploying a fireworks task force nightly in partnership with law enforcement, and fully staffing all eight fire stations.

“As the Rose Bowl considers the future of Americafest, PFD will also stand ready to revert back to Phos-Chek application if necessary. Moreover, we will use all available resources to identify and properly mitigate risks as the profile changes each year,” Augustin said.