Bird's Nest Halts Eaton Fire Cleanup Tree Removal In Pasadena

PASADENA, CA — Tree removal work tied to Pasadena Unified School District's ongoing Eaton Fire cleanup efforts has been temporarily halted at the district's Education Center after a bird's nest was spotted in one of the trees scheduled for removal.

District officials on Tuesday said contractors "immediately paused" work at the Education Center, located at 351 S. Hudson Ave., after receiving the report from a community member.

"A qualified wildlife biologist has been engaged to review the identified tree, as well as other trees within the fire-affected contaminated soil area. The biologist’s review will also extend to other school campuses where tree removal is planned. This review reflects both our obligations under applicable environmental laws and our unwavering commitment to conducting this work responsibly and transparently," PUSD officials said in a release.

According to the district, contractors working on 11 campus soil remediation projects are required to comply with environmental laws protecting wildlife. Crews are trained to identify active bird nests and are prohibited from removing trees that contain them.

The tree removals are part of a broader effort to address soil contamination left behind by the Eaton Fire, which devastated parts of Altadena and Pasadena in January 2025. District officials have said contaminated soil was identified at 11 school sites and that certain trees located within cleanup zones must be removed to allow remediation work to proceed safely.

Earlier this week, PUSD and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control said the decision followed months of review involving more than 600 soil tests. Officials said only trees located within contaminated soil removal areas are being removed and that the plan was approved by state regulators as the safest way to complete cleanup and reopen campuses.

The district emphasized that the pause reflects both legal requirements and its commitment to carrying out the work responsibly.

"We appreciate the passion our community has shown for both the safety of our campuses and the preservation of the natural environment that makes them special," district officials said in a statement.

PUSD also urged residents to stay out of active work zones, noting that the fenced-off areas contain fire-related contaminants that pose potential health risks. Officials said entering the sites constitutes trespassing and could expose people to contaminated soil and other hazards.

District leaders said they continue to balance environmental protections with an aggressive timeline aimed at making facilities available for summer programs and reopening campuses safely for the upcoming school year.

For every tree removed as part of the remediation effort, PUSD has pledged to replant and restore campus landscapes in coordination with the city of Pasadena and certified arborists.