San Gabriel cities receive $300,000 for river improvements Azusa, Duarte and Irwindale have worked to improve conditions in North San Gabriel River since 2020 fire
State Sen. Susan Rubio, D-West Covina, on Wednesday, Sept. 4, presented Azusa, Duarte and Irwindale with a $300,000 check to fund improvements in the North San Gabriel River.
According to the city of Azusa, the funding is being provided from Senate Bill 104 as part of the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments’ allocation by the Department of Housing and Community Development for a homeless services pilot program.
Azusa, Duarte and Irwindale worked together in the wake of the 2020 Ranch 2 fire to remove several hundred tons of debris from the banks of the riverbed. The fire caused an entire hillside community to evacuate, burned 4,300 acres and cost $11 million to extinguish, according to Azusa.
“We wish to sincerely thank Senator Susan Rubio for helping us attain the necessary funding to continue providing additional law enforcement and emergency services to the area in addressing public health and safety concerns such as the spread of illnesses, high fire danger, and proliferation of criminal activity,” Azusa Mayor Robert Gonzales said in a statement.