Topline:
Christmas Tree Lane residents and volunteers have begun putting up holiday lights on the trees along the famous Altadena landmark.
Why does it matter: Residents debated whether to continue the century-old tradition this year after the devastations of the Eaton Fire.
What's next: A tree lighting ceremony is scheduled to take place Dec. 6.
For 105 years Christmas Tree Lane in Altadena has been bringing holiday spirit to locals and countless tourists who make their way to Santa Rosa Avenue for a glimpse of its famous holiday lights.
In January, when the devastating Eaton Fire rolled through the tight-knit community, lights were still wrapped around the Deodar cedars on each side of the mile-long pathway.
Now this weekend, residents have gathered once again to get started on the work to bring back the more than 100-year-old tradition.
"Some of the lines were burned but not many, for as big of an event this was in terms of fire damage," said Scott Wardlaw, president of the Christmas Tree Lane Association.
In a typical year, all the lights usually come down in February, after the rainy season, to make sure it's safe to scale the trees. This year, the fire and recovery efforts pushed back removal to mid-Spring. To ensure safety, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health provided volunteers with hazmat suits.
"We had a really good turnout, actually. We got it done way quicker than we usually do. They came from hither and yonder to come out and help us," Wardlaw said.
After the Eaton Fire, there were questions as to whether or not the lights would even go back up this year, given safety concerns. A county assessment alleviated initial concerns of toxic ash.
Then, there was the question of whether it was too quick of a return to the tradition given the devastation of the fire. Members had lengthy discussions on timing.
"A number of the board members lost their homes. We almost lost our house. We want to be sensitive to the community," said Rob Caves, a board member of the Christmas Tree Lane Association.
Ultimately they moved forward.
"It's just been an overwhelming amount of support that people want the lights on, they want one of the last things that Altadena is known for that didn't burn down," Caves said. "So we want to keep the tradition going."
Over the next 10 weeks volunteers will continue their work to outfit more than 150 trees along the lane. Wardlaw said damaged lights have been replaced, in part with donations from Disney.
" We will be adding lights to these trees as we go along," Wardlaw said, "which we've always wanted to do, but we couldn't do without that help."
The group is also seeking more volunteers.
The association's winter festival and tree lighting ceremony — scheduled to take place Dec. 6 — will include a special ceremony memorializing what was lost in the Eaton Fire, along with their usual slate of carolers, hot chocolate and free pictures with Santa Claus.
The group hopes the winter tradition will bring a return to normalcy for the community — and light its way for a brighter future.
Christmas Tree Lane Association lights hanging
Santa Rosa Avenue, Altadena
Every Saturday and Sunday through Dec. 6
8 a.m. to 12 noon
Find out how to volunteer here