LA residents rip into 'tone deaf' officials after asking them to help clean fire-stricken Altadena park

Outrage residents have blasted Los Angeles officials for asking them to volunteer to clean up a fire-ravaged park.

The LA fires caused widespread devastation across Southern California in January, killing 29 people and leaving 175,000 homeless.

In Altadena, where the Eaton fire wiped out more than 6,000 homes, local officials are asking residents to pitch in and volunteer to clean up Loma Alta Park.

'Volunteer with us to celebrate Earth Day in Altadena!' said a flier shared by Supervisor Kathryn Barger.

'With your help, Loma Alta Park will be the first public park to re-open for the Altadena Community after the devastating Eaton Fire. Bring your gardening tools and paint brushes and wear comfortable shoes and clothing!'

Locals blasted the call to action as 'tone deaf,' claiming officials should be prioritizing helping them rebuild their homes before opening a park. 

'This is wildly tone deaf and offensive. This area is under a health advisory. We are all financially ruined at the moment and fighting insurance companies,' one person said.

'Why are you are planning events that play into the insurance companies narrative? What on earth is happening here? Did you ask the residents if this would be helpful?'

Another said: 'Wow! Surely this is a joke. This is disgusting and hurtful to the community who lost so much and is struggling to make it through each day! Asking us to volunteer and to bring tools when so many people lost everything. Seriously?'

'Really? Can our government please just talk to the actual people going through all of this and make decisions based on our actual needs? This is dangerous,' a third person added.

Others pointed out that the soil in the park has not been tested for contamination and could still be hazardous. 

'I live across the street, I have an asbestos contamination that was quite expensive to confirm, no help from insurance, lead contamination - very little support from insurance,' one person said.

'You need to explain why these funds are best suited here and what you've done to ensure the children can even be in this soil, this is deeply concerning. I don't want any children near this.'

'Isn’t this premature? Have you done soil testing to see if it’s safe for kids?' said another.

The L.A. County Department of Parks and Recreation told the Los Angeles Times personal protective equipment will be available for volunteers and the soil will be tested after the clean up.

'After this, the soil will be tested by a contractor and results will be shared with the community,' the spokesperson said.

Barger defended the volunteer opportunity to the LA Times saying she had 'heard repeatedly from Altadena leaders and community groups' that it was important 'to restore services for families, children and seniors.'

'Some community members are questioning why this project, why a park if the surrounding community looks like a war zone and there's so much need,' Barger said.

'But, I've also heard a lot of calls for re-establishing community services, so I'm supporting this project.'