Eaton Area Response: Protecting Public Health from Mosquitoes

The image promotes mosquito control support in the Eaton area, featuring a scenic outdoor backdrop.

Our Response to the Eaton Fire

The San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District (SGV Mosquito) remains committed to supporting residents affected by the Eaton Fire and protecting public health in the San Gabriel Valley. As part of the ongoing wildfire recovery efforts, we have led a coordinated, multi-agency operation to prevent unmaintained swimming pools and other standing water sources from becoming mosquito breeding grounds that can spread diseases such as West Nile virus (WNV) and dengue.

Understand the dangers of unmaintained pools. | Click here

Eaton Area Mosquito Control Update

As the communities affected by the Eaton Fire continue rebuilding, SGV Mosquito remains a dedicated partner in protecting public health. The District's primary focus is to monitor and control mosquito populations in fire-damaged swimming pools to reduce the risk of mosquito-transmitted diseases. 

Our Progress

Through the support of the SGV Legislative Caucus, the District received $500,000 in state funding to support ongoing mosquito control efforts in the Eaton Fire burn scar.  Dedicated field staff have been working hard to counter the risks of mosquitoes in unmaintained pools. To date, our efforts include:

A person in a blue shirt is pouring a solution into an algae-filled pool, wearing gloves and a mask, with cleaning equipment nearby.
Image of Vector Control Technician applying mosquito fish into unmaintained pool.
  • ​​​​Short-term treatments: Technicians have completed four successful rounds of treatments to over 1,400 high-risk pools. We provide ongoing monitoring for all sites until they are verified as functional.
  • Source Reduction: The District has partnered with property owners to control mosquitoes in pools while they worked to remove or restore their pools. Nearly 500 pools are now functional or removed.
  • Biological Control: We have deployed approximately 15,000 mosquito fish (Gambusia affinis) in over 400 pools. These fish provide a natural, long-term solution by eating mosquito larvae before they can become biting adults, and reduce dependence on chemical-control treatments.
  • Year-round surveillance: Vector ecologist conduct routine surveillance to ensure mosquito populations are under control. In 2025, mosquito populations remained at seasonal averages and West Nile virus (WNV) was not detected in the burn area.

Ongoing Commitment to Public Health

Workers in protective gear handle colorful items, possibly cleaning supplies, in a storage area with shelves and chemicals.
Image of Vector control technicians preparing pool treatments.
A person in protective gear is treating a pond with a bucket, surrounded by overgrown grass and dried plants.
Image of Vector control technician applying first round of pool treatments.
A person in gloves stands by a fenced area with orange netting and a bucket, overlooking a water-filled structure.
Image of Vector control technician applying second round of pool treatments.
A person in a blue shirt is inspecting a dirty, empty hot tub surrounded by a fence and overgrown plants.
Image of Vector control technician inspecting pool for mosquito larvae.
A person in a blue shirt carries buckets near an empty, fenced-off area with a pond and trees in the background on a cloudy day.
Image of Vector control technician in Eaton applying ongoing pool treatments.
Three workers in uniforms stand together by a pickup truck, wearing hats and rubber boots, with a hillside in the background.
GLA Vector Control Technicians partnering with SGG Vector Control Technicians in Eaton mosquito control support.
Workers in protective gear handle colorful items, possibly cleaning supplies, in a storage area with shelves and chemicals.
A person in protective gear is treating a pond with a bucket, surrounded by overgrown grass and dried plants.
A person in gloves stands by a fenced area with orange netting and a bucket, overlooking a water-filled structure.
A person in a blue shirt is inspecting a dirty, empty hot tub surrounded by a fence and overgrown plants.
A person in a blue shirt carries buckets near an empty, fenced-off area with a pond and trees in the background on a cloudy day.
Three workers in uniforms stand together by a pickup truck, wearing hats and rubber boots, with a hillside in the background.

Milestone Achieved in Mosquito Control

SGV Mosquito and its partners have completed initial mosquito control treatments for 1,475 non-functional swimming pools in the Eaton Fire burn area. These fire-damaged pools were identified as high-risk mosquito breeding sources due to inaccessibility, fire damage, or loss of utilities.

This historic operation was made possible by the collaboration of local, regional, and state agencies, including:

  • California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES)
  • Greater Los Angeles County Vector Control District (GLACVCD)
  • Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District (OCMVCD)
  • Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH)

Treatments include extended residual larvicides lasting up to 90 days and the introduction of mosquito fish in select pools for long-term control.

What's next?

While this is a significant milestone, our work is not done. SGV Mosquito will:

  • Continue monitoring non-functional pools and high-risk areas
  • Conduct follow-up treatments and inspections
  • Provide personalized mosquito management plans for property owners

Early surveillance shows that mosquito populations in the Eaton Fire burn area remain below average, and West Nile virus has not been detected to date. However, the risk persists as temperatures rise.

What Property Owners Should Do

A worker in a blue shirt uses a tablet next to a white truck, with palm trees and cloudy skies in the background.
Image of Vector Control Technician logging treatment  data.

We strongly encourage all property owners in the Eaton Burn Area to enroll in our SGVpools program. This program enables regular communication, status updates, and allows residents to request inspections or treatments as needed.

Join SGV Pools - Eaton Burn Area 

The SGVpools program is the District's preferred communication channel for property owners and survivors. Enrolling helps the District:

  • Track the status of pools throughout the recovery
  • Provide timely updates on mosquito control efforts
  • Respond quickly to residents' requests for service

Enroll here: SGV Pools - Eaton Response

Protect Yourself and Your Community 

While the District is addressing large-scale mosquito sources, residents can help prevent mosquito-borne illnesses by:

  • Tipping out stagnant water weekly from containers around the home
  • Tossing unused items that can collect water
  • Protecting against bites by using insect repellent containing CDC-recommended ingredients such as Picaridin, DEET, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (or PMD), or IR3535
Additional Relief for Property Owners 

In recognition of the hardships caused by the Eaton Fire, the District’s Board of Trustees continues to support Los Angeles County’s Direct Assessment Disaster Relief Program.

Under this program:

  • SGV Mosquito’s direct assessment charges for Fiscal Year 2024-2025 have been removed for affected parcels.
  • Refunds will be issued to property owners who have already paid the FY 24-25 assessments.
  • Ongoing updates will be provided as property damage assessments continue.

No action is required to receive this relief. The County will automatically process eligible parcels.

Are You a Property Owner Affected by the Eaton Fire?

Please refer to the map below to identify if your pool will be included in the district's response efforts.