SGV Mosquito Honored with Statewide Award for Eaton Fire Response
SGV Mosquito was recognized for exceptional public outreach, advocacy, and collaboration to protect public health following historic wildfire
The California Special Districts Association (CSDA) has recognized the San Gabriel Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District (SGV Mosquito/District) with the 2026 Exceptional Public Outreach & Advocacy Award – Small District for its leadership in protecting public health following the devastating 2025 Eaton Fire. The award was presented during the 2026 CSDA Annual Conference & Exhibitor Showcase in Palm Desert.
The Eaton Fire left more than 1,400 damaged and nonfunctional swimming pools throughout the burn area, creating an unprecedented mosquito control challenge and potential public health threat for fire survivors, recovery workers, and surrounding communities. Recognizing the risk of mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile virus and dengue, the District mobilized a comprehensive response that combined mosquito control operations, crisis communications, interagency coordination, and advocacy for sustained resources.
“The Eaton Fire demonstrated the important role special districts play in meeting the unique needs of their communities,” said SGV Mosquito District Manager Jason Farned. “Our specialized expertise and local knowledge allowed us to recognize an emerging public health threat and take action. I'm incredibly proud of how our team rose to the challnge. Our response demonstrates what special districts can accomplish when they combine their expertise with strong partnership and a shared commitment to protecting the communities they serve."
Working alongside local, regional, state, and federal agencies, legislative leaders, neighboring vector control districts, and industry partners, the District helped integrate mosquito control into the broader wildfire recovery framework and secured critical support to expand operations.
“This award reflects what we can accomplish when we work together toward a shared commitment to public health,” said SGV Mosquito Communications Director Anais Medina Diaz.
The District's outreach and advocacy efforts generated more than 35 media stories, reached more than 385,000 people through social media, and provided critical updates to displaced residents through a dedicated response webpage, community town halls, the Disaster Recovery Center, text messaging, and direct survivor support. Through sustained engagement with regional and state leaders, the District also helped build a coalition that generated more than 25 letters of support and secured $500,000 in the 2025–26 state budget to support continued mosquito control in the burn area.
These coordinated efforts supported the continuous treatment of 1,475 nonfunctional swimming pools and helped keep mosquito abundance and disease activity within expected ranges compared to the five-year average. The response also established a model for incorporating mosquito and vector control into future wildfire recovery efforts.
“Disaster recovery doesn’t end when the immediate emergency is over,” said CSDA Chief Executive Officer Neil McCormick. “The San Gabriel Valley Mosquito and Vector Control District recognized an emerging public health risk and acted quickly to bring mosquito control into the broader recovery effort. Their combination of communication, collaboration and advocacy demonstrates the critical role special districts can play in helping communities recover safely.”
The statewide recognition highlights the essential role special districts play in protecting communities, particularly during emergencies when specialized services, strong partnerships, and local leadership are needed most.
