Latest news with #Border2Fire
Axios
11-04-2025
- Politics
- Axios
New bill aims to bolster fight against wildfires in California
A bipartisan group of lawmakers in the West is introducing a bill to combat "catastrophic" wildfires and overhaul forest management. Why it matters: Climate change and drought are causing wildfires to become more intense, widespread and harder to put out. The legislation comes after the Los Angeles County blazes in January were called one of the costliest wildfire events in U.S. history, with estimated damages reaching up to $131 billion. State of play: Some highlights of the Fix Our Forests Act — sponsored by Sens. John Curtis (R-Utah), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) —are : Reducing wildfire risks in certain areas with more cross-boundary collaboration. Creating an interagency program to help communities build wildfire-resistant measures. Increasing research to test and utilize wildfire prevention technologies. By the numbers: So far this year, Cal Fire has responded to 653 incidents that have burned nearly 60,000 acres, killed 30 people and destroyed more than 16,250 structures. 10 of those were in San Diego County, including January's Border 2 Fire that burned for nearly a week and charred over 6,600 acres near Otay Mesa. 95% of California wildfires are caused by people, per Cal Fire. What they're saying: As the state faces more frequent and catastrophic wildfires, this bill "prioritizes building fire-resilient communities, accelerating the removal of hazardous fuels, and strengthening coordination across federal, state, and tribal agencies, including through the creation of the first-ever National Wildfire Intelligence Center," Sen. Padilla said in a statement.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
All evacuation orders lifted as Border 2 Fire now 100% contained
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — After a week of smoke, ash and flames, officials with Cal Fire San Diego announced Thursday that the Border 2 Fire, located in the Otay Mountain Wilderness area, is now 100% contained. Crews have been battling the blaze since around 2:15 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 23 when the fire sparked along the Otay Mountain Truck Trail, quickly jumping to 500 acres within a half hour. The wildfire only grew from there, reaching a total of 6,625 acres by the time it was extinguished. The blaze prompted a wave of evacuation orders and warnings in the surrounding areas, with some being forced from their homes for days. Firefighters battle a blaze at Oceanside tire shop Also on Thursday, officials with the San Diego County Sheriff's Office announced that all evacuation orders have since been lifted, meaning everyone is allowed to return to their residences. Authorities also announced that all road closures in the area have been lifted, though drivers are encouraged to remain vigilant. ➡️ Latest Forecast 🗺️ ⚠️ Weather Alerts 🌫️ 🔥 Sherriff's advised caution for those headed home, stating, 'Please drive carefully, as firefighters will continue to work in the area to mitigate the hazards and strengthen control lines. Dust and noise will be present throughout the day and night. Smoke may be seen from areas where the fire is still burning, but there is no threat to the public.' Air quality alerts were issued for several areas in the county as the Border 2 Fire burned. Those conditions have since improved for majority of the surrounding areas, though official data provided by AirNow still reflected 'unhealthy' quality for Otay Mountain as of Thursday, despite 100% containment. RELATED: San Diego Air Quality Exposure to particle pollution can contribute to lung disease, asthma attacks and acute bronchitis, as well as increase the risk of respiratory infections, according to the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District. Those who are the most vulnerable include people with respiratory or heart disease, older adults and children. Officials with the sheriff's office also reminded the public that fire season is year-round in Southern California. They are urging everyone to have their evacuation plans in place and to sign up for emergency alerts. Cal Fire San Diego took to social media Thursday to thank those who assisted with efforts to contain this local wildfire, stating,' Your support and teamwork are greatly appreciated!' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
San Diego teachers call for increased special education staffing
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Dozens rallied outside San Diego Unified District headquarters Tuesday, calling on the district to prioritize special education staffing. San Diego educators are demanding action, calling the special education staffing levels a crisis. 'It hurts us when we don't have enough support to be able to care for those children the way they deserve,' said para educator Issel Martinez. Education specialists and para educators who provide support in the classroom rallied Tuesday evening, asking district leaders to fully staff schools, improve caseloads, and pay. SeaWorld offers free admission for teachers, discounted prices for preschoolers San Diego Unified says its caseload is lighter than other districts. 'The state typically says 28 to one, and we actually have a caseload of 20 to one,' said Nicole DeWitt, Interim Deputy Superintendent of Instruction. 'I've been with the district for 10 years. Nine out of those 10 years, I've been over our contractual limit on caseloads,' said educational specialist Jennifer Stanchak. Stanchak says she's experienced caseloads of up to 35 at a time. Parent voices concerns about school closures during Border 2 Fire Since the pandemic, the district says it's hired more than 200 para educators. Currently, San Diego Unified hasn't filled about 170 special education positions compared to what's been budgeted for. 'Even though our enrollment is declining, our special education population has been increasing, so it is a number we are chasing,' said DeWitt. San Diego Unified reacts to deportation plans As the San Diego Education Association begins bargaining for another contract that represents more than 6,500 educators in the district, they are continuing to fight for resolution. 'Every single year it looks different, but there's always the ask for 'we need more help, we need more support,'' said Martinez. The district says recruiting is a year-round process and has a couple programs to get qualified candidates into these positions. At Tuesday's meeting, the SDEA union also presented their platform for the next contract and the top demand is fully staffing schools. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
California wildfires latest: Rain brings relief — and mudslides — to burn areas in Los Angeles
Southern California finally received some much-needed rain this week after weeks of historically dry, windy weather fueled this month's deadly wildfire outbreak — but with it came the threat of landslides, mudslides and toxic ash runoff in burn areas. According to the National Weather Service, more than an inch of rain fell in parts of Los Angeles over a three-day span, triggering flash flood watches and warnings. Some debris flows were reported along the Pacific Coast Highway, and snow in the surrounding mountains briefly shut down Interstate 5. But the wet weather was also a boon to firefighters who continue to battle four active wildfires that have scorched more than 57,000 acres. The three biggest — the Palisades, Eaton and Hughes fires — are each more than 95% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The Border 2 Fire, which erupted in the Otay Mountain Wilderness area east of Chula Vista late last week, is now 55% contained. Meanwhile, California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order Monday reiterating that people who are rebuilding their homes are not subject to environmental permit requirements laid out in the California Coastal Act. 'As the state helps the Los Angeles area rebuild and recover, we will continue to remove barriers and red tape that stand in the way," Newsom said. The Environmental Protection Agency plans to begin processing hazardous materials soon from the Palisades and Eaton Fires. The site for debris from the Palisades Fire is on empty lots near the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Topanga Canyon Boulevard. The site for debris from the Eaton Fire is Lario Park, a park on federally owned land in the San Gabriel Valley. And officials from the neighboring cities of Azusa, Duarte, Irwindale and Baldwin Park, as well as Los Angeles County, are opposing the move. 'I am deeply concerned by the Environmental Protection Agency and their decision to designate Lario Park as a collection and processing site for hazardous materials left behind by the Eaton Fire, including lithium electric vehicle batteries," L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis said in a statement. "These materials pose significant environmental and health risks, especially in residential areas." 'We are doing everything we can to stop it,' Margaret Finlay, a member of the Duarte City Council, told the San Gabriel Valley Tribune. 'It seems like the wrong place to have it.' One concern is that the trucks carrying hazardous waste from burned-down homes and businesses in Altadena and north Pasadena to the park will not use the 210 Freeway but side streets. 'That means it will be surface streets coming through our city," Finlay said. "What if the trash falls off the truck?' At the site itself, the EPA said that it will use a water truck for routine dust suppression, to minimize visible emissions and conduct post-sampling to ensure it is safe. City officials also said they were not given proper notice by the EPA of the decision to use Lario Park as a staging site. "We are extremely disappointed with the lack of respect to our local residents for not being notified of the EPA's cleanup efforts and having toxic materials transported to our backyards," the city of Duarte said. President Trump, who has criticized California over its water use in the aftermath of this month's Los Angeles area wildfires, said Monday that the U.S. military has intervened. "The United States Military just entered the Great State of California and, under Emergency Powers, TURNED ON THE WATER flowing abundantly from the Pacific Northwest, and beyond," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social Monday night. "The days of putting a Fake Environmental Argument, over PEOPLE, are over. Enjoy the water, California!!!" But state officials say that's simply not true. "The military did not enter California," the California Department of Water Resources said in a statement posted to X overnight. "The federal government restarted federal water pumps after they were offline for maintenance for three days. State water supplies in Southern California remain plentiful." The military did not enter California. The federal government restarted federal water pumps after they were offline for maintenance for three days. State water supplies in Southern California remain plentiful. — CA - DWR (@CA_DWR) January 28, 2025 Part of Topanga Canyon Boulevard in Pacific Palisades remains closed due to a weekend mudslide in an area that was burned in the Palisades Fire. 🚧 SR27 #Topanga Canyon Blvd is closed at #PCH SR1 due to mud & debris. These photos taken Sun. 1/26. See current closures on state highways at - The recent fires increased risk of mudslides, flash floods & debris flows. #PalisadesFire #EatonFire — Caltrans District 7 (@CaltransDist7) January 27, 2025 The California Department of Transportation has posted on X a list of the most recent road closures in fire zones: 🚧 CURRENT CLOSURES as of Mon. Jan 27 @ 5 PM: Avoid these closed areas on the state highway system due to fires in Caltrans District 7. Closures subject to change. Stay informed at #PalisadesFire #EatonFIre #PacificPalisades #Malibu #LAfires — Caltrans District 7 (@CaltransDist7) January 28, 2025 According to the National Weather Service, these are the top rainfall totals between Saturday and Monday morning in Los Angeles County: Porter Ranch: 1.62 inches Sepulveda Canyon at Mulholland Drive: 1.45 inches Santa Monica Pier: 1.38 inches San Antonio Sierra: 1.37 inches Northridge: 1.36 inches Tanbark: 1.32 inches West Fork Heliport: 1.26 inches Firefighters continue to make progress battling four active wildfires in Southern California, which have scorched more than 57,000 acres, according to Cal Fire: Palisades Fire (Los Angeles County): 23,448 acres, 95% containment Eaton Fire (Los Angeles County): 14,021 acres, 99% containment Hughes Fire (Los Angeles County): 10,425 acres, 98% containment Border 2 Fire (San Diego County): 6,625 acres, 74% containment California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order on Monday reiterating that people who are rebuilding their homes following this month's deadly wildfires are not subject to environmental permitting requirements laid out in the California Coastal Act. The order was made in response to recent guidance issued by the Coastal Commission suggesting that some rebuilding homeowners could still be subject to the rules. "That legally erroneous guidance threatened to create confusion and delay in rebuilding efforts for impacted communities," Newsom's office said, noting that the governor has already issued two executive orders waiving the California Environmental Quality Act and the Coastal Act for those whose homes were damaged or destroyed by the wildfires. 'As the state helps the Los Angeles area rebuild and recover, we will continue to remove barriers and red tape that stand in the way," Newsom said in a statement. In addition to the rain in Los Angeles, there is a winter storm warning in effect until 4 p.m. for the San Gabriel Mountains and upper elevations of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, with a foot of snow or more possible in some areas. Snow has already forced the closure of Interstate 5 in Castaic, Calif., where the Hughes Fire exploded last week. ❄️MOTORIST ALERT❄️I-5 is FULLY CLOSED in the Tejon Pass between Parker Rd in Castaic and Grapevine Rd in Kern County due to snow. Use US 101 as your north/south detour to your destination. Closure duration unknown. See for current conditions. — Caltrans District 7 (@CaltransDist7) January 27, 2025 There are now four active wildfires in Southern California totaling more than 57,000 acres, according to Cal Fire: Palisades Fire (Los Angeles County): 23,448 acres, 90% containment Eaton Fire (Los Angeles County): 14,021 acres, 98% containment Hughes Fire (Los Angeles County): 10,425 acres, 95% containment Border 2 Fire (San Diego County): 6,625 acres, 43% containment After touring Pacific Palisades, where thousands of homes and businesses were destroyed after two weeks of raging wildfires, President Trump held a roundtable event with California politicians, police and fire officials. "I don't think you can realize how rough it is, how devastating it is until you see it," Trump said of the fire damage. The president said that "the federal government is standing behind you 100%," but lamented that "this is already the most expensive natural disaster in U.S. history. The numbers are going to be staggering." Trump also said he would facilitate an increase the flow of water from the northern part of the state to the south. "I'm signing an executive order to open up the pumps and valves in the north. We want to get that water pouring down here as quickly as possible," Trump said. "Hundreds of millions of gallons of water flow down into Southern California and that will be a big benefit to you," though it was unclear precisely to what the president was referring. In recent weeks, Trump has criticized Gov. Gavin Newsom, saying he 'refused to sign the water restoration declaration.' Newsom responded, 'There is no such document as the 'water restoration declaration.' That is pure fiction.' Gov. Gavin Newsom warmly greeted President Trump on the tarmac at Los Angeles International International Airport on Friday afternoon, and said that his state would need federal help to deal with the ongoing wildfire disaster that has so far destroyed more than 14,000 structures and resulted in the deaths of at least 28 people. Trump, who has expressed reluctance to offer federal funds to the state, spoke to reporters first. "I appreciate the governor coming out and meeting me," he said, adding, "We want to get it fixed. We want to get the problem fixed." Newsom then addressed reporters before speaking to the president directly. "Most importantly, thank you for being here," he said. "It means a great deal to all of us. Not just the folks in Palisades, but in Altadena, that were devastated. We're going to need your support. ... You were there for us during COVID. I don't forget that, and I have all the expectations that we will be able to work together." More than a dozen schools in the Chula Vista, Calif., school district were closed Friday "due to ongoing safety concerns related to the Border 2 Fire," San Diego's Office of Education said. Schools in four other school districts were closed due to power outages stemming from the fire. Schools that remained open were on a "rainy day schedule due to poor air quality." As President Trump threatens to withhold federal aid from California in the wake of this month's devastating wildfires, city and state officials are urging him not to play politics with relief efforts. 'I'm calling on all sides, including President Trump, to set politics aside," Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo said on CNN Friday. "This is not a time to engage in political gamesmanship, to hold hostage entire communities or even threaten communities with withholding desperately needed aid at a time that they need it most." Pasadena and Altadena were devastated by the Eaton Fire. Trump is scheduled to arrive in Los Angeles on Friday afternoon and tour damage from the Palisades Fire. "I can't believe that President Trump or anyone else can visit these sites of devastation and maintain a political position that keeps aid from coming to these families," Gordo said. "It's never been done before. I'm not aware of assistance being conditioned anywhere else in the country. It's inhumane to do that." He added: "President Trump, we need your help." Note: The Gibbel (Riverside County, 15 acres, 90% containment) and Gilman fires (San Diego County, 2 acres, 100% containment) are not shown. Firefighting crews continue to make progress on the Hughes Fire, which has scorched more than 10,000 acres since it erupted near Castaic Lake, Calif., on Wednesday. According to Cal Fire, the fire is 56% contained. Nearly 54,000 residents in the Castaic area were still under evacuation warnings on Thursday, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said. But so far there have been no reports of homes or other structures burned. Reality TV stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag, who lost their home in the Palisades Fire, are suing the city of Los Angeles, alleging officials mismanaged the water supply ahead of the blaze. The lawsuit, according to People magazine, was filed in California's Superior Court in Los Angeles County on Tuesday. Pratt and Montag said the city failed to fix the 117-million-gallon Santa Ynez Reservoir — which has been offline for nearly a year — despite it being in a fire-prone area. "With the Santa Ynez Reservoir effectively out of commission, hydrants in Pacific Palisades failed," their lawsuit states. The Hills alums are seeking unspecified damages. President Trump is scheduled to visit Southern California on Friday afternoon. The president and first lady Melania Trump are expected to arrive in Los Angeles around 3 p.m. local time before heading to the Palisades Fire burn area to "take an aerial and walking tour of the damage," according to KTLA. Trump is also expected to visit a local fire station for a briefing on the wildfires and participate in a roundtable discussion. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who Trump has routinely criticized, plans to greet the president upon his arrival. 'We're making sure that all the resources he needs for a successful briefing are provided to him,' Newsom told reporters on Thursday, per Politico. 'There's no limit to the resources we'll provide for that briefing.' Before heading to California, Trump will stop in western North Carolina to visit an area ravaged by Hurricane Helene. According to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service, "critical fire weather" conditions will persist in Southern California through Friday, but relief in the form of much-needed rain is coming this weekend. "A low pressure system from the north will bring colder temperatures and rain chances to southern CA as early as Saturday afternoon, lasting possibly into Monday night," the weather service in Los Angeles said. "Expecting most areas to see at least a little rain, with the highest rain totals favoring Los Angeles County and the eastern San Gabriel mountains." The rain will bring a threat of landslides in areas that have been burned by the recent wildfires, but the weather service said the chance of "debris flows for recent burn scars" this weekend is low. Fire Weather Danger relief on the way this weekend. Big changes coming Sat-Mon with rain, mountain snow, and a big cool down. Here are the rain highlights. Impacts will likely be minimal, except for the small but non-zero threat of a thunderstorm moving over a burn area. #cawx — NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) January 23, 2025 There are now nine active wildfires in Los Angeles, Ventura, Riverside and San Diego counties, totaling more than 50,000 acres, according to Cal Fire: Palisades Fire (Los Angeles): 23,448 acres, 75% containment Eaton Fire (Los Angeles): 14,021 acres, 95% containment Hughes Fire (Los Angeles): 10,396 acres, 56% containment Border 2 Fire (San Diego): 4,250 acres, 0% containment Laguna Fire (Ventura): 94 acres, 70% containment Sepulveda Fire (Los Angeles): 45 acres, 60% containment Clay Fire (Riverside): 39 acres, 85% containment Gibbel Fire (Riverside): 20 acres, 0% containment Gilman Fire (San Diego): 2 acres, 0% containment The Environmental Protection Agency plans to begin processing hazardous materials soon from the Palisades and Eaton Fires. The site for debris from the Palisades Fire is on empty lots near the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Topanga Canyon Boulevard. The site for debris from the Eaton Fire is Lario Park, a park on federally owned land in the San Gabriel Valley. And officials from the neighboring cities of Azusa, Duarte, Irwindale and Baldwin Park, as well as Los Angeles County, are opposing the move. 'I am deeply concerned by the Environmental Protection Agency and their decision to designate Lario Park as a collection and processing site for hazardous materials left behind by the Eaton Fire, including lithium electric vehicle batteries," L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis said in a statement. "These materials pose significant environmental and health risks, especially in residential areas." 'We are doing everything we can to stop it,' Margaret Finlay, a member of the Duarte City Council, told the San Gabriel Valley Tribune. 'It seems like the wrong place to have it.' One concern is that the trucks carrying hazardous waste from burned-down homes and businesses in Altadena and north Pasadena to the park will not use the 210 Freeway but side streets. 'That means it will be surface streets coming through our city," Finlay said. "What if the trash falls off the truck?' At the site itself, the EPA said that it will use a water truck for routine dust suppression, to minimize visible emissions and conduct post-sampling to ensure it is safe. City officials also said they were not given proper notice by the EPA of the decision to use Lario Park as a staging site. "We are extremely disappointed with the lack of respect to our local residents for not being notified of the EPA's cleanup efforts and having toxic materials transported to our backyards," the city of Duarte said. President Trump, who has criticized California over its water use in the aftermath of this month's Los Angeles area wildfires, said Monday that the U.S. military has intervened. "The United States Military just entered the Great State of California and, under Emergency Powers, TURNED ON THE WATER flowing abundantly from the Pacific Northwest, and beyond," Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social Monday night. "The days of putting a Fake Environmental Argument, over PEOPLE, are over. Enjoy the water, California!!!" But state officials say that's simply not true. "The military did not enter California," the California Department of Water Resources said in a statement posted to X overnight. "The federal government restarted federal water pumps after they were offline for maintenance for three days. State water supplies in Southern California remain plentiful." The military did not enter California. The federal government restarted federal water pumps after they were offline for maintenance for three days. State water supplies in Southern California remain plentiful. — CA - DWR (@CA_DWR) January 28, 2025 Part of Topanga Canyon Boulevard in Pacific Palisades remains closed due to a weekend mudslide in an area that was burned in the Palisades Fire. 🚧 SR27 #Topanga Canyon Blvd is closed at #PCH SR1 due to mud & debris. These photos taken Sun. 1/26. See current closures on state highways at - The recent fires increased risk of mudslides, flash floods & debris flows. #PalisadesFire #EatonFire — Caltrans District 7 (@CaltransDist7) January 27, 2025 The California Department of Transportation has posted on X a list of the most recent road closures in fire zones: 🚧 CURRENT CLOSURES as of Mon. Jan 27 @ 5 PM: Avoid these closed areas on the state highway system due to fires in Caltrans District 7. Closures subject to change. Stay informed at #PalisadesFire #EatonFIre #PacificPalisades #Malibu #LAfires — Caltrans District 7 (@CaltransDist7) January 28, 2025 According to the National Weather Service, these are the top rainfall totals between Saturday and Monday morning in Los Angeles County: Porter Ranch: 1.62 inches Sepulveda Canyon at Mulholland Drive: 1.45 inches Santa Monica Pier: 1.38 inches San Antonio Sierra: 1.37 inches Northridge: 1.36 inches Tanbark: 1.32 inches West Fork Heliport: 1.26 inches Firefighters continue to make progress battling four active wildfires in Southern California, which have scorched more than 57,000 acres, according to Cal Fire: Palisades Fire (Los Angeles County): 23,448 acres, 95% containment Eaton Fire (Los Angeles County): 14,021 acres, 99% containment Hughes Fire (Los Angeles County): 10,425 acres, 98% containment Border 2 Fire (San Diego County): 6,625 acres, 74% containment California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order on Monday reiterating that people who are rebuilding their homes following this month's deadly wildfires are not subject to environmental permitting requirements laid out in the California Coastal Act. The order was made in response to recent guidance issued by the Coastal Commission suggesting that some rebuilding homeowners could still be subject to the rules. "That legally erroneous guidance threatened to create confusion and delay in rebuilding efforts for impacted communities," Newsom's office said, noting that the governor has already issued two executive orders waiving the California Environmental Quality Act and the Coastal Act for those whose homes were damaged or destroyed by the wildfires. 'As the state helps the Los Angeles area rebuild and recover, we will continue to remove barriers and red tape that stand in the way," Newsom said in a statement. In addition to the rain in Los Angeles, there is a winter storm warning in effect until 4 p.m. for the San Gabriel Mountains and upper elevations of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, with a foot of snow or more possible in some areas. Snow has already forced the closure of Interstate 5 in Castaic, Calif., where the Hughes Fire exploded last week. ❄️MOTORIST ALERT❄️I-5 is FULLY CLOSED in the Tejon Pass between Parker Rd in Castaic and Grapevine Rd in Kern County due to snow. Use US 101 as your north/south detour to your destination. Closure duration unknown. See for current conditions. — Caltrans District 7 (@CaltransDist7) January 27, 2025 There are now four active wildfires in Southern California totaling more than 57,000 acres, according to Cal Fire: Palisades Fire (Los Angeles County): 23,448 acres, 90% containment Eaton Fire (Los Angeles County): 14,021 acres, 98% containment Hughes Fire (Los Angeles County): 10,425 acres, 95% containment Border 2 Fire (San Diego County): 6,625 acres, 43% containment After touring Pacific Palisades, where thousands of homes and businesses were destroyed after two weeks of raging wildfires, President Trump held a roundtable event with California politicians, police and fire officials. "I don't think you can realize how rough it is, how devastating it is until you see it," Trump said of the fire damage. The president said that "the federal government is standing behind you 100%," but lamented that "this is already the most expensive natural disaster in U.S. history. The numbers are going to be staggering." Trump also said he would facilitate an increase the flow of water from the northern part of the state to the south. "I'm signing an executive order to open up the pumps and valves in the north. We want to get that water pouring down here as quickly as possible," Trump said. "Hundreds of millions of gallons of water flow down into Southern California and that will be a big benefit to you," though it was unclear precisely to what the president was referring. In recent weeks, Trump has criticized Gov. Gavin Newsom, saying he 'refused to sign the water restoration declaration.' Newsom responded, 'There is no such document as the 'water restoration declaration.' That is pure fiction.' Gov. Gavin Newsom warmly greeted President Trump on the tarmac at Los Angeles International International Airport on Friday afternoon, and said that his state would need federal help to deal with the ongoing wildfire disaster that has so far destroyed more than 14,000 structures and resulted in the deaths of at least 28 people. Trump, who has expressed reluctance to offer federal funds to the state, spoke to reporters first. "I appreciate the governor coming out and meeting me," he said, adding, "We want to get it fixed. We want to get the problem fixed." Newsom then addressed reporters before speaking to the president directly. "Most importantly, thank you for being here," he said. "It means a great deal to all of us. Not just the folks in Palisades, but in Altadena, that were devastated. We're going to need your support. ... You were there for us during COVID. I don't forget that, and I have all the expectations that we will be able to work together." More than a dozen schools in the Chula Vista, Calif., school district were closed Friday "due to ongoing safety concerns related to the Border 2 Fire," San Diego's Office of Education said. Schools in four other school districts were closed due to power outages stemming from the fire. Schools that remained open were on a "rainy day schedule due to poor air quality." As President Trump threatens to withhold federal aid from California in the wake of this month's devastating wildfires, city and state officials are urging him not to play politics with relief efforts. 'I'm calling on all sides, including President Trump, to set politics aside," Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo said on CNN Friday. "This is not a time to engage in political gamesmanship, to hold hostage entire communities or even threaten communities with withholding desperately needed aid at a time that they need it most." Pasadena and Altadena were devastated by the Eaton Fire. Trump is scheduled to arrive in Los Angeles on Friday afternoon and tour damage from the Palisades Fire. "I can't believe that President Trump or anyone else can visit these sites of devastation and maintain a political position that keeps aid from coming to these families," Gordo said. "It's never been done before. I'm not aware of assistance being conditioned anywhere else in the country. It's inhumane to do that." He added: "President Trump, we need your help." Note: The Gibbel (Riverside County, 15 acres, 90% containment) and Gilman fires (San Diego County, 2 acres, 100% containment) are not shown. Firefighting crews continue to make progress on the Hughes Fire, which has scorched more than 10,000 acres since it erupted near Castaic Lake, Calif., on Wednesday. According to Cal Fire, the fire is 56% contained. Nearly 54,000 residents in the Castaic area were still under evacuation warnings on Thursday, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said. But so far there have been no reports of homes or other structures burned. Reality TV stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag, who lost their home in the Palisades Fire, are suing the city of Los Angeles, alleging officials mismanaged the water supply ahead of the blaze. The lawsuit, according to People magazine, was filed in California's Superior Court in Los Angeles County on Tuesday. Pratt and Montag said the city failed to fix the 117-million-gallon Santa Ynez Reservoir — which has been offline for nearly a year — despite it being in a fire-prone area. "With the Santa Ynez Reservoir effectively out of commission, hydrants in Pacific Palisades failed," their lawsuit states. The Hills alums are seeking unspecified damages. President Trump is scheduled to visit Southern California on Friday afternoon. The president and first lady Melania Trump are expected to arrive in Los Angeles around 3 p.m. local time before heading to the Palisades Fire burn area to "take an aerial and walking tour of the damage," according to KTLA. Trump is also expected to visit a local fire station for a briefing on the wildfires and participate in a roundtable discussion. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who Trump has routinely criticized, plans to greet the president upon his arrival. 'We're making sure that all the resources he needs for a successful briefing are provided to him,' Newsom told reporters on Thursday, per Politico. 'There's no limit to the resources we'll provide for that briefing.' Before heading to California, Trump will stop in western North Carolina to visit an area ravaged by Hurricane Helene. According to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service, "critical fire weather" conditions will persist in Southern California through Friday, but relief in the form of much-needed rain is coming this weekend. "A low pressure system from the north will bring colder temperatures and rain chances to southern CA as early as Saturday afternoon, lasting possibly into Monday night," the weather service in Los Angeles said. "Expecting most areas to see at least a little rain, with the highest rain totals favoring Los Angeles County and the eastern San Gabriel mountains." The rain will bring a threat of landslides in areas that have been burned by the recent wildfires, but the weather service said the chance of "debris flows for recent burn scars" this weekend is low. Fire Weather Danger relief on the way this weekend. Big changes coming Sat-Mon with rain, mountain snow, and a big cool down. Here are the rain highlights. Impacts will likely be minimal, except for the small but non-zero threat of a thunderstorm moving over a burn area. #cawx — NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) January 23, 2025 There are now nine active wildfires in Los Angeles, Ventura, Riverside and San Diego counties, totaling more than 50,000 acres, according to Cal Fire: Palisades Fire (Los Angeles): 23,448 acres, 75% containment Eaton Fire (Los Angeles): 14,021 acres, 95% containment Hughes Fire (Los Angeles): 10,396 acres, 56% containment Border 2 Fire (San Diego): 4,250 acres, 0% containment Laguna Fire (Ventura): 94 acres, 70% containment Sepulveda Fire (Los Angeles): 45 acres, 60% containment Clay Fire (Riverside): 39 acres, 85% containment Gibbel Fire (Riverside): 20 acres, 0% containment Gilman Fire (San Diego): 2 acres, 0% containment
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
California wildfires latest: Rain brings relief — and mudslides — to burn areas in Los Angeles
Southern California finally received some much-needed rain this week after weeks of historically dry and windy weather fueled this month's deadly wildfire outbreak — but with it came the threat of landslides, mudslides and toxic ash runoff in burn areas. According to the National Weather Service, more than an inch of rain fell in parts of Los Angeles over a three-day span, triggering flash flood watches and warnings. Some debris flows were reported along the Pacific Coast Highway, and snow in the surrounding mountains briefly shut down Interstate 5. But the wet weather was also a boon for firefighters who continue to battle four active wildfires that have scorched more than 57,000 acres. The three biggest — the Palisades, Eaton and Hughes fires — are each more than 95% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The Border 2 Fire, which erupted in the Otay Mountain Wilderness area east of Chula Vista late last week, is now 74% contained. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Meanwhile, California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order Monday reiterating that people who are rebuilding their homes are not subject to environmental permitting requirements laid out in the California Coastal Act. 'As the state helps the Los Angeles area rebuild and recover, we will continue to remove barriers and red tape that stand in the way," Newsom said. California Gov. Gavin Newsom issued an executive order on Monday reiterating that people who are rebuilding their homes following this month's deadly wildfires are not subject to environmental permitting requirements laid out in the California Coastal Act. The order was made in response to recent guidance issued by the Coastal Commission suggesting that some rebuilding homeowners could still be subject to the rules. "That legally erroneous guidance threatened to create confusion and delay in rebuilding efforts for impacted communities," Newsom's office said, noting that the governor has already issued two executive orders waiving the California Environmental Quality Act and the Coastal Act for those whose homes were damaged or destroyed by the wildfires. 'As the state helps the Los Angeles area rebuild and recover, we will continue to remove barriers and red tape that stand in the way," Newsom said in a statement. In addition to the rain in Los Angeles, there is a winter storm warning in effect until 4 p.m. for the San Gabriel Mountains and upper elevations of San Bernardino and Riverside counties, with a foot of snow or more possible in some areas. Snow has already forced the closure of Interstate 5 in Castaic, Calif., where the Hughes Fire exploded last week. There are now four active wildfires in Southern California totaling more than 57,000 acres, according to Cal Fire: Palisades Fire (Los Angeles County): 23,448 acres, 90% containment Eaton Fire (Los Angeles County): 14,021 acres, 98% containment Hughes Fire (Los Angeles County): 10,425 acres, 95% containment Border 2 Fire (San Diego County): 6,625 acres, 43% containment After touring Pacific Palisades, where thousands of homes and businesses were destroyed after two weeks of raging wildfires, President Trump held a roundtable event with California politicians, police and fire officials. "I don't think you can realize how rough it is, how devastating it is until you see it," Trump said of the fire damage. The president said that "the federal government is standing behind you 100%," but lamented that "this is already the most expensive natural disaster in U.S. history. The numbers are going to be staggering." Trump also said he would facilitate an increase the flow of water from the northern part of the state to the south. "I'm signing an executive order to open up the pumps and valves in the north. We want to get that water pouring down here as quickly as possible," Trump said. "Hundreds of millions of gallons of water flow down into Southern California and that will be a big benefit to you," though it was unclear precisely to what the president was referring. In recent weeks, Trump has criticized Gov. Gavin Newsom, saying he 'refused to sign the water restoration declaration.' Newsom responded, 'There is no such document as the 'water restoration declaration.' That is pure fiction.' Gov. Gavin Newsom warmly greeted President Trump on the tarmac at Los Angeles International International Airport on Friday afternoon, and said that his state would need federal help to deal with the ongoing wildfire disaster that has so far destroyed more than 14,000 structures and resulted in the deaths of at least 28 people. Trump, who has expressed reluctance to offer federal funds to the state, spoke to reporters first. "I appreciate the governor coming out and meeting me," he said, adding, "We want to get it fixed. We want to get the problem fixed." Newsom then addressed reporters before speaking to the president directly. "Most importantly, thank you for being here," he said. "It means a great deal to all of us. Not just the folks in Palisades, but in Altadena, that were devastated. We're going to need your support. ... You were there for us during COVID. I don't forget that, and I have all the expectations that we will be able to work together." More than a dozen schools in the Chula Vista, Calif., school district were closed Friday "due to ongoing safety concerns related to the Border 2 Fire," San Diego's Office of Education said. Schools in four other school districts were closed due to power outages stemming from the fire. Schools that remained open were on a "rainy day schedule due to poor air quality." As President Trump threatens to withhold federal aid from California in the wake of this month's devastating wildfires, city and state officials are urging him not to play politics with relief efforts. 'I'm calling on all sides, including President Trump, to set politics aside," Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo said on CNN Friday. "This is not a time to engage in political gamesmanship, to hold hostage entire communities or even threaten communities with withholding desperately needed aid at a time that they need it most." Pasadena and Altadena were devastated by the Eaton Fire. Trump is scheduled to arrive in Los Angeles on Friday afternoon and tour damage from the Palisades Fire. "I can't believe that President Trump or anyone else can visit these sites of devastation and maintain a political position that keeps aid from coming to these families," Gordo said. "It's never been done before. I'm not aware of assistance being conditioned anywhere else in the country. It's inhumane to do that." He added: "President Trump, we need your help." Note: The Gibbel (Riverside County, 15 acres, 90% containment) and Gilman fires (San Diego County, 2 acres, 100% containment) are not shown. Firefighting crews continue to make progress on the Hughes Fire, which has scorched more than 10,000 acres since it erupted near Castaic Lake, Calif., on Wednesday. According to Cal Fire, the fire is 56% contained. Nearly 54,000 residents in the Castaic area were still under evacuation warnings on Thursday, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said. But so far there have been no reports of homes or other structures burned. Reality TV stars Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag, who lost their home in the Palisades Fire, are suing the city of Los Angeles, alleging officials mismanaged the water supply ahead of the blaze. The lawsuit, according to People magazine, was filed in California's Superior Court in Los Angeles County on Tuesday. Pratt and Montag said the city failed to fix the 117-million-gallon Santa Ynez Reservoir — which has been offline for nearly a year — despite it being in a fire-prone area. "With the Santa Ynez Reservoir effectively out of commission, hydrants in Pacific Palisades failed," their lawsuit states. The Hills alums are seeking unspecified damages. President Trump is scheduled to visit Southern California on Friday afternoon. The president and first lady Melania Trump are expected to arrive in Los Angeles around 3 p.m. local time before heading to the Palisades Fire burn area to "take an aerial and walking tour of the damage," according to KTLA. Trump is also expected to visit a local fire station for a briefing on the wildfires and participate in a roundtable discussion. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who Trump has routinely criticized, plans to greet the president upon his arrival. 'We're making sure that all the resources he needs for a successful briefing are provided to him,' Newsom told reporters on Thursday, per Politico. 'There's no limit to the resources we'll provide for that briefing.' Before heading to California, Trump will stop in western North Carolina to visit an area ravaged by Hurricane Helene. According to the latest forecast from the National Weather Service, "critical fire weather" conditions will persist in Southern California through Friday, but relief in the form of much-needed rain is coming this weekend. "A low pressure system from the north will bring colder temperatures and rain chances to southern CA as early as Saturday afternoon, lasting possibly into Monday night," the weather service in Los Angeles said. "Expecting most areas to see at least a little rain, with the highest rain totals favoring Los Angeles County and the eastern San Gabriel mountains." The rain will bring a threat of landslides in areas that have been burned by the recent wildfires, but the weather service said the chance of "debris flows for recent burn scars" this weekend is low. There are now nine active wildfires in Los Angeles, Ventura, Riverside and San Diego counties, totaling more than 50,000 acres, according to Cal Fire: Palisades Fire (Los Angeles): 23,448 acres, 75% containment Eaton Fire (Los Angeles): 14,021 acres, 95% containment Hughes Fire (Los Angeles): 10,396 acres, 56% containment Border 2 Fire (San Diego): 4,250 acres, 0% containment Laguna Fire (Ventura): 94 acres, 70% containment Sepulveda Fire (Los Angeles): 45 acres, 60% containment Clay Fire (Riverside): 39 acres, 85% containment Gibbel Fire (Riverside): 20 acres, 0% containment Gilman Fire (San Diego): 2 acres, 0% containment The Border 2 Fire, which broke out in the Otay wilderness area, east of Chula Vista, Calif., and just north of the U.S.-Mexico border, has grown to 4,250 acres and is 10% contained, according to the San Diego County Fire Department. Evacuation orders and warnings were issued overnight to residents in the area. Photographers captured some dramatic images of firefighters working through the night to contain the Hughes Fire, which exploded in Castaic, Calif., on Wednesday. As of midday Thursday, the blaze was 24% contained, according to fire officials. The California Legislature on Thursday passed a set of bills allocating $2.5 billion in relief to help people in Southern California recover from the deadly wildfires that have ravaged the region. According to the Associated Press, the funds will go toward supporting the state's emergency disaster response efforts, such as sheltering survivors and removing household hazardous waste, as well as streamlining approvals for rebuilding homes and schools. The bills passed unanimously in both the state Assembly and state Senate as part of an extended special session called by California Gov. Gavin Newsom in response to this month's wildfire outbreak. They now head to his desk for his signature. Before leaving office, President Joe Biden said that the federal government would reimburse the state much of the cost to assist in its recovery efforts. But President Trump, who has been sharply critical of Newsom, has threatened to withhold federal aid. In an update posted on X, the Ventura County Fire Department said that multiple fire agencies are working to contain the Laguna Fire near Camarillo, Calif., which has grown to 15 acres. The evacuation order for the Cal State Channel Islands campus remains in place. On Wednesday night, the Los Angeles County Fire Department issued what it said would likely be its final update on the Eaton Fire. The blaze, which burned more than 14,000 acres and destroyed more than 9,000 structures, is now 95% contained. "This is the last incident update for the Eaton Fire, unless significant activity should occur," the department said. All evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted, and "repopulation efforts have been completed." For those returning to their homes, the restoration of water pressure will be completed by this weekend, officials said, but it may take up to two weeks for testing to be completed and the "Do Not Drink" order to be lifted. The Ventura County Fire Department said it is responding to a 2-acre brush fire that is rapidly spreading near Camarillo, Calif., prompting the evacuation of the nearby California State University Channel Islands campus.
