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Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Who Is Alex Fine? 5 Things to Know About Cassie's Husband Amid Sean ‘Diddy' Combs Trial
Cassie's husband, Alex Fine, has been by her side ever since they started dating in 2018. 'I'm a father, husband and actor. Family and work take the most importance and focus in my life,' Fine told Zero the Magazine in January 2025. 'I became the man I am today a lot from the environment I grew up in. My mom and dad are the best, and they let me be independent in a rougher environment.' Fine and Cassie (real name Casandra Ventura) have been married since October 2019, going on to welcome two daughters with another baby on the way as of spring 2025. In November 2023, Cassie accused ex-boyfriend Sean 'Diddy' Combs of repeated sexual assault and abuse in a lawsuit. He denied the allegations before they settled out of court within a day. Through it all, Fine remained steadfast in Cassie's corner. Cassie and Husband Alex Fine's Relationship Timeline 'Cassie always thanks her daughters and husband for bringing her healing and happiness. Alex has always been the rock she needed,' a source exclusively told Us Weekly in May 2024, noting she sees Fine as a 'true protector' and 'finally feels safe.' That same month, Fine noted via Instagram that he hopes their children can 'live in a world that's safe for women and girls, protects them and treats them as equals.' 'To the women and children, you're not alone, and you are heard,' Fine added, alongside the phone number to the Domestic Violence Hotline. 'Our daughters, sisters, mothers and wives should feel protected and loved. Hold the women in your life with the upmost regard. … To all the survivors, find the men and women who help and love.' Keep scrolling to learn more about Fine: Fine got his professional start as a personal trainer before pursuing various acting roles. His credits include 1883, The Resurrection of Charles Manson, American Primeval and MobLand. 'I needed to build a steady career to live the life I wanted to while I pursued acting,' he told Zero. 'Some people choose bartending, or valet until they get work, I chose fitness and opening a gym in my garage.' Fine noted to Zero that his close friends have called him 'Poonie' since childhood for undisclosed reasons. While the moniker is listed on Fine's official Instagram page, he professionally answers to his given name. Inside the Courtroom Dynamic Between Diddy, Cassie and Her Husband Alex Fine as She Testifies After a year of dating, Fine proposed in August 2019 when Cassie was pregnant with their first baby. He organized a cowboy-themed setup with the Compton Cowboys equestrian group. 'The first thing I saw was the guys on their horses waving at me,' Cassie told Vogue at the time. 'I looked up and saw our initials tied up above them, then Alex came around on his horse. When he got down on one knee, everything just stopped. I felt like I lost my sense of hearing; I just saw his mouth moving, and he said, 'I want to spend the rest of my life with you.' I will never forget how special Alex made me feel that night.' The couple tied the knot in an intimate ceremony that October. Cassie and Fine welcomed daughters Frankie and Sunny in December 2019 and March 2021, respectively. The couple frequently shares sweet family moments via social media. In honor of Frankie's 4th birthday, Fine penned a lengthy letter to his firstborn. 'I will be the first man in your life and will show you the greatest love and affection now and forever,' he wrote via Instagram in December 2023. 'I never thought my heart could grow bigger after meeting your mother. Then, I found out we were having you and I instantly felt a love that is so indescribable.' He added, 'I promise to be at every dance recital, concert, sporting event, school plays whatever you decide to do I will be there and support you. I am your No. 1 fan. I promise to be a man that you and your mother look up to and love. I will always listen and put the both of you first. I will show you a healthy relationship and how you deserve to be treated. I promise to never approve of any boy you like because they will never be good enough for my baby girl. Sorry." Diddy was arrested in September 2024 on charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution. He has denied all allegations and pleaded not guilty. 'We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney's Office,' Diddy's lawyer Marc Agnifilo told Us Weekly in a statement at the time. 'Sean 'Diddy' Combs is a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man and proven philanthropist who has spent the last 30 years building an empire, adoring his children and working to uplift the Black community. He is an imperfect person, but he is not a criminal.' When a trial began in May 2025, Cassie delivered a four-day testimony, in which she discussed her accusations and their past relationship at length. Fine was present nearly the entire time, only stepping out when Cassie recalled a 2018 encounter with Diddy while she was already dating Fine. (The defense attorneys previously indicated that Fine might be called as a witness later during the trial.) At the end of Cassie's testimony, her attorney read aloud a statement written by Fine. 'Over the past five days, the world has gotten to witness the strength and bravery of my wife freeing herself of her past,' the statement read. 'There has been speculation online surrounding how it must feel for me to sit there and listen to my wife's testimony. I have felt so many things sitting there. I have felt tremendous pride and overwhelming love for Cass. I have felt profound anger that she has been subjected to sitting in front of a person who tried to break her.' He added, 'So to him and all of those who helped him along the way, please know this. You did not. You did not break her spirit, nor her smile, that lights up every room. You did not break the soul of a mother who gives the best hugs and plays the silliest games with our little girls. You did not break the woman who has made me a better man.' If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). If you or someone you know are experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support. If you or someone you know is a human trafficking victim, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
CNN
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Cassie Ventura and Alex Fine's powerful love story is rooted in a shared adversity
Cassie Ventura has Sean 'Diddy' Combs to thank, in part, for finding the true love of her life. Ventura's husband, Alex Fine, was Combs' personal trainer before he became Ventura's trainer, which led to them falling in love. The two wed in 2019, after her tumultuous relationship with Combs played out, off and on, between 2007 and 2018. Based on their social media posts and interviews, the relationship Fine and Ventura share is in direct contrast to the horror she says she suffered at the hands of Combs. As she has testified about those allegations in the federal sex-trafficking trial against Combs this week, Ventura's husband has been in court supporting her, much like he vowed to do in an open letter he shared on social media in 2019. 'I promise you that I will do every single thing in my power to support you and help you,' he wrote at the time. 'I promise that you will never be alone. I promise that you will be loved beyond expectation and we will show our children how to be in a healthy relationship.' Fine has a nickname he utilizes as his social media handle on Instagram. 'I'm Alex to everyone, but to close friends I'm 'Poonie,' a nickname I've had since I was young,' he told Zero magazine. In Fine, Ventura found a man who could sympathize with the violence she has said she was subjected to by Combs. Attorneys for Combs have said the violence in his relationship with Ventura was 'mutual.' In a March 2020 post on his Almost Home site, Fine explained why he chose to run a 50-mile marathon to raise money for his domestic violence charity, inspired by experiences his beloved mother had suffered. 'When I got the news that my mom had been the victim of domestic abuse and violence, I really didn't know how to handle it,' he wrote at the time. Fine said his 'anger' over the abuse is mother endured deeply affected him. 'I didn't want to give in to those paralyzing feelings,' he wrote. 'So, I decided to channel my anger and feelings of helplessness by running fifty miles to bring awareness and hopefully raise some money for other victims of domestic violence.' That type of sensitivity was on hand when he proposed to Ventura in 2019. 'I knew that Alex was designing a ring, but I honestly wasn't expecting a super elaborate proposal because we already had the wedding date set, but he planned such a beautiful experience for me,' she told Vogue. 'I was so surprised!' A cowboy at heart, the trainer turned model and actor was on location with the Compton Cowboys and asked Ventura to meet him for what turned out to be a surprise proposal. 'He told me to come ready because we were driving straight to dinner to celebrate my birthday early that night as my family was coming into town,' she recalled. 'I was running a little late, so he called me to check in.' Ventura said she heard a Stevie Wonder song playing and spotted 'the guys on their horses waving at me.' 'I looked up and saw our initials tied up above them, then Alex came around on his horse. When he got down on one knee, everything just stopped,' she told the publication. 'I felt like I lost my sense of hearing; I just saw his mouth moving, and he said 'I want to spend the rest of my life with you.'' They then went to Playa del Rey, where Fine had arranged for two of their friends to set up dinner and a bonfire on the beach. 'I will never forget how special Alex made me feel that night,' Ventura said. Fine has continued to show Ventura that she is unrivaled in his affection. They are the parents of two daughters, Frankie 5, and Sunny, 3. Ventura is due to give birth to their third child soon. 'I'm a father, husband, and actor,' he told Zero. 'Family and work take the most importance and focus in my life. I became the man I am today a lot from the environment I grew up in. My mom and dad are the best.' 'Being a dad and husband is the greatest thing I've ever done and I don't know how I got to be so blessed,' Fine said. Ventura has returned the praise. In honor of Father's Day last year, she shared a series of photos and video of Fine. 'There is just no one like you,' Ventura wrote in the caption. Fine paid a public tribute to his wife on their third wedding anniversary. 'I'm so lucky that I got to marry my best friend and most beautiful wife in the world. Every morning I wake up and see you and the babies I get so happy,' he wrote in the caption of a series of wedding photos. On Wednesday, Fine appeared stoic as he left the Manhattan courthouse of the Combs trial, where his wife has spent more than eight hours testifying so far about her troubled past relationship with the embattled music industry vet. 'She's holding up strong,' Douglas Wigdor, Ventura's attorney, told reporters outside court. When asked how Ventura's husband was doing, he said, 'put yourself in his shoes.' Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges that include racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. His defense team has said they may call Fine to the stand to testify. A challenge he and Ventura will likely get through, together.
CNN
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Cassie Ventura and Alex Fine's powerful love story is rooted in a shared adversity
Cassie Ventura has Sean 'Diddy' Combs to thank, in part, for finding the true love of her life. Ventura's husband, Alex Fine, was Combs' personal trainer before he became Ventura's trainer, which led to them falling in love. The two wed in 2019, after her tumultuous relationship with Combs played out, off and on, between 2007 and 2018. Based on their social media posts and interviews, the relationship Fine and Ventura share is in direct contrast to the horror she says she suffered at the hands of Combs. As she has testified about those allegations in the federal sex-trafficking trial against Combs this week, Ventura's husband has been in court supporting her, much like he vowed to do in an open letter he shared on social media in 2019. 'I promise you that I will do every single thing in my power to support you and help you,' he wrote at the time. 'I promise that you will never be alone. I promise that you will be loved beyond expectation and we will show our children how to be in a healthy relationship.' Fine has a nickname he utilizes as his social media handle on Instagram. 'I'm Alex to everyone, but to close friends I'm 'Poonie,' a nickname I've had since I was young,' he told Zero magazine. In Fine, Ventura found a man who could sympathize with the violence she has said she was subjected to by Combs. Attorneys for Combs have said the violence in his relationship with Ventura was 'mutual.' In a March 2020 post on his Almost Home site, Fine explained why he chose to run a 50-mile marathon to raise money for his domestic violence charity, inspired by experiences his beloved mother had suffered. 'When I got the news that my mom had been the victim of domestic abuse and violence, I really didn't know how to handle it,' he wrote at the time. Fine said his 'anger' over the abuse is mother endured deeply affected him. 'I didn't want to give in to those paralyzing feelings,' he wrote. 'So, I decided to channel my anger and feelings of helplessness by running fifty miles to bring awareness and hopefully raise some money for other victims of domestic violence.' That type of sensitivity was on hand when he proposed to Ventura in 2019. 'I knew that Alex was designing a ring, but I honestly wasn't expecting a super elaborate proposal because we already had the wedding date set, but he planned such a beautiful experience for me,' she told Vogue. 'I was so surprised!' A cowboy at heart, the trainer turned model and actor was on location with the Compton Cowboys and asked Ventura to meet him for what turned out to be a surprise proposal. 'He told me to come ready because we were driving straight to dinner to celebrate my birthday early that night as my family was coming into town,' she recalled. 'I was running a little late, so he called me to check in.' Ventura said she heard a Stevie Wonder song playing and spotted 'the guys on their horses waving at me.' 'I looked up and saw our initials tied up above them, then Alex came around on his horse. When he got down on one knee, everything just stopped,' she told the publication. 'I felt like I lost my sense of hearing; I just saw his mouth moving, and he said 'I want to spend the rest of my life with you.'' They then went to Playa del Rey, where Fine had arranged for two of their friends to set up dinner and a bonfire on the beach. 'I will never forget how special Alex made me feel that night,' Ventura said. Fine has continued to show Ventura that she is unrivaled in his affection. They are the parents of two daughters, Frankie 5, and Sunny, 3. Ventura is due to give birth to their third child soon. 'I'm a father, husband, and actor,' he told Zero. 'Family and work take the most importance and focus in my life. I became the man I am today a lot from the environment I grew up in. My mom and dad are the best.' 'Being a dad and husband is the greatest thing I've ever done and I don't know how I got to be so blessed,' Fine said. Ventura has returned the praise. In honor of Father's Day last year, she shared a series of photos and video of Fine. 'There is just no one like you,' Ventura wrote in the caption. Fine paid a public tribute to his wife on their third wedding anniversary. 'I'm so lucky that I got to marry my best friend and most beautiful wife in the world. Every morning I wake up and see you and the babies I get so happy,' he wrote in the caption of a series of wedding photos. On Wednesday, Fine appeared stoic as he left the Manhattan courthouse of the Combs trial, where his wife has spent more than eight hours testifying so far about her troubled past relationship with the embattled music industry vet. 'She's holding up strong,' Douglas Wigdor, Ventura's attorney, told reporters outside court. When asked how Ventura's husband was doing, he said, 'put yourself in his shoes.' Combs has pleaded not guilty to charges that include racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. His defense team has said they may call Fine to the stand to testify. A challenge he and Ventura will likely get through, together.
Los Angeles Times
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
Want to tap into Black cowboy culture in L.A. beyond the Beyoncé concert? Start here
When you think of cowboy culture, maybe Clint Eastwood's westerns, John Wayne's drawl or the Montana-based drama 'Yellowstone' starring Kevin Costner come to mind. But those are the whitewashed versions — Hollywood's curated fantasy that sidelines the truth. For too long, Black cowboy culture has been tucked behind folklore rather than celebrated as a core part of American history. The iconic Lone Ranger, for example, was traditionally portrayed by white actors, despite the character being based on Bass Reeves, a former slave who became one of the most successful deputy marshals in the American West. In fact, one in every four cowboys during the 1800s was Black. And Black cowboys were behind many of the traditions we associate with rodeo today. Take Bill Pickett, the first Black man inducted into the National Rodeo Hall of Fame, who invented bulldogging (steer wrestling), where a rider leaps off a horse and wrestles a steer to the ground. July's L.A. County stop for the popular rodeo named in Pickett's honor is already sold out. But there are plenty of other chances to catch history finally riding into the mainstream. Beyoncé's 'Cowboy Carter' album, which tips its hat to the Black cowboys and cowgirls whose labor, skill and style shaped the American West, didn't just launch a new wave of country fans, it reopened a cultural conversation. And right in time for the tour's kickoff in Los Angeles on April 28 at SoFi Stadium, there's a wave of events, exhibits and community activities celebrating the city's Black cowboy culture. From a groundbreaking 'Black Cowboys' exhibition at the Autry Museum to 'Untold Legacies' at Rancho Los Cerritos — an exploration of Black cowboy culture through contemporary expressions in music, film, fashion and design — California is full of opportunities to learn about the legacy up close. Add in the Compton Cowboys, a group of lifelong friends from Compton who use horseback riding to uplift inner-city youth, hitting the national stage at Stagecoach, the country music festival in Coachella Valley, and it's clear: The Black West isn't just being remembered, it's riding front and center. We've rounded up seven essential ways to witness the Black West in all its grit, glory and gallop. 'When this Black West trend ends, we want to make sure there's a flagpole in the ground that says the Black West is here. It's not just a trend. It's real,' says Randy Savvy, founder of the Compton Cowboys. Straight out of Richland Farms, a rural pocket of Compton where residents still raise goats and chickens and ride horseback, the Compton Cowboys are a collective of lifelong friends using horses to uplift their community and honor Black equestrian heritage. The group formed out of the Compton Jr. Posse, a local horse program founded by Mayisha Akbar in 1988, now known as Compton Jr. Equestrians, or CJE. Together, the Cowboys and CJE have spent more than three decades keeping kids on horses and off the streets, offering mentorship, career training and a powerful alternative to gang culture. Richland Farms has always been their home turf, and when the recent L.A. wildfires threatened horses across the city, the Cowboys mobilized to help evacuate and care for animals in danger. They've also completed training to be ready for future emergencies — because for them, it's not just about the ride; it's about showing up. This year, the Compton Cowboys are headed to Stagecoach, the massive country music festival in Indio. There, they'll represent Black cowboy culture on a national stage, complete with merch from their own line and a Forever 21 collaboration you'll want to snag before it sells out. If you're moved by their mission, you can donate directly via their website or inquire about volunteering to support CJE's youth programs, or just follow along as they continue to ride for a future where the Black West isn't overlooked — it's leading the way. Cowboy culture is rooted in community, and Urban Saddles rides that tradition forward. This Black-led nonprofit uses horsemanship to teach underserved youths real-world skills — from ethical animal care to farming, carpentry and mechanical trades. The group's motto says it all: 'As the cowboy wrangles cattle, we wrangle consciousness.' It's not just about the saddle (though Urban Saddles offers hands-on programs to help participants ride with confidence) — it's building something bigger. Events like Saddle Up Saturdays, which teaches about equestrian culture, agricultural education and local heritage celebrations, and Foster Feathers, where you can learn how to care for animals responsibly and live sustainably, bring the community together to celebrate agricultural traditions and teach sustainable living practices. Volunteers help care for animals, support mentorship programs and assist with riding events, creating shared spaces where culture, care and collective ownership thrive. Visit Urban Saddles' website to get involved or plan a visit. Forget the typical bar crawl — how about a moonlit trail ride in 'horse heaven'? Cali Cowboy Co., affectionately known as the Three Cees (for community, commitment and collaboration), is a diverse crew of riders based out of the Hansen Dam area who are redefining what modern cowboy culture looks like. Their motto? 'All states, shapes, shades and gaits are welcome.' Whether you're a seasoned rider or just saddle-curious, the club believes everyone deserves a place in the horse community. Their mission goes beyond the saddle — they're about preserving tradition, building cultural bridges and creating a more inclusive future for the next generation of equestrians. That ethos was on full display during the January L.A. wildfires, when members helped care for hundreds of displaced horses and became trained for future emergencies. While most of their full-moon rides in the San Gabriel Mountains are private, the group opens one or two of them to the public each year. Keep an eye on their socials for when those dates drop, because riding under a full moon is an experience like no other. This year, don't miss their Cinco de Mayo celebration on May 3 at Gibson Ranch, which will be open to the public. Expect riding demos, live music, food and a whole lot of dust-kicking good energy. Step back in time at Rancho Los Cerritos, a historic home and garden in Long Beach's Bixby Knolls neighborhood that brings California's layered past to life. Long before it was a 19th century cattle and sheep ranch, the land was home to the Gabrielino-Tongva people for over 5,000 years. Today, the two-story adobe residence is a local, state and national historic landmark offering year-round exhibitions, educational programs and cultural events that explore the many identities of the West. Now through June, the site is hosting 'Untold Legacies: Rethinking the American Cowboy,' an exhibition spotlighting the often-erased contributions of Black, Latino and Indigenous cowboys and cowgirls. Through works by five local artists — Lorenzo Baker, Hely Omar Gonzalez, Nia S. Lane, Daniel Tyree Gaitor-Lomack and Brooklyn Sabino Smith — the exhibit reimagines cowboy culture through the lenses of history, pop culture and fine art. Visitors also will find stories and visuals from contemporary urban equestrian groups that are educating youth and keeping cowboy traditions alive in schools and neighborhoods. While the exhibit is included with general admission (which is free, though reservations are encouraged), Rancho Los Cerritos also hosts special ticketed events like cultural tours, garden concerts and family-friendly programs that expand on the themes of the exhibition. Explore upcoming events or schedule a tour via their website. You won't walk out without learning something new, and you might leave feeling called to carry the story forward. The Autry Museum's upcoming exhibition, 'Black Cowboys: An American Story,' brings the untold tales of iconic figures into full view through a mix of rare artifacts, photographs, oral histories and film. Among the first pieces visitors will see are a saddle and boots used by two Black Texas cowboys — an especially rare find, as most gear was repurposed or worn through. Black contributions to western culture through film and music also take center stage, spanning early Black western posters up to costumes designed by Antoinette Messam for the 2021 movie 'The Harder They Fall,' which based its characters on the Black cowboys, lawmen and outlaws of the 19th century American West. Tickets are $18 for adults, $14 for seniors (62+) and students (13 to 18 or over 18 with ID), and $8 for children ages 3 to 12. Children younger than 3, Autry members and active-duty U.S. military/veterans receive free admission. Additionally, the museum offers free admission to all visitors every Tuesday and Wednesday from 1 to 4 p.m. with advance registration. Bull rides, rope tricks and a crowd just as focused on history as the thrill — the inaugural Charlie Sampson Rodeo is set for June 28 in Norco, Calif., and it's already shaping up to be a high-octane event, as well as a tribute to the Black cowboys who helped shape American history. Born and raised in Watts, Sampson made history in 1982 as the first Black man to win a world championship in professional rodeo. Now 67, he's launching this rodeo in honor of the cowboys he rode alongside, many of whom, he says, 'have passed on but left their mark right here in the L.A. area.' 'I'm doing this for my fallen friends,' Sampson says. 'They were part of this community, this culture. They deserve to be remembered.' The all-day event will feature classic rodeo competitions including bull riding, calf roping and barrel racing alongside community programming that celebrates Black western heritage. Expect food vendors, family-friendly activities and special tributes to the cowboys who came before. Sampson also has invited a roster of riders who reflect the next generation of Black rodeo talent. Even now, Sampson brings cowboy fire to everything he does. 'If I didn't get a good score, I'd go back, watch the video and go straight to the judges: 'Tell me where I messed up,'' he recalls. 'I made it hard for them to ignore me.' Trust us — you can't ignore Charlie Sampson. If this rodeo is anything like his spirit, you're in for one unforgettable ride. Tickets are on sale now via Eventbrite: $39.19 for general admission, $23 for children 12 and younger, and $81.88 for VIP access. Looking to sharpen your skills in the saddle or finally live out your barrel-racing dreams? Head to Townson Ranch in Agua Dulce, where six-time Bill Pickett Invitational champion DeBoraha Townson offers horseback riding lessons and hands-on programs designed to build strong horsemanship skills. The first Black woman to compete in the International Professional Rodeo finals, Townson now dedicates her days to training the next generation of riders. Whether you're a beginner learning the basics of western riding or a seasoned equestrian aiming to tighten your turns around the barrel, her lessons are tailored, personal and packed with wisdom from decades of championship experience. Want to take a class or enroll your child through a charter school program? You can book a session, tour the ranch or learn more about Townson's youth mentorship work by visiting Townson Ranch online.
Yahoo
26-01-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Rain in California helps firefighters respond to wildfires but presents risk of toxic ash runoff
Rain has fallen in Southern California after weeks of windy and dry weather, which is expected to help firefighters responding to multiple wildfires, but potentially heavy rain on burned hillsides could cause toxic ash runoff. Los Angeles County crews spent the past week removing vegetation, shoring up slopes and reinforcing roads in areas devastated by the Palisades and Eaton fires earlier this month. Most of the region was forecast to receive around an inch of precipitation over several days, but the National Weather Service said "the threat is high enough to prepare for the worst-case scenario" of localized cloudbursts leading to mud and debris sliding down hills. "So the problem would be if one of those showers happens to park itself over a burn area," weather service meteorologist Carol Smith said. "That could be enough to create debris flows." Trump Meets With California Residents, Fire And Law Enforcement Officials To See La Wildfire Damage First Hand Rainfall began late Saturday and was expected to increase Sunday and potentially last into early Tuesday, according to forecasters. Flood watches were issued for some burn areas, while the mountains were expected to receive snow. Read On The Fox News App Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, a Democrat, issued an executive order last week to expedite cleanup efforts and reduce the environmental impacts of fire-related pollutants. Los Angeles County supervisors also approved an emergency motion to put into place flood-control infrastructure and expedite and remove sediment in areas impacted by the fires. Officials said ash in recent burn zones was a toxic mix of incinerated cars, electronics, batteries, building materials, paints, furniture and other household items. The ash contains pesticides, asbestos, plastics and lead. Officials urged residents to wear protective gear when they clean up. Concerns over potential debris flows after a fire have been particularly high since 2018, when the town of Montecito faced mudslides after a downpour hit mountain slopes that were burned bare. A total of 23 people died and hundreds of homes were damaged. Compton Cowboys Step Up During Los Angeles Wildfires To Rescue Endangered Horses Click To Get The Fox News App The weekend's wet weather in Southern California ended weeks of dangerous winds and reduced humidity, but several wildfires were still burning in the area on Saturday, including the Palisades and Eaton fires, which killed at least 28 people and destroyed more than 14,000 structures. The Palisades Fire was 81% contained on Saturday and the Eaton Fire was 95% contained. Meanwhile, in northern Los Angeles County, firefighters made significant progress against the Hughes Fire, which forced tens of thousands of people to evacuate when it erupted on Wednesday in mountains near Lake Castaic. There was little containment of the Border 2 Fire in San Diego County as it burned through a remote area of the Otay Mountain Wilderness near the U.S.-Mexico border. The Associated Press contributed to this article source: Rain in California helps firefighters respond to wildfires but presents risk of toxic ash runoff
