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Morning Briefing: Lightning, Fires And Heat Waves
Firefighters work to extinguish hotspots from the Lake Fire in the Angeles National Forest on August 13, 2020. (Apu Gomes/AFP via Getty Images)
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At the moment, in case you hadn’t noticed, California is under a number of weather-related strains. There are the 100-plus degree temperatures here in SoCal, the lightning strikes up north, and the hundreds of fires burning across the state.
Unsurprisingly, then, some of the state’s resources are being taxed. Gov. Gavin Newsom said that officials expect residents to use almost 10,000 more watts of power some days this week than is typical, which was the reason for the mandated power outages over the weekend. It’s also the reason authorities are asking all of us to do our part by keeping energy use down during the peak hours of 3 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Meanwhile, Cal Fire is also feeling the pressure. The department has 6,900 firefighters currently deployed to battle the blazes throughout the state, and recently reached out to other firefighting units across the U.S. for backup.
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These incidents, and their proposed solutions, are just more reminders that human beings aren’t meant to brave the world in silos; we do need each other to survive.
Keep reading for more on what’s happening in L.A. today, and stay safe out there.
P.S. Wear a mask.
Coming Up Today, August 20
A public-private fund for undocumented immigrants adversely affected by the pandemic stopped taking applications more than a month ago, reports Josie Huang, but the NGOs working with California can still steer those in need toward money collected by the philanthropies involved.
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What will distance learning in LAUSD look like this fall? Kyle Stokes breaks down the details of the new agreement with the teachers’ union, and checks in on Canoga Park Elementary teacher Daisy Leon about how distance learning went for her last spring … and about her thoughts going into the new school year.
Check out a mini-golf course with queer vibes, head to the desert for an Alejandro Jodorowsky double-bill, watch a special Alvin Ailey dance program online, and more. Christine N. Ziemba has this week’s best online and IRL events.
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The Past 24 Hours In LA
Money Matters: KPCC reporter David Wagner answered your questions about unemployment benefits.
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City Hall Scandal: Suspended L.A. City Councilman José Huizar will be waiting a while for his corruption trial, as a federal judge ordered a new start date of June 22, 2021.
Homelessness In L.A.: A group of plaintiffs who are currently unhoused say L.A. has violated an injunction stating that the city can’t enforce certain laws that have led to homeless people losing personal property.
California’s Resources: This week’s high temperatures have put pressure on the state's energy supply. Among the more surprising recommendations from LADWP to save energy are to turn off pool pumps, and not charge electric vehicles between 3 and 10 p.m. Cal Fire’s resources are at risk of being depleted as massive blazes continue to burn throughout the state.
Photo Of The Day
A Riverside firefighter at the Lake Fire in the Angeles National Forest.
(Photo by APU GOMES/AFP via Getty Images)
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The news cycle moves fast. Some stories don't pan out. Others get added. Consider this today's first draft, and check LAist.com for updates on these stories and more. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
This post has been updated to reflect changes in what's coming up for today.
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Your support for independent local news is critical. With federal funding for public media gone, LAist faces a $1.7 million yearly shortfall. Speaking frankly, how much reader support we receive now will determine the strength of this reliable source of local information now and for years to come.
This work is only possible with community support. Every investigation, service guide, and story is made possible by people like you who believe that local news is a public good and that everyone deserves access to trustworthy local information.
That’s why we’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Thank you for understanding how essential it is to have an informed community and standing up for free press.
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