Support for LAist comes from
Local and national news, NPR, things to do, food recommendations and guides to Los Angeles, Orange County and the Inland Empire
Stay Connected
Listen

Share This

News

4.2 Million Acres Burned So Far In Historic Wildfire Season

Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.

This has been an historic wildfire season, with 4.2 million acres burned, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said today.

So far this fire season, 31 people have died, and nearly 10,000 structures have been destroyed, with many times more than that damaged.

More than 5,000 firefighters are currently battling 14 major fires across the state. Just in the last 24 hours, firefighters responded to 42 new ignitions, but managed to stop most of them, which Newsom said is a testament to the firefighting successes we don't usually hear about.

Support for LAist comes from

The state has secured the ability to get reimbursements of up to 75% of fire suppression costs from the federal government, Newsom said.

Newsom relayed the latest figures during a live-streamed update on the state's response to the current wildfires and to the COVID-19 pandemic. You can watch a replay above or read highlights below.

Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our nonprofit public service journalism: Donate now.

As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.

Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.

We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.

No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.

Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.

Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

Chip in now to fund your local journalism
A row of graphics payment types: Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay and PayPal, and  below a lock with Secure Payment text to the right
(
LAist
)

Trending on LAist