How To LA: A Community Led Fire Department In Bell Canyon Gets Ready For The Next Big BlazeFire (And Other Headlines)

It’s Climate Wednesday here at LAist and today we’re highlighting a community led fire department in Bell Canyon.

Everything changed for the residents of Bell Canyon on a hot, dry, and windy day on Nov. 8, 2018, when electrical equipment from Southern California Edison failed and started what grew into the devastating Woolsey Fire.

They haven’t fought a fire yet, but they say they’re ready.

Residents like Garret Clancy could see smoke rising about 2 miles away and it became a harsh reminder wind driven fires can quickly spread and overwhelm resources, leaving residents on their own. And this was the motivation to start Bell Canyon Volunteer Wildland Fire Department.

The Bell Canyon volunteer crew has been training for the next big wildfire over the past few years. Clancy said the volunteer crew’s goal is to do as much as they can in their small area to keep fires at bay, potentially giving the professionals a few precious extra minutes to respond to the isolated canyon.

Read the full story here from my colleague Jacob Margolis.

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• New research examines Latinos' experiences with the Spanish language, finding that while three-quarters of Latinos speak Spanish fluently, over half of those who don't speak the language have been shamed because of it.
• Actors union members voted overwhelmingly to give SAG-AFTRA authorization for a strike on the Interactive (Video Games) Media Agreement as negotiators hit the table this week. The union is asking for protections around artificial intelligence, wage increases and informed consent for use of digital replicas, among other demands.
• The Malibu Triathlon will go ahead as planned this weekend. The Malibu City Council granted an appeal after a previous decision by the city’s planning commission put the event in jeopardy.

Wait... one more thing...affordable parking At LAX?

The entrance to Los Angeles International Airport on April 16, 2020, in Los Angeles.

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Valerie Macon

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AFP via Getty Images

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The airport announced a lower cost parking lot where you can leave your ride fairly close to the terminals with a running shuttle. Here’s a little more detail: It has contactless entry and exit, 2,600 spaces and a shuttle that scoops up passengers every 20 to 30 minutes. Prices range from $15 to $20 per day, which could be lower depending on when you book. Now if only there’s a way to magically make that traffic disappear …

More LAX: Since we’re already talking about one of the busiest airports in the country, here’s your guide to the airport’s hacks, history and future.