Morning Brief: Wildfire Smoke, Sunny Weather, And Zuma Canyon

Good morning, L.A. It’s September 3.

As wildfire season continues, many of us will be wondering how to keep ourselves and our families safe from smoke; no one can forget the images of red skies over California last September, and the feeling of needing to stay indoors for days on end.

But what’s the best way to stay safe? Allen Goldstein, a professor at UC Berkeley, said that closing up houses and apartments and filtering the air inside can significantly reduce the amount of indoor smoke.

Goldstein ran a study that assessed how much particulate matter, which is what we want to avoid inhaling during wildfires, infiltrated homes in urban areas such as L.A. and San Francisco during the wildfires of 2020.

Using data from sensors that people put in their homes, researchers found that by shutting doors and windows and turning on air filtration devices, Californians were able to cut in half the amount of smoke that got inside their buildings and homes.

“People were really protecting themselves,” Goldstein said.

The study also found that newer buildings with air conditioning let in less smoke and particulates as a result of being sealed more tightly than older buildings.

Goldstein emphasized the importance of using an air filtration device indoors for extra protection, either by purchasing a commercial product or, for the handy individuals among us, making a DIY system on your own.

Keep reading for more on what’s happening in L.A., and stay safe out there.

What Else You Need To Know Today

• New COVID-19 case numbers are falling in Los Angeles County, a welcome change from a summer surge that started in mid-June.
• Two victims were treated for injuries yesterday after gunfire broke out near Santee High School, not far from downtown L.A.
• Expect beautiful, sunny weather for all sorts of activities this Labor Day weekend.
• After major disruption from COVID-19, Hollywood production is back in full swing, but working conditions can still be hard for crew members.
• Cyberattacks against community college students are on the rise as hackers use fake bot students to target real students in online classes.
• Lake Tahoe is famous for its clean water. Will damage from the massive Caldor Fire be temporary, or could it last years?

Weekend Reads

There's a lot going on in the world right now, and it’s hard enough to keep up with our day-to-day lives, let alone to stay current on the news. But if you have some time this weekend, here’s what you may have missed:

The Beverly Hills Police Department is facing a lawsuit alleging racial profiling after a report found that 105 of 106 people arrested by a task force were Black. (LAist)

The feds closed all national forests in California in advance of Labor Day weekend, including many beloved spots. (LAist)

Local activists are encouraging Congressmember Karen Bass to pursue a run for L.A. Mayor. (L.A. Sentinel)

L.A.’s District Attorney is charging a police officer with a crime for shooting a civilian, just the third time in more than two decades that such a charge has been filed. (LAist)

Unemployment benefits are about to run out, leaving a lot of Angelenos in the lurch — including folks who work as gig workers, freelancers and contractors. (LAist)

High Off Energy is a dancing trio from South L.A. that specializes in Latin music, and routinely goes viral on TikTok. (L.A. Taco)

A new law is putting some kids back in distance learning, just as schools have reopened. (LAist)

Here’s how some of SoCal’smost beloved food chains — including Hot Dog on a Stick, Randy’s Donuts and Fatburger — got their start. (KCRW)

Before You Go ... This Weekend's Outdoor Pick: Zuma Canyon Trail

The Zuma Canyon Trail in Malibu.

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National Park Service

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Explore Malibu’s Zuma Canyon along a 2.8-mile, out-and-back moderate trail. There's some shade along the walk and you'll see great canyon and ocean views. The canyon has other short trail junctions if you want to extend your walk, but our preference would be to hit Zuma Beach after the hike.

Or, you could: Get in the swing with some free jazz. Salsa dance the night away. Rock out to retro pop punk. Stuff yourself with baklava. Enjoy the Bard under the stars. And more.