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Morning Briefing: Wildfires Break Out Amid Extreme Santa Ana Winds
Orange County fire fighter John Nelson looks for hot spots (Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)
Good morning, L.A.
Two firefighters were critically injured Monday with second- and third-degree burns as dangerously strong Santa Ana winds spread the Silverado Fire quickly through parts of Irvine.
The blaze broke out Monday morning, and promptly resulted in the evacuation of 90,000 residents. It originated near Santiago Canyon Road and Silverado Canyon Road, and had burned 7,000 acres by Monday evening. Officials reported sending 500 firefighters to the area.
A red flag warning had already been issued in the region, meaning that the weather could cause extreme fire behavior. As a preventive measure, Southern California Edison cut power to 21,000 customers in the foothills of San Bernardino County as well as parts of Sylmar, Santa Clarita, Orange County and more.
Keep reading for more on what’s happening in L.A. today, and stay safe out there.
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Coming Up Today, October 27
What’s it like to be on the front lines of a wildfire, waiting for the worst? This time last year, Jacob Margolis decided to find out. At Station 89 in Agoura Hills, Strike Team 1103 Alpha was hunkered down, ready to jump into action.
The LAPD Chief, the Inspector General and the Police Commission will discuss the Inspector General's report on racial disparities in local traffic stops. Robert Garrova brings us up to speed.
The L.A. County Board of Supervisors are expected to ask staff to research ways to impeach or otherwise remove Sheriff Alex Villanueva, as well as how to move from an elected to an appointed sheriff. Frank Stoltze will be following the story.
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The Past 24 Hours In LA
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Wildfires: The Silverado Fire is being driven by fierce Santa Ana winds and spread to 7,000 acres in just a few hours. The same area of Orange County that’s burning in the Silverado Fire also burned 13 years ago in what was described as one of the county's "most disastrous" wildfires in decades.
Policing The Police: Use-of-force experts have differing opinions about the fatal shooting of Anthony McClain by a Pasadena police officer.
Coronavirus Updates: COVID-19 and hospitalizations are on the increase among 12-to-17 year-olds. A local judge expressed disappointment that L.A.’s economic situation had gotten so bad that landlords and tenants were battling over the question of rent forgiveness in court.
Election 2020: In a North L.A. County race, Republican Mike Garcia is trying to hold onto the seat he won earlier this year in a special election against Democrat Christy Smith after Katie Hill resigned.
Here’s What To Do: Drive through the Upside Down at the Stranger Things experience, learn about the relocation of L.A.'s original Chinatown, explore how various cultures treat death and mourning, and more in this week’s best online and IRL events. Ofrendas, catrinas, mezcal mummies, and more ways to celebrate and explore the religious and cultural traditions of Day of the Dead.
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Photo Of The Day
Firefighters work as the Silverado Fire moves toward a home in Irvine.
(Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
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One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
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