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Morning Briefing: Wildfires Ravage The State
The orange sky at Vermilion Valley Resort in the Sierras as the Creek Fire neared (Courtesy of Adrienne Chenette)
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Wildfire season has swiftly come upon us, with two major fires burning in the L.A. area. The Bobcat Fire is moving quickly through the Angeles National Forest, with more than 10,300 acres burned and no containment. The El Dorado Fire — that’s the one started by what officials called a “smoke generating pyrotechnic device” at a gender reveal party — is at 16% containment in the San Bernardino National Forest, and has burned 10,500 acres.
If this sounds like a lot of fire in a short period of time — even by recent California standards — that’s because it is. At his briefing today, Gov. Gavin Newsom said there have been 7,606 wildfires in California this year so far, and roughly 2.3 million acres burned. That’s compared to just under 5,000 fires and 118,000 acres burned in all of 2019.
The blazes have caused evacuations and, in some parts of California, hikers have been forced to flee from their trips or have even become trapped. Meanwhile, if you've looked outdoors, you’ve probably noticed that the skies are grey and there’s ash raining down in some parts of the region.
Keep reading for more on what’s happening in L.A. today, and stay safe out there.
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The Past 24 Hours In LA
Wildfires: The El Dorado Fire has burned more than 10,500 acres and is at 16% containment. The Bobcat Fire has burned over 10,300 acres. Thick smoke and flames forced many hikers to cut their trips short and flee the area, while others got trapped. A red flag warning is in effect until 8 p.m. Wednesday in parts of Ventura and L.A. counties as the Santa Ana winds roar in. So far in 2020, there have been 7,606 wildfires in California and roughly 2.3 million acres burned, compared to just under 5,000 fires and 118,000 acres burned in 2019.
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Hollywood & Diversity: For years, activists have called on Hollywood to try to do better when it comes to diversity. Now, the Oscars say if studios don’t, they won’t be invited to their awards show. To be eligible for best picture at 2024 ceremony new diversity requirements for film staffers, both on and off screen, must be met.
The 2020 Election: Retirees often staff local polling places, but with coronavirus putting their health at risk, who will step up?
True Crime: Seven people were murdered at an illegal marijuana grow house in Aguanga, east of Temecula. Long Beach police have arrested 12 people suspected of carrying out a deadly mass shooting at a Halloween-themed birthday party last year that they mistakenly took for a gathering by a rival gang.
Here’s What To Do: Check out live folklórico music and dance, take a walk bathed in L.A.'s neon lights, explore how racism impacts public health, and more in this week’s best online and IRL events.
Photo Of The Day
A home is engulfed in flames during the Creek Fire in the Tollhouse area of Fresno County.
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(Josh Edelson/AFP via Getty Images)
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