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.
Wind Gusts Have Topped 80 MPH, Toppling Trees, Trucks And Billboards
A tree knocked over by heavy winds in Santa Paula today resulted in four residential units being red-tagged. (Ventura County Fire Department via Twitter)
()
A Red Flag Warning is in effect today for much of Southern California because of strong Santa Ana winds, moderately low humidity, and very dry plants and grasses.
The wind toppled a big rig on the 210 Freeway, knocked down a billboard in Santa Clarita, kicked a tree over onto residences in Santa Paula, and threatened to exacerbate brush fires that broke out across the region.
One of those fires, the Towsley Fire, erupted in Santa Clarita, and has so far burned up to 50 acres, though no structures were threatened,according to a tweet from L.A. County Fire.
Cal Fire and the L.A. County Fire Department are deploying additional resources to be able to respond to any new fires.
Support for LAist comes from
L.A. County Fire placed three additional strike teams around the county — one in the Malibu and Agoura area, another in East L.A., and another in the Santa Clarita area, said spokesman Henry Narvaez.
"And they're strategically placed there so they can spring at a moment's notice in an initial attack if anything were to spring up," he said.
Each strike team includes five fire engines and 20 firefighters.
People should be extremely cautious and think beyond things like cigarettes and campfires that could start a wildfire, said National Weather Service forecaster Ryan Kittell:
"Less obvious things like dragging trailer hitch chains, even brush clearing or weed whackers that can hit on rocks and start sparks in a dry spot, all those things have started fires before."
Another 255,000 customers have been warned they may lose power; nearly half of them are in Ventura County.
Some of the strongest gusts recorded today in the Santa Clarita Valley were:
- Saugus: 71 MPH (9:57 AM)
- Castaic Lake: 69 MPH (8:50 AM)
- Magic Mountain: 62 MPH (10:10 AM)
- Browns Canyon: 74 MPH (8:30 AM)
- Warm Springs RAWS: 87 MPH (8:53 AM)
- Magic Mountain Truck Trail: 86 MPH (9:50 AM)
GET UPDATES ON POWER SHUTOFFS:
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily newsletters. To support our non-profit 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
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs. -
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons Thursday after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
-
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
Best of LAist