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Video: Exploding Palm Tree Is L.A.'s Way Of Wishing You Merry Christmas
Nothing says Merry Christmas quite like a palm tree bursting into flames as the wind blows its embers into the street.
Firefighters responded to the burning palm tree near Venice Boulevard and South Mansfield Avenue at about 3 a.m. Christmas morning, NBC LA reports . The fire's cause was a combination of nearby power lines and heavy winds. Crews had the tree put out in about 20 minutes and no one was hurt, though the wind swept burning fronds across the ground and started a few small debris fires. YouTuber FireLensMan , who records numerous blazes around SoCal, captured the spectacle.
The early morning winds—the result of a cold front—also led to power outages, debris and a few downed trees on Christmas Day.
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Christmas, however, has nothing on the Fourth of July, when exuberant patriots light palm trees on fire accidentally with fireworks. This year, 55 palm trees were set ablaze.
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But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
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