It's our spring member drive!

Be one of 5,000 members to make a sustaining gift to help unlock $1 million.
Audience-funded nonprofit news
radio tower icon laist logo
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Subscribe
  • Listen Now Playing Listen
  • Listen Now Playing Listen

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.

News

Video: Exploding Palm Tree Is L.A.'s Way Of Wishing You Merry Christmas

If you value independent local news, become a sustainer today. Your gift could help unlock a $1M challenge.

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.

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.

You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.

Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.

If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.

Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief

Make your tax-deductible donation today