Zach Behrens

The Bluff Fire that began around 9:30 a.m. this morning north of Banning has spread rapidly, prompting an aggressive assault from the ground and air from CalFire and Riverside County fire officials. Two County firefighters suffered heat-related injuries, according to the Daily Bulletin. The blaze, which is suspected of starting in a shed, has been 10 percent contained. No home have been damaged or are threatened at the present time. "It's pretty much (burning...

Firemen working to save people trapped inside the first train car | Photo by Zach Behrens/LAist It's been nearly a year since that fateful Friday afternoon when a Metrolink commuter train and a Union Pacific freight train smashed into each other, leaving 25 dead and 135 injured. It happened around a section of single track, blindly curving around Stoney Point in the Chatsworth neighborhood of Los Angeles. This Saturday marks the one-year anniversary of...

Again with the flooding? Yes, as statistics go, again. No word if this is a LADWP water main break or not, but the Los Angeles Fire Department has responded to flooding at 1529 West 54th Street in the Chesterfield Square neighborhood of South LA. "There's enough water and potential to cause damage," explained LAFD spokesman Erik Scott over the phone. The street is closed between Denker and Normandie and no injuries or initial damage...

It's not surprising but Orange County Assemblyman Michael Duvall (R-Yorba Linda) this afternoon announced his resignation, according to KNX1070 on Twitter. "I am deeply saddened that my inappropriate comments have become a major distraction for my colleagues in the Assembly," he said in a statement. "I have come to the conclusion that it would not be fair to my family, my constituents or to my friends on both sides of the aisle. Therefore, I...

After burning through 7,425 acres, the Big Meadow Fire in Yosemite National Park has been 100 percent contained. The blaze intentionally began as a 90-fire controlled burn on Wednesday, August 26th, but officials lost control. All roads into Yosemite National Park, including the Big Oak Flat Road and portions of the Tioga Road, are now open with no restrictions. These roads allows visitors to enter Yosemite Valley via Highway 120. However, some pull-outs may...

In light of the dirty/naughty/sexual bragging video featuring Orange County Republican Assemblymember Michael Duvall talking about an affair or two, possibly one of them with a lobbyist, Speaker Karen Bass this morning announced his removal from two committees. “I am saddened and disappointed in the recent comments made by Assemblymember Mike Duvall," she said in a statement. "There is no question his comments were inappropriate. In consultation with Minority Leader Sam Blakeslee, I have...

The Pupusa Mobile will be hitting L.A. streets soon | Photo by jslander via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr We asked what designer food trucks you thought were missing from the streets of Los Angeles and you answered with some scrumptious and salivating ideas (along with a crazy sidebar debate!). So far, here's what LAist readers have thought of. Keep them coming in the comment sections, we're sure some entrepreneurs are ready to make...

Photo: Felix Salzman A lot of thank-yous, hugs and gratitude has been given to firefighters this past week in light of the recent wildfires, most notably the Station Fire. With that said, Sunset Strip Music Festival organizers today announced that they are allowing free admittance to Los Angeles City and Los Angeles County Firefighters with proper ID into the festival on Saturday when the street closes. Some 40 bands will take the outdoor and...

After major flooding in Studio City and a fire truck stuck halfway into the street in Valley Village, there is some hyperawareness regarding water main breaks. Two more water mains broke early this morning in the Mid-City area, which statistically means there should be about two more later today. That's because there are about 1,400 breaks a year, averaging out to four a day, according to the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power....

Due to the trunkline break in Studio City, Coldwater Canyon is closed at Moorpark St. | Photo by Zach Behrens/LAist A little clarification from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power regarding a figure officials told us earlier today. A spokesman writes in: "We have approximately 1400 water main leaks and breaks per year (and this number is on the decline due to our infrastructure replacement endeavors wherein we line the pipes with...

If you were driving on the Angeles Crest Highway on the day the Station Fire began--that's Wednesday, Aug 26 around 3:30 p.m.--Los Angeles County Sheriff's Detectives are seeking your help in finding the arsonist responsible for the largest fire in the county's modern history. The blaze broke out near Mile Marker 29 (map). Detectives are hoping to account for all vehicles that passed the spot, according to the LA Times. “Obviously if someone saw...

Photo by A.C.Thamer via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr Thousands of cases of green onions were recalled by a California firm last week with the news going wide today. Question: are you growing your own yet? The Downtown Art Walk is this Thursday and the Downtown News examines how it's turned into quite a different beast--street party!--over the past five years. After promoting Reverend Jeff Carr to Chief of Staff, Mayor Villaraigosa announced Los...