Zach Behrens

Photo: digitalshay/Flickr Although Los Angeles firefighters knocked down flames in 17 minutes at an early morning fire in Harbor Gateway, one man pronounced dead inside the home. The blaze began around 4:45 a.m. at 15925 Orchard Ave. Officials say pack rat conditions, often referred on the east coast as a Collyers' Mansion, were found inside. Back in 1999, about six people died in "pack rat" fires per year, the LA Times found. "Almost all...

It's the last holiday weekend of the summer and that means more drinking and driving than usual. Last year Labor Day, 40 people died on California freeways--half of those killed were not wearing a seat belt, according to the California Highway Patrol. That said, the agency will begin a Maximum Enforcement Period statewide at 6:01 p.m. through midnight on Monday, meaning every available officer will be on the road keeping a vigilant eye out...

As firefighters get a better handle on the Station Fire, evacuations are lifted and shelters close. Two remain open, the Red Cross announced today. One at Verdugo Hills High School in the L.A. neighborhood of Tujunga (10625 Plainview Avenue, Tujunga, CA 91042) and the other at Golden Valley High School in Santa Clarita (27051 Robert C. Lee Parkway, Newhall, CA 91350). Since the beginning of the Station Fire last week Wednesday, the Red Cross...

A Vegan BBQ Sandiwch made from Jackfruit at Pure Luck, which is not part of the festivities, but a damn good vegan restaurant nonetheless | Photo by jasonlam via Flickr Prabhat Gautam, owner of Positive Television and a local vegan gadfly (also, a former LAist contributor), is a very energetic guy. This month, he set out to accomplish the goal of 30 straight days of vegan events. "A lot of people said it could...

Photo by nicadlr via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr The L.A. City Clerk is reminding residents of Council District 2--that's Sherman Oaks through Shadow Hills--to register by Tuesday in order to participate in the September 22 special election to fill the seat vacated by Wendy Greuel, who left to become City Controller. You can register or re-register to vote by mail by completing a voter registration form that can be obtained at the public...

As the Station Fire continues to burn, the L.A. County Department of Health expanded the air quality alert to include the San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley and San Gabriel Valley. "Sensitive individuals living in the West San Fernando Valley should especially take note of recommendations," a statement said. "In all areas of visible smoke or where there is an odor of smoke, all individuals are urged to be cautious and to avoid unnecessary...

As the Station Fire raged over the weekend, causing air quality to pummel, officials were unsure if a game between UCLA and San Diego State could safely be played at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. After consulting university medical staff along with Pasadena officials and air-quality experts, Athletic director Dan Guerrero said the game is on! So now the question is, will the Bruins show up and kick ass?...

Photo: A Gude via Flickr For those planning a trip to Yosemite National Park this weekend, about a five-hour drive from L.A., they don't have to worry about the Meadow Fire ruining too many of their plans, officials say. The park will remain open, save for some off-limit areas and roads due to the 7,240-acre blaze. The fire began Wednesday as a 90-acre controlled burn that got out of control. Although it grew over...

Photo by Lucyrk in LA via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr At today's 30 years of the farmers market celebration, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is expected to announce a task force on food policy and will lead a pledge for local restaurants to use locally grown food. The 10 a.m. event, which is open to the public at the weekly Little Tokyo/Arts District Farmers Market held on the South Lawn of City Hall, will also...

Blue line denotes closure area Due to the Station Fire (and the Morris Fire, which is now 100 percent contained), officials today closed all portions of the Angeles National Forest within the San Gabriel Mountain Range, citing a federal law meant "to protect natural resources and provide for public safety." Basically, that means the whole mountain range is closed, save for the edges and a portion within the San Bernardino National Forest on the...

Hall and Quinones (LACFD) For those wanting to honor the two men who lost their lives fighting the Station Fire, a large public memorial will be held a week from Saturday at 10 a.m. in Dodger Stadium, the L.A. County Fire Department announced today, saying more details will come soon. Fire Captain Tedmund D. “Ted” Hall, 47 and Fire Fighter Specialist Arnaldo “Arnie” Quinones, 34, died Sunday afternoon when their vehicle went over the...

A modified Martin Mars seaplane tanker aircraft drops water trying to contain a fire threat to the observatory on Mount Wilson (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) HIgh temperatures and low humidity today began to subside, aiding firefighters in controlling the Station Fire, now 127,513 acres, nearly 200 square miles, in size. The blaze is now 22 percent contained, according to Forest Service officials. However, a change in weather could again downgrade containment and begin to threaten...