Jan 12 Fact-checking misinformation about the Los Angeles wildfires and California water policy By Jeff Cercone, Caleb McCullough, PolitiFact President-elect Donald Trump and some social media users and pundits blamed Los Angeles’ deadly fires on California Gov. Gavin Newsom, saying the Democrat’s environmental policies enabled the blazes’ danger and wreckage. Continue reading
Jan 12 Death toll from Los Angeles wildfires rises to 16 as crews fight to contain blazes By Christopher Weber, Holly Ramer, Associated Press Firefighters scrambled Sunday to make further progress against wildfires that have killed 16 people in the Los Angeles area as forecasters again warned of dangerous weather with the return of strong winds this week. Continue reading
Jan 11 Crews race to contain Los Angeles wildfires as menacing winds are forecast to return By Jae Hong, Holly Ramer, Michael R. Blood, Associated Press Firefighters raced Saturday to cut off spreading wildfires before potentially strong winds return that could push the flames toward the world famous J. Paul Getty Museum and the University of California, Los Angeles, while new evacuation warnings left more homeowners… Continue reading
Jan 11 Wildfires can contaminate drinking water with harmful chemicals. Here's what to know By Andrew J. Whelton, The Conversation Fires like the ones burning in the Los Angeles area can make drinking water, and the water pipes and tanks themselves, unsafe. A researcher who has worked with communities after several wildfires explains why, and what to do. Continue reading
Jan 10 Watch 7:43 LA reflects on what wildfires have destroyed while looking to prepare for future disasters By Stephanie Sy, Sam Lane, Lena I. Jackson, Sam Weber, Karina Cuevas Firefighters are making some progress in the battle against a series of catastrophic wildfires in the Los Angeles area. More than 10,000 structures have been damaged or destroyed and at least 10 people have been killed. There's still danger ahead… Continue watching
Jan 10 Watch 4:58 Warming climate created 'perfect storm' for catastrophic fires, NASA researcher says By Geoff Bennett, Jackson Hudgins Prolonged drought and powerful Santa Ana winds set up extreme conditions that have fueled the devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area. Those conditions were compounded by climate change. According to NOAA and NASA, the ten warmest years on record… Continue watching
Jan 09 Watch 9:32 Los Angeles begins to face 'apocalyptic' devastation as wildfires continue to burn By Stephanie Sy, Layla Quran, Mary Fecteau Firefighters continue to battle multiple major fires in the Los Angeles area. At least 5 people have been killed, a number officials expect to rise, and 180,000 are under evacuation orders. The fires that started on Tuesday are now among… Continue watching
Jan 09 Watch 5:38 A look at Southern California's wildfire response and resources By Amna Nawaz Many questions are being asked about the response to the deadly wildfires in the Los Angeles area. Amna Nawaz discussed some of those concerns with Juliette Kayyem, a former assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security and faculty chair… Continue watching
Jan 09 Wildfire smoke inside homes can cause lingering health risks. Here are some tips for cleaning and staying safe By Colleen E. Reid, The Conversation Research shows that the mix of chemicals released when human-made materials like these burn is different from what is emitted during a vegetation fire and is potentially more toxic. Continue reading
Jan 09 How Santa Ana winds have fueled the deadly fires in Southern California By Jon Keeley, The Conversation By the time the winds get to the point where the Eaton Fire broke out in Altadena on Jan. 7, it’s not uncommon for them to have less than 5 percent relative humidity, meaning essentially no moisture at all. Continue reading