>>> IN, FOR TURNING US WITH A LOOK AT THE BEST ORIGINAL REPORTING ON KPBS .

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.. KPBS INVESTIGATES HOW SENSITIVE DATABASES ARE BEING IMPROPERLY USED BY THOSE WHO WORK FOR THE IMMIGRATION AGENCY.

>>> THE BENEFITS OF MENTAL HEALTH INTERVENTION.

KPBS REPORTER SCOTT HOFFMAN REPORTS.

>>> AND RAISING THEIR OWN FLAG.

THE LGBTQ PLUS COMMUNITY DISPLAYS PRIDE WHEN ONE CITY REFUSES TO DO SO.

WE START WITH ONGOING COVERAGE OF THE SAN DIEGO HOUSING CRISIS.

YOU CAN FIND DETAILS AT KPBS.ORG.

DETAILS VARY BY LOCATION.

WE HAVE SOME OF THE RESULTS FROM NORTH COUNTY.

>> Reporter: WE WERE IN ESCONDIDO WHEN ACCOUNT WAS TAKING PLACE.

IT IS ANTICIPATED THERE WOULD BE AN INCREASE IN HOMELESSNESS IN THE NORTH COUNTY AND HE WAS NOT LONG.

HOMELESSNESS JUMPED BY 67%.

MUSTARD 182 ON SHELTERED PEOPLE IN THIS YEAR, 304.

>> THE DATA REFLECTS THAT WE HAVE BEEN SEEING ON THE GROUND EVERY DAY THAT HOMELESSNESS IS INCREASING AND, PARTICULARLY, ON SHELTERED.

>> Reporter: ANGEL IS THE CEO OF A SHELTER.

SOME NORTH COUNTY CITIES SAW A DROP IN NUMBERS.

POWAY HAD A 90% DROP.

DATE SHELTERED 12 PEOPLE IN 2022 IN THIS YEAR ONLY TWO.

THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS ALSO WENT FROM 12 PEOPLE DOWN TO TWO THIS YEAR.

THERE WERE DROPS IN PERCENTAGES ALL OVER.

ANGEL SAYS THE DATA IS A ROUGH ESTIMATE AND OFTEN INACCURATE.

MANY HOMELESS PEOPLE GO UNACCOUNTED FOR.

DROPS COULD MEAN LESS BOOTS ON THE GROUND THE DAY OF THE COUNT.

>> ACCOUNT IS CARRIED OUT BY VOLUNTEERS WHO GO OUT EARLY MORNING AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH VOLUNTEERS TO COVER A CERTAIN AREA, THAT AREA WILL SHOW A REDUCTION IN NUMBERS.

>> Reporter: ANGEL SAYS THE DATA DOES HELP ORGANIZATIONS AND MUNICIPALITIES GET AN IDEA OF THE PROBLEM.

>> IT RAISES THE AWARENESS OF HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE STRUGGLING ON OUR STREETS.

FOR MOST OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS THEY ARE EXPERIENCING ISSUES EVERY DAY.

>> Reporter: THE SOLUTIONS REQUIRE FUNDING.

FOR WRAPAROUND SERVICES AND MORE SHELTERS AS WELL AS TRANSITIONAL HOUSING.

THAT IS PART OF THE POINT IN TIME DATA COUNT.

10,264 PEOPLE WERE COUNTED IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.

ABOUT HALF WERE IN A SHELTER AND HALF WERE NOT.

TANIA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> HUNDREDS OF IMMIGRATION WORKERS ABUSE, FINANCIAL DATABASES.

BORDER REPORTER GUSTAVO SOLIS SAYS THEY HAVE ACCESS TO LOTS OF PERSONAL DATA .

>> Reporter: ONE I.C.E.

AGENT USED A FEDERAL DATABASE TO SPY ON HIS EX-WIFE'S BOYFRIEND.

ANOTHER GAINED PRIVATE INFORMATION OF A DETAINEE TO SOMEONE WHO SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD IT.

26 I.C.E.

AGENTS AND CONTRACTORS WERE INVESTIGATED FOR THIS BEHAVIOR BETWEEN 2016 AND 2019.

MOST OF THESE EMPLOYEES IMPROPERLY USE COMPUTERS AND DATABASES.

THE MOST COMMON VIOLATION WAS USING FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT DATABASES TO JUST LOOK THEMSELVES UP.

>> YOU MIGHT SEE LOW-LEVEL OFFENSES.

>> Reporter: WE SPOKE WITH THE POLICY DIRECTOR AND HE SAID LOOKING YOURSELF UP ON A DATABASE MAY NOT SEEM LIKE A BIG DEAL.

>> THEY TELL A BROADER PICTURE OF THE CULTURE OF DHS AND I.C.E.. >> Reporter: THAT COULD CAUSE PUBLIC MISTRUST THOUGH.

>> PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THEY ARE NOT BEING WATCHED AND THEY CAN LOOK UP WHATEVER THEY WANT IN THE DATABASE.

MAYBE THAT STARTS WITH THEM LOOKING UP THEMSELVES AND THEN THEY LOOK UP SOMEONE ELSE.

>> Reporter: PART OF WHAT IS SO CONCERNING IS THE AMOUNT THAT OF DATE OF THESE DATABASES HAVE.

THEY CAN TRACK OUR LOCATION.

THEY HAVE INFORMATION ABOUT WHERE WE WORK AND WORK AND WHO WE SPEND TIME WITH.

>> IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO KNOW THE BREADTH OF INFORMATION THAT THEY HAVE.

>> Reporter: SOME OF THOSE DATABASES WERE USED TO TRACK LAWYERS AND HUMANITARIAN WORKERS HELPING IMMIGRANTS IN TIJUANA.

THAT INCLUDED THE DIRECTOR OF A BORDER RIGHTS PROJECT.

SHE IS ONE OF THE PEOPLE UNDER SURVEILLANCE.

CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION HAD A DOSSIER ON HER.

>> THAT INCLUDED INFORMATION LIKE MY MOTHERS NAME.

WHERE SHE LIVES.

MY TRAVEL INCLUDING INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL THAT DID NOT ORIGINATE IN THE UNITED STATES.

MY CAR LICENSE AND MODEL.

>> Reporter: THIS TYPE OF SURVEILLANCE HAS REAL WORLD ISSUES.

>> A SUPERVISOR CONFISCATED MY GLOBAL ENTRY CARD.

>> Reporter: THOSE ARE VITAL FOR PEOPLE THAT LIVE ON THE BORDER.

THEY ALLOW PEOPLE TO MOVE THROUGH FASTER LANES.

IT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CROSSING THE BORDER IN MINUTES OR HOURS.

MANY HAD LITTLE DISCIPLINE AFTER --.

THAT CASE WAS NOT REFERRED TO MANAGEMENT.

SAME THING WITH ANOTHER.

IMMIGRATIONS CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT DID NOT RESPOND.

>> THERE IS ZERO TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> Reporter: SHE SAID SHE NOW AVOIDS CROSSING THE BORDER UNLESS SHE HAS TO.

>> PEOPLE SAY IF YOU ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO WORRY ABOUT.

BUT, THE FACT THAT I AM NOT DOING ANYTHING WRONG SHOULD BE ENOUGH FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO NOT KEEP US ON A WATCHLIST.

>>> A WARNING ABOUT THE NEXT STORY WHICH INCLUDES A MENTION OF SELF-HARM.

IT IS A LOOK AT ADVANCED CARE FOR THOSE WITH SIGNIFICANT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

KPBS REPORTER MATT HOFFMAN EXPLAINS.

>> Reporter: 15-YEAR-OLD MATTIE HARVEY HAS HAD A LOVE OF MUSIC SINCE HER GRANDFATHER BOUGHT HER A UKULELE.

>> I SAVED UP THE MONEY ENOUGH MONEY TO BUY AN ACOUSTIC GUITAR.

>> Reporter: SHE ENJOYS JAM SESSIONS AT SAN MARCOS HIGH SCHOOL.

IT IS THERE THAT MATTIE HAS FOUND HER TRIED.

>> I JOIN THE ROTC AND THE FIRST DAY I WENT THERE, I KNEW I WAS WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE.

>> Reporter: SHE HAS DONE WELL IN THE PROGRAM AND SHE IS SET TO TAKE ON A LEADERSHIP ROLE WITH THE CLASS NEXT YEAR.

>> SHE COMES IN WITH ENERGY.

SHE PUTS HER DRIVE INTO IT AND SHE DOES NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER.

>> Reporter: THE ROAD TO GET HERE HAS NOT BEEN EASY.

SHE STRUGGLED WITH MENTAL HEALTH OVER THE YEARS AND HER PARENTS, CINDY AND STEVE HARVEY, .SHE HAD A SENSORY PROCESSING DISORDER AND FIVE YEARS OLD.

>> SHE WE GET UPSET WITH THE TEACHER WEARING HIGH HEELS BECAUSE THE LEAKING SOUND WOULD DRIVE HER CRAZY AND SHE WOULD HAVE TO BE EXCUSED FROM CLASS.

THEY WOULD FIND HER BEATING HER HEAD AGAINST THE WALL TRYING TO CREATE A SOUND OTHER THAN THOSE HIGH HEELS.

>> Reporter: IS CDC REPORT SAYS MENTAL HEALTH AMONGST STUDENTS IS GETTING WORSE.

IN 2021 22% OF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS REPORTED CONSIDERING SUICIDE AND ABOUT 40% REPORTED PERSISTENT SADNESS.

HER PARENTS FIRST CENTER TO HAVE A RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FACILITY WHEN SHE WAS IN FOURTH GRADE.

>> WE WERE WORRIED ABOUT THE SELF-HARM ISSUES AND TRIPS TO THE HOSPITAL.

THAT IS WHEN WE WERE LIKE, WE NEED MORE CARE.

>> AS A PARENT YOU DON'T WANT TO GIVE YOUR CHILD TO ANYBODY ELSE TO CARE FOR THEM BUT WE JUST DID NOT HAVE THE TOOLS NECESSARY TO GET HER TO WHERE SHE IS NOW.

>> Reporter: RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT SEIZE, INSISTING FOR DAYS, WEEKS, OR EVEN MONTHS AT A TIME.

AT THE SAN DIEGO CENTER FOR CHILDREN IT INCLUDE PSYCHIATRY, THERAPEUTIC ACTIVITIES, AND MORE.

THE CEO SAYS IT IS A KEY PART OF CARE FOR KIDS THAT MAY BE GOING TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM FOR MENTAL HEALTH REASONS.

>> WE KNOW WHEN WE CAN PROVIDE THE KIND OF CARE THAT THEY NEED, WE CAN RESPOND TO THE CHILD AND PREVENTS THINGS FROM INCREASING.

>> Reporter: THERE IS A GAP IN THE SYSTEM HE SAYS.

RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT IS AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WITH PRIVATE INSURANCE BUT THOSE ON PROBATION, IN FOSTER CARE, OR WITH WELFARE SERVICES, THEY DO NOT HAVE ACCESS.

OR THOSE WITH MEDI CAL.

>> THE STAFF KNOWS THAT THIS KID NEEDS A HIGHER LEVEL OF CARE BUT THEY HAVE MEDI CAL AND THAT IS NOT AN OPTION.

THAT NEEDS TO CHANGE.

>> Reporter: WHAT IS CHANGING THAT IS ASSEMBLY BILL 3217.

IT CREATES A NEW LICENSE CATEGORY THAT WILL ALLOW PSYCHIATRIC RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FACILITIES TO SERVE EVERYONE, INCLUDING KIDS WITH MEDI CAL .

>> WE HAVE STORY AFTER STORY OF SUCCESS.

AND THEY SAY IF NOT FOR THIS LEVEL OF CARE, THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO THEIR CHILD.

>> Reporter: MADDIE'S MOST RECENT TIME IN RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT WAS A SEVEN MONTH STAY.

SHE SAID THERE EVERYTHING TURNED AROUND.

>> THIS TIME IT WAS THE SELF- HARM THING AND I NEEDED TO GET MORE SERIOUS HELP BECAUSE WHAT WAS HAPPENING WAS NOT WORKING.

I MET COUNSELORS AND STAFF THAT HAVE SIMILAR STORIES TO ME.

WE CLICKED IMMEDIATELY.

>> Reporter: HER PARENTS SAY THE TREATMENT HAS BEEN LIFE- CHANGING.

>> WITHOUT THE INSURANCE THAT WE HAD AT THAT TIME, THERE IS NO WAY.

SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN AND OUT OF HOSPITALS.

>> SINCE SHE IS OUT OF THE CENTER SHE HAS A GOOD HEAD ON HER SHOULDERS AND HAS COPING SKILLS.

IT IS MORE FUN AND RELAXED.

>> Reporter: THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT FOR MATTIE.

SHE IS LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING HER FIRST JOB IN GETTING BEHIND THE WHEEL.

>> I GET MY PERMIT IN OCTOBER AND I AM EXCITED.

>> Reporter: SHE WANTS TO HAVE A JOB THAT CAN HELP PEOPLE.

SHE HAS NOT RULED OUT WORKING AT A PLACE LIKE SAN DIEGO CENTER FOR CHILDREN.

>> HAVING BEEN THERE, AND HOW MUCH THEY HELP, I KNOW THEY WILL STILL BE RUNNING.

THEY HAVE HELPED ME AND SO MANY KIDS.

>> ARE YOU GETTING THE SOUND RIGHT NOW?

>> Reporter: MATT HOFFMAN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> IF YOU OR SOMEBODY YOU KNOW IS STRUGGLING WITH THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE YOU CAN CALL THE LIFELINE AT 988 FOR SUPPORT, INFORMATION, AND RESOURCES.

>>> THE DECISION TO RAISE OR NOT RAISE THE PRIDE FLAG THIS MONTH HAS STIRRED UP CONTROVERSY IN CITIES ACROSS THE STATE.

KPBS REPORTER TANIA THORNE SHOWS US HOW IN CARLSBAD.

>> Reporter: MEMBERS AND ALLIES OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY TOOK IT UPON THEMSELVES TO ERECT A PRIDE FLAG OUTSIDE OF CARLSBAD CITY HALL.

THE DEMONSTRATION CAME AFTER THE CITY COUNCIL VOTED DOWN A MOTION TO FLIGHT A COMMEMORATIVE FLAG AT THE CITY BUILDINGS LAST MONTH.

>> THIS REALLY HURT US.

WE WANT TO SEE THE CONVERSATION CHANGING.

WE ARE SICK AND TIRED OF COMPARING CIVIL RIGHTS TO THIS.

>> Reporter: WE SPOKE WITH THE CEO OF THE PRIDE CENTER.

THEY SAY THAT ONE FLOOD COULD BRING A FLOOD OF FLAG REQUESTS.

>> LET'S HAVE A JUNETEENTH FLAG.

LET'S HAVE A LATINO HISTORICAL MONTH FLAG.

WHY NOT?

THE PROBLEM IS THE COUNCIL IS AFRAID OF DIVERSITY.

>> Reporter: THEY FLOODED THE CITY CHAMBERS BECAUSE, THEY WERE GOING TO RECEIVE THE PRIDE PROCLAMATION.

>> THE PROCLAMATION THAT WE HAVE FOUGHT FOR AND WAS NEVER GIVEN FREE FROM CONTROVERSY, FEELS LIKE AN EMPTY PROMISE.

FOR THE VERY REASONS, WE REJECT THE PROCLAMATION AND SEND IT BACK TO THE COUNCIL WITH THE PROMISE OF COMING BACK WHEN THE CITY WILL ADDRESS OUR HUMAN RIGHTS WITH THE DIGNITY AND THE RESPECT THAT WE DESERVE.

>> Reporter: ALONG WITH THE REJECTION OF THE PROCLAMATION, THE LGBTQ+ CENTER DECLARED THE CITY OF CARLSBAD UNSAFE FOR THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY.

>> YOUR LIFE MATTERS.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR INTENT.

BUT WE WILL NOT ACCEPT THIS.

>> Reporter: THE GROUP EMPTIED THE ROOM LEAVING ONLY A HANDFUL OF PEOPLE IN THE CITY CHAMBERS.

THE MAYOR PRO TEM PRESENTED THE PROCLAMATION BUT UNDERSTANDS AND SUPPORTS THE REJECTION.

>> ACROSS THE PEOPLE COUNTRY PEOPLE ARE UNDER ATTACK AND WHATEVER WE CAN DO, OUR JOB IS TO PROTECT AND TO SERVE AND TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE FEELS SUPPORTED AND I CAN TELL YOU 100% THAT THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY DOES NOT FEEL THAT WAY.

>> Reporter: THEY PLAN TO RAISE THE PRIDE FLAG AGAIN NEXT WEEK.

TANIA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> A LOCAL AUTHOR IS SHARING HIS PASSION FOR WRITING FANTASY.

HE STARTED A BOOK THAT FEATURES KIDS THAT ARE DARING IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

>> Reporter: JOHN WELLS THE THIRD HAS HIS EYE ON A MISSION WEARING A BACKPACK AND LOADED WITH BOXES OF BOOKS.

HE IS OUT OF SCHOOL OF 1300 STUDENT.

THE FIRST STOP IS A THIRD GRADE CLASSROOM WHERE WELLS STARTS HIS STORYTELLING WITH AN UNEXPECTED PERSONAL CONFESSION.

>> I HATED READING!

>> Reporter: NOT TO WORRY.

BUT CHANGED AFTER HE ATTENDED HIS FIRST FAIR IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND FOUND FANTASY.

THE GENRE THAT INSPIRES HIM THE MOST.

>> I DID TELL ALL OF THE STUDENTS IN THE THIRD GRADE THAT I HAVE SUPERPOWERS.

>> Reporter: HE SAYS HE NEVER LOST THOSE AND THAT MOTIVATED HIM TO WRITE IN COLLEGE.

THERE SOMETHING ELSE HE WANTS YOU TO KNOW.

HE IS PART OF THE BIPOT COMMUNITY.

HE WANTED TO SEE HIMSELF REPRESENTED IN THE PAGES OF THE BOOKS THAT HE READ.

>> I WOULD ALWAYS SEE THE CHARACTERS IN THOSE BOOKS IS MY BEST FRIEND BUT NEVER AS HEROES.

>> I'M TELLING YOU.

THERE IS SOMETHING WEIRD ABOUT THAT GUY!

>> Reporter: HE WROTE THE ANDREW'S CHRONICLES.

IN THE LAST BOOK, "THE LAST ANGEL WARRIOR" WE MEET CALEB.

A BIRACIAL TEENAGER WHO IS STRUGGLING WITH HIS IDENTITY.

THERE ARE TWO MORE THAT HE READS TWO CHILDREN NOW THICKEN SEE THEMSELVES IN THE STORY.

>> IT IS SO IMPORTANT FOR US TO STAND OUT, STAND UP, AND SHOW THE WORLD THAT WE ARE HERE.

WE MATTER.

OUR STORIES MATTER.

OUR REPRESENTATION MATTERS.

>> Reporter: THE MESSAGES BEING RECEIVED BY STUDENTS LIKE CREDE ABRAMS.

>> LOOKS LIKE THIS INSPIRE ME TO DO DIFFERENT THINGS AND THINK ABOUT IT MORE.

>> Reporter: I LIKE TO READ ANIME AND FANTASY BOOKS.

SOME ROMANCE.

>> Reporter: JADA BROOKS IS ANOTHER THIRD-GRADER WHO SEES HERSELF IN THE PAGES OF THE ANGEL WARRIOR.

>> I LIKE THE PART WHERE THEY FIND A STRANGER IN A DARK ALLEY.

IT REALLY GIVES THE BOOK SOMETHING.

>> Reporter: JOHN WELLS KEEPS READING AND WRITING.

HE PLANS ANOTHER FOUR BOOKS IN THE SERIES AND HE IS ADDING MORE DIVERSITY AND CHARACTERS ALONG WITH ANOTHER LETTER FROM THE ALPHABET.

>> THE Q STANDS FOR QUEER.

>> Reporter: HARVEST HILLS ACADEMY IS HOME TO STUDENTS OF MANY ECONOMIC AND ETHNIC BACKGROUNDS.

THEY ARE ALSO SURVIVORS OF THE COVID-19 SHUTDOWNS.

THE PRINCIPAL AGREES THAT ESCAPING THROUGH FANTASY BOOKS HELPS.

>> MANY STUDENTS SUFFERED GREATLY DURING THAT TIME.

A LOT OF THEM ENDURED TRAUMA.

THEY LOST LOVE ONES.

THINGS HAPPENED TO THEM THAT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO KIDS.

>> I HEARD THE SOUND OF FOOTSTEPS BEHIND ME.

>> Reporter: HE IS HAPPY TO HELP IN THE HEALING THROUGH HIS SERIES OF BOOKS THAT WILL END IN A MEANINGFUL WAY.

>> I WON'T CALL IT HAPPY OR SAD THAT I WILL SAY THAT THE ENDING THAT IS PLANNED IS THE ENDING THAT THE STORY REQUIRES.

THAT IS THE END OF THE CHAPTER!

>> M.G.

PEREZ, KPBS NEWS.

>>> YOU CAN FIND MORE CONTENT BY SEARCHING KPBS ON YOUTUBE.

IT IS WHERE WE LIVE STREAM KPBS EVENING EDITION WEEKNIGHTS AT 5:00.

YOU CAN SUBSCRIBE AND GET NOTIFICATIONS WHEN NEW VIDEOS ARE POSTED.

>>> HERE ARE SOME OF THE MOST POPULAR STORIES THIS WEEK.

KATIE HAS A STORY THAT SHOWS BLACK AMERICANS ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE STOP FOR BIKING AND WALKING INFRACTIONS.

WE LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SD PD SURVEILLANCE EQUIPMENT.

AND, YOU CAN LET US KNOW HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT THE KPBS WANTS TO KNOW, ARE YOU RECYCLING YOUR FOOD WASTE?

>>> A FAMILY THAT LOST THEIR HOME TO A FIRE GOT SOME CLOSURE.

IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD, LONG- OVERDUE STREET REPAIRS WERE FINALLY MADE.

>> THREE, TWO, ONE!

>> Reporter: TODD GLORIA SIGNALED THE STREET CLEANERS TO START THEIR ENGINES.

THE NOISE A CONSTRUCTION WAS MET WITH CHEERS IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD.

THE ROADS WERE CRUMBLING AND HAVE BEEN CRACK FOR SO LONG THERE ARE GRASS AND FLOWERS GROWING IN THE STREET.

A WILDFIRE DESTROYED THE ROADS IN 2007.

>> WE WILL BE READY SO THAT THIS NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN.

HERE WE ARE, 15 YEARS LATER, FIXING ROADS THAT MELTED IN THE FLAMES.

>> Reporter: THIS COUPLE HAS OWNED A HOME HERE FOR 20 YEARS.

THEIR HOME WAS STILL STANDING.

>> IT BROKE MY HEART BECAUSE ALL OF THE HOUSES ON THIS ROAD WERE BURNED DOWN.

ABOUT 24 OVER HERE.

IT WAS DEVASTATING.

>> Reporter: FRED AND CAROL FEEL LIKE MOST PEOPLE IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD.

>> IT IS GLAD TO SEE THIS FINALLY.

>> Reporter: OF WATER OPERATOR WAS ALSO AFFECTED BY THE FIRES.

>> WE HAD TO EVACUATE.

IT WAS ALMOST A WEEK.

>> Reporter: HE IS PROUD TO BE A PART OF THE TEAM THAT SUPPLIED THE WATER TO PUT OUT THE FIRES.

TWO PEOPLE WERE KILLED AND DOZENS OF FIREFIGHTERS WERE HURT.

WIND GUSTS WERE AS HIGH AS 100 MILES PER HOUR MAKING THE WILDFIRE DUDLEY AND ONE OF THE MOST DESTRUCTIVE IN HISTORY.

IT WAS FAST, , AND DEVOURED EVERYTHING IN ITS PATH.

DIANE LIVES JUST DOWN THE STREET FROM --.

SHE IS ONE OF THE PEOPLE THAT LOST HER HOME IN THE FIRES.

>> WE GOT THROUGH IT.

>> Reporter: HER HOME WAS REBUILT BUT THE TRAUMA IS STILL THERE.

SHE CANNOT HELP IT GET UPSET BY THE PRESS CONFERENCE WHERE CITY LEADERS SPOKE ABOUT THE WORK IT TOOK TO GET $5 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR THE REPAIRS.

>> EVERYBODY IS REPAIRED ALREADY.

THE CITY IS LUGGING HERE.

>> Reporter: SHE FINDS COMFORT IN WHAT WAS NOT LOST.

THE CITY SAYS REPAIR WORK WILL BE DONE BY THE END OF THE MONTH.

KITTY ALVARADO, KPBS NEWS.

>>> SO IT'S TIME TO GET OUT THERE.

THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT ALEXANDER WINN DID.

>> IT IS ALL ABOUT EXPLORING THE NATURAL WONDER OF OUR STATE AND THROUGHOUT AND THROUGHOUT THE --.

WELCOMING GUESTS FOR THE LOPEZ FAMILY, THIS IS A FAMILY TRADITION.

>> WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT IT.

IT IS THE FIRST YEAR WE ARE ACTUALLY GETTING TO ATTEND.

>> Reporter: WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE MOST IS THE RIDES.

AND THERE ARE PLENTY OF THEM AT THIS FEAR.

THERE IS THE MEDUSA AND THE JOKER THIS YEAR.

>> IT WAS REALLY NERVE-RACKING.

IT WAS REALLY HIGH UP.

>> Reporter: MANY HAD A BLAST BEING SWUNG AROUND.

>> IT WENT UPSIDE DOWN.

>> AT THE FAIR WOULD NOT BE COMPLETE WITHOUT FOOD.

THERE ARE STAPLES, CORN, AND TURKEY LEGS.

>> EVERY YEAR WE TRY TO OUTDO THE YEAR BEFORE AND THIS YEAR WE HAVE MORRIS ON A STICK.

IT IS JUMBO MARSHMALLOWS ON A STICK AND WE PUT A LOT OF CHOCOLATE FUDGE ON THEM.

THEN WE ROLL THAT INTO GRAHAM CRACKERS AND DIP IT IN BATTER AND THEN WE TOPPED IT OFF WITH MORE TOPPINGS.

>> Reporter: IN THE EXHIBIT HALL, PARK RANGERS WILL GUIDE YOU THROUGH SOME OF THE NATURAL WONDERS.

THERE ARE TWO SPEAKEASIES THERE THIS YEAR AS WELL.

>> YOU SHOULD GET OUT AND GET YOUR TICKETS EARLY AS THEY ARE CAPPING GUESTS AT 6000 PER DAY.

I'M ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KPBS NEWS.

>>> WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS WEEK AT KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

THANK YOU, FOR JOINING US.

I'M MAYA TRABULSI.