wildfires

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In the 'Undescribable' Wildfire Ruins, a Glimmer of Joy

Firefighter Chien Yu recovers his wedding ring in rubble of his home lost in California's Eaton Fire

(Newser) - Before heading off to battle California's blazes, Pasadena firefighter Chien Yu evacuated his wife and two kids to safety from their own home in Altadena, reports KABC . Sadly, the Eaton Fire destroyed his house and others in the area, but there was a small bit of light as Yu...

LA Health Concern: Piles of Toxic Ash

And it may not be reflected in air quality readings

(Newser) - Smoke is a big concern for California residents in the wake of devastating wildfires. Another is ash. As the New York Times reports, one man who managed to save his home from the flames isn't going back inside due to the ash and dust blown inside. "My 5-year-old...

Musk Deploys Cybertruck Fleet to Fire-Ravaged LA

Starlink is keeping city online; officials had previously asked for service 'for expressly this type of scenario'

(Newser) - The world's richest person is helping keep Los Angeles connected as fires continue to rage around the county of nearly 10 million. Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has sent Tesla Cybertrucks outfitted with terminals for SpaceX's satellite internet service, Starlink, to the LA area so those affected...

After the 'Unimaginable,' Hollywood Steps Up to Help

Halle Berry donates 'entire closet' to wildfire victims; Sharon Stone, other celebs also boosting efforts

(Newser) - As firefighters desperately work to contain the Palisades Fire and other blazes breaking out in Southern California, locals are trying to help, too —even stars like Halle Berry, who decided she was going to donate all the clothes she owns to help, reports USA Today . "I'm packing...

Heidi Montag's Old Song Is No. 1 Again After Fire

Reality star's 'Superficial' shoots to No. 1 on iTunes after blaze destroys couple's LA-area home

(Newser) - Reality TV stars Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt have a small bit of consolation after the California wildfires. Variety reports that on Friday, Pratt, 41, posted a bunch of photos on TikTok showing him in front of their scorched, destroyed home, along with a plea for fans to stream Montag'...

After Trump Jr. Tweet, Zelensky Pledges Help to LA

Ukrainian president offers his nation's firefighters to fight California's deadly wildfires

(Newser) - Last week, Donald Trump Jr. weighed in on the Los Angeles-area wildfires thusly: "Oh look of course The LA fire department donated a bunch of their supplies to Ukraine," the eldest son of the president-elect posted Wednesday on X , retweeting a few 2022 headlines noting that the LA...

To Rebuild Fast, Newsom Halts Environmental Rules

California's stringent regulations have been suspended for the time being after fires

(Newser) - With massive rebuilding needed in the Los Angeles area after a series of devastating wildfires, including the deadly Palisades Fire , Gov. Gavin Newsom has already made a big move to expedite that process. The New York Times reports that Newsom has given his OK to a "broad" executive order...

Pro vs. Private Firefighters: 'We Consider Them a Liability'

Private firefighters inspire controversy as they protect the rich, insurance firms, government agencies

(Newser) - As the Palisades Fire raged last week, wealthy local entrepreneur Keith Wasserman put out a tweet he's come to regret. "Does anyone have access to private firefighters to protect our home?" he posted in the since-deleted tweet. "Need to act fast here. All neighbors houses burning. Will...

Smoke From LA Fires Is Especially Dangerous

Hazardous chemicals likely released as fire rips through urban areas

(Newser) - "Wildfires in California aren't all wild anymore," the Wall Street Journal reports, meaning it's not just trees and brush going up in smoke. The fires burning throughout Los Angeles County have decimated urban areas, charring roads, homes, and commercial buildings, sending out particles likely to be...

Powerball Winner's Mansion Destroyed in Palisades Fire

Newish billionaire Edwin Castro loses $3.8M luxury home in Malibu

(Newser) - Edwin Castro's good-luck streak has ended. The California man—who won $2.04 billio n in a 2022 Powerball drawing, scooped up tens of millions of dollars' worth of luxury real estate, and won a lawsuit alleging he wasn't the rightful owner of the winning Powerball ticket—has...

Fire Victim's Last Words: 'I'll Be Here Tomorrow'

5 fire victims identified, including man found with hose in his hand

(Newser) - At least 10 people have died in Los Angeles County's raging wildfires—including five who've been identified—and the stories of their last moments are harrowing.
  • Victor Shaw, 66, died defending his family home of 55 years in the Montrose area, where his "charred body" was found
...

LA Mayor's Ill-Timed Trip May Cost Her

Karen Bass was in Ghana when the wildfires broke out, didn't get back until Wednesday

(Newser) - Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass flew to Ghana on Saturday, just as forecasts at home grew concerning, reports the Los Angeles Times . And though she cut her trip short and returned on Wednesday, Bass is facing harsh criticism for her absence amid what may be the most destructive fire in...

California's Question: Will Insurance Market Survive This?

Major insurers had been canceling policies in wildfire-prone areas for years

(Newser) - The devastating Los Angeles wildfires have left many Californians wondering about the future of a home insurance industry that was already in crisis. Most of California's major insurers cut coverage after wildfires in 2017 and 2018, when they paid out around twice as much in claims and expenses as...

Thousands of LA Pets Are Now Homeless, Too

Animal shelters, volunteers are struggling to keep up with demand

(Newser) - The wildfire-fueled chaos in Los Angeles extends not just to humans, but also their animals, many of whom were forced out of their homes or left behind as residents evacuated with little time to spare. Jill Tucker of the California Animal Welfare Association, who's been coordinating with more than...

Celebs Flee California Fires
California Fires
Hit A-Listers Hard
Jan 8, 2025 11:36 AM CST

California Fires Hit A-Listers Hard

'I'm watching our house burn down on the security cameras,' says Spencer Pratt

(Newser) - As the California fires rampage through posh communities, a whole lot of celebrities are fleeing and finding themselves homeless courtesy of a blaze that hadn't even started when they awoke Tuesday morning. Many are taking to social media to show footage of the destruction and describe the situation, reports...

LA Fires Bring 'Apocalyptic' Scenes
LA Fires 'Like a Horror Movie'
Jan 8, 2025 6:26 AM CST

LA Fires 'Like a Horror Movie'

Scene is 'apocalyptic,' says evacuee as 3 wildfires rage

(Newser) - Worsening conditions Wednesday are expected to fuel three fast-moving wildfires in the Los Angeles area of Southern California, where at least 49,000 residents are under mandatory evacuation orders and thousands more have been told to prepare to flee. The Palisades Fire , ignited Tuesday morning, had grown to nearly 3,...

Wildfire Nearing, Woman Crams 20 Joeys in Her Living Room

Aussie wildlife rescuer Pam Turner herded the baby roos into her home as a huge blaze neared

(Newser) - A blaze out of Australia's Grampians National Park continues to rage, sending animals scattering—and in one case, straight into Pam Turner's living room. Turner, who runs the Wildwood Wildlife Shelter in Victoria, ended up hosting 20 baby kangaroos, or joeys, in her home on the day after...

14-Year-Old Accused of Starting NJ Wildfire

Boy is being held in blaze that burned through more than 50 acres

(Newser) - Police in New Jersey have arrested a person accused of starting a wildfire amid the state's ongoing drought—and he's all of 14 years old. Evesham Township Police say they arrested the juvenile and charged him with setting a fire on Oct. 30 that burned more than 50...

Also on Fire: The Northeast
Also on Fire: The Northeast
Nov 11, 2024 10:35 AM CST

Also on Fire: The Northeast

As California contends with its blazes, firefighters on East Coast have drought-induced fires of their own

(Newser) - The West is usually the focus of news about US wildfires, but the Northeast is currently waging its own fiery battles as a regional drought continues to leave the land parched and ripe for blazes. Axios reports that an "abnormally dry fall" has firefighters hard at work, with a...

Teenage Employee Killed Fighting New York Wildfire

Tree fell on 18-year-old as he helped battle a blaze on New Jersey border

(Newser) - An 18-year-old New York parks employee killed while fighting a wildfire in the state Saturday was being mourned by his family as well as state officials. Dariel Vasquez, an aide with the New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Department, was helping to combat a wildfire in Orange County'...

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