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31,000 people must evacuate as rain could unleash more deadly hazards in fire-ravaged Southern California
CNN
—
Exhausted firefighters battling deadly infernos for weeks are now grappling with more wildfires scorching Los Angeles County – including the Hughes Fire, which has burned through more than 10,000 acres since it began less than 48 hours ago.
As of Thursday evening, the inferno was 36% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, also known as Cal Fire.
Fire crews overnight contributed largely to the new containment lines, according to Los Angeles County Fire Department Captain Sheila Kelliher Berkoh.
“They put a lot of work in and did an incredible job really knocking the heat out of this fire,” Kelliher Berkoh told CNN on Thursday. “And those winds definitely laid down a bit, which helped us get the upper hand on this fire.”
The Hughes Fire is north of Santa Clarita, near the unincorporated community of Castaic. More than 14,000 structures are threatened, according to Los Angeles County’s Coordinated Joint Information Center.
About 16,200 area residents were under evacuation orders Thursday, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, while another 38,700 were under evacuation warnings due to the Hughes Fire.
Meanwhile, two new fires were reported Thursday afternoon in San Diego County –– the Gilman and Border 2 Fires –– the latter of which is spreading through the Otay Mountain Wilderness, near the US-Mexico border, at a “moderate rate,” according to Cal Fire.
The Border 2 Fire doubled in acreage Thursday evening –– spreading across 300 acres to 600 acres in about an hour. There are currently no threats to civilians, though Cal Fire declared that the fire is a threat to critical communication infrastructure.
On Thursday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation that will direct $2.5 billion in aid to support response and recovery efforts in areas of Los Angeles where thousands of acres have been scorched and dozens of people have been killed by two major wildfires this month.
In pictures: Deadly wildfires in Los Angeles County
“This money will be made available immediately … for ongoing operations, disaster recovery, debris removal, work on logistics, traffic management,” Gov. Newsom said during a news conference on Thursday. “We want to get these dollars out in real time so there’s no anxiety and stress associated with that.”
The relief package was approved earlier in the day by state lawmakers, according to the Associated Press. Supported by both Democrats and Republicans, the package also includes $4 million for local governments to put towards rebuilding homes and $1 million to support school districts and help them rebuild facilities that have been destroyed, AP reports.
California State Assembly speaker Robert Rivas, during the news conference, called on President Donald Trump to approve federal dollars as soon as possible, without conditions.
Meanwhile, the threat of more wildfires is not over. The National Weather Service extended a red-flag warning through Friday morning for most of Los Angeles and Ventura counties as bone-dry vegetation and brutal Santa Ana winds stoke the possibility of more wildfires.
The Hughes Fire started just before 11 a.m. Wednesday near Castaic Lake, north of where fire crews are working to fully contain the Palisades and Eaton fires that have scorched more than 40,000 acres and left at least 28 dead since they began January 7.
The fire is “a completely different beast” to the Palisades and Eaton fires, Kelliher Berkoh told CNN Wednesday evening. Two weeks ago, firefighters faced extreme challenges as powerful winds grounded aerial support.
Calmer winds allowed the fire department’s helicopters to carry out water drops at night, Kelliher Berkoh said.
When asked about potential water supply issues, Kelliher Berkoh said crews are fortunate to have direct access to Castaic Lake and other nearby reservoirs for their firefighting efforts.
But “dangerous fire weather conditions will persist through Friday as fuels remain extremely dry and ready to burn, with Thursday the period of greatest concern,” the National Weather Service in Los Angeles said. “Any fire that starts can grow fast and out of control.”
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued a windblown dust and ash advisory through Thursday at 6 p.m. due to the particles left behind by the fires which can potentially impact air quality throughout the county. Residents who can’t avoid going outside should wear an N95 or P100 mask to protect their lungs, according to the health department.
Firefighters had a more optimistic outlook for another blaze, the Sepulveda Fire, which started late Wednesday. The brush fire near Interstate 405 and Sepulveda Boulevard in Los Angeles has stopped moving forward, the city’s fire department said.
About 250 firefighters “jumped on this very quickly, and we were able to keep it to only 40 acres,” said firefighter David Ortiz, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Fire Department. “The Santa Ana winds are blowing against this fire, so we had that in our favor.”
Treacherous mudslides and ‘toxic’ debris flow could be next
Much of Southern California is expected to get doused with desperately needed rainfall this weekend – but this could unleash new hazards.
The Los Angeles and San Diego areas will get more rain this weekend than in the last six months combined. A half-inch to 3/4 of an inch of rain is expected to fall from Saturday to Sunday on the main burn scars of the Palisades and Eaton fires, the National Weather Service said.
While that might not sound like a lot, Los Angeles has seen only 0.03 inches of rain since October 1 – far less than the average of 5.5 inches from October to January. The rain expected this weekend will be the first drops in January, and they will fall quickly over charred land that can’t absorb water.
“A lot of that rain may fall in a relatively short amount of time,” said Ariel Cohen, the meteorologist in charge of the National Weather Service office in Los Angeles. That torrent will lead to “the possibility of at least shallow debris flows, mudslides and landslides,” Cohen said.
“The burn scars, with the widespread loss of trees, shrubs and vegetation, will have a much lower capability of handling the rain and will be more susceptible for failure,” he said. “It behaves more like cement; the ground can’t accept the water, so it all goes to runoff immediately.”
That means fast-moving rivers of mud, rock and fire debris could gush downhill. The debris flows could be damaging, “taking down other structures and certainly be a threat to life and property,” Cohen said.
Burnt structural rubble, other charred debris and the soil beneath them can contain toxic chemicals, which could take months to remove.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued an emergency order this week “to shore up burn areas and to mitigate the serious health and environmental impacts of fire-related hazardous pollutants on the stormwater system, beaches and ocean,” the mayor’s office said.
“I’m directing city crews to swiftly install reinforced concrete barriers, lay down sandbags and clear debris to shore up burn areas and stem the flow of toxins,” Bass said in a release. “These communities have already endured unimaginable loss – we are taking action against further harm.”
The director of Los Angeles County Public Works said the county is ready.
“As the rain approaches LA County, Public Works will mobilize 24/7 storm patrols. All flood control dams and channels have been prepared for storm, and stormwater capture facilities prepared to operate,” Director Mark Pestrella said Wednesday.
“Our crews are clearing debris from streets, cleaning and preparing debris basins, deploying sandbags and other systems to keep runoff with ash and other burnt debris from entering the storm drain system.”
While the county is leading the local effort to prevent landslides and mudslides, the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Emergency Management Agency are leading debris removal efforts, Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said.
Students and inmates get evacuated
With the rain still a couple days away, parched conditions keep fueling the Hughes Fire.
A county jail in Castaic has been partially evacuated, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said. The jail is just south of the fire area and can hold as many as 4,295 inmates.
About 470 inmates were evacuated from one of the three facilities on the campus and moved to another part of the detention center, the sheriff said. The other two facilities are “structured much better” than the one that was evacuated, Luna said.
“We do have a plan in place … to evacuate the rest of the inmates on the entire facility if we absolutely had to,” Luna said Wednesday, without elaborating.
Meanwhile, all Castaic Middle School and Castaic High School students were evacuated Wednesday to a Ralph’s supermarket parking lot, according to the California Highway Patrol. Students from North Lake Elementary were evacuated to the Castaic Sports Complex, the agency said on X.
The Valencia and Canyon Country campuses of College of the Canyons were closed Wednesday and Thursday as a “precautionary measure” because of the Hughes Fire, the college said on its website.
Smoke was visible Wednesday as far south as Oxnard, a city in Ventura County located about 50 miles southwest of Castaic, city officials said.
Firefighters keep working the deadly Palisades and Eaton fires
Firefighters are still trying to contain the deadly Palisades and Eaton fires, which have killed at least 28 people and left entire neighborhoods in ruins.
As of Thursday morning, the 23,000-acre Palisades Fire was about 72% contained, according to Cal Fire.
The inferno, which started in the Pacific Palisades area of western Los Angeles, has killed at least 11 people and destroyed more than 6,700 structures.
The 14,000-acre Eaton Fire, which devastated parts of the Altadena community north of Pasadena, was about 95% contained, Cal Fire said Thursday morning.
The Eaton Fire has killed at least 17 people and destroyed more than 9,400 structures.
Firefighters might get some help from the rain this weekend. But “once that rain passes, it’s going to dry up again,” said Ortiz, the LAFD spokesperson.
“It’s super dry. Any one spark will have a new start of a fire that establishes and raises quickly.”
CNN’s Josh Campbell, Lauren Mascarenhas, Brandon Miller, Robert Shackelford and Eric Zerkel contributed to this report.
In Southern California, the devastating wildfires have left a trail of destruction in their wake. But now, as rain looms on the horizon, a new threat is emerging for residents of the region.With fears of mudslides, flooding, and debris flows growing, officials have ordered the evacuation of 31,000 people in high-risk areas. The recent fires have stripped the land of vegetation, leaving it vulnerable to erosion and dangerous runoff.
The potential for more deadly hazards is a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by those living in fire-prone areas. As communities band together to support one another and prepare for the worst, the need for swift action and caution is paramount.
As the rain begins to fall, residents are urged to stay vigilant and heed evacuation orders to ensure their safety and well-being. Our thoughts are with those affected by the fires and now facing the threat of further devastation.
Tags:
southern california evacuation, california wildfires, rain hazards, evacuation orders, southern california weather, fire danger, emergency evacuation, california natural disasters, wildfire aftermath, disaster preparedness
#people #evacuate #rain #unleash #deadly #hazards #fireravaged #Southern #California31,000 people must evacuate as rain could unleash more deadly hazards in fire-ravaged Southern California
CNN
—
Exhausted firefighters battling deadly infernos for weeks are now grappling with more wildfires scorching Los Angeles County – including the Hughes Fire, which has burned through more than 10,000 acres since it began less than 48 hours ago.
As of Thursday evening, the inferno was 36% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, also known as Cal Fire.
Fire crews overnight contributed largely to the new containment lines, according to Los Angeles County Fire Department Captain Sheila Kelliher Berkoh.
“They put a lot of work in and did an incredible job really knocking the heat out of this fire,” Kelliher Berkoh told CNN on Thursday. “And those winds definitely laid down a bit, which helped us get the upper hand on this fire.”
The Hughes Fire is north of Santa Clarita, near the unincorporated community of Castaic. More than 14,000 structures are threatened, according to Los Angeles County’s Coordinated Joint Information Center.
About 16,200 area residents were under evacuation orders Thursday, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, while another 38,700 were under evacuation warnings due to the Hughes Fire.
Meanwhile, two new fires were reported Thursday afternoon in San Diego County –– the Gilman and Border 2 Fires –– the latter of which is spreading through the Otay Mountain Wilderness, near the US-Mexico border, at a “moderate rate,” according to Cal Fire.
The Border 2 Fire doubled in acreage Thursday evening –– spreading across 300 acres to 600 acres in about an hour. There are currently no threats to civilians, though Cal Fire declared that the fire is a threat to critical communication infrastructure.
On Thursday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation that will direct $2.5 billion in aid to support response and recovery efforts in areas of Los Angeles where thousands of acres have been scorched and dozens of people have been killed by two major wildfires this month.
In pictures: Deadly wildfires in Los Angeles County
“This money will be made available immediately … for ongoing operations, disaster recovery, debris removal, work on logistics, traffic management,” Gov. Newsom said during a news conference on Thursday. “We want to get these dollars out in real time so there’s no anxiety and stress associated with that.”
The relief package was approved earlier in the day by state lawmakers, according to the Associated Press. Supported by both Democrats and Republicans, the package also includes $4 million for local governments to put towards rebuilding homes and $1 million to support school districts and help them rebuild facilities that have been destroyed, AP reports.
California State Assembly speaker Robert Rivas, during the news conference, called on President Donald Trump to approve federal dollars as soon as possible, without conditions.
Meanwhile, the threat of more wildfires is not over. The National Weather Service extended a red-flag warning through Friday morning for most of Los Angeles and Ventura counties as bone-dry vegetation and brutal Santa Ana winds stoke the possibility of more wildfires.
The Hughes Fire started just before 11 a.m. Wednesday near Castaic Lake, north of where fire crews are working to fully contain the Palisades and Eaton fires that have scorched more than 40,000 acres and left at least 28 dead since they began January 7.
The fire is “a completely different beast” to the Palisades and Eaton fires, Kelliher Berkoh told CNN Wednesday evening. Two weeks ago, firefighters faced extreme challenges as powerful winds grounded aerial support.
Calmer winds allowed the fire department’s helicopters to carry out water drops at night, Kelliher Berkoh said.
When asked about potential water supply issues, Kelliher Berkoh said crews are fortunate to have direct access to Castaic Lake and other nearby reservoirs for their firefighting efforts.
But “dangerous fire weather conditions will persist through Friday as fuels remain extremely dry and ready to burn, with Thursday the period of greatest concern,” the National Weather Service in Los Angeles said. “Any fire that starts can grow fast and out of control.”
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued a windblown dust and ash advisory through Thursday at 6 p.m. due to the particles left behind by the fires which can potentially impact air quality throughout the county. Residents who can’t avoid going outside should wear an N95 or P100 mask to protect their lungs, according to the health department.
Firefighters had a more optimistic outlook for another blaze, the Sepulveda Fire, which started late Wednesday. The brush fire near Interstate 405 and Sepulveda Boulevard in Los Angeles has stopped moving forward, the city’s fire department said.
About 250 firefighters “jumped on this very quickly, and we were able to keep it to only 40 acres,” said firefighter David Ortiz, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Fire Department. “The Santa Ana winds are blowing against this fire, so we had that in our favor.”
Treacherous mudslides and ‘toxic’ debris flow could be next
Much of Southern California is expected to get doused with desperately needed rainfall this weekend – but this could unleash new hazards.
The Los Angeles and San Diego areas will get more rain this weekend than in the last six months combined. A half-inch to 3/4 of an inch of rain is expected to fall from Saturday to Sunday on the main burn scars of the Palisades and Eaton fires, the National Weather Service said.
While that might not sound like a lot, Los Angeles has seen only 0.03 inches of rain since October 1 – far less than the average of 5.5 inches from October to January. The rain expected this weekend will be the first drops in January, and they will fall quickly over charred land that can’t absorb water.
“A lot of that rain may fall in a relatively short amount of time,” said Ariel Cohen, the meteorologist in charge of the National Weather Service office in Los Angeles. That torrent will lead to “the possibility of at least shallow debris flows, mudslides and landslides,” Cohen said.
“The burn scars, with the widespread loss of trees, shrubs and vegetation, will have a much lower capability of handling the rain and will be more susceptible for failure,” he said. “It behaves more like cement; the ground can’t accept the water, so it all goes to runoff immediately.”
That means fast-moving rivers of mud, rock and fire debris could gush downhill. The debris flows could be damaging, “taking down other structures and certainly be a threat to life and property,” Cohen said.
Burnt structural rubble, other charred debris and the soil beneath them can contain toxic chemicals, which could take months to remove.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass issued an emergency order this week “to shore up burn areas and to mitigate the serious health and environmental impacts of fire-related hazardous pollutants on the stormwater system, beaches and ocean,” the mayor’s office said.
“I’m directing city crews to swiftly install reinforced concrete barriers, lay down sandbags and clear debris to shore up burn areas and stem the flow of toxins,” Bass said in a release. “These communities have already endured unimaginable loss – we are taking action against further harm.”
The director of Los Angeles County Public Works said the county is ready.
“As the rain approaches LA County, Public Works will mobilize 24/7 storm patrols. All flood control dams and channels have been prepared for storm, and stormwater capture facilities prepared to operate,” Director Mark Pestrella said Wednesday.
“Our crews are clearing debris from streets, cleaning and preparing debris basins, deploying sandbags and other systems to keep runoff with ash and other burnt debris from entering the storm drain system.”
While the county is leading the local effort to prevent landslides and mudslides, the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Emergency Management Agency are leading debris removal efforts, Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said.
Students and inmates get evacuated
With the rain still a couple days away, parched conditions keep fueling the Hughes Fire.
A county jail in Castaic has been partially evacuated, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said. The jail is just south of the fire area and can hold as many as 4,295 inmates.
About 470 inmates were evacuated from one of the three facilities on the campus and moved to another part of the detention center, the sheriff said. The other two facilities are “structured much better” than the one that was evacuated, Luna said.
“We do have a plan in place … to evacuate the rest of the inmates on the entire facility if we absolutely had to,” Luna said Wednesday, without elaborating.
Meanwhile, all Castaic Middle School and Castaic High School students were evacuated Wednesday to a Ralph’s supermarket parking lot, according to the California Highway Patrol. Students from North Lake Elementary were evacuated to the Castaic Sports Complex, the agency said on X.
The Valencia and Canyon Country campuses of College of the Canyons were closed Wednesday and Thursday as a “precautionary measure” because of the Hughes Fire, the college said on its website.
Smoke was visible Wednesday as far south as Oxnard, a city in Ventura County located about 50 miles southwest of Castaic, city officials said.
Firefighters keep working the deadly Palisades and Eaton fires
Firefighters are still trying to contain the deadly Palisades and Eaton fires, which have killed at least 28 people and left entire neighborhoods in ruins.
As of Thursday morning, the 23,000-acre Palisades Fire was about 72% contained, according to Cal Fire.
The inferno, which started in the Pacific Palisades area of western Los Angeles, has killed at least 11 people and destroyed more than 6,700 structures.
The 14,000-acre Eaton Fire, which devastated parts of the Altadena community north of Pasadena, was about 95% contained, Cal Fire said Thursday morning.
The Eaton Fire has killed at least 17 people and destroyed more than 9,400 structures.
Firefighters might get some help from the rain this weekend. But “once that rain passes, it’s going to dry up again,” said Ortiz, the LAFD spokesperson.
“It’s super dry. Any one spark will have a new start of a fire that establishes and raises quickly.”
CNN’s Josh Campbell, Lauren Mascarenhas, Brandon Miller, Robert Shackelford and Eric Zerkel contributed to this report.
Attention all residents in Southern California: 31,000 people have been ordered to evacuate as heavy rain threatens to unleash more deadly hazards in the fire-ravaged areas. The recent wildfires have left the region vulnerable to flash floods, mudslides, and debris flows.Authorities are urging residents to heed evacuation orders and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety. The risk of post-fire hazards is high, and it is crucial to prioritize your safety and the safety of your loved ones.
Please stay informed about weather conditions, follow evacuation orders, and have an emergency plan in place. Your safety is our top priority, and we are here to support you during this challenging time.
Stay safe, Southern California. We are in this together.
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evacuation order, Southern California wildfires, rain hazards, emergency evacuation, natural disaster, California weather, wildfire aftermath, evacuation alert, hazardous conditions, emergency response, disaster relief efforts, evacuation preparations, Southern California evacuations, emergency shelter, weather warnings, wildfire recovery, emergency management, evacuation procedures, safety precautions, community support, emergency services, evacuation updates, disaster response, evacuation planning, wildfire impact, emergency communication, evacuation coordination, disaster preparedness, evacuation assistance, California news, severe weather.
#people #evacuate #rain #unleash #deadly #hazards #fireravaged #Southern #CaliforniaTens of Thousands Told to Evacuate as New Fire Rages North of L.A.
As the Hughes fire exploded in size on Wednesday, people living around Castaic Lake in northern Los Angeles County weighed the question of whether to stay or go.
The danger felt all the more real because of the deadly Eaton and Palisades fires that have been ravaging other parts of the county.
Greg Wolf, 64, was hunkered down with his family inside his house in Castaic despite a mandatory evacuation order. Ash was raining down and there were plumes of smoke in the sky, but he said they were staying put because the winds had appeared to die down and the fire appeared to be south of them.
Mr. Wolf said he is normally unbothered by warnings about fires. But this time, he was nervous.
“What happened in Altadena and the power of the wind in the Palisades — I’ve never seen anything like that in California,” he said.
Fueled by fierce winds, the Eaton and Palisades fires grew rapidly and caused widespread devastation in Altadena and Pasadena to the northeast of Los Angeles, and in Pacific Palisades and Malibu to the west. The two rank among the most destructive blazes in California’s history.
The Hughes fire seemed to be growing at a similarly shocking rate, burning more than 8,000 acres by 4 p.m., barely four hours after it started.
A homeowner spraying water from the top of a roof in Castaic, Calif., as the Hughes fire burns in the background.Credit…Mark Abramson for The New York Times Flames caused by the Hughes Fire at Castaic Lake.Credit…Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press It had burned mostly brush in and around the Castaic Lake State Recreation Area, but evacuation orders were issued for wider swaths of the area. The evacuation zones include Northlake Hills Elementary School, Castaic Elementary School and Castaic Middle School. Other schools closed out of caution, though they were not under evacuation orders.
Manny Trujillo watched the fire spread into a dry riverbed across the street from his home in Castaic. There have been fires nearby before, he said, but nothing like this. As the flames crept closer, he couldn’t decide whether or not to leave.
“I don’t want to panic,” he said. “But what do you take?”
The fire at first threatened the Lake Hills Community Church, which overlooks Castaic Lake, but David Cummings, the lead pastor, said the building appeared to be untouched. He had watched from the church’s remote security cameras and spotted firefighters in the area before the power went out.
About half of the church’s 140 parishioners live in Castaic.
“We’ve been able to evacuate them down to homes in Santa Clarita, but now some of those homes are under evacuation so we’re re-evacuating,” Mr. Cummings said.
The fire had reached the northern part of Santa Clarita, said Mayor Bill Miranda. He said he was not aware of any homes that were damaged in the city, which is south of the lake and is home to about 225,000 people.
Some of its residents were taking no chances.
Residents evacuating their homes as the Hughes fire burns.Credit…Joel Angel Juarez/Reuters People who live on the Camino Azar cul-de-sac in Santa Clarita’s new Tesoro Highlands community were evacuating midafternoon Wednesday, after watching wearily as the fire grew for several hours and checking in with one another.
“It moves very fast,” Immanuel Chiang, 57, said as thick clouds of smoke billowed just northwest of his hillside community. “I just came and started packing.”
Like his neighbors, Mr. Chiang moved to the new development just three months ago.
Mr. Miranda said he felt confident about Santa Clarita’s preparations, with evacuation centers set up, including for animals, and a command center established near Castaic Lake. The area has been through fires before: In 2019, the Tick fire burned nearly 5,000 acres.
“We’re experienced with fires, that’s a good thing,” he said. “But the fact that we have so many fires, that’s not a good thing.”
Mr. Miranda urged people to be prepared, noting that winds were forecast to pick up tonight and could shift quickly.
By Wednesday evening, some Castaic evacuees were gathered at the Ralph’s shopping center. Among them were Ted and Jennie Hartman, who were preparing to head to neighboring Valencia to get dinner with their 7-year-old son.
Around midday, their son’s elementary school notified them that all children needed to be picked up. At 4 p.m., the family heard officials on bullhorns saying they needed to evacuate.
“I think they were worried about embers,” said Mr. Hartman, 57, a state worker, who has lived in Castaic since 1986 in a neighborhood of mostly two-story homes.
As they left for dinner, the Hartmans said they did not know where they would be sleeping tonight.
In the latest wildfire news, tens of thousands of residents have been ordered to evacuate as a new fire rages north of Los Angeles. The fire, dubbed the “Canyon Fire,” has already scorched thousands of acres and is rapidly spreading due to high winds and dry conditions.Authorities are urging residents in the affected areas to evacuate immediately to ensure their safety. The fire is posing a threat to homes, businesses, and wildlife in the surrounding areas, and firefighters are working tirelessly to contain the blaze.
Our thoughts are with those impacted by this devastating fire, and we urge everyone in the area to stay vigilant and follow evacuation orders to protect themselves and their loved ones. Stay tuned for updates on this rapidly developing situation.
Tags:
- California wildfires
- Evacuation orders
- Wildfire evacuation
- Southern California fires
- Los Angeles fire
- California emergency
- Fire evacuation alerts
- Evacuation procedures
- Safety during wildfires
- California fire updates
#Tens #Thousands #Told #Evacuate #Fire #Rages #North #L.A
Queen Valley residents told to evacuate due to brush fire
Residents in the southwest region of Queen Valley are under ‘GO’ orders, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office announced.
QUEEN VALLEY, Ariz. — Residents in the southwest region of Queen Valley are under “GO” evacuation orders due to a brush fire in the area, the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office announced.
People in this area should immediately evacuate to the Queen Valley Community Center shelter, or to family or friends outside of the affected area.
Residents in the north and west parts of Queen Valley are under “READY” status.
Queen Valley is east of the Phoenix Metro, just north of US 60 between Apache Junction and Superior.
Go to the Arizona Emergency Information Network website to learn how the READY, SET, GO evacuation system works.
This is a developing story. Stay with 12News for more information.
Wildfire Go-Kit:
Residents in wildfire-prone areas are urged to have an emergency supplies kit to bring with them of they are evacuated from their homes, especially as Arizona residents are beginning to see early widespread fire activity throughout the state.
An emergency supply kit should be put together long before a wildfire or another disaster occurs. Make sure to keep it easily accessible so you can take it with you when you have to evacuate.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends that residents near a disaster store emergency supplies in a plastic tub, small suitcase, trash can, backpack, or other containers.
Residents should make sure they have the necessities, such as three gallons of water per person and a three-day supply of ready-to-eat food, the NFPA said. A first-aid kit, prescription medications, contact lenses, and non-prescription drugs should also be taken into account.
Copies of any important family documents, including insurance policies, identification, bank account records, and emergency contact numbers should also be taken and put into a waterproof, portable container in your kit, the NFPA said.
The association lists other items that would help in a disaster, including:
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Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
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Battery-powered or hand-cranked radio and a NOAA weather radio to receive up-to-date information
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Dust mask or cotton T-shirt to filter the air
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Matches in a waterproof container
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Complete change of clothing including long pants, long sleeve shirts, and sturdy shoes stored in a waterproof container
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Signal flare
The entire NFPA checklist of supplies can be found here.
Those in Arizona who have been affected by a wildfire or other natural disasters can seek assistance from the American Red Cross by calling 1-800-842-7349.
Attention Queen Valley residents: Emergency officials have issued a mandatory evacuation order due to a rapidly spreading brush fire in the area. Please gather your belongings, pets, and important documents and evacuate immediately to ensure your safety.Firefighters are working diligently to contain the fire, but the situation remains volatile. It is crucial that all residents comply with the evacuation order to avoid any potential danger.
Please stay tuned to local news outlets and official social media channels for updates on the situation. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this fire, and we hope for a swift and safe resolution. Stay safe, Queen Valley residents.
Tags:
- Queen Valley evacuation
- Brush fire in Queen Valley
- Emergency evacuation in Queen Valley
- Queen Valley residents evacuate
- Brush fire warning in Queen Valley
- Evacuation order in Queen Valley
- Queen Valley wildfire alert
- Queen Valley emergency evacuation
- Brush fire threatens Queen Valley
- Queen Valley residents urged to evacuate
#Queen #Valley #residents #told #evacuate #due #brush #fire
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Dick Van Dyke didn’t evacuate home amid LA fires, using gas generator
Safe and sound.
Dick Van Dyke has not evacuated his Malibu home as the LA fires continue to tear through Southern California, the legendary actor’s wife, Arlene Silver, revealed.
In an Instagram Live on Jan. 12, Silver, 53, shared that the $8 million house she shares with the 99-year-old “Mary Poppins” star is still standing despite the deadly blazes, which destroyed other celebrity abodes in Malibu and adjacent areas.
Sitting in her car, Van Dyke’s wife of almost 13 years said that the guest house on the Malibu property did catch fire but only sustained minimal damage.
Dick Van Dyke’s wife revealed she and the star didn’t evacuate amid the deadly LA fires. The couple’s Malibu house is still standing and only sustained minor damage to the guest house. Still, with the Palisades fire having destroyed most of the coastal Pacific Palisades community, the couple are without power and have been using a gas generator.
“Keeping Dick warm and entertained has been the two things that have been my top priority, so, you know, we don’t have power […] or regular electricity, so we don’t have Wi-Fi,” Silver said, adding that the pair have been relying on her camper to cook and charge their devices.
Silver also shared that even with the many natural disasters Malibu continually faces, she and Van Dyke have no desire to relocate.
Silver and Van Dyke have been using a camper to cook and charge devices. Arlene Silver/Instagram Dick Van Dyke and Julie Andrews in “Mary Poppins.” Ronald Grant Archive / Mary Evan “Dick is more comfortable here than anywhere else,” she said. “It’s easier to take care of him here.”
Describing the famed actor as a “trooper,” Silver added, “I don’t know of any other person of, you know, senior citizen age that would put up with this.”
Van Dyke is no stranger to Malibu’s wildfires.
Arlene Silver and Dick Van Dyke at the CBS Original Special “Dick Van Dyke 98 Years of Magic.” CBS via Getty Images The actor barely escaped another Malibu fire in December. NBC Just last month — and mere weeks before his 99th birthday — the star was evacuated from the Los Angeles celebrity enclave after the Franklin fire threatened his home.
“It was coming from the hill, you could see it,” Van Dyke said in an interview on “Today” at the time.
“And oh my God, and we got out of here,” he added. “I was trying to crawl to the car, I had exhausted myself, I couldn’t get up.”
Van Dyke and Silver’s home was threatened by the Franklin fire. APEX / MEGA Van Dyke was one of many evacuated last month after the Franklin Fire threatened his home. Andy Johnstone for NY Post The LA fires that have burned this month have been more disastrous than December’s blaze. AFP via Getty Images Luckily, Van Dyke’s neighbors came to his rescue.
“Three neighbors came and carried me out and came back and put out a little fire in the guest house and saved me,” he revealed.
After the terrifying evacuation, Van Dyke posted on Facebook confirming that he and Silver made it to safety along with their animals, except their cat Bobo, who escaped as they fled the flames. Thankfully, the couple found the feline when they returned home.
Dick Van Dyke Didn’t Evacuate Home Amid LA Fires, Using Gas GeneratorLegendary actor Dick Van Dyke has made headlines for his decision to stay put in his Malibu home despite evacuation orders due to the raging wildfires in the area. The 96-year-old actor revealed that he is using a gas generator to power his home and keep himself safe amidst the chaos.
Van Dyke, known for his roles in classic films like Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, has been praised for his resilience and determination to ride out the fires on his own terms. While many in the area have chosen to evacuate, Van Dyke has chosen to stay and protect his property with the help of his trusty gas generator.
Fans and fellow celebrities have expressed their concern for Van Dyke’s safety, but the actor remains confident that he will be able to weather the storm. As the fires continue to rage, Van Dyke’s decision to stay put and rely on his gas generator has sparked a debate about the best course of action in times of crisis.
Whether you agree with his decision or not, there’s no denying that Dick Van Dyke is one tough cookie. Stay safe, Mr. Van Dyke!
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LeBron James, forced to evacuate home, opens up about impact of Los Angeles wildfires
LeBron James and his family are among the more than 150,000 Los Angeles area residents forced to evacuate their homes at points in the past week as wildfires ravaged the area, leaving at least 25 people dead and destroying more than 12,300 structures.
For the first time, LeBron James opened up about having to evacuate their Brentwood home and the impact of the fires, speaking to reporters after his Lakers beat the Heat Wednesday night (quotes via Jovan Buha of The Athletic).
“There’s been a lot of emotions,” James said. “I have a couple of dear friends that have lost their homes in the Palisades. Obviously, my heart goes out to all of the families, all across not only the (Pacific) Palisades, but all across L.A. County and all the surrounding areas because of the fire and things of that nature. It’s been a lot of emotions.
“Personally, I’ve been off,” he continued. “Personally, my family, we’ve been evacuated since Thursday night, so I’ve been in a hotel since pretty much when we got back from Dallas. So, just figuring it out. But staying strong for one another. Obviously, that’s most important.”
LeBron had to evacuate his home due to fires once before, back in 2019.
“We had that experience and was able to lean on that a little bit,” James said. “The difference between ’19 and today, the one in ’19 was in the middle of the night so we had to get going right away. We had a little bit more time before we had to evacuate, so we were able to get some things, get some belongings or whatever the case may be, get some things that meant things to us. But our home has definitely not been touched since the moment we left, but it’s still standing and we’re grateful for that.”
The fires have impacted several Lakers. Coach J.J. Redick had the home he, his wife and two sons rented in Pacific Palisades burn down. Fortunately, the family was safe, but he had previously talked about an emotional toll. Among the memories lost were his sons’ growing NBA memorabilia collections, but Chris Paul and Victor Wembanyama helped them restart that collection.
Firefighters are still working to fully contain the wildfires in the region, particularly the sprawling Palisades fire (which is the one that threatened LeBron’s home and burned Redick’s). Fortunately for those efforts, the strong winds that had fanned the flames have died down.
LeBron James, the legendary basketball player and Los Angeles Lakers star, recently opened up about the devastating impact of the wildfires that forced him to evacuate his home.In a heartfelt post on social media, James shared his thoughts and feelings about the wildfires that have been raging across California, including the ones that forced him and his family to flee their residence. He expressed gratitude for the safety of his loved ones and emphasized the importance of coming together as a community during times of crisis.
The wildfires have not only posed a threat to homes and property, but also to the health and well-being of residents in the affected areas. James urged his followers to stay safe and take necessary precautions to protect themselves and their families.
As a prominent figure in the sports world and the Los Angeles community, LeBron James’s words carry weight and serve as a reminder of the importance of supporting one another in times of need. His vulnerability and honesty in sharing his experience with the wildfires are a powerful reminder of the resilience and strength that can be found in the face of adversity.
Our thoughts are with LeBron James and all those affected by the wildfires in California. Let’s come together to support each other and rebuild stronger than ever. #CaliforniaWildfires #LeBronJames #CommunityStrong
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San Leandro gas leak forces 12,500 people to evacuate; residents allowed back
San Leandro gas leak forces thousands to evacuate
About 12,500 were evacuated early Sunday morning after a gas pipe ruptured west of I-880 in San Leandro.
SAN LEANDRO, Calif. – Residents were allowed back home nearly five hours after a mandatory evacuation order due to a six-inch gas pipe that erupted in San Leandro early Sunday morning. More than 12,500 residents in a neighborhood just west of the I-880 and I-238 split.
Police said the pipe was located in flood canal at Lewelling Blvd. and Washington Ave. and ruptured around 5:00 a.m.
The evacuations meant an “immediate threat to your life,” according to Alameda County Fire Department, and residents were ordered to leave the area right away.
“I saw what it did in San Bruno so it’s serious,” resident Chris Alvarez told KTVU as he was leaving his home.
Police also had the 2010 explosion that killed 8 people at the top of their minds.
“When I received the call, the first thing I thought of was San Bruno. That is the worst case scenario which is what obviously we’re trying to avoid,” said Captain Ali Khan with the San Leandro Police Departmetn. “Based on the gas leak and plume location of the maps, we knew that 12,500 was a moderate amount of residents that we needed to evacuate for safety precautions.”
Khan said this situation was the best-case scenario.
“The positive news is because of the rain, where the gas leak is actually under water. So it’s fuming from under the water, which has helped us in the amount of evacuations we had to do,” said Khan.
In addition to the evacuations, PG&E also cut off power to about 400 customers.
A temporary shelter was set up at Marina Community Center located at 15301 Wicks Blvd.
Officials say the rupture occurred at a transition line. By 9:30a.m. Sunday the evacuated residents were allowed back into their homes.
San Leandro Police, CHP, Alameda Co. Sheriff’s Office were on the scene helping ACFD crew.
A gas leak early in the morning of Dec. 29, 2024 forced the evacuation of 12,500 people in San Leandro. Evacuations were lifted about hours later.
San Leandro gas leak forces 12,500 people to evacuate; residents allowed backA gas leak in San Leandro caused chaos and forced the evacuation of 12,500 people on Tuesday. The leak, which occurred in the downtown area, prompted emergency responders to quickly evacuate residents and businesses in the vicinity.
The leak was caused by a ruptured gas line, and firefighters worked to contain the leak while ensuring the safety of those in the area. Nearby streets were closed off, and residents were directed to temporary shelters set up by the Red Cross.
After several hours of work to fix the leak, authorities were able to contain the situation and deemed it safe for residents to return to their homes. The evacuees were allowed back into their homes late Tuesday evening, grateful for the quick response of emergency services.
While the incident caused inconvenience and disruption, the swift action of emergency responders helped prevent any injuries or further damage. The residents of San Leandro can now breathe a sigh of relief knowing that they are safe and able to return to their normal lives.
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