Local | 89.3 KPCC

Lake Fire update: Evacuations lifted, brush fire near Santa Clarita now at 575 acres

Bianca Ramirez and Eric Zassenhaus | KPCC & wires — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:20:00 -0700

; Credit: Courtesy of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriffs Department

Update 6:15 p.m.: Crews make progress on containment

L.A. County fire officials say they've been able to make some headway on the fire burning near Castaic Lake.

In a tweet, the LA Fire Department spokesperson says the fire is now 20 percent contained, and has reduced its assessment of the fire's size, from 600 to 575 acres.

Update 5:14 p.m.: Fire size nearly doubles

Los Angeles County Fire Inspector Keith Mora says the fire continues to burn in a northeast direction towards Castaic Lake.

“We’re still doing an attack on the ground," he said. "Our fixed-winged has been grounded at this point just due to visibility with low power lines. Once the smoke resides and they can see clearly through their path, they’ll go back into the air—barring that there is daylight still. And we do still have copter making drops too.”

But even though evacuations have been lifted for area residents, the news isn't all good.. The fire has doubled, according to the L.A. County Fire Dept.:

#LakeIC #LakeFire UPDATE 600 acres with 0% containment.
— LACounty Fire PIO (@LACoFDPIO) May 18, 2013

Update 4:52 p.m.: Evacuations lifted

Santa Clarita Sheriffs officials tweeted evacuation orders for 19 homes on Elk Ridge Rd and Vista Point Place have been lifted.

Update 4:33 p.m.: Fire grows to 350 acres

The fast-growing fire in Castaic has now reached 350 acres, according to the L.A. County Fire Dept.:

RT @lacofdpio: #Lakeic 350 acres, burning NW towards Castaic Lake #LakeFire
— LACoFD (@LACo_FD) May 17, 2013

Update 4:26 p.m.: 350 acres burning, fire changing direction

LA County Fire Inspector Keith Mora said the fire burning in Castaic, just north of Santa Clarita, has now burned at least 250 acres.

Mora said crews were able to get the fire burning away from a school in the area, and that it's currently not directly threatening homes, though 19 residences on Elk Ridge Rd and Vista Point place have been evacuated as a precaution.

"At one point it did get within 100 yards of the school," Mora said. "We did get it to go in kind of a [northeast] direction away from the school. Now it's just posing a slight threat to that community and that's why the evacuations were done by the sheriffs department"

There is currently no number on containment.

Update 3:26 p.m.: More evacuations underway

The Santa Clarita Sheriffs Department tweeted that they're beginning to evacuate 19 homes near Elk Ridge Road and Vista Point Place.

The department also reported that the evacuation of Northlake Hills Elementary is nearly complete. Some children have been bussed to Sunshine Day Care in Stevenson Ranch to await their parents.

Update 3:20 p.m.: Parents of children at Northlake Hills Elementary School, which firefighters evacuated

Firefighters are working to steer a 40-acre brushfire away from an elementary school moments before school was set to let out for the day.

Los Angeles County firefighters say the blaze is burning in light brush off Interstate 5 north of Lake Hughes Road in Castaic. It was reported just before 1:30 p.m. Friday.

The fire was creeping toward Northlake Hills Elementary for a time before crews attacked the flames from the air and ground.

L.A. County Fire Inspector Scott Miller said crews are dealing with difficult conditions.

"The terrain is sloppy terrain with white flashy fuels. We have winds of about 10 miles an hour with gusts of 15," Miller said. "We have hand crews. We have fire crews doing fire suppression. We have helicopters, and we have fixed-winged air craft all making a coordinated attack and making rapid progress on the fire."

Deputies are taking the children to a safe location down the road so parents can pick them up. The flames were redirected, however, and county sheriff's Sgt. Brian Allen says the students were released to their parents without incident.

The fire is not threatening any homes. The 5 Freeway remains open. But Ridge Road is closed at Pine Crest Lane.

Firefighters say they don't know how the fire started.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. | Clarification: In an earlier version of this story we quoted L.A. County Fire Inspector Chief Mora as saying the fire was burning in a northwestern direction. LA County Fire Dept. has since clarified they meant northeastern.

Firefighters battle flames, terrain, north of Los Angeles

AP — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:55:00 -0700

Firefighters battle the Grand Fire in Kern County.; Credit: NBC Los Angeles

Update 3:46 p.m.: Containment grows along with concern

Cal Fire says it continues to make gains on the Grand Fire burning in Los Padres National Forest. Crews now have about 35 percent of the fire contained, but the fire has grown to 4,100 acres.

Earlier today, the L.A. Times put the cost of fighting the fire at $1.3 million.

Update 7:13 a.m.: Cooler weather helps crews gain on Grand Fire

Firefighters had to battle terrain as much as flames as they worked to surround a wildfire entering its third day in harsh hills and mountains north of Los Angeles.

Temperatures dipped Thursday and were expected to remain cool on Friday, but winds upwards of 20 mph continued to swirl, and much of the blaze that has blackened some 3,800 acres was in rocky, rugged, difficult-to-reach places, making containment a challenge.

After a heavy aerial effort Thursday, the fire was 25 percent contained by nightfall.

The fire broke out near Interstate 5 when temperatures were in the 80s, and though they've dropped to the 60s, winds were still a problem.

"It's definitely gusty, but we're lucky, the winds are blowing away from homes," Kern County Fire Department spokesman Corey Wilford said. "It would be better if we didn't have winds at all though."

Lower temperatures are expected to persist into the weekend.

The fire has spread to three counties, Los Angeles, Kern and Ventura, but burned in mostly populated areas and threatened no homes or buildings.

A Kern County high school was closed as a precaution.

The fire started early Wednesday afternoon for reasons that remain under investigation. It initially burned thick brush, seasonal grasses and sage, but then moved into the trees.

The cooler weather helped firefighters overnight clear brush and create breaks in hopes of slowing the blaze. Efforts on Thursday were focused on the southern edge of the fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Final recital to take place this weekend at Crystal Cathedral in Orange County on one of world largest's church organs

Ben Bergman — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:48:00 -0700

In this Oct. 27, 2011 file photo, the Crystal Cathedral stands in Garden Grove, Calif.; Credit: Jae C. Hong/AP

The last formal recital is tomorrow at the Crystal Cathedral in Orange County, home to one of the largest church organs in the world.

The ministry - best known for its Hour of Power TV program - is getting ready to leave its longtime campus next month.

The Hazel Wright Memorial Organ at Crystal Cathedral is so big it's actually made up of 14 smaller organs. There are more than 16,000 individual wind pipes.

"Depending on what list you look at, this will be the second largest pipe organ in a Roman Catholic Cathedral in the world,” said Msgr. Arthur Holquin, who’s overseeing the restoration of the organ for the Diocese of Orange.

The instrument is more than 30 years old and needs work, but the restoration won't be easy or cheap.

Much of the organ has to be shipped to its original manufacturer in Italy.

"It's actually going to be restored in two places, both in Padua, Italy and here in the United States,” said Holquin.

This weekend's concert kicks off an effort to raise $2 million in restoration funds.

Internationally acclaimed organist Hector Olivera will perform.

Meanwhile, the financially-troubled Crystal Cathedral Ministry is moving to a decidedly more modest church in Garden Grove. It will be called "Shepherd's Grove."

The ministry sold its iconic glass-paned cathedral to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange more than a year ago through a bankruptcy proceeding.

You can see a video of the organ from last year below.

PHOTOS: A look inside the taxidermy lab at The Natural History Museum

Mukta Mohan | Off-Ramp — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:33:47 -0700

Taxidermist Allis Markham works on a female Cooper's hawk at the Natural History Museum on April 24th, 2013.; Credit: Mae Ryan/KPCC

The Natural History Museum is celebrating its 100th year this summer. They’ll celebrate with two new exhibits, Becoming LA and Nature Gardens which will feature dozens of taxidermy animals including birds, possums, and cows.

Off-Ramp’s Mukta Mohan talked with taxidermist Allis Markham to find out what it’s like behind the scenes at the museum and to learn about the art of taxidermy.

In the North American Mammal Hall at The Natural History Museum, families gather around dioramas and watch rare animals in their natural habitats. There are jaguars, bison… even polar bears. But unlike at zoos where the animals roam around, all of the animals here are preserved and made to look alive through taxidermy. Allis Markham is the newest member of the museum’s taxidermy team.

Markham describes taxidermy as “science meets art.” She says, “At the end of the day, we’re artists. We’re creating sculpture. It’s model making. You’re just working with this organic material that is essentially an animal.”

On the fourth floor of the museum is a temperature controlled taxidermy lab with no windows—that keeps the skins from fading in the sunlight. Death masks line the walls. Thousands of reference photos lie in drawers, and a full-sized Corriente cow stands in the middle of the room.

All of the museum’s animals either were donated or found dead in the wild by staff members like Markham. The space is cluttered with tools used for taxidermy — steel brushes, thread, glass eyes. Markham uses scalpels to skin animals and prepare them for mounting.

“I mean it’s like the old phrase, ‘there’s more than one way to skin a cat,'" said Markham. "I can tell you first hand, that there is. There’s several different types of incisions.”

In her lab, a parrot lies on a tray with its wings spread out. All of the bird’s insides have been removed, revealing the slimy skin underneath the feathers.

Markham gently holds the parrot skin up to a fleshing wheel, a rotating wire brush that shaves off the fat from animals.

“It’s almost weird for me that people are like, 'oh grossed out, that’s dead.' Well, it ceased living, but it’s still very much organic and there are things happening with it, and I’ll make it look alive again,” says Markham. “It’s all just science, and it’s all anatomy and nature, and I think that’s beautiful.”

To view some of Markham’s recent work, visit the new Nature Gardens exhibit opening in June and the Becoming LA exhibit which opens in July at The Natural History Museum.

Have a fantastically free weekend: 5 things to do in LA

Kristen Lepore — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:53:31 -0700

Locals hang at the Beverly Hills artSHOW.; Credit: Beverly Hills artSHOW

You worked hard all week. Don't let the weekend steal your money. Here are five free, festive things to do in Los Angeles over the next few days —

Climb to a world above the smog on the city's hidden staircases; learn what a croaker is (and how to get one); indulge in European idol worship; or perhaps just take me to river, and drop me in the water after helping to pick disgusting things out of it.

1. Party like a European: Watch the Eurovision finals at Angel City Brewery

American idol has nothing on the continental convergence of glitter, spandex and drama at this annual musical event. Every year the nations of Europe get together to host the "biggest song contest on earth." On Saturday, local brewery Angel City offers Angelenos an opportunity to drink beer and eat from local food trucks while watching the competition live. A percentage of sales will benefit AIDS/Lifecycle.

When: Noon to 3:00 p.m. Saturday

Where: Angel City Brewery & Public House, 216 South Alameda Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Bring a flag to root on your favorite country and enjoy the big-screen craziness from the comforts of your local pub.

2. Get down and dirty in the L.A. River

The L.A. River could be a local landmark of national stature. As local activists work to revamp and restore portions of river, the Friends of the L.A. River are hoping you can help make it happen. As part of their ongoing effort to revive the natural space, the Friends are hosting its 24th annual La Gran Limpieza Saturday, including cleaning 15 sites from Compton Creek to Marsh Street and the Arroyo Seco.

When: 9 to 2 p.m. Saturday

Where: 15 sites along the L.A. River

3. Wander rows of outdoor art at the Beverly Hills artSHOW

Better known for its window shopping along Rodeo Drive, the city of Beverly Hills also hosts a twice-a-year 2-day outdoor artshow at the beautiful Beverly Gardens Park. The show features art by 250 exhibitors from around the nation in mediums including painting, sculpture, watercolor, photography, mixed media, ceramics, jewelry, drawings and printmaking.

When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Where: Historic Beverly Gardens Park in Beverly Hills

4. Hike the hidden staircases of Northeast L.A. at the Big Parade

This two-day hike across the hills of Los Angeles includes climbing about 100 public stairways over 35 miles, from downtown to Hollywood. "The walk runs on a timetable, and is designed as a series of attached loops, so that people can come and go as they please," according to its website. Expect to learn a good deal on the city's music, art, history and other surprises along the way.

When: 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Where: All over L.A., check here for locations

5. Fish up some croaker and corbina at Dockweiler Beach

The Department of Beaches & Harbors is offering this introductory shore fishing class on Sunday. That's your chance to catch surfperch, croaker, corbina, halibut and leopard shark and explore Dockweiler Beach. All ages are welcome, but anyone under the age of 12 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Fishing poles and bait will be provided at no cost.

When: 9 to 10:30 a.m. Sunday

Where: Dockweiler Youth Center 12505 Vista Del Mar Los Angeles, CA 90293

Did we miss something? What are your plans for the weekend? Share in comment.

Weekend traffic: Plan a 405 detour at Santa Monica Boulevard Friday and Saturday night

Machiko Yasuda — Fri, 17 May 2013 07:07:00 -0700

Plan for extra delays at the 405 Friday and Saturday from 11 p.m. to 9 a.m. ; Credit: Anibal Ortiz / KPCC

Friday and Saturday night from 11 p.m. to 9 a.m, the northbound 405 will be closed between the Santa Monica Boulevard off-ramp and on-ramp. The 10 west and east connectors to the northbound 405 will also be closed.

To detour, exit at the Santa Monica Boulevard off-ramp and enter again at the on-ramp.

Santa Monica Boulevard from Sawtelle Boulevard to Sepulveda Boulevard will be closed.

Several other ramps will be closed:

Northbound Olympic Boulevard on-ramp
I-10 west connector to northbound I-405
I-10 east connector to northbound I-405

rider alerts

Blue Line: Friday after 8:30 p.m., the Blue Line will run at a 20 minute delay between Long Beach Transit Mall and Willowbrook. Read More
Rio Hondo Bike Path: The Rio Hondo Bike Path will be closed at Washington Blvd. for construction until August. Take a detour to the west side of the trail instead. Read More
Coyote Creek Bike Path: The Coyote Creek Bike Path from Rosecrans Ave. to Artesia Blvd. will be closed for construction until 2015. Take a detour on Marquant Ave. to Carmenita Rd. by way of Alondra Blvd. Read More
San Gabriel River Bike Path: Gold Line construction work may close certain entrances and exits on the bike path. Read More
Metro elevator repairs: On Friday from 8 a.m to noon, Wilshire/Normandie elevators will be out of service. Read More?
OCTA Route 145: Route 145 will be on detour Friday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Santa Ana. Read More

ramp closure

405: Starting May 1 for three months, construction starts to aid wall 1921 at the southbound Skirball on-ramp. There will be intermittent full-ramp closures. Read More
710 SB: On-ramp closed at 710 SB at Olympic Blvd. for long-term bridge construction until 2014. Read More
47: On-ramp closed at Route 47 at EB/WB New Dock St. closed for long-term bridge demolition until 2014. Read More
101 NB: On-ramp closed at SB Wendy Dr. for bridge construction. Read More
5 SB: Off-ramp closed at SB 5 at EB/WB Western Ave. for shoulder reconstruction. Read More
5: Shoulder reconstruction has started at Tuxford St. in Sun Valley. On-ramp and off-ramp will be fully-closed until December 31. Read More

construction updates

405: Northbound traffic at Santa Monica Blvd. will be detoured Friday night and Saturday night. 10 connectors from both east and west side to the 405 will be closed during that time. Southbound Skirball on-ramp remains closed. Read More
57: Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., State Route 57 lanes will be reduced and several ramps will be closed for Katella Avenue to Imperial Highway. Read More
Expo Line: Venice: Through Thursday, May 23, 2013, Sundays through Thursdays, 9 p.m. to 6 a.m, Friday midnight to 8 a.m., westbound Venice Blvd. at Robertson Blvd. to Culver Blvd. will be closed to construct a bridge. Read More
Pico Blvd. Housing Projects: Santa Monica: Through Saturday June 8, 2013, Monday through Friday, the southerly eastbound lane and sidewalk of Pico Blvd. from 4th to 5th St. in Santa Monica will be closed intermittently. Through May Sunday May 19, there will be additional lane closures from 28th St. to 29th St. Read More
Expo Line: Mar Vista: For a three weeks, lanes on Bundy Dr. south of Exposition Blvd. will be reduced weekdays, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Bundy Dr. will also be reduced between Olympic Blvd. and Exposition Blvd. Sunday through Thursday nightimes from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Read More
Angeles Crest Highway: All lanes closed from 5 a.m. at Crystal Lake Road on the Angeles Crest Highway. Read More

dui checkpoints

None: None reported so far Read More

Check more weekend traffic maps here.

Salvadoran-Americans hopeful that slain Archbishop Oscar Romero may become saint

Leslie Berestein Rojas — Thu, 16 May 2013 18:21:53 -0700

A shrine to Archbishop Oscar Romero at the corner of Pico Boulevard and Vermont Avenue, where local Salvadoran-Americans gathered Thursday to talk about their hopes that he'll become a saint. Romero was assassinated in 1980 in El Salvador.
; Credit: Leslie Berestein Rojas/KPCC

Pope Francis recently cleared the way for El Salvador's slain Archbishop Oscar Romero to be considered for sainthood. Thursday morning, Salvadoran Americans joined with clergy in Los Angeles' Pico-Union district to talk about their hopes that Romero will finally be canonized.

Pope Francis' "unblocking" of the canonization effort is a milestone in a years-long campaign by supporters of sainthood for Romero, a champion of the poor and critic of government violence who was assassinated in 1980. His death, gunned down as he celebrated mass, is regarded as a pivotal event in El Salvador’s bloody civil war, which lasted until 1992.

Among those voicing hope that Romero will be recognized as a saint was Oscar Dominguez, president of the El Salvador Community Corridor, an economic development project along Vermont Avenue between 11th Street and Adams Boulevard.

"For the Salvadoran community it is a tremendous achievement, because he is someone who actually fought hard for equality," said Dominguez, "somebody that fought hard to empower the poor and somebody who has a legacy — not only for Salvadorans, but for Hispanics and for the world."

The rules for establishing sainthood in the Catholic Church are complicated, and it's not clear how long the process might take if successful.

Efforts to canonize Romero had stalled under previous pontiffs. Some observers believe Romero’s political activism was a factor. Pope Francis, who was elected in March, is a native of Argentina and the first pope from Latin America.

Preliminary results of air quality study stoke beach fire ban debate: Should they be regulated as a pollutant?

Ben Bergman — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:18:48 -0700

Some Orange County residents say air regulators should leave beach fire rings alone. They want cities or the county to decide the fate of beach bonfires. ; Credit: fontplaydotcom/Flickr

In one night, a single beach fire can emit the same amount of harmful particulate matter as a heavy-duty truck driving 564 miles, according to the preliminary results of a study by the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD). Read the full report below.

The research comes before a public meeting Friday in Huntington Beach to discuss a regional ban on beach fires.

Air samples were collected in Huntington Beach, Corona del Mar, Balboa Island and Dockweiler State Beach in March.

"Frankly the impacts on the community were more than I anticipated they would be," said Keith Curry, mayor of Newport Beach, which has been seeking permission to remove its fire rings.

"I think this does justify the concerns of our residents who have complained for many years about the effects of smoke," said Curry.

But 30 miles down the coast in San Clemente, Mayor-Pro-Tem Tim Brown feels very differently.

He says the study lacks context. For instance: How does living next to beach fires compare with living next to a freeway?

"If what they're saying is true, why haven't we had case after case of asthma attacks and elders (having) respiratory problems on those beaches for years?" asked Brown.

San Clemente is one of a number of cities that wants to keep its fire pits, but now may have to remove them if the proposed ban is approved.

The AQMD has long exempted beach fires from air quality regulations. But when Newport Beach asked to remove its rings, the agency started looking at a ban for all beaches in L.A. and Orange counties, which Brown says would be an overreach.

"By taking this to a regional level instead of addressing it locally and leaving it there, this thing has spiraled out of control," said Brown.

Newport Beach Mayor Curry says he never intended to set in motion the sequence of events leading to a regional ban. He's now lobbying to keep it local.

"We believe every other city should take the data, apply it in their community and address the issue as they see fit," said Curry.

But it may be too late. According to AQMD spokesman Sam Atwood, it's unlikely the board would take a local approach.

"The AQMD is a regional agency concerned with protecting public health so when we adopt a regulation it's for the whole area - not just one city," Atwood said.

The board would be allowed to consider other factors aside from just pollution.

"They take a look at economic impact and listen to all the public testimony," said Atwood.

The board was scheduled to vote on the beach fire ban at a June 7th meeting, but that's now been postponed because of scheduling conflicts and to allow more time for research.

So, the fires will likely burn on Southern California beaches for at least one more summer.

Air Quality Impacts of Recreational Beach Fires: Preliminary Assessment by scprweb

Bicyclists ride free on Metro, Metrolink today

Machiko Yasuda — Thu, 16 May 2013 08:25:42 -0700

Colin Bogart leads a memorial bike ride from the crash site at Colorado Blvd. and Terrace Dr. to the Pasadena courthouse. ; Credit: Erika Aguilar/KPCC

Video: 6 Bikes • 1 Camera | L.A. from KPCC on Vimeo.

It's been a busy week for bicycling in SoCal. Bike Week gets into full swing today with Bike to Work Day. Anyone with a bicycle or helmet on Thursday can board public transit for free on these lines:

Metro
Big Blue Bus (must show coupon)
Culver City Bus
Glendale Beeline
LADOT: DASH and Commuter Express
Long Beach Transit
Montebello Bus Lines
Norwalk Transit
Pasadena ARTS
Santa Clarita Transit
Torrance Transit
Metrolink (must have bicycle)

There has already been much bicycle riding and celebrating this week. Sunday marked one of the first guided group rides to Dodger Stadium. Bicycles were blessed at Good Samaritan Hospital, while riders from around the region held rides of silence to honor those who have been killed by car drivers. Professionals raced Wednesday afternoon from Santa Clarita to Ojai and Santa Barbara as a part of the Amgen Tour of California.

If you haven't gotten out to ride yet, there are still many rides, rodeos and parties to come:

Thursday: C.I.C.L.E's Bike Home From Work Shift Party at Pasadena's Incycle Bicycles - one free beer for all commuters 21 and over.
Thursday: LACBC at Pete's Cafe and Bar on 4th and Main in Downtown Los Angeles - cyclist's slider special and an Angel City beer for $5
Thursday: Downey Bicycle Coalition at Uncle Henry's on Old River School and Florence
Thursday: Pomona Valley Bicycle Coalition at The Press in downtown Claremont - Happy hour all night
Thursday: Walk Bike Glendale at BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse on Brand Blvd.
Thursday: Santa Monica Spoke at Pono Burger on Broadway in Santa Monica - Happy hour
Friday: Bike Night at the Hammer Museum Group ride from Santa Monica Bike Center to UCLA's Hammer Museum for a party including a movie screening, bike crafts, art and free admission
Friday: C.I.C.L.E's Bike-In Movie Night, featuring Napoleon Dynamite at One Colorado in Pasadena
Saturday: Silver Lake Bike Rodeo a fair for children, no bike or helmet necessary
Saturday: 20th Annual Palms Bike Rodeo
Saturday: Kids' Costume Bike Parade ride with Pasadena's mayor
Sunday: Bike to Chuch Day in Long Beach classes Meet at Ruth Bach Neighborhood Library to ROCK Christian Fellowship Church

Here are some highlight photos:

The bike brigade has arrived! Bikes park for free at Dodger Stadium. #BikeWeekLA twitter.com/Dodgers/status…
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 11, 2013

Big turn out on our train for free ride with a bike #bikeweekla #bikela #bikemonth how is your train ? twitter.com/NextStop_App/s…
— Next Stop Metrolink (@NextStop_App) May 16, 2013

Ladies Night pre-ride workshop for ride essentials. @cicleorg @lunabar #TeamLunaChix #bikeweekpasadena #bikela twitter.com/ahealthydesign…
— Maria Sipin (@ahealthydesign) May 16, 2013

#NPRbike #Redlands #California twitter.com/JonCry/status/…
— Johnny Crimes (@JonCry) May 18, 2012

Grand Fire update: Fire burns 3,000 acres in Kern County, 10 percent contained

Bianca Ramirez and AP with Eric Zassenhaus — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:13:00 -0700

An aerial shot of the "Grand Fire" in Kern County. ; Credit: Courtesy NBCLA

The Grand Park fire — Thursday update

Update 6:46 p.m.: Grand Fire now 10 percent contained, I-5 'wide open'

The Kern County Fire Department said the quickly-burning Grand Fire is now 10 percent contained. Department spokesman Corey Wilford told KPCC the fire has now spread into Los Angeles County.

Winds have begun to settle down from earlier Wednesday afternoon, Wilford said, but gusts are still stoking the fire onwards.

"We have seen the winds kind of die down in the last couple hours or so," he said.

The I-5 Freeway remains “wide open” to drivers, Wilford said, but authorities are trying to dissuade drivers from slowing down to view or take photos of the fire, which is clearly visible from the road.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Update 5:43 p.m.: 800 firefighters called up

The Kern County Fire Department says 800 firefighters have now been assigned to battle the 3,000 acre fire, with more expected to come.

The fire, dubbed the "Grand Fire," is still 0 percent contained.

Update 5:02 p.m.: Acreage creeps to 3,000

The fire burning near Los Padres National Forest has grown to 3,000 acres, Kern County fire officials said. There are mandatory evacuations in place for Piru Creek Camp Ground andHungry Valley State Park.

Kern County fire spokesman Corey Wilford told KPCC that the fire has been spreading quickly.

"We're dealing with a very fast moving wildfire, he said. "Winds are getting behind it really strong."

In combination with dry wood in the area from a mostly rainless winter season, the fire has little to stop it.

"We'd expected it this year, but right now we're paying for it," Wilford said.

Fortunately, there are no buildings currently in the "Grand Fire's" path.

"We've been pretty lucky. There are no buildings in the path of the fire. The fire is continuing on a path that takes it through the wilderness." Wilford said.

Update 4:39 p.m.: Firefighters are using heavy aerial artillery against a fast-moving brush fire in an effort to keep it from getting into Los Padres National Forest.

Forest spokesman Andrew Madsen told KPCC the fire started at about 12:30 Wednesday afternoon near Frazier Park.

"At this point the fire appears to be burning away from the National Forest land and towards the Hungry Valley state OHV Recreation Area," Madsen said. "We have five fixed-winged air tankers that are working the fire dropping retardant around the perimeter. We also have four water-dropping helicopters that are assigned to the fire."

Kern County fire spokesman Corey Wilford told the Associated Press that 750 acres have been blackened in Frazier Park, where Kern and Los Angeles counties meet.

Wilford said Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area is being emptied.

Frazier Mountain High School has also been evacuated, according to Forest spokesperson Madsen.. The fire is threatening several structures, but it's not clear if those are homes.

Wilford said the fire, burning in thick brush, seasonal grasses and sage, is creeping into the mountainous area's tree line.

Winds are 10 mph with gusts to 20.

Firefighters from Kern, Ventura and Los Angeles counties, the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service are battling the blaze.

View Larger Map

Orange County won't bill hikers for $160,000 rescue

Ben Bergman — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:00:29 -0700

Photos of Nicholas Cendoya, 19, (left) and Kyndall Jack, 18, of Costa Mesa, who were rescued from the Cleveland National Forest in Orange County after a five-day search.; Credit: Courtesy Orange County Sheriff's Department

Orange County Supervisors have concluded they don't have the authority to bill two young hikers for the $160,000 it cost to rescue them last month.

Rescuers from six different agencies spent five days combing the rugged hills of Trabuco Canyon. Friends and family rejoiced when Nicolas Cendoya and Kyndall Jack were finally found. But for some, that relief quickly turned to anger when authorities announced they found meth in Cendoya's parked car. He was later arrested.

Some suggested the pair should reimburse the government for the costs involved in finding them.

But on Tuesday, Orange County Supervisor John Moorlach said under California law, the county doesn't have the authority to recover those costs.

"Currently the rules state that if someone needs to get rescued, they get rescued. And it's just part of doing business in the county," said Moorlach.

That may not be true for long. Moorlach said supervisors may take up legislation as soon as next week that would allow the county to go after costs for future rescues.

Also next week, Cendoya is due in court next week to answer to one felony count of possession of a controlled substance.

School board backs up Scripps High; won't overturn 'twerking' video punishments

Lisa Brenner and AP — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:27:01 -0700

Still image from a video posted last week to YouTube featuring Scripps Ranch students allegedly twerking on school time. Dozens of students were suspended from the San Diego high school.; Credit: Photo by NBC 7 San Diego

"Twerking" stole the spotlight at a San Diego school board meeting on Tuesday when parents and attorneys challenged the punishment of 31 Scripps Ranch High School students, asking for the board to reconsider suspensions and sexual harassment charges issued in the recent "twerking" video scandal.

AP reports that the school board says it doesn't have authority to overturn suspensions, only expulsions.

Students were issued five-day suspensions for making the on-campus video of suggestive "twerking" dance moves deemed in violation of district policy. It was unclear if the seniors involved would be banned fromthe prom and commencement.

UT San Diego reports on who wants apologies, who's accused of overreacting, how students are being treated, and previous school events that featuring twerking. As the school board dances around punishment, the issue of kids shaking their behinds turns into an issue of adults covering their own.

Superintendent Bill Kowba told San Diego school board members in a confidential memo earlier this month that he personally considers the video “a deeply offensive production with implications for lewd conduct, sexual harassment and gender victimization.

A subsequent letter made public Tuesday from the Scripps Ranch High “counselors and counseling support staff” criticizes trustee Kevin Beiser for given them a “lack of support” that has hurt the school’s image.

“If you and the board do not support the school’s decision to suspend, then we believe you are sending the students a message that they do not have to follow rules and that whatever they put online is OK,” the staff said in the memo sent to Beiser.

4.0 earthquake shakes up South Bay

KPCC wire services — Wed, 15 May 2013 13:25:58 -0700

The epicenter of a 4.0 earthquake south of Rancho Palos Verdes on Wednesday, May 15, 2013.; Credit: USGS.gov

A magnitude-4.0 earthquake rattled portions of the South Bay today, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

The quake, which was originally reported with a magnitude of 3.9 but was quickly upgraded, struck at 1 p.m. six miles south of Rancho Palos Verdes and seven miles southwest of San Pedro, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

It was the latest in a series of temblors that have hit the Southland in recent weeks. Three quakes have struck in the Marina del Rey area — a magnitude-3.0 on Thursday afternoon, a magnitude-2.8 around 8 p.m. April 28 and a magnitude-3.2 quake around 8 p.m. April 26.

LA City Attorney race: Lacey endorses Feuer over Trutanich

Frank Stoltze — Tue, 14 May 2013 19:24:38 -0700

LA District Attorney Jackie Lacey, seen here in a file photo, has endorsed former State Assemblyman Mike Feuer for LA city attorney over incumbent Carmen Trutanich.
; Credit: Mae Ryan/KPCC

Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey Tuesday endorsed former State Assemblyman Mike Feuer in his bid to unseat City Attorney Carmen Trutanich.

“It is important to me that I have a thoughtful and informed individual with the highest standards of integrity as a criminal justice partner,” Lacey said in a statement.

Lacey, who defeated Trutanich in the district attorney’s contest last year, said she was unhappy with a Trutanich campaign mailer. The mailer blames Feuer for the recent sexual assault of a Northridge girl, allegedly by a man released under California’s prison realignment plan. The former state assemblyman voted for realignment.

“Realignment is the biggest challenge facing public safety in 30 years,” Lacey said. “Misrepresenting the facts surrounding the violent sexual assault of a child for political purposes is intellectually dishonest and counterproductive to finding solutions to the challenges brought on by realignment.”

Trutanich spokesman John Schwada defended the mailer.

“Feuer doesn’t like to be held accountable for what he did in Sacramento,” Schwada said. He also suggested Lacey’s endorsement of Feuer was politically motivated.

“Democrats are going to circle the wagons when one of them is on the ballot.”

Though the city attorney's race is non-partisan, Trutanich was the Republican candidate when he ran for district attorney.

Feuer has defended his vote on realignment, saying the plan was the only way the state could comply with a federal court order to reduce the prison population. He’s also said the program needs fixes, including more rehabilitation efforts.

During his run for district attorney last year, Trutanich issued a plan that addressed realignment. It said the program “pushes the responsibility for rehabilitation down from the state level to the local level. Why? Because local responsibility is the most effective way to attack recidivism.”

The latest poll showed Feuer leading Trutanich among likely voters, 35% to 24%. But the survey by the Edmund G. “Pat” Brown Institute of Public Affairs at Cal State LA found 41% of voters remain undecided in the race for city attorney.

Brush fire in Winchester now 80 percent contained

Tue, 14 May 2013 15:56:00 -0700

Update 6:18 p.m.: 1 home burned, acreage upped to 7

The Riverside County Fire Dept. reports that the brush fire burning in Winchester damaged one home and burned a total of 7 acres.

According to the department's website, the fire is 80 percent contained.

Update 3:45 p.m.: Fire 75 percent contained

Fire spokesperson Jody Hagemann tells City News Service a brush fire burning in Winchester is now 75 percent contained.

No evacuations were ordered. No one has been injured. Five structures were burned, including at least one shed, causing around $10,000 in damage.

In all, 70 firefighters worked to control the blaze.

2:52 p.m.: A five-acre brush fire burned five structures in Winchester Tuesday afternoon. None of the structures were homes, and there were no reports of any injuries.

The fire was reported at 1:15 p.m. in the 28300 block of Patterson Avenue, and 70 firefighters were sent to the scene, Riverside County Fire Department spokeswoman Jody Hagemann said. The fire was 50 percent contained by 2:30 p.m., she said.

No injuries or evacuations were reported, and the cause was under investigation.