A brush fire broke out in Jurupa Valley on Tuesday, January 21, as strong Santa Ana winds persisted across Southern California. Known as the "Clay Fire," it ignited along the Santa Ana River Bottom near Pedley Road and Van Buren Boulevard around 5 p.m.
Los Angeles is grappling with the toxic aftermath of wildfires that devastated areas including Pacific Palisades and Altadena, destroying over 15,000 structures and releasing dangerous pollutants into the air. Scientists report that the burning of homes, cars, and infrastructure has produced hazardous levels of toxins, including lead and chlorine.
Tragedy struck on Sunday when Coweta County, Georgia, Fire Chief Bart Cauthen was fatally shot while assisting a motorist who had struck a deer. The incident occurred around 5:00 p.m. on County Road 267 in Alabama.
Chicago experienced another weekend of violence under the leadership of Mayor Brandon Johnson (D), with at least 13 people shot, including one fatality.
Nearly 8,000 Vornado VH2 Whole Room Heaters have been recalled in the United States due to electric shock and fire hazards, according to a notice issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on Jan. 16.
Mayor Karen Bass announced on Friday that Steve Soboroff, former president of the Los Angeles Police Commission, will lead the city’s wildfire recovery efforts as the newly appointed chief recovery officer.
The devastating wildfires in California have exposed glaring deficiencies in public services while underscoring the effectiveness of private efforts. In Pacific Palisades, where entire neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble, one striking exception remains: the upscale Palisades Village mall. Owned by billionaire Rick Caruso, the mall survived thanks to private firefighting teams and fire-resistant construction materials—measures unavailable to most residents.
