Death toll hits 42 in Northern California wildfire; deadliest in state history
MALIBU, Calif. — The sky was black and flames on the next ridge were fast approaching when Paul Rasmussen, his pregnant wife and 6-year-old daughter fled their mountainside Malibu home Friday for what they thought might be the last time.His only hope that the large home, once billed in real estate listings as "Shangri-La," would survive was that his next-door neighbor, Randy Berkeley, would not only protect his own house, but also Rasmussen's.On Monday, after driving a winding road across charred slopes and past smoldering ruins of other houses in Decker Canyon, Rasmussen wrapped Berkeley in a bear hug of thanks after finding their two houses still standing untouched by fire."Without him, I knew it was going to be a loss," Rasmussen said. "He just went above and beyond."Fire officials lifted some evacuation orders Monday while warning Southern California residents to remain vigilant as strong winds fanned new fires.While some returned home, others were told to leave.
MALIBU, Calif. — The sky was black and flames on the next ridge were fast approaching when Paul Rasmussen, his pregnant wife and 6-year-old daughter fled their mountainside Malibu home Friday for what they thought might be the last time.His only hope that the large home, once billed in real estate listings as "Shangri-La," would survive was that his next-door neighbor, Randy Berkeley, would not only protect his own house, but also Rasmussen's.On Monday, after driving a winding road across charred slopes and past smoldering ruins of other houses in Decker Canyon, Rasmussen wrapped Berkeley in a bear hug of thanks after finding their two houses still standing untouched by fire."Without him, I knew it was going to be a loss," Rasmussen said. "He just went above and beyond."Fire officials lifted some evacuation orders Monday while warning Southern California residents to remain vigilant as strong winds fanned new fires.While some returned home, others were told to leave.
'You did it!' Dad sings, keeps daughter calm as they flee deadly wildfire
Warning: Video contains graphic language:
Warning: Video contains graphic language:
Hearses stand by as crews search for California fire victims with death toll at 31
PARADISE, Calif. — With hearses standing by, crews stepped up the search for bodies in the smoking ruins of Paradise, and relatives desperately looked for more than 100 missing loved ones, as wind-whipped wildfires raged Sunday on both ends of the state.The statewide death toll stood at 31 and appeared certain to rise.At least five search teams were working in Paradise — a town of 27,000 that was largely incinerated on Thursday — and surrounding Northern California communities.
PARADISE, Calif. — With hearses standing by, crews stepped up the search for bodies in the smoking ruins of Paradise, and relatives desperately looked for more than 100 missing loved ones, as wind-whipped wildfires raged Sunday on both ends of the state.The statewide death toll stood at 31 and appeared certain to rise.At least five search teams were working in Paradise — a town of 27,000 that was largely incinerated on Thursday — and surrounding Northern California communities.
'It's been a tough week:' Aaron Rodgers honors firefighters battling wildfires in postgame news conference
GREEN BAY -- Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers wore a hat supporting the Santa Monica Fire Department in his postgame news conference after the Green Bay Packers' win over the Miami Dolphins at Lambeau Field on Sunday, Nov. 11 -- and spoke about the wildfires that have impacted his life."It's been a tough week.
GREEN BAY -- Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers wore a hat supporting the Santa Monica Fire Department in his postgame news conference after the Green Bay Packers' win over the Miami Dolphins at Lambeau Field on Sunday, Nov. 11 -- and spoke about the wildfires that have impacted his life."It's been a tough week.
6 killed: Hope grows as deadly Northern California blaze slows down
SHASTA COUNTY, Calif. -- The deadly Northern California wildfire that has forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes slowed down Sunday after days of explosive growth, giving officials hope even as they announced the discovery of a sixth fatality.Meanwhile officials said a second firefighter died fighting a huge blaze to the south near Yosemite National Park.
SHASTA COUNTY, Calif. -- The deadly Northern California wildfire that has forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes slowed down Sunday after days of explosive growth, giving officials hope even as they announced the discovery of a sixth fatality.Meanwhile officials said a second firefighter died fighting a huge blaze to the south near Yosemite National Park.
There may be traces of radioactive particles from Fukushima in your California red wine
CALIFORNIA -- There might be an unexpected ingredient in your glass of California red wine.If your bottle of choice was made after 2011, it could have small amounts of radioactive particles from a major nuclear accident: Japan's Fukushima meltdown.Years after the 2011 disaster, a group of French nuclear physicists wanted to see whether cesium-137, a radioactive isotope, was more present in wines made after the disaster than those made before.They tested bottles of two well-known types of California wines -- rosé and Cabernet sauvignon -- that were made from 2009 and 2012.
CALIFORNIA -- There might be an unexpected ingredient in your glass of California red wine.If your bottle of choice was made after 2011, it could have small amounts of radioactive particles from a major nuclear accident: Japan's Fukushima meltdown.Years after the 2011 disaster, a group of French nuclear physicists wanted to see whether cesium-137, a radioactive isotope, was more present in wines made after the disaster than those made before.They tested bottles of two well-known types of California wines -- rosé and Cabernet sauvignon -- that were made from 2009 and 2012.
State Supreme Court blocks measure asking voters to split California in 3
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A measure that would divide California into three parts won't appear on the ballot in November, the state Supreme Court decided Wednesday.The justices ordered the secretary of state not to put the ballot initiative before voters, saying significant questions have been raised about its validity.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- A measure that would divide California into three parts won't appear on the ballot in November, the state Supreme Court decided Wednesday.The justices ordered the secretary of state not to put the ballot initiative before voters, saying significant questions have been raised about its validity.
Insurance claims from California wildfires near $12 billion
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Insurance claims from last year's deadly California wildfires have reached $11.8 billion, making it the most expensive series of wildfires in state history, an official said Wednesday.The staggering number exceeds the total insurance claims from the top 10 previously most costly wildfires in California.Until last year, California's most expensive single fire was the 1991 Oakland Hills fire that prompted $2.7 billion in claims in today's dollars, according to data from the Insurance Information Institute.If treated as one disaster, the combined fires in October and December 2017 "represent one of the most damaging natural catastrophes in California history," Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones said at a news conference in Los Angeles.For comparison, insured losses from the 1994 Northridge earthquake, the costliest quake to strike the United States, were nearly $26 billion in 2017 dollars, according to data from the insurance institute.Nearly $1.8 billion of the 2017 insurance claims stem from fires that swept through Southern California in December, a rare winter fire whipped by fierce winds.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Insurance claims from last year's deadly California wildfires have reached $11.8 billion, making it the most expensive series of wildfires in state history, an official said Wednesday.The staggering number exceeds the total insurance claims from the top 10 previously most costly wildfires in California.Until last year, California's most expensive single fire was the 1991 Oakland Hills fire that prompted $2.7 billion in claims in today's dollars, according to data from the Insurance Information Institute.If treated as one disaster, the combined fires in October and December 2017 "represent one of the most damaging natural catastrophes in California history," Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones said at a news conference in Los Angeles.For comparison, insured losses from the 1994 Northridge earthquake, the costliest quake to strike the United States, were nearly $26 billion in 2017 dollars, according to data from the insurance institute.Nearly $1.8 billion of the 2017 insurance claims stem from fires that swept through Southern California in December, a rare winter fire whipped by fierce winds.
‘New California’ movement hopes to create 51st state from rural counties
SAN DIEGO – A group has launched a campaign to divide California into two states.
SAN DIEGO – A group has launched a campaign to divide California into two states.
California firefighters douse hot spots as winds whip up: "Always nervous when the winds come up"
LOS ANGELES — Firefighters doused hot spots Thursday as winds increased that could whip up embers and cause flare-ups at the gigantic wildfire still smoldering northwest of Los Angeles.Crews were in place to once again to provide structure protection above Montecito and other hillside communities in Santa Barbara County, where the last round of heavy gusts revived the flames and forced new evacuations last weekend."If there's an ember that's been there for a day or two that's still glowing, that can be a real risk if the winds start blowing," said fire information officer Brandon Vaccaro.In neighboring Ventura County firefighters attacked a stubborn section of the blaze from the air because terrain near the agricultural city of Fillmore was too rugged to get ground crews in.Some 18,000 homes and other buildings remained threatened.The Thomas Fire, which began Dec. 4, is responsible for two deaths, has destroyed at least 750 homes, and has burned about 425 square miles (1,100 square kilometers).The blaze was 60 percent contained and now the second-largest in California history.
LOS ANGELES — Firefighters doused hot spots Thursday as winds increased that could whip up embers and cause flare-ups at the gigantic wildfire still smoldering northwest of Los Angeles.Crews were in place to once again to provide structure protection above Montecito and other hillside communities in Santa Barbara County, where the last round of heavy gusts revived the flames and forced new evacuations last weekend."If there's an ember that's been there for a day or two that's still glowing, that can be a real risk if the winds start blowing," said fire information officer Brandon Vaccaro.In neighboring Ventura County firefighters attacked a stubborn section of the blaze from the air because terrain near the agricultural city of Fillmore was too rugged to get ground crews in.Some 18,000 homes and other buildings remained threatened.The Thomas Fire, which began Dec. 4, is responsible for two deaths, has destroyed at least 750 homes, and has burned about 425 square miles (1,100 square kilometers).The blaze was 60 percent contained and now the second-largest in California history.
"We're on guard:" California fire crews, homeowners brace for return of winds
LOS ANGELES — After a welcome lull in powerful winds that drove Southern California's massive wildfire, crews and homeowners were bracing Wednesday for the return of potentially dangerous gusts that could revive the flames.Some residents are watching from afar at hotels and evacuation centers, while others are waiting in their homes and hoping for the best.Katy and Bob Zappala have stayed in their home in Santa Barbara, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles, despite a mandatory evacuation order that's been in place since Saturday."Our cars are packed, we have all our clothes and jewelry, so we're ready to leave at a moment's notice should we have to," Katy Zappala, 74, said Wednesday. "We're ready to leap in and leave, and we're just keeping a good eye on the sky."The Zappalas and their cat, Madeline, haven't left home since the evacuation order was issued because authorities wouldn't allow them back in.
LOS ANGELES — After a welcome lull in powerful winds that drove Southern California's massive wildfire, crews and homeowners were bracing Wednesday for the return of potentially dangerous gusts that could revive the flames.Some residents are watching from afar at hotels and evacuation centers, while others are waiting in their homes and hoping for the best.Katy and Bob Zappala have stayed in their home in Santa Barbara, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles, despite a mandatory evacuation order that's been in place since Saturday."Our cars are packed, we have all our clothes and jewelry, so we're ready to leave at a moment's notice should we have to," Katy Zappala, 74, said Wednesday. "We're ready to leap in and leave, and we're just keeping a good eye on the sky."The Zappalas and their cat, Madeline, haven't left home since the evacuation order was issued because authorities wouldn't allow them back in.
Family dog found alive and well at home destroyed by California wildfire
SANTA ROSA, Calif. -- After a lengthy search through the aftermath of a wildfire, a Northern California family found their parents' missing dog alive and well.Beckyjean Widen's parents were asleep when flames started to surround their home and as they escaped, their family dog, Izzy, ran away from them.They could not chase after Izzy without risking their own lives, and feared Izzy didn’t make it after the fire burned through their neighborhood.But when Widen’s brother, Jack Weaver, and her husband, Patrick Widen, hiked three miles to the property, they saw Izzy joyously run up to them.The two men were recording the scene to show Jack and Beckyjean’s parents and captured the heartwarming reunion.The video was posted on Facebook and has gone viral with more than 1.8 million views.WARNING: The video associated with this story contains strong language which may not be appropriate for all audiences.
SANTA ROSA, Calif. -- After a lengthy search through the aftermath of a wildfire, a Northern California family found their parents' missing dog alive and well.Beckyjean Widen's parents were asleep when flames started to surround their home and as they escaped, their family dog, Izzy, ran away from them.They could not chase after Izzy without risking their own lives, and feared Izzy didn’t make it after the fire burned through their neighborhood.But when Widen’s brother, Jack Weaver, and her husband, Patrick Widen, hiked three miles to the property, they saw Izzy joyously run up to them.The two men were recording the scene to show Jack and Beckyjean’s parents and captured the heartwarming reunion.The video was posted on Facebook and has gone viral with more than 1.8 million views.WARNING: The video associated with this story contains strong language which may not be appropriate for all audiences.
40 now dead from Northern California wildfires
SANTA ROSA, Calif. — The Latest on California's wildfires (all times local):5:45 p.m.The death toll from wildfires burning in Northern California has reached 40.Sonoma County announced Saturday evening that its coroner had confirmed two more deaths, taking the total in the county to 22 and the overall count to 40.The toll had been 35 coming into Saturday, and it is expected to keep growing.The fires were already the deadliest group of simultaneous blazes in California history.No details were released on the newly announced dead, but it is likely the people were killed soon after the fires broke out nearly a week ago and their bodies were just discovered.___5:30 p.m.People driven from their homes by a Northern California wildfire had pointed questions for fire and law enforcement officials at a news conference.Travis Oglesby asked Saturday when people in his Santa Rosa neighborhood could return home, saying they are "on pins and needles" and have been hearing about looting.Buffi Frazier wanted to know why some of her neighbors didn't get calls warning them to leave.
SANTA ROSA, Calif. — The Latest on California's wildfires (all times local):5:45 p.m.The death toll from wildfires burning in Northern California has reached 40.Sonoma County announced Saturday evening that its coroner had confirmed two more deaths, taking the total in the county to 22 and the overall count to 40.The toll had been 35 coming into Saturday, and it is expected to keep growing.The fires were already the deadliest group of simultaneous blazes in California history.No details were released on the newly announced dead, but it is likely the people were killed soon after the fires broke out nearly a week ago and their bodies were just discovered.___5:30 p.m.People driven from their homes by a Northern California wildfire had pointed questions for fire and law enforcement officials at a news conference.Travis Oglesby asked Saturday when people in his Santa Rosa neighborhood could return home, saying they are "on pins and needles" and have been hearing about looting.Buffi Frazier wanted to know why some of her neighbors didn't get calls warning them to leave.
Wildfires, now up to 100 miles wide, threaten more wineries
SONOMA, Calif. — The California wildfires raced toward wineries and the historic town of Sonoma on Saturday, chasing hundreds more people from their homes and threatening to roll back firefighters' modest gains against fires that stretched across a 100-mile swath of Northern California.Propelled by stiff winds, the fires damaged or destroyed several buildings in the middle of the night before crews halted their advance at the edge of Sonoma, where firefighters spent days digging firebreaks to keep flames from reaching the city's historic central plaza built centuries ago when the area was under Spanish rule.For those living in the huge fire zone, it was another night spent watching, waiting and fearing the worst.John Saguto said he awoke several hours before dawn at his home east Sonoma to see flames "lapping up" 300 to 500 yards away.
SONOMA, Calif. — The California wildfires raced toward wineries and the historic town of Sonoma on Saturday, chasing hundreds more people from their homes and threatening to roll back firefighters' modest gains against fires that stretched across a 100-mile swath of Northern California.Propelled by stiff winds, the fires damaged or destroyed several buildings in the middle of the night before crews halted their advance at the edge of Sonoma, where firefighters spent days digging firebreaks to keep flames from reaching the city's historic central plaza built centuries ago when the area was under Spanish rule.For those living in the huge fire zone, it was another night spent watching, waiting and fearing the worst.John Saguto said he awoke several hours before dawn at his home east Sonoma to see flames "lapping up" 300 to 500 yards away.
"Pure devastation:" At least 17 dead as a result of 17 raging California wildfires
SANTA ROSA, California —The flames that raced across California wine country left little more than smoldering ashes and eye-stinging smoke in their wake.
SANTA ROSA, California —The flames that raced across California wine country left little more than smoldering ashes and eye-stinging smoke in their wake.
20 arrested in California pro and anti-President Trump rallies
BERKELEY, Calif. — At least 20 people were arrested after violence broke out Saturday between groups of supporters and detractors of President Donald Trump holding rallies in downtown Berkeley, authorities said.About 200 people were at Berkeley's Martin Luther King Jr.
BERKELEY, Calif. — At least 20 people were arrested after violence broke out Saturday between groups of supporters and detractors of President Donald Trump holding rallies in downtown Berkeley, authorities said.About 200 people were at Berkeley's Martin Luther King Jr.
Motorcyclist who cleared California highway badly hurt after stunt goes horribly wrong
SIMI VALLEY, Calif. – A 24-year-old man was critically injured while performing a dangerous off-road motorcycle stunt over train tracks in California on Sunday, police said.Officers responded to a report of a single-vehicle crash in the 500 block of West Los Angeles Avenue in Simi Valley about 3:06 p.m., according to a Simi Valley Police Department news release.The motorcyclist was attempting to jump an expanse across railroad tracks when something, at some point, went horribly wrong, according to KTLA.
SIMI VALLEY, Calif. – A 24-year-old man was critically injured while performing a dangerous off-road motorcycle stunt over train tracks in California on Sunday, police said.Officers responded to a report of a single-vehicle crash in the 500 block of West Los Angeles Avenue in Simi Valley about 3:06 p.m., according to a Simi Valley Police Department news release.The motorcyclist was attempting to jump an expanse across railroad tracks when something, at some point, went horribly wrong, according to KTLA.
California to give the green light to truly driverless cars
LOS ANGELES — Cars with no steering wheel and nobody at all inside could be driving themselves on California roads by the end of the year.In a powerful boost to the industry from the nation's most populous state, California's Department of Motor Vehicles is proposing rules that would open the way for truly driverless cars.For the past two years, tech companies and automakers have been testing self-driving cars on California's roads.
LOS ANGELES — Cars with no steering wheel and nobody at all inside could be driving themselves on California roads by the end of the year.In a powerful boost to the industry from the nation's most populous state, California's Department of Motor Vehicles is proposing rules that would open the way for truly driverless cars.For the past two years, tech companies and automakers have been testing self-driving cars on California's roads.
Nestle USA moving headquarters from California to Virginia
ARLINGTON, VA — Chocolate maker Nestle is moving its U.S. headquarters from California to Virginia.About 750 jobs are associated with the move.Nestle USA, a subsidiary of Swiss-based Nestle S.A., says it will formally announce the move Wednesday in Rosslyn, Virginia, with Gov.
ARLINGTON, VA — Chocolate maker Nestle is moving its U.S. headquarters from California to Virginia.About 750 jobs are associated with the move.Nestle USA, a subsidiary of Swiss-based Nestle S.A., says it will formally announce the move Wednesday in Rosslyn, Virginia, with Gov.
Grandfather stops attempted kidnapping of 3-year-old at park
AUBURN, Calif. -- A California grandfather helped stop the attempted kidnapping of one of his grandchildren at a park on Saturday.The grandfather and his two grandkids were near a duck pond at Ashford Park when police say Lindsay Frasher came up to them."Ms.
AUBURN, Calif. -- A California grandfather helped stop the attempted kidnapping of one of his grandchildren at a park on Saturday.The grandfather and his two grandkids were near a duck pond at Ashford Park when police say Lindsay Frasher came up to them."Ms.