The Highlander WILDFIRES DAMAGE NORTHERN LOS ANGELES By: Bertin Shyaka It’s all over the news: California has had another wildfire, named the most destructive windstorm in over a decade, according to CNN Weather. Wildfires began breaking out in Southern California Tuesday morning as a life-threatening, widespread windstorm that could be one of the most destructive to hit the region in over a decade roared to life and created dangerous fire weather conditions. Fast-growing fire threatened evacuations: With the Palisades Fire growing near Los Angeles’ Pacific Palisades neighborhood, structures were under threat, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. Mandatory evacuations were in place for large areas of the seaside neighborhood and portions of the iconic Pacific Coast Highway. Los Angeles and Ventura counties were under a rare, “particularly dangerous situation” red flag warning: the most dire warning issued by the National Weather Service, for a high risk dangerous fire weather conditions. This warning was from Tuesday afternoon until Wednesday afternoon. Hundreds of thousands of residents could lose power: The Wildfire grew to 200 acres near Los Angeles’, and power shut offs are possible as Southern California’s energy providers try to prevent damaged infrastructure from starting blazes. Winds will also be strong enough to bring down power lines, which could spark fires. More than 400,000 of Southern California Edison’s 5 million customers may have their power shut off in the coming days, according to the utility’s website. Many areas of Los Angeles and eastern Ventura counties, including portions of the Los Angeles basin and San Gabriel Valley, are at risk of damaging hurricane-force wind gusts of 50-80 mph Tuesday afternoon into early Wednesday of gusts between 80 and 100 mph, likely in higher elevation areas. The wildfires destroyed many landmarks, including Palisades Charter High School, Will Rogers’ ranch house, Topanga Ranch Motel, The Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, and many more. According to AP news, investigators are considering an array of possible ignition sources for the enormous fires that have killed at least 10 people and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses in the Los Angeles area. According to Newsweek and Fox A’s Elex Michaelson, police have detained a suspect
allegedly responsible for starting one of the fires raging in Los Angeles. The suspect is a homeless man in his 30s. The suspect was initially detained “by citizens” in the Woodland Hills neighborhood. Renata Grinshpun, who witnessed the suspect being detained, told KTLA: “We were sitting in the backyard, and suddenly, we hear a car come to a screeching halt, and the guy is running out saying, ‘Stop! Drop what you’re holding! Neighbors, he’s trying to start a fire! Call 911!” The man had what appeared to be a large “propane tank or a flamethrower,” and a neighbor saw him trying to light an object on fire behind a vehicle, she said. USA TODAY said they have arrested over 20 people for crimes amid California fires, including a burglar dressed like a fireman. Picture credit to Google images
Editor In-Chief Magdalen Carlson Reporters Addison Atlee Shiloh Bushey Bertin Shyaka Stephanie Silva Leslie Smith Samantha Anderson
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In each edition of The Highlander we will have a hidden Highland Cow for you to find. Be the 1st person to come to Mrs. Rufo and you will receive a Small Sonic Slushes page 8