That is why scientists are tracking not just how much vegetation is on the landscape, but how dry it is.

Researchers with San Jose State University’s Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center collect vegetation samples twice a month as part of a broader effort to measure live fuel moisture across California and the West.

“When fuels are extremely dry: higher risk. When they’re wet: lower risk,” said Dr. Craig Clements, professor of meteorology and director of the center.

Twice each month, researchers clip new growth of shrubs called chamise in two locations in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The samples are placed in cans, taken back to a lab, weighed, dried in an oven and weighed again.

“So we dry it in an oven and so we dry out all the water, we evaporate all the water and we’re just left with the plant material,” Clements said.

The difference between the wet and dry weight tells scientists how much moisture was in the plant at that moment. Tracking that number over time can show when vegetation is becoming more flammable.

“The more moist it is, the harder it is to ignite,” Clements said.

KCRA-TV NBC 3 Sacramento

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The fire started on a balcony and extended into the interior of the building, Sac Metro Fire said. Officials said the size of the structure and the volume of the fire prompted crews to request a second alarm, bringing more personnel and resources.

The building was safely evacuated and crews were able to contain the fire. No one was injured, officials said.

“We know that all of the neighbors joined together, were knocking on doors. People were able to get out,” Mark Nunez said, with Sacramento Metro Fire.

Sac Metro Fire said that all 12 units in the building were impacted by the fire, which caused significant damage. Displaced residents are being assisted with temporary housing by the American Red Cross.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation. “Everything that’s on that patio will be looked over thoroughly to help determine what the actual cause of the fire was,” Nunez said.

KCRA-TV NBC 3 Sacramento

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The Lineage Logistics cold storage facility in the 1400 block of Los Palos Street caught fire on Wednesday afternoon and has been burning for five days.

The 500,000-square-foot building is covered in solar panels on its roof; fire officials say the panels have made the firefight more difficult.

Video released by the Los Angeles Fire Department shows some of the panels sustained significant damage in the fire. Aerial units continuously dropped water on the building and also used a “thick, gel-like … non-toxic, polymer-based water enhancer” as crews fought the flames from the ground.

KTLA-TV CW 5 Los Angeles

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It was first reported at 2:35 p.m. at a Lineage warehouse in the 1400 block of S Los Palos Street and quickly escalated. There have been no reports of any injuries.

The shelter-in-place was still in effect as of 7 p.m. Residents in the area are urged to close their windows and doors, bring pets inside, turn off the A/C and stay indoors until they are given the all-clear.

A heavy plume of smoke from the fire could be seen for miles across Los Angeles and was blowing towards the 710 Freeway. Drivers were also urged to keep their car windows closed.

Officials had warned the public that it was a hazardous materials situation due to an ammonia leak that erupted from the center of the building, according to Sky5’s Gil Leyvas, who was over the scene, so residents in the area were urged to take precautions.

Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Jaime Moore said the fire reached an ammonia line, which caused offgassing. He said the ammonia is not toxic to individuals unless they have respiratory issues or they’re in direct contact with the ammonia.

KTLA-TV CW 5 Los Angeles

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The LifeStar ambulance was taken by an unidentified person at a hospital in Tulare at around 3 p.m. A LifeStar spokesperson said a paramedic driver was in the passenger seat working on a computer when someone jumped into the driver’s seat and drove off. The LifeStar paramedic was able to get out of the ambulance. No one was hurt, LifeStar Ambulance said.

The ambulance went southbound on Highway 99. The driver eventually exited at Rosedale Highway and crashed into a tree. The driver was taken into custody in Bakersfield and turned over to Tulare County authorities. Kern County law enforcement was following the stolen ambulance, the California Highway Patrol in Bakersfield said its officers did not pursue the ambulance because of the reckless driving by the driver.

According to the LifeStar Ambulance website, the ambulance provider serves Tulare, Tipton, Pixley and Earlimart.

KGET-TV NBC/CW+ 17 Bakersfield

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While no injuries or significant damage were reported, hazardous beach conditions remain in effect along the Southern California coast through late Wednesday night.

California State Parks requested assistance from the Ventura County Fire Department shortly before midnight Tuesday after an overnight king tide flooded portions of Thornhill Broome Campground along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu.

According to officials, water levels at the beachfront campground reached knee height in some areas. By the time firefighters arrived, water levels had already begun to subside, though several inches of standing water remained throughout parts of the campground.

Campers were ultimately given the option to remain at the site. Thornhill Broome Campground sits on Malibu’s far western coastline near Point Mugu, where the Santa Monica Mountains meet the Pacific Ocean.

The flooding occurred during king tides that peaked at more than eight feet Tuesday night. Forecasts show another high tide Wednesday night, though water levels are expected to be lower than the previous night’s peak.

California State Parks previously reported significant damage at the campground following severe storm surge and exceptionally high tides in early 2023. The damage forced the campground to close while repairs were completed.

KTTV FOX 11 Los Angeles

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The solo pilot has been rescued from the wreckage and is being evaluated by medical personnel. The incident occurred in the area of 12653 W. Osborne St., located just beyond the end of the embattled airfield’s runway, just after 9 a.m.

According to initial reports from the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD), the first arriving unit discovered the downed single-engine plane with only the pilot on board.

Emergency crews successfully extricated the pilot from the cockpit and they were evaluated at the scene and released.

In addition to the rescue operation, firefighters had to manage a five-gallon fuel leak leaking from the Cessna. The LAFD confirmed that the spill has been fully contained and that there is no active fire at the site.

It’s unclear what caused the Cessna to go down or whether the aircraft was attempting to land or taking off from nearby Whiteman Airport.

The identity of the pilot has not been released. The extent of the pilot’s injuries unknown. Officials have not yet specified if any property on the ground was damaged during the incident.

KTTV FOX 11 Los Angeles

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The fire had spread to 1,183 acres as of Tuesday around 4:10 p.m. and was 10% contained. As smoke continues to drift south towards inland San Diego County, areas expected to be affected by heavy surface smoke include San Marcos, Poway, El Cajon, and Alpine, with the marine layer developing in the evening.

As onshore winds increase throughout Wednesday, foothill communities such as Alpine, Lakeside and Valley Center should expect to see air quality worsen.

Officials with the county say that in areas of heavy smoke near the fire, the air quality is considered unhealthy for all, especially for those who are considered sensitive and more vulnerable to the conditions, including people with heart or lung disease, children and infants, senior adults and pregnant women.

KUSI-TV FOX 5 San Diego

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Staff from the Redding Fire Department and Redding Police Department visited more than 50 encampments across the city in a single day to engage with residents and share fire safety information.

The outreach included areas along Lake Boulevard, Masonic Avenue and the Linden Ditch, as well as other known and lesser-known campsites.

Sarah Roth, a fire prevention specialist for the city, said outreach workers provided educational materials on fire prevention and encouraged residents to cook only in designated public areas, such as Martin Luther King Jr. Park and Lake Redding Park.

Funding for the outreach comes from the city’s Community Block Development Grant, and no fire suppression staff were taken up by the efforts.

Roth said the initiative was driven by data from last summer showing a large portion of fires in Redding were sparked out of homeless encampments or by homeless residents.

KRCR-TV ABC 7 Redding

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Rescuers initially planned for a helicopter extraction, but dense fog returned as a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter arrived, making an air rescue unsafe, according to the fire department.

As conditions worsened and the cliff perch became increasingly unstable, rescue technicians developed a controlled extraction plan. The victim descended the cliff face in a controlled slide and reached the shoreline, sustaining minor injuries, the SFFD said.

Fire department rescue swimmers stationed in the water immediately assisted the victim through heavy surf to a waiting rescue boat, firefighters further noted. Paramedics evaluated and treated the individual before transporting the victim to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

One fire department rescue swimmer also sustained minor, non-life-threatening injuries during the operation and was taken to a hospital. Officials said the firefighter is expected to make a full recovery, the SFFD said.

The fire department said crews faced steep and unstable terrain, dense fog, limited visibility, heavy brush, and challenging surf conditions throughout the rescue. Multiple agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard and law enforcement partners, assisted in the operation.

KTVU-TV FOX 2 Oakland

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The Max Fire was spotted on Alert California cameras around 4 p.m. and was quickly reported in the area of West Magnolia Lane and Autumn Place. It was initially estimated at a quarter acre but has since spread to some 45 acres by 6 p.m., around the time firefighters stopped forward progress of the blaze.

Fire officials confirmed to KTLA that crews were on the scene by 4:30 p.m., with KTLA Sky5 reporter Gil Leyvas reporting an air and ground attack on the flames.

According to the wildfire tracking website Watch Duty, crews set up structure protection off Gloriso Lane and Favoloso Court, east of the fire, when shelter-in-place orders were requested for residents in the area. Later mandatory evacuation orders were issued for some homes closest to the flames.

Other were advised that evacuation warnings were in place and that they should be ready to leave at a moments notice.

KTLA-TV CW 5 Los Angeles

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The Palisidian-Post reported that Los Angeles Fire Department arson investigators were dispatched to the Highlands Circle complex, located at 1515 Palisades Drive, on Thursday afternoon.

The outlet spoke with the building’s superintendent, Oscar Chang, and he explained that it was undergoing an “extensive remediation and awaiting a permit to reroof.” Despite this, the complex, which used to house the Casa Nostra restaurant and did not sustain much damage during the Palisades Fire, still has tenants, including Pratt.

Chang explained that Pratt maintains an office at the building that is “very lowkey” and does not have his name on it. Per the Los Angeles Times, the space houses the office for his crystal company, Pratt Daddy.

Elaborating further on the occupants, Chang said the two-building complex was not occupied on the side closest to Palisades Drive; however, the building on the canyon side did have tenants.

KTLA-TV CW 5 Los Angeles

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