Tuesday, April 23

California heat waves break records, set dangerous precedent

California has experienced a series of heat waves this summer, with record-breaking temperatures causing dangerous levels of heat exposure. Heat waves kill more Americans than all other weather-related disasters, with more than 600 people dying every year in the United States because of extreme heat, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Read more...

Photo: June 2021 was the warmest June on average in California’s recorded history, according to data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The increasingly frequent and extreme heat waves have severe consequences for both human and environmental health. (David Rimer/Assistant Photo editor)


UCLA, UCSF medical faculty say wildfires may exacerbate health effects of COVID-19

California’s wildfire smoke and COVID-19 could create an unforeseen mixture of adverse health effects for the state’s residents, UCLA medical faculty said. Although little is known about long-term exposure to air pollutants like wildfire smoke and its particulates, there are preliminary studies that show the number and severity of COVID-19 cases are higher in areas with high air pollution, said Stephanie Christenson, a doctor and an assistant professor of pulmonology at UC San Francisco. Read more...

Photo: Increasing air pollution because of the recent wildfires poses a threat to lung health and may increase the chances of contracting COVID-19. (Photo by Kanishka Mehra/Photo editor. Photo illustration by Emily Dembinski/Illustrations director)


Air quality remains unhealthy in Los Angeles because of nearby fires

Air quality in Los Angeles is projected to remain unhealthy throughout the week because of several nearby wildfires, including the Bobcat fire. Los Angeles has an Air Quality Index rating of 130 as of Thursday, which is considered “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” according to IQAir. Read more...

Photo: Air quality in Los Angeles will remain unhealthy throughout the week as nearby fires continue to spread. (Kanishka Mehra/Photo editor)


Air quality in Westwood deemed unhealthy as a result of nearby fires

Air quality in Westwood is unhealthy because of wildfires east of Los Angeles. The Bobcat fire, which began Sunday in the Angeles National Forest, has impacted air quality throughout Southern California. Read more...

Photo: Los Angeles residents are encouraged to stay indoors because of unhealthy air quality. The Bobcat fire is 6% contained and has burned nearly 30,000 acres as of Saturday morning. (Kanishka Mehra/Photo editor)



Los Angeles controller releases report about LADWP wildfire prevention plan

The Los Angeles controller recommended new measures to monitor and prevent wildfires with causes related to power utilities. Ron Galperin, the LA controller or chief accounting officer, released his report assessing the fire safety efforts of the LA Department of Water and Power, the largest publicly owned utility company in the country, on Wednesday. Read more...

Photo: The Getty fire was sparked when high Santa Ana winds blew a tree branch onto power lines along the 405 Freeway. Incidents of utility-related wildfires was the focus of a new report released by Los Angeles Controller Ron Galperin on Wednesday. (Kanishka Mehra/Assistant Photo editor)


Students concerned about UCLA’s lack of wildfire emergency plan for campus, dorms

If a wildfire threatened UCLA, administrators plan to defend the campus rather than evacuate all students. Michael Beck, administrative vice chancellor, said UCLA has an agreement with the Los Angeles Fire Department to provide sufficient resources to ensure campus safety, particularly for student housing facilities. Read more...

Photo: The Getty fire did not threaten campus because the wind pushed it west of the 405 Freeway. If such a blaze threatened campus, logistical problems would prevent UCLA from evacuating all students. Instead, the Los Angeles Fire Department would work to defend the campus and students would be free to self-evacuate. (Kanishka Mehra/Assistant Photo editor)