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‘It was everything we worked for, and now it’s gone’: Family heartbroken after fire destroys home, kills 3 dogs 

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‘It was everything we worked for, and now it’s gone’: Family heartbroken after fire destroys home, kills 3 dogs 

A vegetation fire in San Bernardino burned multiple hillside homes to the ground on Monday, devastating multiple families including one who lost their three beloved dogs. 

The fast-moving blaze, dubbed the Edgehill Fire, broke out at 2:40 p.m. near the 3000 block of Beverly Drive and forced evacuations for all residents living on the south side of Ridge Line Drive, San Bernardino County Fire Department spokesperson Eric Sherwin said Monday. 

Residents living on the north side of Edgehill Road west to Beverly Drive and east to Circle Road were also ordered to evacuate, according to Cal Fire. 

  • Edgehill Fire
  • Edgehill Fire
  • Edgehill Fire
  • Edgehill Fire
  • Edge Hill Fire

The community most affected by the blaze, Little Mountain, is “not unaccustomed” to fire, Sherwin said, adding that by the time fire crews arrived on scene, many people were already evacuating. 

Sky5 video showed several homes burned down to their foundations, including the residence of the Hernandez family, whose three dogs – Arnie, Vinnie and Mookie – were home alone when the blaze broke out. 

“My husband and I bought this house almost three-and-a-half years ago,” Erika Hernandez said.  “We were first-time homebuyers, and we were so happy about this house.” 

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“It was everything we worked for, and now it’s gone,” she added. 

The Hernandez family’s three dogs that perished when a wildfire tore through their San Bernardino home on Aug. 5, 2024.

As of early Tuesday morning, the 100-acre fire was 75% contained, fire officials said. More than 200 firefighters were assigned to the blaze on Monday afternoon, and crews remained in the area overnight to extinguish the flames. 

KTLA 5’s Carlos Herrera spoke with Sherwin on Tuesday morning, who emphasized the importance of the overnight firefight.

“That was our goal last night knowing that we were going to have some recovery in the overnight hours with lower temperatures,” Sherwin said. “And the fact that we got our containment from 25 up to 75% speaks not only to the work of the firefighters but taking advantage of those low temperatures.”

Evacuation orders remained in effect for all residents Tuesday except those living on Ridge Line Drive, but in an update issued shortly before 9 p.m. Monday, the San Bernardino Police Department said that the fire was “very much under control.” 

An evacuation center for impacted residents was set up at Cajon High School. A person was detained and then released in connection to the fire, police added. 

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The cause of the blaze is under investigation.

The interview with San Bernardino County Fire Department spokesperson Eric Sherwin can be viewed below.

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Los Angeles, Ca

Excessive heat warning extended for parts of Los Angeles County

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Excessive heat warning extended for parts of Los Angeles County

Excessive heat warnings for areas across Los Angeles County have been extended, Public Health announced Monday.

The excessive heat warnings have been extended for the following areas:

  • Palos Verdes Hills
  • San Gabriel Valley
  • Santa Susana Mountains
  • Calabasas/Agoura Hills
  • Santa Monica Mountains
  • Los Angeles Inland Coast
  • San Fernando Valley

Southern California’s latest heat wave brought record temperatures for parts of Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.

Hot conditions also brought along power outages and school schedule shifts. While the rest of the country enjoyed cooler weather, Southern California experienced its hottest days of the year.

Still, slight relief is coming as a cooldown is expected to arrive midweek, according to forecasters.

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By Tuesday, temperatures in Orange County, San Fernando Valley and other areas are expected to drop from the triple-digit range to the mid to high 90s.

Whether you live in a desert community or closer to the beach, local officials urge residents to take precautions to stay safe during the hot weather.

Here’s what you need to know:

  • Stay hydrated, wear loose-fitted, light-colored clothes and hats.
  • Avoid exercising outdoors when it is too hot.
  • Stay cool by staying in the shade outside, setting air conditioners between 75 and 80 degrees, and closing windows, shades, and blinds when inside.
  • If those options aren’t feasible, people can visit nearby cooling centers. A list of ones across California can be found here.
  • Drink at least 2 cups of water every hour, even if you’re not feeling thirsty.
  • Check in on friends and family, especially elderly relatives or neighbors. Call 911 in case of a high fever or other emergencies.
  • Eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, especially those with high water content.
  • Wear sunscreen and avoid too much sun time.
  • Bring pets inside and make sure they have fresh water.
  • Avoid alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks.
  • Take cold showers.
  • Check-in on vulnerable populations, like the elderly, people with severe or long-term illnesses and people who live on their own.
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Los Angeles, Ca

Air quality dangerous for many in Southern California

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Air quality dangerous for many in Southern California

The heat wave may be near its end, but the resultant air quality issues continue to pose a danger to Southern Californians.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District’s map of the area shows hazardous air quality near Highland in the Inland Empire.

Dangerous air quality affected much of Southern California on Sept. 9, 2024, as shown in a map from the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

Additionally, very unhealthy air quality has been detected near Chino Valley and Corona, as well as near San Bernardino, Redlands and Rialto.

Air quality that is unhealthy for sensitive groups — and, in large swaths, unhealthy for everyone — blankets much of the Inland Empire and pops up near San Clemente.

Hot temperatures are regularly accompanied by higher pollutant levels in the air. During the summer, the primary pollutant is usually ozone, according to the Los Angeles Times.

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The South Coast AQMD’s ozone advisory will expire at 8 p.m. Monday as cooler temperatures are expected for the rest of the week.

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Los Angeles, Ca

Rescuers save man trapped in 36-inch drainpipe in Southern California

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Rescuers save man trapped in 36-inch drainpipe in Southern California

A harrowing rescue unfolded amid sweltering temperatures as first responders in Ventura County worked to free a man from 36-inch drainpipe Sunday. 

Details are limited and it’s unclear how the man wound up trapped in the drainage pipe, but in a post to X, formerly Twitter, officials with the Ventura County Fire Department said crews worked in collaboration with the Oxnard fire and police departments during the rescue.  

“Utilizing the latest in robot technology, the Oxnard Police Department pinpointed the victim’s location, allowing our Urban Seach and Rescue Teams to safely extricate the individual,” VCFD said.  

Video footage of the rescue operation shows about a dozen first responders inside a hole dug around the corrugated drainpipe, with the pieces of pipe cutaway lying on a nearby pile of dirt.  

  • Ventura County drain pipe rescue
  • Ventura County drain pipe rescue
  • Ventura County drain pipe rescue
  • Ventura County drain pipe rescue
  • Ventura County drain pipe rescue
  • Ventura County drain pipe rescue

The male victim can be seen sitting up in the pipe moments before he struggles to standup and climb out with the help of firefighters.  

It is unclear how long the man had been trapped in the drainpipe and how the emergency came to the attention of rescuers.  

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First responders were able to get the victim onto a rescue litter and pull him to a waiting stretcher.  

The man was lifted into a waiting ambulance and rushed to a nearby hospital in stable condition for further evaluation, authorities said.  

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