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Newsom declares state of emergency over wildfires burning across 4 counties in Southern California

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Newsom declares state of emergency over wildfires burning across 4 counties in Southern California

Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency Wednesday night as three major wildfires continue burning across multiple counties in Southern California.

The fires are actively burning with little to zero containment as thousands of firefighters from across the state have responded to help battle the destructive blazes:

  • Line Fire in San Bernardino County
  • Bridge Fire in the San Gabriel Mountains of Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties
  • Airport Fire, which began in Orange County and spread into Riverside County

State officials have secured federal assistance to support efforts to contain the fast-moving fires which include:

  • Massive air and ground response
  • Nearly 6,000 fire personnel on the ground across 162 crews
  • 520 fire engines
  • 141 water tankers
  • 75 dozers
  • 51 helicopters
  • 9 fixed-wing aircraft, including 7 CAL FIRE aircraft and 2 National Guard C-130 aircraft
  • Additional equipment and support from CAL FIRE, the California National Guard and the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services

“California is deploying every available resource to combat these devastating fires, and we’ll continue to work in lockstep with federal and local partners in this herculean effort,” Newsom said. “We are deeply grateful to all the heroic firefighters and first responders on the ground working 24/7 to keep Californians safe.”

  • Fire Photo Gallery Sept 10, 2024
  • Governor Gavin Newsom visited Highland and walked through neighborhoods on the edge of the Line Fire on September 11, 2024. (California Governor's Office)
  • Governor Gavin Newsom in Highland being briefed on the Line Fire on September 11, 2024. (California Governor's Office)
  • Firefighters monitor the advancing Line Fire
  • A firefighter battles the Airport Fire, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, in El Cariso, an unincorporated community in Riverside County, Calif. (AP Photo/Etienne Laurent)
  • The Bridge Fire burns near homes in Wrightwood, Calif., Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
  • Dozens of homes have been destroyed as the Bridge Fire continues burning in the San Gabriel Mountains of Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. (KTLA)
  • Line Fire
  • Smoke rises as the Bridge fire continues to burn on September 9, 2024 near Glendora, California. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
  • Firetrucks are seen around a building as scorched trees smolder during the Bridge Fire in Wrightwood, Calif., Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
  • Plane makes a drop on the Airport Fire
  • Dozens of homes have been destroyed as the Bridge Fire continues burning in the San Gabriel Mountains of Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. (KNN)
  • Two firefighters watch as the Bridge Fire burns near homes in Wrightwood, Calif., Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
  • GLENDORA, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 9: A firefighting helicopter makes a water drop at the Bridge Fire on September 9, 2024 near Glendora, California. Heatwave conditions and steep slopes are fueling the expansion of the fire. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
  • A Sky5 aerial view of aircraft working to contain the Bridge Fire.
  • A Sky5 aerial view of the Bridge Fire.
  • Line Fire
  • Firefighters watch as the Bridge Fire burns near homes in Wrightwood, Calif., Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

The fires ignited during a week when most Southern California cities saw triple-digit temperatures amid a record-breaking heatwave.

“Right now, in our season, we don’t get a lot of recovery from higher humidity,” said Cal Fire Battalion Chief Andrew Bennett. “In Southern California, the fuel is dry toward the end of the year, so our fire season is really just starting now.”

Authorities have urged residents living near the fire zones to heed all evacuation orders and warnings.

The latest evacuation orders, road closures and updates can be found here.

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Los Angeles, Ca

Deputies reveal what led to violent L.A. County bus crash that injured 13 people

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Deputies reveal what led to violent L.A. County bus crash that injured 13 people

Authorities revealed new details Wednesday afternoon about the violent Santa Clarita crash involving a city transit bus, an overturned semi truck and two other vehicles that left 13 people injured.

According to the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, the driver of a semi truck hauling a full load of gravel may have been traveling as fast as 70 mph when the vehicle approached a yellow light at the intersection of Golden Valley Road and Centre Pointe Parkway around 9:30 a.m.

Investigators said the driver then attempted to make a right turn to avoid running the red light before crashing into the bus and two passenger vehicles.

“[The driver] tried to make a right-hand turn to avoid running the red light and then crashed into the bus and the other two passenger vehicles,” Capt. Brandon Barclay of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station told KTLA.

Officials noted that the speed limit on Golden Valley Road is 50 mph.

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Sky5 aerial footage showed the heavily damaged Santa Clarita Transit bus pushed onto a curb while the semi truck overturned nearby, and another vehicle appeared pinned beneath the front right side of the bus.

“When you look at it, it looks like a scene from Universal CityWalk,” Barclay said.

Authorities said 13 people were injured in the crash.

One passenger seated in the back of the bus had to be freed using the Jaws of Life and remained hospitalized in critical condition Wednesday afternoon, KTLA’s Angeli Kakade reported.

Seven additional people were transported to hospitals while five others declined medical treatment at the scene.

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“You have a bus that was hit by a semi truck, so it’s very impactful for this community,” Barclay added.

  • Santa Clarita city bus crash
  • Santa Clarita city bus crash
  • Santa Clarita city bus crash
  • Santa Clarita city bus crash
  • Santa Clarita city bus crash
  • Santa Clarita city bus crash

Former Santa Clarita transit bus driver Darryl Richardson said he was stunned when he saw the aftermath of the crash.

“I know how a person feels to see a big old truck coming right at you,” Richardson told KTLA. “Thank God if it had broadsided the driver, we’d be talking about a different conversation right now.”

The City of Santa Clarita said road closures around the crash scene were expected to continue for several hours as deputies investigated what led up to the collision.

All directions of Centre Pointe Parkway between Golden Valley Road and Ruether Avenue remained closed Wednesday afternoon. Eastbound Golden Valley Road was also shut down from Robert C. Lee Parkway to Centre Pointe Parkway.

Drivers were urged to avoid the area and use alternate routes.

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The crash remains under investigation.

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Los Angeles, Ca

Burglary reported in San Fernando Valley hours after officials announce arrests 

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Burglary reported in San Fernando Valley hours after officials announce arrests 

Just hours after officials announced arrests connected to a string of residential burglaries, another one was reported in the San Fernando Valley.  

According to a Los Angeles Police Department spokesperson, the incident took place just before 1:45 a.m. Wednesday in the 5000 block of Bluebell Avenue, which is located in the Valley Village neighborhood.  

The person who lives in the home was too shaken to appear on camera but told KTLA that three masked suspects broke in while she was inside and took off within minutes.

The LAPD spokesperson was unable to confirm that detail, or any other details, right away. It was unclear whether anything was taken from the home.

Police investigate a reported burglary in the 5000 block of Bluebell Avenue in the Valley Village neighborhood on May 12, 2026. (KTLA)

The alleged break-in came less than a day after L.A. Mayor Karen Bass and other officials announced arrests in a string of burglaries mainly plaguing the San Fernando Valley. At a press conference Tuesday, Mayor Karen Bass said there has been a 30% reduction year-to-date in property crimes and burglaries.

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The LAPD says part of their strategy is to saturate areas, like the Valley, that have been targeted disproportionately, using visible officers and others “behind the scenes.”

“Burglaries in the city are down over 30%, reflecting the effectiveness of our proactive enforcement and prevention strategies,” LAPD Deputy Chief Gerald Woodyard said. “We are aware that the burglary crews are highly organized and sophisticated, and we are constantly adjusting our strategies to counteract their tactics.”

That said, the LAPD is down anywhere from 800 to 1,400 police officers. The mayor said she’s fighting to hire more and is using mental health professionals on calls which don’t require a police officer.

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Los Angeles, Ca

Detectives investigating if La Cañada burglary is connected to string of recent break-ins

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Detectives investigating if La Cañada burglary is connected to string of recent break-ins

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is investigating a burglary, which happened on the 1200 block of El Vago Drive in La Cañada Flintridge on May 2.

The burglary happened around 7:20 p.m. Detectives are actively investigating if the burglary is connected to a string of other recent burglaries in L.A. County.

A woman who lives in the area contacted KTLA about the burglary after she noticed that security camera footage of the suspects matched the suspects seen in a different burglary in Studio City. During the Studio City burglary, the suspects attacked a Good Samaritan with bear spray.

A victim was attacked by a burglar using bear spray after he confronted the two suspects burglarizing a Studio City home on May 8, 2028. (Steve Calabro)

LASD Capt. Ryan Vienna called the rash of burglaries in the region “unacceptable.” LASD has deployed additional deputies to the La Cañada Flintridge area in response to the burglary.

“I ask all members of the community to promptly report suspicious activity or crimes in progress, as well as cooperate with our investigators so we may apprehend those who would or have caused harm,” Vienna said.

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No other details have been revealed in the case as it remains under investigation. Anyone with information about the burglary is asked to contact LASD at (818) 236-4015.

Burglaries are an ongoing problem across Southern California in recent months. On May 5, four men were arrested for stealing more than $100,000 in valuables form a Thousand Oaks home, according to the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.

LASD provided following burglary prevention tips:

  • Lock all doors and windows, even when home
  • Keep exterior lights on during nighttime hours
  • Utilize alarm systems and surveillance cameras if available
  • Avoid leaving valuables visible from outside the home
  • Collect mail and packages promptly
  • Report suspicious persons or vehicles in your neighborhood immediately
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