A blaze near the remote Northern California mountain community of Sierra Brooks was uncontained. Authorities expanded evacuation orders for a total of more than 530 residents Tuesday evening after strong winds pushed flames through dry brush and timber about 50 miles (80 kilometers) north of Lake Tahoe. The Bear Fire grew to more than 4.7 square miles (12 square kilometers) and sent up a plume of smoke visible some 25 miles (40 kilometers) away in Reno, Nevada.

“Due to steep and rocky terrain, crews have experienced difficulty in gaining access to some areas of the fire, slowing progress,” the U.S. Forest Service said in a statement. Flames damaged power lines, knocking out electricity to more than 750 residents, the service said.

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Central California wildfire scorches 17 square miles

In central California, firefighters working in triple-digit temperatures were battling a blaze that scorched more than 17 square miles (44 square kilometers) of dry brush in mostly open space. A handful of homes were evacuated outside of Coalinga in Fresno County. The Boone Fire was 5% contained Wednesday.

Across the state, red flag warnings for increased wildfire risk were issued. The desert communities of Palm Springs, Twentynine Palms, Needles and Barstow were heating up, with highs of up to 118 F (47.7 Celsius) in Death Valley’s Furnace Creek expected at week’s end.

In Southern California’s Santa Barbara County, officials issued a health alert due to spiking temperatures in inland areas. The health department urged residents to stay indoors during the day and take other measures to avoid heat-related illnesses. Cooling centers were set up across Los Angeles County.

The wildfire news was better in South Dakota: The battle to contain the First Thunder Fire got a boost Wednesday from cooler weather and lighter winds. Officials were optimistic homes in Rapid City would remain safe.

The First Thunder Fire was reported Monday just a few miles (kilometers) from Rapid City, a community of 80,000 residents near Black Hills National Forest. Mount Rushmore National Memorial, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) away, is far out of harm’s way.

The fire burning nearly 160 acres (65 hectares) was fueled by uncommonly hot and dry weather — Tuesday’s high in Rapid City was 96 degrees Fahrenheit (35.6 Celsius), well above the normal early-September high of 75 (23.9 Celsius). Winds gusted to 45 mph (72 kph).

As late as Tuesday evening, residents in an evacuation warning area of Rapid City were being told to pack their bags, gather vital belongings and be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.

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Wildfire contained in South Dakota, officials urge residents to remain prepared

By Wednesday morning, the temperature was far cooler, the winds calmer and the air more humid.

“Firefighters got a good handle on the wildfire last night,” an update from the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office said. “It’s currently at 157 acres. Weather conditions are very favorable today. They are mopping up a large portion on the west side and are hoping to get everything contained and under control today.”

Officials don’t yet know what caused the fire that burned across a steep, rocky area. No structural damage was immediately reported.

Pennington County, South Dakota, Fire Administrator Jerome Harvey said those residing in the Rapid City area are in a “red zone” where wildfires can occur at virtually any time.

“You need to be prepared for that,” Harvey said at a news conference Tuesday. “These kinds of events can happen on a year-round basis. There is no longer a defined fire season.”

Rapid City Mayor Jason Salamun on Tuesday urged residents to gather up key documents such as birth certificates, Social Security cards and vital financial information, along with cherished photographs and prescriptions.

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Residents in areas near the fire also were urged to have a plan for what to do with pets should evacuations become necessary. A Rapid City animal hospital was prepared to take in small animals. For larger animals, a fairground was set up for displaced livestock.

CLEVELAND — News 5 is Following Through by highlighting the importance of boosting children’s literacy rates across Northeast Ohio. You can join us in helping the cause by donating to our “If You Give a Child a Book” campaign.

You can scan the QR code on your screen during our newscasts or text WEWS to 50155 to help get books for children needing them.

Data shows that 66% of Cleveland residents are functionally illiterate, and in some neighborhoods, the illiteracy rate is a staggering 95%.

A Cleveland-area mom and her son have worked tirelessly since 2017 to get books in homes and the hands of area kids and families.

Their nonprofit, Literacy in the H.O.O.D., has garnered national attention and critical acclaim. But it’s now entering a new chapter and closing out another.

Chrishawndra Matthews says she’s ready for a new journey, a new story of her own.

She and her son, Derrick Smith Jr., are moving from Cleveland to Nevada next year. She has 11 months left here at home.

She says that although you won’t physically see them after that, the nonprofit will operate in a different capacity.

She says, after all, every city in America has a hood, and she’s here to “help out our disenfranchised.”

“Literacy in the H.O.O.D. is coming to a city, a state, a hood, and country near you,” Matthews told us.

Nearly 700,000 free books were handed out, and countless community events later, Matthews and her son are entering a new chapter in their lives.

“We really do just try to go out and give away as many books as we can,” Smith Jr. said. He’s the founder of Boys Do Read.

“We’ve outgrown Cleveland. So we’re gonna go and we’re gonna expand,” Matthews said.

Proudly known to many as “the book lady in the bright blue van,” Matthews says she has a much larger purpose.

She says her mobile mission isn’t stopping, and she’s not closing the book, so to speak.

It’s just going to look and feel different in the next year as she prepares for a cross-country move.

“Books will still be available in Cleveland, but we’re going to some bigger demographics, we’re going to another country, going to another hood, and we’re going to another state,” Matthews said.

She’s partnered with an organization in Japan, taking their mission internationally.

They will distribute books to overseas children who are often bullied for their reading ability.

Her son experienced it first-hand, which prompted him to start his own organization.

News 5 followed every step of his journey.

“I’m just trying to help create a safe environment for younger boys like me to share their feelings and emotions,” Smith said.

“That’s why he started Boys Do Read because he was bullied for being the only kid in kindergarten who could read. But that’s his fire under his feet,” Matthews said.

Derrick, now 13 and in eighth grade, has since created “Brothers Bonding Over Books, a monthly support meet-up.

Matthews Literacy in the H.O.O.D. is reaching new audiences and ages as well, including senior citizens who don’t have access and are on a fixed income.

“We’re going in there, we’re going to low income housing, we’re going to the rec centers, we’re going to the playgrounds,” Matthews said.

While Matthews says Cleveland will always be home, she’s eager for the next step in her giving journey.

“Children need to read! Studies show 20 minutes a day changes your life,” Matthews said.

After all—she says she’s a girl who loves a good book and loves her son more than life itself.

“I love you, baby, and I’m proud of you,” she said.

She says the work will never stop when it comes to improving literacy rates.

“Books are still gonna be available—ya know. Generally I pull up in my cute little van that Kelly Clarkson bought me, but I’m taking that to Las Vegas,” Matthews said.

Matthews stresses Literacy in the H.O.O.D. is not going away.

It’s just going to operate differently locally.

It will be more of a free pick-up and drop-off situation with free books instead of her cruising around town in her van.

She says she has multiple events planned over the next year. She plans to start a new chapter of the nonprofit in Las Vegas.

To donate to Literacy in the H.O.O.D. or contact Matthews, CLICK HERE.

Las Vegas, Nevada — In the richly diverse state of Nevada, opportunities abound, and business thrives, creating a vibrant landscape of growth and innovation. Among the initiatives fueling this progress is NV Grow, a distinctive small business program tailored for Southern Nevada’s flourishing enterprises. Working closely with the Asian Community Development Council, NV Grow collaborates with a variety of programs to support and elevate local businesses.

One such success story is that of Kim Dung Ho, a passionate photographer who began her journey in 2016. Running a one-woman show, Kim faced numerous challenges, but her determination to capture life’s moments kept her going. When the pandemic struck, her business, deemed non-essential, was hit hard. Kim had to navigate through difficult times, searching for resources to keep her business afloat.

“I didn’t have any income coming in, and I still had bills to pay,” Kim shared. “I looked for resources around Vegas and found NV Grow through the Asian Chamber of Commerce. They created a path for my business and gave me lots of opportunities.”

Kim credits NV Grow for connecting her with crucial data, marketing strategies, and business intelligence tools that helped her business survive and thrive.

“The counseling team at NV Grow is very helpful,” she added. “As a member and a counselor, I can reach out to them directly whenever I need guidance.”

Another entrepreneur benefiting from NV Grow is Ben Kang, a web developer and software engineer. Ben received a grant from NV Grow that allowed him to kickstart his business, hiring developers, designers, and engineers to launch a software that enables restaurants to have digital menus.

“It was a pivotal moment for me and many other business owners in Las Vegas,” Ben said. “To this day, a lot of restaurants and other businesses still use the software I created.”

Ben encourages fellow entrepreneurs to utilize programs like NV Grow, emphasizing their accessibility and value in helping businesses not just maintain but grow.

“Programs like NV Grow should be utilized by all the different business owners here. Running a business can be difficult, so it’s important to be aware of these programs to help grow your business,” Ben advised.

The success stories of Ben and Kim resonate deeply within the Fil-Am business community, inspiring others like Marilou and John Soriano to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. Marilou, the owner of a water store, hopes to enhance her business with the support of NV Grow.

“I hope NV Grow can help me with marketing so I can reach more people, not just within the Filipino community but other Asian communities as well,” Marilou expressed. “I also need more inventory to make this place more comfortable and accommodating for customers.”

John Soriano, who founded a thriving office and residential cleaning enterprise three and a half years ago, believes that partnering with NV Grow could significantly impact his company’s success and expansion.

“We want to continue hiring and providing opportunities for people in the community,” John shared. “We aim to create a positive culture and system, and if we can add more people, we can bring more jobs to them. We want to make an impact in the community.”

NV Grow offers Fil-Am entrepreneurs the opportunity to join dynamic peer learning groups, engage in roundtables with diverse companies, participate in stimulating discussions, and receive expert mentoring. The program connects them to essential data, marketing strategies, and business intelligence tools, empowering business expansion and job creation.

If you are in Nevada and looking to grow your business, contact NV Grow for free assistance and resources. Visit their website at www.nvgrow.org.

Bev Llorente, ABS-CBN News, Las Vegas