California braces for power shutoffs and warm, windy weekend

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Firefighters and officials at California's largest utility company braced for hot, dry and windy weather in northern and central areas of the state this weekend that may fan the flames of several major wildfires or ignite new ones. Pacific Gas & Electric warned Friday it may cut...

California accepts petition to protect western Joshua tree

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The western Joshua tree will be considered for protection under the California Endangered Species Act because of threats from climate change and habitat destruction, the state Fish and Game Commission decided Tuesday. The panel voted 4-0 to accept a petition that provides the...

Few resources, old-growth forest allowed for fire's growth

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A lack of firefighting resources in the hours after it was sparked allowed a fast-moving wildfire to make an unprecedented run through Southern California mountains and eventually find fuel in old-growth trees to become one of Los Angeles County's largest fires ever, an official said...

Firefighter who died in blaze was on elite Hotshot crew

A California firefighter killed while battling a blaze in the mountains east of Los Angeles was identified Tuesday as a member of an elite Hotshot crew dedicated to fighting wildfires. Charles Morton, 39, a San Diego native, was a 14-year veteran of the U.S. Forest Service and a squad boss for the Big Bear...

Enormous California wildfire threatens desert homes near LA

LOS ANGELES (AP) — An enormous wildfire that churned through mountains northeast of Los Angeles and into the Mojave Desert was still threatening homes on Monday and was one of more than two dozen major fires burning across California. Five of the largest wildfires in state history are currently burning...

Desert communities told to evacuate as winds stoke flames

JUNIPER HILLS, Calif. (AP) — Strong winds stoked a wildfire burning for nearly two weeks in mountains northeast of Los Angeles, prompting authorities to issue new evacuation orders for desert communities that lost some homes a day earlier. Meanwhile, officials were investigating the death of a firefighter...

Homes burned as winds push California fire into desert floor

JUNIPER HILLS, Calif. (AP) — Strong afternoon winds intensified a wildfire burning for nearly two weeks in mountains northeast of Los Angeles, prompting authorities to issue new evacuation orders Saturday for desert communities that lost some homes a day earlier. Meanwhile, officials were investigating...

Homes burned as winds push California fire into desert floor

JUNIPER HILLS, Calif. (AP) — Strong winds pushed a wildfire burning for nearly two weeks in mountains northeast of Los Angeles onto the desert floor and spread it rapidly in several directions, causing it to explode in size and destroy homes, officials said Saturday. Meanwhile, officials were...

U.S. Forest Service: A firefighter died battling a wildfire in the San Bernardino National Forest in California

Shooting investigation halts traffic on California freeway

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (AP) — A shooting investigation halted traffic Thursday evening on a California freeway. A man was wounded in a car-to-car shooting on the 210 Freeway in San Bernardino, KABC-TV reported, citing California Highway Patrol officials. Video from the scene showed officers with...