Which Way, L.A.?
Wildfires and Public Health
Nobody had to see the flames this weekend to know there were devastating fires in LA, Orange and Santa Barbara Counties. Smoke and ashes spread almost everywhere, from brush, trees and more than 1000 homes. We hear about the fires themselves and the consequences to public health. Also, California Attorney General Jerry Brown urges the State Supreme Court to take up six cases involving Prop 8 and decide them ASAP.
By Warren Olney • • 30m ListenNobody had to see the flames this weekend to know there were devastating fires in LA, Orange and Santa Barbara Counties. Smoke and ashes spread almost everywhere, from brush, trees and more than 1000 homes. We hear about the fires themselves and the consequences to public health. Also, California Attorney General Jerry Brown urges the State Supreme Court to take up six cases involving Prop 8 and decide them right away.
Banner image: A firefighter sprays water on a home as most of the homes in the Oakridge mobile home park, which reportedly has 600-800 homes, burn in the Sylmar Fire on November 15, 2008 in Sylmar, California. Photo: David McNew/Getty Images
In this episode
3 storiesChoking on Wildfire Smoke
Southern Californians live with the health-effects of smog produced mostly by automobile and truck traffic. Wild fires produce additional pollution, particles from the smoke and ashes of burning vegetation and materials used in building construction.
Read the story1 minParties Urge Supreme Court to Take Same-Sex Marriage Case
The California Supreme Court could decide as soon as Wednesday whether to hear as many as six lawsuits against Proposition 8 , the initiative declaring that marriage is legal only between a man and a woman. California Attorney General Jerry Brown is urging the Court to take up the cases and to rule as soon as possible.
Read the story1 minWildfires and Public Health
One hundred eleven houses in Montecito, 113 in Yorba Linda, and in Sylmar, 501 mobile homes – it's Los Angeles County's worst loss of its kind since the Bel-Air fire of 1961. Roughly 1000 homes and other structures were destroyed in the past four days from Santa Barbara to Orange County.
Read the story1 min
