California Today: Auto Fire Joins List of California Blazes

Today's top stories from California.

January 14, 2025, 9:31 a.m. Eastern time By Matt Stevens It was 2007, and my very first week away from home. I had barely tacked a Playbill over my bed in a dorm room at the University of California, Los Angeles, when I heard from my parents. A wildfire was racing through the hills near my San Diego suburb. Just a few days before, I had said a teary goodbye to my parents to start life on my own. Now, they were evacuating — and I was terrified. Don't worry about us, they seemed to be saying. Others have it worse. Nearly two decades later, my first week back in Los Angeles after spending seven years in New York has been consumed by fire, too. I packed a go bag when the Sunset fire in Hollywood got a little too close. And while I'm a little less terrified now, I'm not sure I should be. There are few things in life more anxiety-producing than refreshing an online fire map, over and over, as you helplessly wait and worry. It is incredible how every person I've spoken to here has so casually dismissed packing up and leaving their homes as something routine. They're eager instead to discuss how they can help, even as their children — often crammed inside a friend's spare room — scream in the background. Don't worry about me, they seemed to be saying. Others have it worse. Few people who are not physically here in Los Angeles can feel this fully. When fires rage, we are stressed — and we are scared. I was reminded of that stress and that fear when I called my parents to tell them I was fine. They didn't say it. But they didn't have to. I could hear it in their voices. Today's Top Story Etienne Laurent/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images Auto Fire Joins List of California Blazes The new fire, in Ventura County northwest of Los Angeles, covers 56 acres and is 0 percent contained, officials said. Read more More California News Hollywood's Filmmaking Continues Despite L.A. Wildfires Because of costs, few movies are shot locally, leaving the industry in a surreal spot: reeling from personal loss with much of the business untouched. How Bad Is the Forecast, and When Will L.A. Firefighters Catch a Break? Another prolonged round of gusty Santa Ana winds was expected to intensify on Tuesday. What the Fire Warnings Mean From a red flag to a particularly dangerous situation, here's how to understand some of the alerts going around. After Attacking L.A. Wildfire Response, Elon Musk Sends His Products to Help The world's richest person has stoked outrage about the devastating wildfires and efforts to tackle them. On Sunday, he said he would help provide internet access to areas in need in Los Angeles. For Los Angeles, Fires Ramp Up Difficulty of Hosting 2028 Summer Games Rebuilding areas ravaged by wildfires will present a daunting challenge, but the flip side could be the "compelling image of a city emerging from the ashes." This Is Where the Palisades Fire Started In the hills above Pacific Palisades, there is crime scene tape and scattered debris, clues to what may have caused the initial fire that eventually raged through thousands of structures. Ace Gallery Founder Is Sentenced to 24 Months in Embezzlement Case Douglas Chrismas, who was found guilty last May on three counts of embezzlement from his gallery's bankruptcy estate, is to report to prison on Feb. 17. Oscar Nominations Are Postponed Again Because of Wildfires To give affected members more time, the academy extended the voting through Friday and will unveil the results Jan. 23. The nominees luncheon was canceled. Local Conditions Look up the heat index in your area using The Times's heat tracker. See active fires using The Times's wildfire tracker. Today's Recipe Ryan Liebe for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews. Homemade Hamburger Helper By Priya Krishna 1 hour 15 minutes Makes 4 servings Play a Game The Mini Crossword Solve this bite-sized puzzle in just a few minutes. Spelling Bee How many words can you make with 7 letters? Wordle Guess the 5-letter word with 6 chances. See all our games Sign up for Your Places: Extreme Weather. Get notified about extreme weather before it happens with custom alerts for places in the U.S. you choose. Get it in your inbox Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for California Today from The New York Times. To stop receiving California Today, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018