California Today: The Weather Won’t Give Southern California’s Firefighters a Break

Today's top stories from California.

January 11, 2025, 9:30 a.m. Eastern time By Nicole Sperling In the wake of these fires, I've been thinking about my children and the world they're inheriting. The disastrous effects of climate change have made these college-age children question what kind of future will be afforded to them. Can they raise families of their own? Will they afford a home? Where is it safe to build? It's easy to feel helpless. And then, as natives of Los Angeles watching these catastrophic fires, where scores of friends are losing their homes, the future remains incredibly uncertain and the stress level high. One day we're packing up to leave, the next day we're returning to await grandparents, who are evacuating from yet another blaze, in yet another part of Los Angeles. Fire is everywhere. As I write this, my daughter informs me that a new one erupted in Granada Hills. It's hard to maintain any sense of optimism. Yet if you look a little closer, signs of hope are visible. The helicopter pilot with the incredible aim who took control of the Sunset fire. The synagogue in the Palisades, which has miraculously remained standing despite the homes around it reduced to rubble. The fire relief pop-up center in West Hollywood, where my children volunteered to organize hundreds of clothing donations and supplies for families who have lost everything. The road ahead for Angelenos is sure to be rough and the future is not guaranteed. If we can remember our humanity, perhaps there is room for hope. Today's Top Story Philip Cheung for The New York Times The Weather Won't Give Southern California's Firefighters a Break The dry, windy conditions that help the fires spread are poised to persist. Read more More California News Newsom Wants to Know Why Fire Hydrants Went Dry Gov. Gavin Newsom of California ordered an inquiry into a loss of water pressure after it was revealed that a reservoir was offline when the fires started. 'We're in a New Era': How Climate Change Is Supercharging Disasters Extreme weather events — deadly heat waves, floods, fires and hurricanes — are the consequences of a warming planet, scientists say. False Evacuation Alert Was Sent to 10 Million People Around L.A., Officials Say Public safety officials fear that residents might ignore future, accurate alerts if they become accustomed to false warnings. Fires Prompt Water Advisories for Some in the L.A. Area The devastating wildfires have raised concerns about the safety of the water supply in some places. Here's a list of the warnings and instructions for residents. Homeowners Affected by Palisades and Eaton Fires Get Insurance Protections California's insurance commissioner won't allow canceled or nonrenewed policies in and around the fire zones for a year. Prices Spike on Some L.A. Rentals as Fire Victims Search for Places to Stay Despite a law against price gouging during a state of emergency, some rental listings have shot up above the allowable 10 percent overnight. Los Angeles Utilities' Decisions to Keep Power On Are Scrutinized Energy experts said the decision by utility companies serving the area not to turn off many power lines during high winds had likely increased the risk of fires. Pink Fire Retardant, a Dramatic Wildfire Weapon, Poses Its Own Dangers It's widely used because it can slow flames in ways that water can't. But it also contains heavy metals and other harmful compounds. 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 Linda Xiao for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Judy Kim. Roasted Cauliflower With Nước Chấm Sauce  By Zainab Shah 40 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