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The latest on the fires burning across southern California

AILSA CHANG, HOST:

OK, before we go, a quick update on the major story we've been following today. There are at least three major fires and several smaller fires in the Greater Los Angeles area. That's according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

ARI SHAPIRO, HOST:

Dry, gusty conditions are fueling the flames. At least two people have been killed and many more injured, including firefighters. Tens of thousands of people have been ordered to evacuate. And across the region, people are describing devastating scenes.

CHANG: Ted Soqui is an LA-based freelance photographer who's been covering fires for 40 years. He told the nonprofit news outlet CalMatters that he's never seen anything like this week's fires.

(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)

TED SOQUI: And I'm watching the church, Altadena Baptist Church, burn to the ground. There's no fire protection, and nobody could stop it - there's nobody out here to stop it. And it's eerily quiet, except it's punctuated by loud booms - maybe propane tanks or transformers - and crackling of the fire and then sometimes the complete howl of the wind. You know, people say it's surreal, and this is the proper time to use that term. I mean, it is a surreal experience.

SHAPIRO: The wildfires have left more than 400,000 homes and businesses without power. More than a thousand structures have been destroyed.

CHANG: Stay with NPR for the latest on the wildfires and how local officials are responding.

(SOUNDBITE OF 4FARGO'S "GET HER") Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.

NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.

Gurjit Kaur
Gurjit Kaur is a producer for NPR's All Things Considered. A pop culture nerd, her work primarily focuses on television, film and music.
Tinbete Ermyas
[Copyright 2024 NPR]

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SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

Fund the Facts

You just read trusted, local journalism that’s free for everyone, thanks to donors like you.

If that matters to you, now is the time to give. Join the 50,000+ members powering honest reporting and a more connected — and civil! — Connecticut.