SANTA MONICA—On Wednesday, January 23, the city of Santa Monica posted on its Facebook page that the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) postponed the 2025 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count, originally slated to take place from January 23 through January 24, for at least 30 days.

The city’s count night had been postponed from its original date of January 23 to Thursday, February 20.

LAHSA made the decision in response to the wildfire crisis, determining that the significant challenges and disruptions across the region due to the wildfires would compromise both the safety of participants and the accuracy of the data collected.

For more information visit www.lahsa.org.

By Trevor

SANTA MONICA—On Wednesday, January 22, the Santa Monica College Foundation announced that it is holding a 4-day distribution event to aid Los Angeles community members in need.

People impacted by the fires can come by the SMC Corsair Gym located at 1900 Pico Blvd. during the following hours to pick up food, clothing, hygiene products and other items donated by the community:

-Wednesday, January 22, 1 – 6 p.m.

-Thursday, January 23, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

-Friday, January 24, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

-Sunday, January 26, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The Santa Monica Community College Disaster Support Fund has been established to support SMC students, faculty, and staff who have been impacted by the fires across Los Angeles County.

This fund will help provide temporary housing, food, water, clothing, transportation, medical supplies, school materials, and emergency funding to support immediate needs.

One-hundred percent of donations going to victims of the fires. They have set a goal of $250,000, and as of January 23 they have obtained over $157,000 in donations.

To learn more or donate at: smc.edu/disastersupport.

By Trevor

SHERMAN OAKS—The Los Angeles Fire Department reported a brush fire in Sherman Oaks on Wednesday, January 22 at 11:01 p.m. on the Northbound 405 freeway.

At 11:42 p.m., officials issued an EVACUATION WARNING for residents SOUTH of 1500 block of Casiano Road NORTH of Moraga Drive EAST of Sepulveda Boulevard WEST of Chalon Road. There is an approximately 10-acre brush fire burning on the Sepulveda Pass.

By 1:55 a.m. the LAFD lifted the evacuation warning. All Forward Progress Stopped with the fire held at approximately 40 acres. The Evacuation Warning is LIFTED. There are no structures damaged and no injuries reported.

Firefighters will remain on scene through the night conducting mop up operations to ensure no hot spots remain. Traffic on the 405 Freeway will likely remain impacted as crews and apparatus work alongside the freeway.

Drivers are advised to refer to https://cad.chp.ca.gov/Traffic.aspx for traffic updates.

By Trevor

SANTA MONICA—The city of Santa Monica will be holding a community recycling event on Friday, February 1. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 2500 Michigan Ave.

The city is hosting the FREE recycling event for Santa Monica residents only. Individuals must make sure to bring proof of residency.

Residents can bring their used mattresses, box springs, electronic waste, and up to five boxes of paper for shredding! Shredding will happen on-site, and the paper will be recycled.

For questions, call customer service at (866) 311-7266. Go to https://ow.ly/HlIh50UAMtm for a full list of accepted items. Items outside of this list will not be accepted and must be disposed of properly outside of the event.

By Trevor

MALIBU—On Tuesday, January 21, the city of Malibu announced on its Facebook page that starting Wednesday, January 22, law enforcement will escort residents into the following permitted zones between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. daily at Malibu Pier Parking Lot, 23000 Pacific Coast Hwy:

-MAL-C111-A: Carbon Canyon, Carbon Beach East, La Costa Beach, La Costa (hillside), Las Flores Creek.
-MAL-C112-B: Carbon Beach Terrace, Carbon Beach.
-RMB-U030-B: Unincorporated LA County, Piuma Rd.

Individuals are being asked to use Malibu Canyon and Southbound Pacific Coast Highway to reach the checkpoint.

Residents repopulating must provide a photo ID that displays the resident’s name, photo and physical address. For updates and resources, visit MalibuCity.org/PalisadesFire.

As of Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. the Palisades Fire has destroyed 23,713 acres and it is 63 percent contained.

CalFire confirmed 6,380 structures destroyed and 788 damaged in total affected area (Palisades and Malibu). These are approximate numbers, subject to change.

Malibu Building inspectors are conducting rapid visual assessments; number of damaged/destroyed structures within City limits TBD. A total of 83 percent of inspections completed.

By Trevor

WESTWOOD—On Tuesday, January 21, the UCLA Police Department reported that they are investigating an incident that transpired near campus.

UCLA PD patrol officers and detectives responded to a report of a body on Le Conte Avenue, across from Ralphs earlier in the day on Tuesday. Officers secured the scene while detectives conducted an initial investigation.

The County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner took over the case and determined the person died from natural causes. No foul play is suspected in the case. Our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time.

As this is no longer under UCLA PD jurisdiction, the Police Department is not providing any additional details about the case. No details about the age or name of the victim has been disclosed to the public.

“This post is part of our commitment to transparency when there is significant community activity,” said the UCLA PD in a post.

By Trevor

GRIFFITH PARK—On Monday, January 20, at 1:02 p.m., the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) and Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) responded to a call of a possible arson in the 2700 block of Glendower Avenue. Kevin Caledron was arrested on two misdemeanor charges. The suspect is reportedly being detained on a $30,000 bond after sparks from his vehicle ignited a brush fire.

At 1:33 p.m., LAFD reported that firefighters from LAFD West Bureau were able to contain the fire. LAFD reports indicate that the fire burned approximately a quarter acre on a grassy slope in a neighborhood near Griffith Park Observatory.

By Sharon

MALIBU—The city of Malibu indicated on their Facebook page a warning about lithium-ion batteries as a result of the Palisades Fire.

An individual’s home may be impacted by lithium-ion batteries, battery storage systems, and electrical vehicles that have been partially damaged or destroyed. The city warns that batteries can re-ignite, explode, or emit toxic gases even after the fire has been extinguished.

Household items with lithium-ion batteries include:
-Electric/hybrid vehicles
-Electric bikes/scooters
-Wheelchairs
-Home alarms
-Power banks/stations
-Drones
-Power tool batteries
-Game controllers
-Digital cameras
-Headphones, cell phones, laptops, tablets, calculators
-Vaping devices

Individuals can protect themselves by:
-If you hear a popping or hissing noise, or see smoke or fire:

-Do NOT attempt to extinguish the fire
-Leave the area immediately
-Move upwind at least 330 feet away
-Call 911

Avoid touching fire-damaged products containing lithium-ion batteries—they can still ignite. For more information about recovery resources, visit Recovery.LACounty.Gov/.

By Trevor

MALIBU—The city of Malibu indicated that there is a Potentially Dangerous Situation with winds and Red Flag warning are in effect from 12 p.m. on Monday, January 20 until 10 a.m. on Tuesday, January 21 due to damaging Santa Ana winds and very low humidities.

SCE has put areas of Malibu under a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) warning due to the Red Flag weather conditions.

The following circuits are at risk for a PSPS:

-Cuthbert
-Galahad
-Maguire
-Merlin
-Serra

Note: Portions of certain circuits may have a different status. Refer to SCE.com outage map: https://www.sce.com/outage-center/check-outage-status.

Coastal winds of 25-40 MPH, with gusts of 50-70 MPH. In the mountains, 30-50 MPH winds are expected with gusts up to 60-80 MPH and isolated gusts reaching 100 MPH. There is also a windblown dust and ash advisory until 10 p.m. on Tuesday.

According to the South Coast Air Quality Management District (South Coast AQMD), gusty winds may disperse ash from recent fire burn scars and generate dust, potentially impacting air quality throughout Los Angeles County.

As of January 20 at 4:30 p.m. the city noted that a total of 23,173 acres has been destroyed from the Palisades Fire and the blaze is 59 percent contained. CalFire confirmed 4,996 structures destroyed and 707 damaged in total effected area (Palisades and Malibu).

GRIFFITH PARK—On Monday, January 20, the Los Angeles Fire Department reported that battled a brush fire that broke out in Griffith Park. The blaze was reported at 1:02 p.m. at 162 Griffith Park. Officials were alerted of a 1/2 acre light grass burning into medium brush on slope. Firefighters on scene worked to quickly contain the flames.

By 1:33 p.m. the LAFD reported that 1/4 acre medium brush burning on a slope below Griffith Observatory was fully extinguished in 31 minutes. All threatened structures were successfully defended and undamaged. No additional details about the brush fire or the cause have been disclosed to the public.

By Trevor