![KPBS Evening Edition](https://image.pbs.org/contentchannels/HRz3uzL-white-logo-41-e7Iassw.png?format=webp&resize=200x)
Thursday, January 23, 2025
Season 1 Episode 3475 | 27m 30sVideo has Closed Captions
A fire forced people to evacuate from their homes in La Jolla.
A fire forced people to evacuate from their homes in La Jolla. Plus, wildfires have been popping up across San Diego County during this week's windy weather. How researchers are helping firefighters spot them as they spark. And, a court battle is beginning over President Trump's executive order trying to overturn birthright citizenship.
![KPBS Evening Edition](https://image.pbs.org/contentchannels/HRz3uzL-white-logo-41-e7Iassw.png?format=webp&resize=200x)
Thursday, January 23, 2025
Season 1 Episode 3475 | 27m 30sVideo has Closed Captions
A fire forced people to evacuate from their homes in La Jolla. Plus, wildfires have been popping up across San Diego County during this week's windy weather. How researchers are helping firefighters spot them as they spark. And, a court battle is beginning over President Trump's executive order trying to overturn birthright citizenship.
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FLOOD AND REMODELING SERVICES, FOR OVER 40 YEARS.
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AND BY VIEWERS LIKE YOU.
THANK YOU!
>>> ANOTHER DAY OF RED FLAG WARNINGS BROUGHT ANOTHER DAY OF FIRES TO SAN DIEGO COUNTY.
THANKS FOR JOINING US.
I AM MAYA TRABULSI.
CREWS ARE RESPONDING TO TWO DIFFERENT FIRES RIGHT NOW INCLUDING ONE IN LA JOLLA THAT PLANTED AN EVACUATION ORDER.
AND, KPBS REPORTER TANIA THORNE IS LIVE NEAR THAT FIRE NOW WITH THE LATEST.
>> Reporter: WE ARE HERE IN LA JOLLA WHERE A FIRE BROKE OUT HERE AROUND 2:30 P.M.
THIS AFTERNOON.
YOU CAN SEE BEHIND ME, THERE IS TONS OF DRY VEGETATION AS WELL AS THE STRUCTURES THAT ARE SITTING RIGHT ON TOP OF THAT HILLSIDE.
AND OF COURSE, WE HAVE BEEN HAVING THOSE STRONG WINDS THAT HAVE STUCK AROUND ALL WEEK.
EVACUATION ORDERS WENT INTO PLACE FOR THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS IMMEDIATELY SINCE THERE WERE THREATS TO THOSE STRUCTURES.
THE FIRE SPREAD TO NEARLY 2 ACRES BUT FIRE CREWS WEREN'T ABLE TO STOP FORWARD PROGRESS WITHIN THE HOUR.
HERE WITH ME HIS BATTALION CHIEF TOSH CAPRI.
COULD YOU TELL ME A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT HOW THIS FIRE STARTED AND HOW CREWS WERE ABLE TO GET A HOLD OF IT SO QUICKLY?
>> AT THIS MOMENT WE DON'T KNOW HOW THE FIRE WAS STARTED.
BUT IT WAS FUEL, WIND AND TERRAIN DRIVEN.
MOVING AT AN EXTREMELY FAST RATE OF SPEED, BUT THROUGH A COORDINATED COLLABORATIVE EFFORT THROUGH MULTIPLE AGENCIES IN OUR COUNTY, WE WERE ABLE TO QUICKLY AND EFFICIENTLY STOP IT AND KEEP THE SPREAD TO APPROXIMATELY TWO ACRES.
>> Reporter: THESE ELECTRICIAN ORDERS WENT INTO EFFECT VERY QUICKLY, NOT GIVING A LOT OF THE HOMEOWNERS A LOT OF TIME.
CAN WE TALK ABOUT PREPAREDNESS AS WE ARE SEEING A LOT OF THESE FIRES FOR THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY?
>> UNFORTUNATELY THAT IS HOW IT HAPPENS IN THESE TYPES OF SITUATIONS, IT HAPPENS QUICK AND IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR CITIZENS AND RESIDENTS TO BE PREPARED.
TAKE THE WARNING SERIOUSLY AND BE GUIDED BY POLICE OFFICERS OR FIRE OFFICIALS ON THE BEST WAY TO EVACUATE FROM THE SCENE.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR >> NO PROBLEM.
>> EVACUATION ORDERS HAVE BEEN LIFTED NOW BUT CREWS ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN ON SCENE FOR SEVERAL MORE HOURS.
TANIA THORNE, KPBS NEWS.
>>> CREWS ARE BATTLING A BRUSH FIRE IN THE OTAY WILDERNESS NORTH OF THE U.S./MEXICO BORDER.
THE FIRE HAS GROWN TO 228 ACRES AND IS 0% CONTAINED.
IT STARTED AROUND 2:30 THIS AFTERNOON IN A REMOTE AREA NEAR A TIME-OUT AND TRUCK TRAIL.
A SMOKE ADVISORY HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR OTAY MESA AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS.
THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION.
>>> FIREFIGHTERS QUICKLY CONTAINED ANOTHER BRUSHFIRE ON FAIRMONT AVENUE NEAR GRANDVILLE AND THIS VIDEO YOU SEE WAS SHOT BY A NEARBY RESIDENT USING THEIR CELL PHONE.
THE FIRE WAS FIRST REPORTED JUST AFTER 9:00 THIS MORNING.
FIREFIGHTERS SAY LOW WINDS WERE ALSO A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR TO FIREFIGHTING EFFORTS.
THE METRO ARSON STRIKE TEAM IS INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE.
>>> THE FIRES STILL A HUGE BATTLE, WE HAVE A FIRE THREAT REMAIN FOR A LITTLE WHILE LONGER.
BUT LOOK AT THIS, THE WEEKEND RAIN SENT MUCH-NEEDED MOISTURE ACROSS THE AREA.
TALKING ABOUT THOSE RAINFALL TOTAL POTENTIALS, COMING UP.
>>> FIREFIGHTERS ACROSS AND CALL FOR ARE EXPECTED TO GET SOME RELIEF IN THE DAYS AHEAD BUT DEPENDING ON WHERE IT FALLS AND HOW MUCH, IT COULD ONLY HOLD A DIFFERENT KIND OF THREAT ON PEOPLE IN LOS ANGELES WHO HAVE ALREADY LOST EVERYTHING.
LAURA GARY EXPLAINS.
>> Reporter: THOUSANDS OF FIREFIGHTERS BATTLE WORN BY WEEKS ON THE FRONT LINES CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR TOTAL CONTAINMENT OF MULTIPLE FIRES TODAY WITH A WEEKEND FORECAST THAT COULD BRING RAIN RELIEF AND A POSSIBLE NEW THREAT.
FORECASTERS SAY MORE RAIN COULD FALL ACROSS IN CALIFORNIA BEFORE MONDAY THEN IT HAS HAD SINCE LAST JUNE.
THE NEEDED RAIN BRINGS WITH IT THE RISK OF MUDSLIDES AND POSSIBLE FLOODING.
PROMPTING CAL FIRE TO FILL PALLETS OF SANDBAGS FOR DISTRIBUTION TO RESIDENTS IN THE FIRE SCARRED AREAS WHERE THERE ARE PRECIOUS FEW TREES, STRUCTURES AND VEGETATION TO HANDLE THE RAIN.
A NEW WILDFIRE INTERRUPTED WEDNESDAY, THE HUGHES, WHICH IGNITED NORTH OF SANTA CLARITA WEDNESDAY AND SO FAR HAS BURNED OVER 10,000 ACRES.
AT ONE POINT, OVER 50,000 PEOPLE WERE UNDER EVACUATION ORDERS OR WARNINGS.
>> AS LONG AS THERE IS ACTIVE, WE WILL BE CONSTANTLY RE- EVACUATING -- READ EVALUATING WHERE THE ORDERS NEED TO BE.
>> Reporter: LOCATION HELPS.
>> WE ARE FORTUNATE BECAUSE HE CAN DIP OUT OF THE LAKES, WE HAVE A LOT OF WATER UP THERE.
LIKE A WATER ACCESS AND WIND ADVANTAGE OVER THE FIREFIGHTS TO THE SOUTH.
>> IT IS NOWHERE NEAR WHAT WE SAW OVER IN THE PALISADES AND EATEN FIRE WITH 80 TO 100 MILE AN HOUR GUSTS.
LIKE THOSE TWO PLACES, THE MOST DEADLY AND DESTRUCTIVE OF THE FIRES THIS MONTH, ARE BOTH OVER 70% CONTAINED THIS HOUR AND RECOVERING RESIDENTS THERE ARE WAITING TO SEE WHAT THE WEEKEND OF RAIN HEAD WILL BRING.
I AM LAURA GARY FOR KPBS NEWS.
>>> FIRST RESPONDERS HAVE BEEN WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK BATTLING THE FIRES IN LOS ANGELES.
COMING UP, HOW THERAPISTS HERE IN SAN DIEGO ARE WORKING TO OFFER THEM SOME PEACE OF MIND.
>>> WE HAVE LEARNED NEW DETAILS ABOUT THE 1500 ACTIVE-DUTY U.S.
TROOPS BEING SENT TO THE SOUTHERN BORDER.
500 OF THEM WILL BE FROM CAMP PENDLETON.
MARINE CORPS OFFICIALS SAY THE 500 MARINES AND SAILORS FROM THE FIRST MARINE EXPEDITIONARY FORCE HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO DEPLOY IMMEDIATELY AND WILL BE TASKED TO CARRY OUT MISSIONS CALLED BY THE PRESIDENT TO SECURE THE BORDER.
TROOPS WILL SUPPORT U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION BUT ARE NOT AUTHORIZED FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES LIKE MAKING ARRESTS OR SEIZING DRUGS.
>>> TODAY A FEDERAL JUDGE ISSUED A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER BLOCKING PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S EXECUTIVE ORDER ENDING BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP.
THE RONALD REAGAN APPOINTED JUDGE CALLED THE ORDER BLATANTLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
BALDWIN IS IN NEW YORK CITY AS THIS LEGAL BATTLE RAMPS UP.
>> THIS NEXT ORDER RELATES TO THE DEFINITION OF BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP UNDER THE 14th AMENDMENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
>> Reporter: A COURT BATTLE IS BREWING OVER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP'S EXECUTIVE ORDER DECLARING AN END TO BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP.
BUT, CEO OF THE NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER SAYS THE 14th AMENDMENT IS CLEAR.
>> EVER SINCE THE AMOUNT WAS PASSED IN THE 19th CENTURY, THAT IS BEEN INTERPRETED TO MEAN THAT IF YOU ARE BORN IN THE UNITED STATES, YOU'RE AUTOMATICALLY A CITIZEN, WHETHER OR NOT YOUR PARENTS ARE HERE LEGALLY.
>> Reporter: THE 14th AMENDMENT RESULTED FROM OVERTURNING THE 1857 DRED SCOTT DECISION WHICH DENIED CITIZENSHIP TO BLACK PEOPLE AND UPHELD SLAVERY IN U.S.
TERRITORIES.
THE EXECUTIVE ORDER KEYS IN ON ONE PHRASE IN THE AMENDMENT, SUBJECT TO THE JURISDICTION THEREOF.
>> THEY ARE SUGGESTING THAT IF YOU ARE HERE ILLEGALLY OR YOUR PARENTS ARE HERE ILLEGALLY, THEY HAVE ALLEGIANCE TO A FOREIGN POWER.
IN OTHER WORDS, ANOTHER GOVERNMENT AND THEREFORE THAT YOU ARE NOT A CITIZEN.
>> Reporter: TRYING TO END BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP ISN'T A SIMPLE TASK.
>> BASICALLY THE SUPREME COURT WOULD HAVE TO CHANGE ITS MIND AND REJECT AN INTERPRETATION OF BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP THAT GOES BACK MORE THAN 100 YEARS.
>> Reporter: THE EXECUTIVE ORDER AIMS TO END BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP FOR CHILDREN BORN AFTER IT WAS SIGNED BUT IMMIGRATION SCHOLAR AT UCLA SAYS HE WORRIES ABOUT THE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE BORN BEFORE.
>> THAT CREATES A PRECARIOUSNESS THAT I THINK HAS REAL POTENTIAL TO UNDERMINE SOCIETAL COHESION OVER PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY.
>> Reporter: IN NEW YORK -- >> Reporter: CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS ARE NO LONGER, AFTER A NEW TRUMP'S MINISTRIES AND POLICY.
A DIRECTIVE FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY THIS WEEK RESCINDS PRIOR GUIDELINES WHICH LIMITED CVP OPERATIONS IN SENSITIVE AREAS SUCH AS CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS.
OUR MEDIA PARTNER SPOKE TO A CEO, THE CEO OF CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF SAN DIEGO WHO SAYS THE CHANGE CREATES FEAR IN THE COMMUNITY.
>> IT IS MORE THAN A THREAT.
WE ARE HERE TO SERVE THE PEOPLE.
IT IS NOT ABOUT US, IT IS ABOUT THE COMMITTEE THAT COMES TO US.
THAT SAID, IT IS MORE ON THE KENNEDY SIDE INTO THE CHURCH.
THAT IS WHERE WE ARE WORRIED AS A CHURCH, AS CATHOLIC CHARITIES, THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS, WHEN THEY ARE NEEDING HELP, WOULD STAY AWAY FROM US OUT OF FEAR.
>> Reporter: CATHOLIC CHARITIES SO THAT WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH ITS PARTNERS IN SAN DIEGO AND ACROSS THE U.S. >>> A COMMUNITY POOL THAT CLOSED DURING THE PANDEMIC REOPENED TODAY.
MELISSA MAE TELLS US WHY THIS RESOURCE IS SO VITAL TO THE SOUTH COUNTY COMMUNITY.
>> THREE, TWO, ONE, WE ARE OPEN!
[ CHEERS AND APPLAUSE ] >> Reporter: THE BOARD OF YOU FAMILY YMCA IS OPEN AGAIN.
AFTER BEING CLOSED SINCE 2020.
>> THIS POOL IS MORE THAN JUST ABLE TO OUR COMMUNITY.
>> YOU WOULD BE SURPRISED HOW MANY KIDS HAVE NEVER BEEN TO THE OCEAN IN THIS COMMUNITY.
THIS IS THEIR OCEAN, THIS IS A COMMUNITY.
AND IF YOU WERE A KID LIKE ME WHEN I WAS COMING UP, I WASN'T LIVING IN A VERY SAFE ENVIRONMENT.
AND THIS IS SAFETY FOR SOME KIDS.
>> Reporter: THE POOL IS NOT ONLY OPEN, IT HAS BEEN RENOVATED THANKS TO A ONE MILLION-DOLLAR GRANT FROM THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO.
THE YMCA SAYS THIS FACILITY WILL SERVE OVER 43,000 RESIDENTS INCLUDING OVER 4200 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS.
THEY WILL GET WATER SAFETY EDUCATION AND SWIMMING LESSONS.
>> EVERY SINGLE CHILD IN THIS AREA IS GOING TO BE SAFE IN AND AROUND WATER.
>> Reporter: THE RED CROSS REPORTS THAT 79% OF CHILDREN IN LOWER INCOME FAMILIES HAVE LITTLE TO NO SWIMMING ABILITY.
WHICH INCREASES THE RISK OF DROWNING AND THE CDC REPORTS DROWNING IS ONE OF THE LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH FOR CHILDREN IN THE U.S. >> UNDER AGE 4, IT IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH.
UNDER AGE 14, IT IS THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH.
>> Reporter: THIS LOCATION IS VITAL FOR THE SOUTH BAY COMMUNITY BECAUSE IT IS ONE OF THE ONLY ACCESSIBLE PUBLIC PLACES FOR RESIDENTS TO SWIM SINCE THE NEARBY BEACHES ARE CONSTANTLY CLOSED DUE TO SEWAGE CONTAMINATION.
>> IT OFFERS A SPACE FOR WATER EXERCISE AND LAP SWIMMING.
FOR INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE JUST LOOKING TO GET HEALTHY.
IT PROVIDES A FUN AND SAFE SPACE FOR FAMILIES AND STUDENTS TO GATHER, PLAY, AND HAVE A SENSE OF COMMUNITY.
>> Reporter: THE BOARD OF U FAMILY YMCA IS HOSTING A FREE COMMUNITY POOL PARTY THIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 25, FROM 8:00 A.M. TO 12:00 P.M. MELISSA MAE, KPBS NEWS.
>>> FIREFIGHTING IN CALIFORNIA HAS A TOOL THAT STRETCHES ACROSS THE STATE.
IT IS CALLED ALERT CALIFORNIA.
CREATED AND OPERATED BY UC SAN DIEGO, IT HAS 1146 CAMERAS TO SPOT FIRES BEFORE THEY ARE SEEN BY US.
KPBS CYTEC REPORTER THOMAS FUDGE HAS MORE ON HOW THE TECHNOLOGY HAS HELPED WITH RECENT SOCAL FIRES.
>> Reporter: ALERT CALIFORNIA DOESN'T PUT OUT ANY FIRES AND IT IS NOT SUPPOSED TO.
BUT IT'S CAMERAS ARE AT WORK 24/7, SEARCHING THE LANDSCAPE FOR SIGNS OF SMOKE SO FIREFIGHTERS CAN STOP A WILD FIRE BEFORE IT REALLY GETS STARTED.
>> WE TRY TO CONFIRM, IDENTIFY FIRES IN THE INCIPIENT PHASE.
ONCE THEY GET A HOLD AND WINDY CONDITIONS LIKE THIS, OUR NETWORK PROVIDED ENHANCED SITUATIONAL AWARENESS, SO THAT THEY COULD SEE WHAT ROADS THEY CAN GET OUT.
THEY CAN SEE THE PROGRESSION OF THE FIRE.
>> Reporter: THAT NETWORK NEIL DRISCOLL IS TALKING ABOUT CAN BE SEEN WITH A QUICK LOOK AT ALERTCALIFORNIA.ORG, SOMETHING THEY SHOW THE CAMERAS THAT HAVE BEEN TRAINED ON THE COMPLICATIONS LIKE THE EDEN FIRE AND PALISADES FIRE IN L.A. COUNTY AND THE LILAC FIRE IN SAN DIEGO THE IGNITED OVERNIGHT THIS WEEK.
AT NIGHT, DRISCOLL SAYS THE CAMERAS FOCUS ON THE FIRE, BUT IN DAYLIGHT, WHEN HEAT AND LOW HUMIDITY MAKE FIRES MORE COMBUSTIBLE, THEY LOOK FOR THE SMOKE.
>> THIS GIVES YOU ENHANCED SITUATIONAL AWARENESS OF WHAT THE FIRE IS DOING.
LOOK, IT IS LATE OVER.
>> Reporter: WE ARE LOOKING AT THE HUGHES FIRE NORTH OF L.A., WHEN FIRE SMOKE IS LAID OVER, THAT MEANS THE FIRE IS BEING FUELED BY STRONG, DRY WINDS ALERT CALIFORNIA IS AN A.I.
SYSTEM THAT HAS LEARNED WHAT THE ANGLE AND BEHAVIOR OF SMOKE MEANS TO THE FIRE'S PROGRESSION AND HOW AUTHORITIES SHOULD RESPOND.
>> HOW IS THE SMOKE BENT OVER?
DO I SEND TWO BATTALIONS?
DO I SEND THREE?
SO THE DISPATCHER IS ABLE TO USE THESE DATA AND THE DENSITY OF THE CAMERAS IS NOW SUCH THAT OUR VIEW SHEDS ARE GETTING CLOSER TO COVERING REGIONS OF COMPLEX TOPOGRAPHY.
>> Reporter: THE ALERT SYSTEM OFTEN BEATS 911 CALLS.
CAL FIRE GIVES THE EXAMPLE OF A REMOTE SAN DIEGO COUNTY FIRE FLAGGED BY THE ALERT SYSTEM THAT FIREFIGHTERS PUT OUT BEFORE AUTHORITIES GOT EVEN 1911 CALL ABOUT IT.
>> SO IT IS NIGHTTIME, YOU CAN SEE THE NEAR INFRARED SUNRISE.
>> Reporter: DRISCOLL SHOWS THE VIEW OF A CAMERA ATOP ELMER MOUNTAIN POINTED WEST.
>> IT READY BECAUSE YOU ARE GOING TO SEE SOMETHING I HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE.
LOOK AT THAT.
DID YOU SEE THAT?
>> UP.
>> YOU SAW THE CHANGE FROM ONSHORE RIGHT THERE?
WATCH THIS.
TO OFFSHORE.
>> Reporter: HE SAYS GLOBAL WARMING IS CHANGING EVERYTHING, OVERRUNNING THE OLD MODELS OF FIREFIGHTING.
HE SAYS ALERT CALIFORNIA IS ONE WAY TO STAY ON TOP OF THAT CHANGING REALITY.
THOMAS FUDGE, KPBS NEWS.
>>> PEOPLE DISPLACED BY THE WILDFIRES HAVE CAUSED A MASSIVE SURGE IN DEMAND FOR HOUSING IN LOS ANGELES.
SUPPLY WAS ALREADY LIMITED LEADING TO INFLATED PRICES.
MANY PEOPLE LOOKING FOR HOUSING SAY GOUGING IS RAMPANT.
>> Reporter: I OPEN UP MY CURTAINS AND ALL I SEE WAS ORANGE, RED, BLACK SMOKE, EVERYTHING, ALL THE PARKING STRUCTURE WAS ON FIRE.
SO MY INSTINCT WAS TO GET OUT.
>> Reporter: ESCAPED THIS ALTADENA APARTMENT.
>> I COULD LITERALLY FEEL MY WINDOWS HOT.
>> Reporter: COVERING HER TWO DAUGHTERS IN BLANKETS.
THEY HAVE BEEN STAYING AT AN EVACUATION SHELTER IN PASADENA EVER SINCE.
>> ONE DAY I WAS GOOD WITH MY DAUGHTERS COME IN NEXT DAY I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING.
>> Reporter: HER SCORCHED TWO- BEDROOM UNIT COST HER $2400 A MONTH, BUT NOW THE SINGLE MOM SAYS SIMILAR UNITS NEARBY ARE GOING FOR ALMOST 3000 WHICH SHE CANNOT AFFORD.
THOSE LOOKING FOR LARGER, SINGLE-FAMILY RENTAL HOMES ARE ALSO FINDING STIFF COMPETITION AND INFLATED PRICING.
>> THEY CHOSE A FAMILY THAT WAS WILLING TO SIGN A THREE-YEAR LEASE AND PLAY ONE YEAR FULL IN CASH OVER US.
>> Reporter: THE LOS ANGELES AREA'S HOUSING MARKET WAS ALREADY TIGHT BEFORE THE FIRES, BUT NOW TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DISPLACED RESIDENTS ARE LOOKING AT THE SAME LIMITED SUPPLY.
>> YOU WALK INTO THESE OPEN HOMES, THERE'S HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE THERE.
AND THEY ARE JUST PRICE -- IT IS, HOW MUCH ARE YOU GOING TO GIVE ME?
>> Reporter: BY ONE ESTIMATE, AVERAGE RENT SO FAR IN JANUARY FOR HOUSES IN THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES JUMPED 42% COMPARED TO THE AVERAGE IN DECEMBER.
ANECDOTES OF SOARING RENTAL PRICES HAVE BECOME COMMONPLACE.
>> I FEEL LOST.
MY WIFE IS LOST.
>> Reporter: HUGH AND HIS WIFE LOST THEIR RECENTLY RENOVATED ALTADENA HOME, NOW AS A SEARCH FOR A RENTAL -- >> LET'S SEE HERE.
$10,000 DEPOSIT.
WHO HAS THAT, RIGHT?
JUST IN THE BACK POCKET.
HERE IS 10 GRAND, CASH.
>> Reporter: HE SAYS HE LOST OUT ON A RENTAL HOME WHEN SOMEONE ELSE BIT OF THOUSAND DOLLARS MORE A MONTH.
SINCE THE FIRES, CALL FOR NEW'S PRICE GOUGING STATUTE HAS BEEN IN EFFECT, PROHIBITING A PRICE INCREASE OF MORE THAN 10% ON THINGS LIKE FOOD, EMERGENCY SUPPLIES, HOTEL ROOMS AND RENTAL HOUSING.
VIOLATORS COULD SPEND A YEAR IN JAIL, BE FINED UP TO $10,000, PLUS CIVIL PENALTIES.
LANDLORDS CAN'T GET AROUND THIS BY ENCOURAGING A BIDDING WAR.
THEY HAVE NOW SENT AT LEAST 200 WARNING LETTERS TO HOTELS AND LANDLORDS WHO COULD BE VIOLATING THE LAW.
BUT WITH ENFORCEMENT JUST BEGINNING, AND LONG-TERM SCARCITY OF SUPPLY COUPLED WITH OVERWHELMING DEMAND, SHE WISHES SHE COULD TELL LANDLORDS -- >> WHEN THINGS LIKE THIS HAPPEN, THAT IS WHAT EVERYBODY COMES TOGETHER.
IT DOESN'T EVEN MATTER WHAT YOU HAVE.
BECAUSE YOU CAN LOSE IT.
>> Reporter: MULTIPLE WILDFIRES IN AND AROUND LOS ANGELES HAVE BEEN BURNING FOR 17 DAYS.
IT IS TAKING A TOLL ON FIRST RESPONDERS.
KPBS HEALTH REPORTER HEIDI DiMARCO SAYS SOME LOCAL THERAPISTS ARE OFFERING FREE THERAPY TO HELP THEM COPE.
>> AS TIME PASSES, YOU GAIN EXPERIENCE.
AND AS TIME PASSES, YOU ARE EXPOSED TO MORE AND MORE EMERGENCIES.
>> I WOULD BE A LIAR IF I SAID I NEVER CRIED AFTER A CALL.
I AM A HUMAN BEING FIRST.
>> Reporter: JOSH RUBENSTEIN IS A BATTALION CHIEF FROM NORTHERN COMPANY, HE HAS BEEN ASSISTING WITH THE EDEN FIRE IN ALTADENA SINCE JANUARY 10.
>> WE LOSE MORE MEN AND WOMEN TO SUICIDE THAN WE DO LINE OF DUTY DEATHS.
BACK IN THE DAY, THE STRONGER YOU ARE, THE LESS YOU SPOKE ABOUT THE EMOTIONAL ASPECT OF THE JOB.
>> Reporter: ABOUT A DOZEN SAN DIEGO MENTAL HEALTH PROVIDERS ARE STEPPING IN TO HELP.
THEY ARE OFFERING FREE MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE THERAPY TO FIRST RESPONDERS.
NANCY SMITH, AGE, THERAPIST, IS ONE OF THEM.
>> THEY ARE FEELING THE DEVASTATION, THE WEIGHT OF IT.
THEN WANTING TO REACH OUT FOR COPING, EITHER THAT BE NUMBING OR COMPARTMENTALIZING OR SUBSTANCE USE, IT IS HARD.
ESPECIALLY WHEN THINGS CAN BE DEMANDING ON YOUR DAY-TO-DAY.
>> Reporter: HELPING FIRST RESPONDERS MEANS UNDERSTANDING THEIR UNIQUE NEEDS.
THAT IS ACCORDING TO STEVE BLACKBURN.
HE COORDINATES PEER SUPPORT FOR L.A. COUNTY FIREFIGHTER.
>> A FIREFIGHTER WILL NOT COME FOR HELP UNTIL THEY ARE BROKEN.
WE DON'T NEED ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, WE ARE GOOD AT HELPING OTHERS, WE ARE TERRIBLE AT TAKING CARE OF OURSELVES.
IF THEY OPEN UP TO A THERAPIST AND IT IS THE WRONG THERAPIST, THEY WILL NEVER GO BACK AGAIN.
>> Reporter: HE SAID COST AND AVAILABILITY ARE ADDITIONAL BARRIERS.
>> I LOVE THAT THEY WANT TO HELP THEM, GIVE THEM A FEW SESSIONS, BUT IF YOU ARE A CLINICIAN, THE OTHER THING IS PAYMENT.
WHO IS GOING TO PAY?
HOW DOES IT WORK?
A LOT OF TIMES BECAUSE PTSD IS PART OF OUR JOB, IT GOES TO WORKMEN'S COMP.
AND NOBODY TAKES WORKMEN'S COMP.
>> Reporter: BLACKBURN URGES THERAPISTS OFFERING THEIR SERVICES TO ENSURE THEY CAN WORK WITH FIRST RESPONDERS LONG- TERM BEFORE STARTING TREATMENT.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING THIS OUT.
>> Reporter: RUBENSTEIN SAYS SUPPORT SERVICES LIKE THERAPY, COUNSELING, AND SERVICE DOGS HEALTH FIRST RESPONDERS TAKE A MOMENT TO DECOMPRESS.
>> BECAUSE FOR 2 MINUTES, A FIREFIGHTER CAN TAKE THEIR MIND OFF OF ALL THE DEATH AND DESTRUCTION THAT WE ARE SEEING AND WE CAN GET WORKED ON BY A GOLDEN RETRIEVER.
IT REALLY TAKES YOUR MIND OFF THE EMOTIONAL ASPECT OF WHAT WE ARE DEALING WITH ON A DAY-TO- DAY BASIS.
>> Reporter: VISIT KPBS.ORG FOR THERAPIST CONTACT INFORMATION.
HEIDI DiMARCO, KPBS NEWS.
>>> ANOTHER BUSY AND DRY WEEK ACROSS OUR AREA, AS WE CONTINUE TO DEAL WITH THAT FIRE THREAT.
THE GREAT NEWS THOUGH IS IT IS GOING TO START GOING DOWN, THE FIRE THREAT, THAT IS.
AS COOL AIR RETURNS AND HUMIDITY SLOWLY RISES.
THEN WE ADD IN THE CHANCE FOR RAIN OR SNOW AS WE GO THROUGH THE WEEKEND, SOME SPOTS, MOSTLY ON THIS UPSLOPE SPOTS ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS, THEY WILL PICK UP MORE THAN AN INCH OF RAIN POSSIBLY AS WE HEAD INTO TUESDAY.
FOR RIGHT NOW, WE STILL HAVE THIS RED FLAG WARNING OUT.
THEY WILL REMAIN IN PLACE AS WE HEAD INTO TOMORROW.
BECAUSE EVEN INTO TOMORROW MORNING, WE STILL HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF THIS WIND THREAT HERE REMAINING AS SOME OF THOSE WINGS ARE STILL QUITE GUSTY, MORE THAN 50 MILES PER HOUR ACROSS PART OF THE AREA.
YOU WANT TO REMEMBER, THE FIRE THREAT IS STILL THERE BUT THAT SHOULD BE COMING DOWN AS WE GOING TO TOMORROW MORNING.
42 FOR THE LOW IN THE CITY AS YOU WORK YOUR WAY OUTSIDE, RAMONA COMING OUT 35, 38 IN MOUNT LAGUNA.
WE GET A LOT MORE COOL AIR STARTING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE HERE.
71, THE HI AS WE GO THROUGH TOMORROW.
THAT IS JUST THE BEGINNING OF THINGS FOR SOME OF OUR COASTAL COMMUNITIES.
HE LOOKED TOWARD RAMONA, STILL IN THE MID-70s, WILL START TO SEE SOME OF THOSE NUMBERS COME DOWN BECAUSE ULTIMATELY THE STORY IS RAIN IN THIS STORM SYSTEM AS WE GOING TO THE WEEKEND, YOU CAN ADD QUITE A BIT OF MOISTURE ACROSS THE CALIFORNIA.
THERE WILL BE SNOW, ESPECIALLY IF YOU GET ABOVE 5000 FEET.
IS WHERE WE ARE GOING TO SEE THOSE SNOWFALL POTENTIALS GO UP.
SOME SPOTS IN THE MOUNTAINS ARE GOING TO PICK UP MORE THAN A FOOT OF SNOW OR AROUND A FOOT OF SNOW.
AS WE GET TO YOUR SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, WATCH OUT FOR SOME OF THOSE SHOWERS PERSIST AND EVEN TOWARD THE COAST.
KNOCKED THE NUMBER DOWN INTO THE 60s FOR TOMORROW THE BEGINNING OF THE COOLDOWN THAT COMES IN FOR THE WEEKEND.
WE KEEP MORE OF THE CLOUDS AND MOISTURE AROUND AS HE LOOKED TOWARD THE INLAND COMMUNITIES FOR SATURDAY AND SUNDAY WITH THE CHANCE FOR RAIN, TEMPERATURES FALLING INTO THE UPPER 50s BY THE TIME WE GET INTO SUNDAY AFTERNOON HIGH, SO IT WILL BE QUITE A DIFFERENT AIR MASS COMING THROUGH.
FOR THE MOUNTAINS, WE ARE LOOKING AT SNOWFALL POTENTIAL.
IT STARTS OFF AT LEAST LOW AT FIRST AS WE GET HIGHS NEAR 40 DEGREES.
BY THE TIME WE GET INTO SUNDAY, THOSE TEMPERATURES COME DOWN AND THE SNOWFALL POTENTIAL GOES UP.
WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT MORE RAIN AS WE GOING TO SOME OF THE DESERTS POTENTIALLY EVEN AS WE CLOSE OUT THE WEEKEND.
FOR KPBS NEWS, I AM ACCUWEATHER METEOROLOGIST.
CREW THERE WAS A TIME IN SAN DIEGO AND MUCH OF THE WATER THAT WE DRINK DID NOT COME TO US IN PIPES FROM NORTHERN CALIFORNIA OR FROM THE COLORADO RIVER.
IT CAME FROM OUR OWN MOUNTAINS.
KEN KRAMER SHOWS US HOW IN THIS STORY ABOUT SAN DIEGO.
>> Reporter: HERE IT IS, JUST A FEW PARTS OF IT REMAINING, ABOUT ALL THERE IS LEFT TO SEE IN WHAT WAS ONCE THIS.
ONE OF THE MOST AMAZING STRUCTURES EVER BUILT IN SAN DIEGO MADE UP 9 MILLION -- 9,000,004 FEET OF REDWOOD.
IT WAS A LONG OPEN TRAIL, FLOWING WATER.
I THINK YOU HAD TO SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT.
BUT AT LEAST THERE ARE PICTURES.
IT USED TO BE IN SAN DIEGO THAT MOST OF THE WATER WE DRINK AND USED FOR IRRIGATION CAME FROM WELLS, AND IT WAS SALTY, SOMETIMES NAUSEATING, NOT GOOD WATER, REALLY.
BUT IN 1889, THIS PLUME CHANGED EVERYTHING AND IT WAS JUST AN ENORMOUS PROJECT TO BRING GOOD MOUNTAIN WATER FROM THE MOUNTAINS TO THE EASTERN PART OF LA MESA AND ON TO SAN DIEGO.
FIRST OF ALL, THERE HAD TO BE A BELT WAY UP ON THE SAN DIEGO RIVER AT BOULDER CREEK.
THAT IS WHERE THE WATER WAS CAPTURED TO BE PUT IN THE FLUME AND THE FLUME ITSELF, JUST IMAGINE WHAT IT WAS LIKE.
SIX FEET WIDE, 18 INCHES DEEP, FULL OF WATER RUNNING ALL THOSE MILES AND IT HAD TO BE ALL DOWNHILL OF COURSE OF THE WATER WOULD KEEP FLOWING.
THERE WERE TUNNELS, HERE IS THE LOS COACHES, BEING BUILT AND MORE THAN 300 TRESTLES INCLUDING THIS ONE.
THE TRESSEL, 1774 FEET LONG, 65 FEET HIGH.
NOBODY HAD EVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT IN SAN DIEGO.
SO AMAZING WAS THIS THING THAT ON OPENING DAY, 22nd OF FEBRUARY, 1889, PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND DIGNITARIES TOOK A RIDE IN WOODEN BOATS DOWN A GOOD PART OF THE FLUME.
SITTING RIGHT THERE IN THE FRONT, THAT IS THE GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA WHOSE NAME INTERESTINGLY WAS ROBERT W. WATERMAN.
SO THE FLUME WAS BUILT BUT THEN IT HAD TO BE MAINTAINED.
IT WAS WOULD, AFTER ALL.
AND SOMETIMES IT LEAKED.
SO YOU HAD FLUME WALKERS WHO SAW TROUBLE SPOTS AND MADE REPAIRS, INSPECTORS CONTINUOUSLY PATROLLING FOR PROBLEMS, AND HOUSES WERE BUILT ALONG THE ROUTE, SO THOSE WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES HAD A PLACE TO LIVE.
LOOKING BACK, THERE WERE LOTS OF ISSUES WITH THE SAN DIEGO FLUME.
FOR ONE THING, AND THE HOT SUMMER MONTHS, ALL THAT WATER IN A FAIRLY SHALLOW CONTAINER MOVING ALONG, TOO MUCH OF THAT WATER EVAPORATED.
IN 1919, A WINDSTORM BLEW OVER THE SWEETWATER TRESTLES THAT HAVE BEEN WEAKENED BY WEEKS AND DETERIORATION OF THE WOOD.
BUT IN ITS TIME AND FOR ITS PURPOSE, IT DID ITS JOB.
THE WATER EVENTUALLY ENDING UP IN LA MESA RESERVOIR, PIPED FROM THERE INTO SAN DIEGO.
LA MESA RESERVOIR WHICH WOULD LATER BE BUILT UP INTO WHAT WOULD BECOME LAKE MURRAY.
AND SOME OF THE WATER TOO WENT TO A RANCHERS POND, SOMETIMES KNOWN AS DUCK POND.
IF YOU HAVE EVER BEEN TO ANTHONY'S FISH GROTTO, YOU KNOW THE DUCK POND IS STILL THERE, EVEN THOUGH THE FLUME IS GONE.
IT JUST DIDN'T AGE WELL, BY THE LATE 1920s, CUSTOMERS WERE DEMANDING REPAIRS AND THE STATE- OF-THE-ART IN WATER DELIVERY AND STORAGE HAD CHANGED.
IN TIME, DAMS WERE BUILT, THE LOWER OTAY AND MARINA AND PIPES, SEVEN THEN CONCRETE TUNNELS REPLACED THE FLUME.
BUT WHAT A THING IT WAS.
HERE IS OLD HIGHWAY 80 AND THE FLUME , NOW THE LAKE JENNINGS PARK ROAD OFFRAMP FROM INTERSTATE 8 WHERE JUST UP THE ROAD AT THE R EMILY THE WATER TREATMENT PLANT, THE HELIX WATER DISTRICT HAS KEPT JUST A FEW BITS OF THE FLUME THAT VISITORS CAN SEE, AN OLD WAGON THAT ROLLED DOWN THE FLUME DURING ITS CONSTRUCTION.
THERE IS SOME OF THE REDWOOD PIPE THAT REPLACED IT, AND THEN A SECTION, JUST A SECTION, OF WHAT WAS ONCE AN ENGINEERING MARVEL, THAT DELIVERED GOOD, SWEETWATER IN THE MOUNTAINS AND BECAME A REMARKABLE PART OF HISTORY ABOUT SAN DIEGO.
>> YOU CAN WATCH KEN KRAMER'S ABOUT SAN DIEGO AT 8:00 TONIGHT HERE ON KPBS.
AND YOU CAN FIND OUR STORIES ON OUR WEBSITE, KPBS.ORG.
THANKS FOR JOINING US, I AM MAYA TRABULSI.
GOOD NIGHT.
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