Jacob Margolis

1 week ago | laist.com | Jacob Margolis

The risk of fires across Southern and Central California is growing, as increasingly dries out fuels following a . Grasses are still green along the coast but have begun to dry to concerning levels farther inland. And that’s a growing concern from the San Fernando Valley all the way up to the Sierra foothills in Merced County. That’s right on time for this part of the year, said Drew Smith, fire behavior analyst for the L.A. County Fire Department.

2 weeks ago | laist.com | Jacob Margolis

Why it matters: U.S. Forest Service investigators concluded that the fire started when a tree came into contact with a power line owned by Edison and that vegetation around the power line had not been properly maintained. The fire destroyed 171 structures and caused more than $100 million in damage. The settlement: Edison will need to pay the full $82.5 million before to July 14. The company does not have to admit fault or wrongdoing.

2 weeks ago | laist.com | Jacob Margolis

A big increase in the number of clean beaches in Southern California is good news as summertime approaches. But the reason local spots are faring better on Heal the Bay’s annual report card could be a remarkably dry rainy season. Just 12 beaches received an A+ grade last year on the report card, which lists the cleanest and dirtiest beaches up and down the West Coast. This year, 62 locations out of more than 500 have made it onto what Heal the Bay calls the honor roll.

2 weeks ago | laist.com | Jacob Margolis

Why this matters: An L.A. County Public Health found elevated levels of lead in soil around homes outside of the Eaton Fire burn area. The finding indicates that as the older housing stock burned, lead-based paint aerosolized and settled on nearby properties. How to access the program: Check if your for testing. If it does, you can gather soil samples and drop them off at a public health site in Altadena. You should receive your test results within two weeks. Learn more about the process .

2 weeks ago | laist.com | Jacob Margolis

If you're enjoying this article, you'll love our daily newsletter, The LA Report. Each weekday, catch up on the 5 most pressing stories to start your morning in 3 minutes or less. Drive along one of the Antelope Valley’s long, open roads and you’ll see wood chip-covered berms rising from the flat desert landscape. Some piles are taller than single-story homes and stretch for more than a half mile.