latimes--2020-09-05--San Diego State confines students to dorms as COVID-19 cases jump

San Diego State University announced that starting Saturday night it is ordering students who live on campus to stay in their dorms for the rest of the Labor Day weekend in response to the continuing rise in COVID-19 cases .
Under the order , students will be allowed to leave for essentials such as food , medical care and supplies , school officials said .
The university also asked students living off campus , in the College Area , to take the same precautions .
The stay-at-home order will be in place from 10 p.m. Saturday until 6 a.m. on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after SDSU announced that the number of students who ’ ve tested positive for COVID-19 had jumped by 120 , to the 184 mark .
SDSU also said the county is investigating multiple COVID-19 clusters within the university .
SDSU President Adela de la Torre complained Friday that the school was dealing with a that were contributing to the spread of the virus .
But de la Torre did not crack down on student behavior until about 10 days after they arrived on campus .
At the same time , UC San Diego @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fall-semester start later this month .
The school announced Saturday that it has found traces of the coronavirus in waste water from Revelle College .
It immediately began human testing to look for the source .
Scientists and educators are trying to explain why students everywhere are acting contrary to their own interests , undermining their pricey pursuit of a rousing college experience .
The answer , the experts say , involves everything from human biology to the conflicting messages students are getting about COVID-19 from adults .
At a news conference Friday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results in the effort to curb the virus will come not from enforcement , but from educating students and changing their behavior .
“ We need to have an environment where students understand that we want them to be proactive in testing , ” she said , adding that positive educational messages will lead to a change in behavior .
“ If we ’ re unable to do this , the plague of parties we see around campus will not stop.
” The school already had suspended the relatively few in-person classes it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ students had tested positive Wednesday .
Luke Wood , the university ’ s vice president of student affairs and chief diversity officer , said the school has hired the private security firm Elite to ensure students on or near the campus are practicing social distancing and wearing masks .
“ I want to be clear that there are consequences for violating our COVID-19 policies , ” he said .
So far , the school has issued more than 457 citations in response to university COVID-19 policy violations , Wood said .
While nobody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suspended or expelled , Wood said there are some serious cases being investigated .
He also said the university is investigating violations involving at least eight organizations , including fraternity and sorority houses .
He did not name the organizations .
“ I don ’ t think we should be focused on specific communities but should focus on our community overall , ” he said .
Wood also said students were warned through emails and text messages Thursday night that there would be increased security patrols over the next few days .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
“ We will be monitoring , and we will be identifying violations and following up.
” County Public Health Officer Wilma Wooten weighed in on the issue in a release Friday .
“ SDSU undergrads need to stay home within their living units this weekend , ” she said .
“ We need your help to stop the spread within your campus community and our larger community .
If you have been to parties and social events , you need to get tested , now .
And isolate until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the approximately 35,500 students enrolled at SDSU returned to campus for the start of the fall semester on Aug. 24 , with most on site to attend classes with hands-on labs .
Nine days later , the university announced it was pausing all in-person classes after public health officials said 64 coronavirus cases had been confirmed .
Since then , there has been an 87.5 % jump in cases .
Among the confirmed coronavirus cases at SDSU , 14 distinct groups have been identified around different locations , according to a release from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ may be determined to be outbreaks , but none of the cases under investigation are related to on-campus educational activities , including classes or labs .
No known cases have been reported among SDSU ’ s faculty , staff , visitors or vendors since the start of the fall semester .
Also on Friday , county health officials announced the number of new COVID-19 cases had jumped by more than 100 in one day and warned that numbers could go higher following the Labor Day weekend .
Facing a perfect storm of factors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the long weekend will be the first opportunity many people have to visit newly reopened businesses , which may be that much more alluring during a predicted record heatwave .
County health officials warned local residents to take a lesson from surges in cases that followed both Memorial Day and the Fourth of July this year .
White House coronavirus advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci issued a similar warning this week when he noted in a CNN interview that surges had happened across the country following other holiday weekends .
Cases in San Diego @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and other businesses reopened in mid-June , which prompted the state to order businesses to close indoor activities .
Last Friday , the state eased restrictions on those and other businesses , allowing restaurants , gyms , salons , barbershops , malls and places of worship to again operate indoors , with various restrictions .
Many movie theaters in the county also are reopening this weekend .
Adding to the threat of a new spike , record high temperatures are forecast in the county throughout the three-day weekend , likely tempting people to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , restaurant or shop .
“ Most people won ’ t be working over the long holiday period , but COVID-19 will not be taking the day off , ” Wooten said .
“ The more people go out and the more they interact with people outside their household , the more likely they are to contract the virus.
” She urged people to not host or attend private parties this weekend , avoid crowded places , maintain physical distances from other people and follow other safety precautions such as wearing facial coverings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases the county reported Friday were the most since Aug. 7 , when 551 were reported .
The county also reported a woman in her late 60s with underlying medical conditions had died , bringing the total number of local deaths related to COVID-19 to 701 .
County officials also reported six new coronavirus outbreaks , including two in grocery stores , one in a restaurant , one in a business , one in a hotel/resort/spa and one in a hair salon/barbershop .
The new outbreaks are among 22 that have been confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is 15 more than the number that requires the county to take action .
Of the 7,554 tests reported to the county on Thursday , the latest number available , 6 % were positive .
The 14-day rolling average rate of positive cases is 4 % , with the target being less than 8 % .
The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 has gone up and down in the past few days but has decreased overall in the past month .
The number of people reported in hospital beds on Thursday was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intensive care .
On Aug. 5 , there were 381 people hospitalized , with 117 in intensive care .
More detailed data can be found on the county ’ s .

A sign warns students and others to wear a mask on campus at San Diego State University.
San Diego State University announced that starting Saturday night it is ordering students who live on campus to stay in their dorms for the rest of the Labor Day weekend in response to the continuing rise in COVID-19 cases.
Under the order, students will be allowed to leave for essentials such as food, medical care and supplies, school officials said. The university also asked students living off campus, in the College Area, to take the same precautions.
The stay-at-home order will be in place from 10 p.m. Saturday until 6 a.m. on Tuesday.
The edict comes one day after SDSU announced that the number of students who’ve tested positive for COVID-19 had jumped by 120, to the 184 mark. SDSU also said the county is investigating multiple COVID-19 clusters within the university.
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SDSU President Adela de la Torre complained Friday that the school was dealing with a “plague of parties” that were contributing to the spread of the virus. But De la Torre did not crack down until about 10 days after students arrived on campus.
At the same time, UC San Diego is running into problems ahead of its fall-semester start later this month. The school announced Saturday that it has found traces of the coronavirus in waste water from Revelle College. It immediately began human testing to look for the source.
Scientists and educators are trying to explain why students everywhere are acting contrary to their own interests, undermining their pricey pursuit of a rousing college experience.
The answer, the experts say, involves everything from human biology to the conflicting messages students are getting about COVID-19 from adults.
At a news conference Friday, De la Torre stressed that long-term results in the effort to curb the virus will come not from enforcement but from educating students and changing their behavior.
“We need to have an environment where students understand that we want them to be proactive in testing,” she said, adding that positive educational messages will lead to a change in behavior. “If we’re unable to do this, the plague of parties we see around campus will not stop.”
The school already had suspended the relatively few in-person classes it was holding on campus after announcing 64 students had tested positive Wednesday.
Luke Wood, the university’s vice president of student affairs and chief diversity officer, said the school has hired the private security firm Elite to ensure students on or near the campus are practicing social distancing and wearing masks.
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“I want to be clear that there are consequences for violating our COVID-19 policies,” he said.
So far, the school has issued more than 457 citations in response to university COVID-19 policy violations, Wood said.
Although nobody has faced the stiffest penalties of being suspended or expelled, Wood said there are some serious cases being investigated.
He also said the university is investigating violations involving at least eight organizations, including fraternity and sorority houses. He did not name the organizations.
“I don’t think we should be focused on specific communities but should focus on our community overall,” he said.
Wood also said students were warned through emails and text messages Thursday night that there would be increased security patrols over the next few days.
“We will be present this weekend,” he said. “We will be monitoring, and we will be identifying violations and following up.”
County Public Health Officer Wilma Wooten weighed in on the issue in a release Friday.
“SDSU undergrads need to stay home within their living units this weekend,” she said. “We need your help to stop the spread within your campus community and our larger community. If you have been to parties and social events, you need to get tested, now. And isolate until you get results.”
About 8,000 of the approximately 35,500 students enrolled at SDSU returned to campus for the start of the fall semester on Aug. 24, with most on site to attend classes with hands-on labs.
Nine days later, the university announced it was pausing all in-person classes after public health officials said 64 coronavirus cases had been confirmed. Since then, there has been an 87.5% jump in cases.
Among the confirmed coronavirus cases at SDSU, 14 distinct groups have been identified around different locations, according to a release from the university.
Some of the groups may be determined to be outbreaks, but none of the cases under investigation are related to on-campus educational activities, such as classes or labs.
No known cases have been reported among SDSU’s faculty, staff, visitors or vendors since the start of the fall semester.
Also on Friday, county health officials announced the number of new COVID-19 cases had jumped by more than 100 in one day and warned that numbers could go higher after the Labor Day weekend.
Facing a perfect storm of factors that could lead to a surge, the long weekend will be the first opportunity many people have to visit newly reopened businesses, which may be that much more alluring during a predicted record heat wave.
County health officials warned local residents to take a lesson from surges in cases that followed both Memorial Day and the Fourth of July this year.
White House coronavirus advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci issued a similar warning this week when he noted in a CNN interview that surges had happened across the country following other holiday weekends.
Cases in San Diego County also rose when restaurants, gyms and other businesses reopened in mid-June, which prompted the state to order businesses to close indoor activities.
Last Friday, the state eased restrictions on those and other businesses, allowing restaurants, gyms, salons, barbershops, malls and places of worship to again operate indoors, with various restrictions.
Many movie theaters in the county also are reopening this weekend.
Adding to the threat of a new spike, record high temperatures are forecast in the county throughout the three-day weekend, likely tempting people to escape the heat in an air-conditioned theater, restaurant or shop.
“Most people won’t be working over the long holiday period, but COVID-19 will not be taking the day off,” Wooten said. “The more people go out and the more they interact with people outside their household, the more likely they are to contract the virus.”
She urged people to not host or attend private parties this weekend, avoid crowded places, maintain physical distances from other people and follow other safety precautions such as wearing facial coverings and washing hands frequently.
The 453 cases the county reported Friday were the most since Aug. 7, when 551 were reported. The county also reported that a woman in her late 60s with underlying medical conditions had died, bringing the total number of local deaths related to COVID-19 to 701.
County officials also reported six new coronavirus outbreaks, including two in grocery stores, one in a restaurant, one in a business, one in a hotel/resort/spa and one in a hair salon/barbershop.
The new outbreaks are among 22 that have been confirmed over the last seven days, which is 15 more than the number that requires the county to take action.
Of the 7,554 tests reported to the county on Thursday, the latest number available, 6% were positive. The 14-day rolling average rate of positive cases is 4%, with the target being less than 8%.
The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 has gone up and down in the last few days but has decreased overall in the last month. The number of people reported in hospital beds on Thursday was 280, with 93 of those in intensive care. On Aug. 5, there were 381 people hospitalized, with 117 in intensive care.
More detailed data can be found on the county’s coronavirus website .
Warth writes for the San Diego Union-Tribune.


latimes--2020-09-05--Massive Sierra fire traps people at Mammoth Pools recreation area

A brush fire in the Sierra National Forest exploded Saturday , consuming more than 36,000 acres and threatening numerous mountain communities .
The fast-moving fire cut off evacuation routes , trapping people near Mammoth Pool Reservoir , according to Sierra National Forest spokesman Dan Tune .
He could not provide the number of people trapped near the popular recreation site or confirm reports that they were advised to jump into the reservoir if necessary .
But he said people have been advised to shelter in place while strike teams of engines and hand crews race to the area to battle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still 0 % contained.Tune said fire-fighting resources -- “ as much as we can spare ” -- are being redeployed to the area .
The fire is also threatening a range of structures and power lines .
“ The priority right now is community and life safety , ” he said .
Residents of Huntington Lake , Camp Sierra and Big Creek in Central California were ordered to evacuate , and portions of Highway 168 were shut down , the Fresno County Sheriff ’ s Office said .
Shaver Lake was closed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ issued for the Kinsman Flat area in North Fork , the Madera County Sheriff ’ s Office said .
Deputies were going door to door notifying residents of the danger .
The Rock Creek and Fish Creek campgrounds were also being evacuated , officials said .
In total , about 2,000 structures were threatened , authorities said .
The American Red Cross was setting up a temporary evacuation point at Foothill Elementary School in Prather .
A second temporary evacuation point was being established at North Fork Elementary in North Fork .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Big Creek drainage between Shaver Lake , Big Creek and Huntington Lake , the U.S. Forest Service said in a statement .
It had grown to about 2,000 acres by Saturday morning and by Saturday afternoon , it was at 5,000 acres , officials estimated .
The fire was zero percent contained .
About 450 firefighters were fighting the blaze with 20 engines , two helicopters and three air tankers , the Forest Service said .
There was no word on how it started .
The fire was burning in steep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with much of the region in the grips of a potentially record-breaking heat wave .
Authorities were asking that anyone scheduled to visit the area during the holiday weekend make alternate plans .

The fast-moving Creek fire in the Sierra National Forest is threatening numerous mountain communities, prompting authorities to issue evacuation orders, the Madera County Sheriff’s Office said.
A brush fire in the Sierra National Forest exploded Saturday, consuming more than 36,000 acres, threatening local communities and trapping 150 near a popular reservoir.
The fast-moving Creek fire cut off evacuation routes to Mammoth Pool Reservoir, according the Madera County sheriff’s office. All of the people were reported safe but 10 of them suffered some type of injury, the sheriff’s office said.
The California National Guard assisted in a major rescue operation Saturday night, using a CH-47 Chinook helicopter to help airlift people trapped by the fire, including some who are injured, according to General Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau. Hokanson said in a tweet that people had been taken to CalGuard facilities & were met by medics & civilian first responders.
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The Fresno Fire Dept. said late Saturday that several military helicopters had rescued 63 people and taken them to Fresno Yosemite International Airport . Injuries were severe for two people and moderate for 10 others, while 51 people had minor or no injuries, fire officials said in a tweet. Aircraft were returning to continue operations but it was unclear, the tweet said, how many more people needed to be evacuated.
Sierra National Forest spokesman Dan Tune said those trapped in the reservoir area were not in imminent danger since the fire front has moved past them and was headed north. But people have been advised to shelter in place while strike teams of engines and hand crews try to clear evacuation routes and contain the fast-moving flames.
The blaze is still 0% contained. Tune said firefighting resources — “as much as we can spare” — are being redeployed to the area.
The fire is also threatening a number of structures and power lines.
“The priority right now is community and life safety,” he said.
Residents of Huntington Lake, Camp Sierra and Big Creek in Central California were ordered to evacuate, and portions of Highway 168 were shut down, the Fresno County Sheriff’s Office said. Shaver Lake was closed.
Later Saturday afternoon, evacuation orders were issued for the Kinsman Flat area in North Fork, the Madera County Sheriff’s Office said. Deputies were going door to door notifying residents of the danger. The Rock Creek and Fish Creek campgrounds were also being evacuated, officials said.
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In total, about 2,000 structures were threatened, authorities said.
The American Red Cross was setting up a temporary evacuation point at Foothill Elementary School in Prather. A second temporary evacuation point was being established at North Fork Elementary in North Fork.
The Creek fire started about 6:45 p.m. Friday in the Big Creek drainage between Shaver Lake, Big Creek and Huntington Lake, the U.S. Forest Service said in a statement.
It had grown to about 2,000 acres by Saturday morning and by the afternoon, it was at 5,000 acres, officials estimated.
California Fast-moving fire threatening communities in Yucaipa; evacuations underway The El Dorado fire in San Bernardino County is threatening communities in Yucaipa and is moving at a high rate of speed, officials said. Part of Oak Glen, Mountain Home Village, the Yucaipa bench area and Forest Falls were under an evacuation order.
About 450 firefighters were fighting the blaze with 20 engines, two helicopters and three air tankers, the Forest Service said. The cause of the fire was under investigation.
The fire was burning in steep and rugged terrain amid high temperatures, with much of the region in the grips of a potentially record-breaking heat wave.
Authorities were asking that anyone scheduled to visit the area during the holiday weekend to make alternate plans.


latimes--2020-09-05--Southern California heat wave breaks records, fuels fires

A dangerous and potentially historic heat wave tightened its grip on Southern California this Labor Day weekend , pushing temperatures to record levels , increasing demands on utilities and sending people scrambling to the beach for some relief .
In Woodland Hills , the mercury climbed to 117 degrees by 3 p.m. Saturday , according to the National Weather Service .
It was the hottest day ever recorded there in September , breaking a record of 115 set in 1979 .
The temperatures were expected to climb even higher Sunday , reaching 119 degrees in Woodland Hills , 114 in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Simi Valley , said David Sweet , meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard .
“ Some of these temperatures could be the all-time record for the location , ” Sweet said .
The forecast prompted Gov .
Gavin Newsom to issue an emergency proclamation aimed at shoring up California ’ s energy capacity and staving off the kind of power outages and rolling blackouts that left tens of thousands of residents in the dark during the last big heat wave .
The California Independent System Operator , which runs the power @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has issued a statewide flex alert — calling for residents to voluntarily cut back their electricity consumption from 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday through Monday .
Southern California Edison reported about three dozen outages spread out over the region Saturday afternoon .
They ranged in size from one or two customers to more than 1,900 , according to the utility ’ s website .
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power spokesman Joe Ramallo said that utility ’ s crews were dealing with a handful of outages Saturday afternoon , but that only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were affected .
“ Our crews are working as fast as they can under extreme temperatures , ” he said .
“ Our system is holding up very well right now.
” Dozens of cooling centers opened across Los Angeles and Orange counties in recreation centers , public libraries , senior facilities and gyms .
The city opened seven centers Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. , most with capacities ranging from 33 to 44 people to accommodate social distancing requirements , said Jimmy Kim , superintendent of emergency management for the city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kim said visitors to the centers are screened for temperature and any symptoms of COVID-19 , including coughs and headaches .
Their contact information also is noted so that they can be traced in the event of an outbreak of the coronavirus .
No one had been turned away from the centers because of COVID-19 symptoms , Kim said Saturday , but concerns about the disease are expected to keep the turnout low .
On Friday , when six centers were in operation , only 33 people used them across the city .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ been significantly reduced , ” Kim said .
Sherin Varghese , an organizer with Ktown for All , an advocacy group for Koreatown ’ s homeless community , said it ’ s not just a question of capacity for cooling centers , but also how many there are and how accessible they are .
Her group is urging the opening of more places to accommodate homeless persons , who in pre-COVID days had access to public libraries and other buildings that have mostly been closed during the pandemic .
“ Obviously , being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ huge risk factor… so these cooling centers seem to be life or death , ” she said .
Another concern is the possibility of fire .
The National Weather Service has issued a red-flag warning , which indicates critical fire weather conditions , for the valleys and mountains of Southern California that will be in effect from 6 p.m. Sunday to 10 p.m. Monday , Sweet said .
In addition to the heat , relative humidities are expected to drop down into the single digits Sunday afternoon , with little recovery overnight .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ warning is in effect for the mountains and South Coast from 6 p.m. Saturday through 10 p.m. Monday because of the heat , low humidities and gusty “ sundowner ” winds , forecasters said .
Already by Saturday afternoon , a fast-moving brush fire had charred 5,000 acres in the Sierra National Forest , forcing dozens from their homes and threatening thousands of structures .
About 350 miles southeast in the Yucaipa area , another fire grew to more than 800 within a few hours , prompting evacuations in several nearby San Bernardino @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That came as more than 12,400 firefighters continued to fight 22 large fires that have together scorched more than 1.5 million acres since they were sparked by a siege of dry lightning strikes last month .
The high-pressure system will remain over the area through Monday but will weaken , allowing a bit more cooling in coastal areas starting Monday afternoon , Sweet said .
But temperatures will remain above normal , and the valleys and inland areas will remain under an excessive heat warning through Monday , he said .
September heat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said climatologist Bill Patzert .
But they ’ ve become hotter , longer-lasting and more frequent , a trend that ’ s all but certain to persist , he said .
“ This is definitely a trailer of the feature , ” he said .
Over the past century , the average temperature in Los Angeles over the entire year has increased by about 5 degrees , Patzert said .
But the average temperature for the months of August and September has increased by 8 to 9 degrees , he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , that ’ s heating up , ” he said .
He attributes the rise to a combination of a slow increase in global temperatures and a faster heating of Southern California due to the buildup of density and heat-absorbing infrastructure , with a population that ’ s quadrupled since the 1950s .
“ We created this great megalopolis from the San Fernando Valley to the Inland Empire to the ocean , and what we ’ ve done is cram 20 million people into it , and we ’ ve created an awful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the heat , ” he said .
“ So not only are we living in a warmer world due to global heating , we ’ re creating our own heat.
” On top of that , he said , while one- to two-day heat waves were the norm in the middle of the century , “ now we see one-week heat waves.
” And they ’ re hotter , as evidenced by the falling records .
“ You never read very much about low temperature records , they ’ re , like , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noted .
“ Whenever there ’ s a record , it ’ s always a new high.
” The triple-digit temperatures coincide with Labor Day weekend , which is typically one of the busiest beach days of the summer even absent a record-breaking heat wave .
At 9:30 a.m Saturday , hundreds of beachgoers dotted the shore in Marina del Rey .
Despite the morning hour , parking spots were hard to find , forcing families to walk multiple blocks , all while carrying plastic buckets , beach towels and umbrellas , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zipped along the water , while several games of beach volleyball were underway .
In the parking lot of the San Gabriel Mission , where temperatures hit 106 degrees around 1:30 p.m. , dedication was tested , but healing services and rituals were ultimately performed .
About 70 family and friends of parishioner Magdalena Lopez , who died on Aug. 14 at the age of 65 , gathered to honor her in a socially-distanced outdoor funeral held under three giant white canopies .
Thirty-year church musician Ralph Mohutsky Jr. said he was “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaving his Alhambra home , but didn ’ t hesitate to play that afternoon .
“ The sense of duty of wanting to give a family peace and closure overrode my fear of overheating , ” Mohutsky Jr. , 54 , said .
“ I made sure to prepare as best as I could to be outside.
” The heat was doubly concerning for Los Angeles resident Isabel Romero , who runs a white dove release business specifically catering to funerals .
She arrived at the one-hour service shortly before its conclusion with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ animals were handed to family members after the service .
The group of mourners formed a circle and jointly released the birds into the air .
The trained doves circled around the canopies and adjoining cemetery and mission en route to the company ’ s coop in Montebello .
“ I really hope they all make it back , ” said Romero , 46 , who has been running the business with her husband Manuel for 20 years .
“ In extreme weather like heavy rain or heat , sometimes they all don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Mojave Desert town of Baker , home to the world ’ s tallest thermometer , the temperature ticked up from 117 to 118 degrees just after 2 p.m .
Despite the broiling heat , some pedestrians continued to wear masks as they walked between shops offering Alien Jerky and souvenirs from the Temp 134 gift shop at the base of the thermometer .
Miles down the road , northbound traffic on Interstate 15 was slowed to a crawl as firefighters extinguished a burning car .
Times staff writers Joe Serna , Kevin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributed to this report .

Alex Wigglesworth, Kim Christensen, Andrew J. Campa

A man sits on the San Gabriel River jetty in Long Beach ahead of a heat wave that began Saturday.
An intense heat wave broiled large swaths of California this Labor Day weekend, shattering numerous records, causing thousands to lose power and fueling several brush fires that were threatening communities from Yucaipa to the Sierra foothills.
Forecasters had predicted historic high temperatures, and they were proved right. Dozens of communities set records Saturday, and a few appeared to record all-time highs, according to the National Weather Service.
In Woodland Hills, the mercury climbed to 117 degrees by 3 p.m., making it the hottest day ever recorded there in September, breaking the record of 115 set in 1979. Burbank reached 113, tying its monthly record set in 1971. Van Nuys hit 115.
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The mercury soared even higher to the east, with Palm Springs hitting 122 and Indio 121. Officials said at least three areas tied or topped all-time record highs: Alpine (113), El Cajon (114) and Idyllwild (103). The weather service said Burbank appeared to tie an all-time record at 114 degrees.
The temperatures were expected to climb even higher in some places on Sunday, reaching 119 degrees in Woodland Hills, 114 in Pasadena and 110 in Simi Valley, said David Sweet, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard.
“Some of these temperatures could be the all-time record for the location,” Sweet said.
The heat, combined with bone-dry conditions, helped several huge fires explode out of control Saturday, with firefighters struggling to keep up.
A brush fire in the Sierra National Forest exploded Saturday, consuming more than 36,000 acres, threatening local communities and trapping 150 people near a popular reservoir.
The fast-moving Creek fire cut off evacuation routes to Mammoth Pool Reservoir, according to the Madera County sheriff’s office. All of the people were reported safe but 10 of them suffered some type of injury, the sheriff’s office said.
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The California National Guard assisted in a major rescue operation Saturday night, using a CH-47 Chinook helicopter to help airlift people trapped by the fire, including some who are injured, said Gen. Daniel Hokanson, chief of the National Guard Bureau. Hokanson said in a tweet that people had been taken to CalGuard facilities and were met by medics and civilian first responders.
Right now, the @CalGuard is airlifting patients trapped by wildfire to a location where they will be met by @AirNatlGuard medics and local first responders. As this situation develops, the National Guard will continue to support our partner agencies and communities. #CreekFire https://t.co/mQBhuS8bnW — General Daniel Hokanson (@ChiefNGB) September 6, 2020
The Fresno Fire Department said late Saturday that several military helicopters had rescued 63 people and taken them to Fresno Yosemite International Airport . Injuries were severe for two people and moderate for 10 others, while 51 people had minor or no injuries, fire officials said in a tweet. Aircraft were returning to continue operations but it was unclear, the tweet said, how many more people needed to be evacuated.
Sierra National Forest spokesman Dan Tune said those trapped in the reservoir area were not in imminent danger since the fire front has moved past them and was headed north. But people have been advised to shelter in place while strike teams of engines and hand crews try to clear evacuation routes and contain the fast-moving flames. The fire is also threatening a range of structures and power lines.
“The priority right now is community and life safety,” he said.
Residents of Huntington Lake, Camp Sierra and Big Creek in Central California were ordered to evacuate.
Near Yucaipa, another fire had burned more than 1,500 acres and forced evacuations in numerous mountainside communities in San Bernardino County. Dubbed the El Dorado fire , the blaze began about 10:30 a.m. in the 37000 block of Oak Glen Road, forcing the evacuation of Oak Glen, Forest Falls, Mountain Home Village and parts of eastern Yucaipa.
The blaze also closed a portion of the San Gorgonio Wilderness, according to San Bernardino National Forest officials.
In San Diego County, a 1,500-acre fire in the rural Japatul Valley area threatened homes and forced evacuations.
The new blazes came as 12,400 firefighters continued to fight 22 large fires that have together scorched more than 1.5 million acres since they were sparked by a series of dry lightning strikes last month.
The National Weather Service has issued a red-flag warning, which indicates critical fire weather conditions, for the valleys and mountains of Southern California that will be in effect from 6 p.m. Sunday to 10 p.m. Monday, Sweet said.
In Santa Barbara County, a red-flag warning is in effect for the mountains and South Coast from 6 p.m. Saturday through 10 p.m. Monday because of the heat, low humidity and gusty “sundowner” winds, forecasters said.
The forecast prompted Gov. Gavin Newsom to issue an emergency proclamation aimed at shoring up California’s energy capacity and staving off the kind of power outages and rolling blackouts that left tens of thousands of residents in the dark during the last big heat wave.
The California Independent System Operator, which runs the power grid for most of the state, has issued a statewide flex alert — calling for residents to voluntarily cut back their electricity consumption from 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday through Monday.
Southern California Edison reported about three dozen outages spread out over the region Saturday afternoon. They ranged in size from one or two customers to more than 1,900, according to the utility’s website.
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power spokesman Joe Ramallo said that utility’s crews were dealing with a handful of outages Saturday afternoon, but that only 550 of its 1.5 million customers citywide were affected.
“Our crews are working as fast as they can under extreme temperatures,” he said. “Our system is holding up very well right now.”
September heat waves are nothing new for Southern California, said climatologist Bill Patzert. But they’ve become hotter, longer-lasting and more frequent, a trend that’s all but certain to persist, he said.
“This is definitely a trailer of the feature,” he said.
Over the last century, the average temperature in Los Angeles over the entire year has increased by about 5 degrees, Patzert said. But the average temperature for the months of August and September has increased by 8 to 9 degrees, he said.
“That’s not warming up, that’s heating up,” he said.
He attributes the rise to a combination of a slow increase in global temperatures and a faster heating of Southern California due to the buildup of heat-absorbing infrastructure, with a population that’s quadrupled since the 1950s.
“We created this great megalopolis from the San Fernando Valley to the Inland Empire to the ocean, and what we’ve done is cram 20 million people into it, and we’ve created an awful lot of infrastructure that tends to absorb the heat,” he said. “So not only are we living in a warmer world due to global heating, we’re creating our own heat.”
On top of that, he said, while one- to two-day heat waves were the norm in the middle of the century, “now we see one-week heat waves.” And they’re hotter, as evidenced by the falling records.
“You never read very much about low temperature records, they’re, like, in the rearview mirror,” Patzert said. “Whenever there’s a record, it’s always a new high.”
The triple-digit temperatures coincide with Labor Day weekend, which is typically one of the busiest beach days of the summer even absent a record-breaking heat wave.
At 9:30 a.m Saturday, hundreds of beachgoers dotted the shore in Marina del Rey. Despite the morning hour, parking spots were hard to find, forcing families to walk multiple blocks, all while carrying plastic buckets, beach towels and umbrellas.
Boaters and kayakers zipped along the water, while several games of beach volleyball were underway.
In the parking lot of the San Gabriel Mission, where temperatures hit 106 degrees around 1:30 p.m., dedication was tested, but healing services and rituals were ultimately performed.
About 70 family and friends of parishioner Magdalena Lopez, who died on Aug. 14 at the age of 65, gathered to honor her in a socially distanced outdoor funeral held under three giant white canopies.
Thirty-year church musician Ralph Mohutsky Jr. said he was “concerned” about the extreme heat before leaving his Alhambra home, but he didn’t hesitate to play that afternoon.
“The sense of duty of wanting to give a family peace and closure overrode my fear of overheating,” Mohutsky Jr., 54, said. “I made sure to prepare as best as I could to be outside.”
The heat was doubly concerning for Los Angeles resident Isabel Romero, who runs a white-dove release business specifically catering to funerals.
She arrived at the one-hour service shortly before its conclusion with two crates of 20 birds.
The doves were handed to family members after the service. The group of mourners formed a circle and jointly released the birds into the air. The trained doves circled around the canopies and adjoining cemetery and mission en route to the company’s coop in Montebello.
“I really hope they all make it back,” said Romero, 46, who has been running the business with her husband, Manuel, for 20 years. “In extreme weather like heavy rain or heat, sometimes they all don’t make it back.”
In the Mojave Desert town of Baker, home to the world’s tallest thermometer, the temperature ticked up from 117 to 118 degrees just after 2 p.m.
Miles down the road, northbound traffic on Interstate 15 was slowed to a crawl as firefighters extinguished a burning car.
Times staff writers Joseph Serna, Kevin Rector, Dakota Smith and Luke Money contributed to this report.


latimes--2020-09-05--2 arrested on human trafficking charges, 3 missing teens found, Long Beach police say

Long Beach police arrested a man and woman on suspicion of human trafficking and found three teens who were reported to be missing , authorities announced Friday .
Mycal Ruff , 32 , of Carson was taken into custody Aug. 28 on suspicion of three counts of false imprisonment and human trafficking , the Long Beach Police Department said in a news release .
Dezere Romero , 21 , of San Bernardino was arrested Thursday on suspicion of three counts of human trafficking and one count of prostitution , police said .
Detectives launched an investigation into the prostitution of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Street and Pine Avenue on Aug. 13 , police said .
They arranged to meet with the teen and searched her phone , which led them to two other alleged victims , according to investigators .
The girls — ages 15 , 16 , and 17 — were reported missing from Long Beach , San Bernardino and Hemet , respectively , police said .
They told investigators that Ruff had forced them to perform acts of prostitution and Romero helped manage them , police said .
Ruff was released Aug. 31 after posting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Romero remained jailed in lieu of $ 470,000 bail .
Anyone with information about the investigation is asked to call the Long Beach Police Department vice detail at ( 562 ) 570-7219 .

Long Beach police arrested a man and woman on suspicion of human trafficking and found three teens who were reported to be missing, authorities announced Friday.
Mycal Ruff, 32, of Carson was taken into custody Aug. 28 on suspicion of three counts of false imprisonment and human trafficking, the Long Beach Police Department said in a news release. Dezere Romero, 21, of San Bernardino was arrested Thursday on suspicion of three counts of human trafficking and one count of prostitution, police said.
Detectives launched an investigation into the prostitution of a minor in the area near 28th Street and Pine Avenue on Aug. 13, police said. They arranged to meet with the teen and searched her phone, which led them to two other alleged victims, according to investigators.
The girls — ages 15, 16, and 17 — were reported missing from Long Beach, San Bernardino and Hemet, respectively, police said. They told investigators that Ruff had forced them to perform acts of prostitution and Romero helped manage them, police said.
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Ruff was released Aug. 31 after posting $450,000 bond, jail records state. Romero remained jailed in lieu of $470,000 bail.
Anyone with information about the investigation is asked to call the Long Beach Police Department vice detail at (562) 570-7219.


latimes--2020-09-05--How to survive the dangerous Labor Day weekend heat wave in Southern California

A dangerous heat wave is bearing down on Southern California this weekend .
Here are the key things you need to know : Virtually all of California will be under an excessive heat watch or warning beginning Friday or Saturday and continuing through Sunday or Monday .
Forecasters say temperatures are expected to climb 15 to 20 degrees above normal in some areas through the weekend — and warned that records will likely fall .
Los Angeles County health officials Friday announced that an extreme heat warning will be in effect through Tuesday for the Antelope and Santa Clarita valleys @ @ @ @ @ @ @ western San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys .
In L.A. County , highs could range from 100 to 117 .
Overnight highs could run from the 70s to the 80s .
Highs could exceed 100 in downtown L.A. on Saturday and 110 in Anaheim .
“ Extreme heat will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses , particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities.
” the National Weather Service said .
“ Drink plenty of fluids , stay in an air-conditioned room , stay out of the sun , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday will also be hot , with a cooling trending coming Monday .
Some major utilities warn that the one-two punch of sweltering conditions and increased energy demand could stress the power grid to its limit , potentially resulting in outages .
“ For this weekend , conservation is key , ” said Jim Hanggi , a spokesman for Southern California Edison .
The California Independent System Operator , which runs the power grid for most of the state , has already issued a — calling for residents to voluntarily cut back their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday through Monday .
California ISO Vice President of Operations Eric Schmitt told reporters that although the last major heat wave hit the state on Aug. 14 and 15 , “ at this point , we are not forecasting any blackouts.
” ISO officials cited several factors they hoped would help California avoid rolling blackouts this time around , including the flex alert , a previously issued “ restricted maintenance ” order requiring that planned routine outages be postponed and coordination with other state agencies “ to encourage additional load conservation and make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekend.
” Although Los Angeles County beaches were either or during the summer ’ s previous holidays , county public health officials , in consultation with the leaders of the county and its beach cities , decided to keep the coastline open for Labor Day .
But they ’ ve cautioned that if there ’ s overcrowding , that could change .
“ Obviously we hope [ beaches ] don ’ t have to shut down because if they don ’ t shut down , that means that hopefully everyone is following the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public information officer for the L.A. County Department of Beaches and Harbors .
Those rules are : Wear a mask at all times unless you ’ re in the water or eating or drinking , keep six feet apart from all those who don ’ t live in your household , and abstain from gatherings and group sports including beach volleyball .
The department will have volunteers at several beaches , including Will Rogers , Zuma and Dockweiler , to remind people of mask and distancing rules .
The so-called goodwill ambassadors , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will also be handing out trash bags and promoting a “ pack in , pack out ” message , Mooradian said .
In neighboring Orange County , beaches will also remain open for Labor Day .
“ We are expecting more beachgoers than normal and we want them to help us by keeping safety in mind with respect to the water , heat , and COVID-19 , ” Eric Blaska , public information officer for the Huntington Beach Fire Department , said in an email .
Here are tips from NWS : —Drink @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air-conditioned room , stay out of the sun , and check up on relatives and neighbors .
—Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances .
—Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside .
When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening .
—Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke .
Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when possible .
—To reduce risk during outdoor work , the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location .
Heat stroke is an emergency .
Call 911 .
Officials have said people should avoid being outside this weekend .
Here are a list of cooling centers open to the public .
-- Quartz Hill Library , 5040 W. Ave. M-2 , Quartz Hill , open through Sunday , noon- 6 p.m. ; -- El Monte Community Center , 3130 Tyler Ave. , El Monte , open Saturday and Sunday , noon-6 p.m. ; -- Griffith Manor Park , 1551 Flower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Tuesday , 10 a.m-6 p.m. ; -- Pacific Community Center , 501 S. Pacific Ave. , Glendale , Saturday through Monday , 10 a.m.-6 p.m. ; -- Chimbole Cultural Center , 38350 Sierra Highway , Palmdale , open through Tuesday , noon-6 p.m. ; -- Las Palmas Park , 505 S. Huntington St. , San Fernando , open through Tuesday , 10 a.m.-7 p.m. ; -- Buena Vista Library , 300 N. Buena Vista St. , Burbank , open through Monday , noon-6 p.m. ; -- Robinson Park , 1081 N. Fairs Oaks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 9 a.m.-6 p.m. ; -- Salazar Park , 3864 Whittier Blvd.
, Los Angeles , open through Sunday , noon-6 p.m. ; -- Sunshine Park , 515 Deepmead Ave. , La Puente , open through Sunday , noon-6 p.m. ; -- Valleydale Park , 5525 N. Lark Ellen Ave. , Azusa , open through Sunday , noon-6 p.m. ; -- Stevenson Ranch Library , 25950 The Old Road.
, Stevenson Ranch , open through Sunday , noon-6 p.m. ; -- Museum of Art and History , 665 W. Lancaster Blvd.
, Lancaster @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- Ken Miller Recreational Center , 3341 Torrance Blvd.
, Torrance , Saturday through Sunday , noon-6 p.m. ; -- Senior Center/Community Center , 201 E. Bonita Ave. , San Dimas , open through Thursday , 10 a.m.-6 p.m. ; -- Crowther Teen & Family Center , 241 W. Dawson Ave. , Glendora , open through Monday , 10 a.m.-6 p.m. ; -- Huntington Park Library , 6518 Miles Ave. , Huntington Park , open through Sunday , noon to 6 p.m. ; -- Topanga Library , 122 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd.
, @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to 6 p.m. ; -- Claremont Library , 208 N. Harvard Ave. , Claremont , open through Sunday , noon to 6 p.m. ; -- Memorial Park , 320 N. Orange Place , Azusa , open through Monday , noon to 6 p.m. ; -- Royal Oaks Park Building , 2627 Royal Oaks Drive , Duarte , open through Wednesday , 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. ; -- San Gabriel Adult Recreation Center , 324 S. Mission Drive , San Gabriel , open through Monday , 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ; and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1556 Central Ave. , South El Monte , open through Sunday , noon to 6 p.m .
The city of Los Angeles will operate cooling centers from noon to 8 p.m. Friday through Monday at : -- Canoga Park Senior Citizen Center , 7326 Jordan Ave. ; -- South Los Angeles Sports Activity Center , 7020 S. Figueroa St. ; -- Lake View Terrace Recreation Center , 11075 Foothill Blvd .
; -- Normandale Recreation Center , 22400 S. Halldale Ave. , Torrance ; and -- Lafayette Recreation Center , 625 S. Lafayette @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Beach will operate cooling centers from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at : -- Admiral Kidd Park , 2125 Santa Fe Ave. ; -- El Dorado Park West , 2800 Studebaker Road ; -- Houghton Park , 6301 Myrtle Ave. ; -- Long Beach Senior Center , 1150 E. 4th St. ; and -- McBride Park , 1550 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. Cooling centers in Orange County will also be open .
Residents should call ahead to verify hours .
The centers include : Anaheim : -- Downtown Youth Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : -- The Center at Founders Village-Senior and Community Center , 17967 Bushard St. , 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday .
Garden Grove : -- H. Louis Lake Senior Center , 11300 Stanford Ave. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. La Habra : -- 101 W. La Habra Blvd.
, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday-Sunday .
Laguna Woods : -- 24264 El Toro Road , 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday .
La Palma : -- Cool Center at the La Palma Police Department , 7792 Walker St. , hours vary , call for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Newport Beach : -- Newport Coast Community Center , 6401 San Joaquin Hills Road , 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Seal Beach : -- Marina Community Center , 151 Marina Drive , 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday .

Miguel Garcia of Tujunga wipes the sweat off of his face Friday after jogging at Hansen Dam Recreation Area in Pacoima.
A dangerous heat wave is bearing down on Southern California this weekend.
Here are the key things you need to know:
The forecast
Virtually all of California will be under an excessive heat watch or warning beginning Friday or Saturday and continuing through Sunday or Monday. Forecasters say temperatures are expected to climb 15 to 20 degrees above normal in some areas through the weekend — and warned that records will likely fall.
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Los Angeles County health officials Friday announced that an extreme heat warning will be in effect through Tuesday for the Antelope and Santa Clarita valleys, as well as the eastern and western San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys.
In L.A. County, highs could range from 100 to 117. Overnight highs could run from the 70s to the 80s. Highs could exceed 100 in downtown L.A. on Saturday and 110 in Anaheim.
“Extreme heat will significantly increase the potential for heat related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities.” the National Weather Service said. “Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.”
Sunday will also be hot, with a cooling trending coming Monday.
Power issues
Some major utilities warn that the one-two punch of sweltering conditions and increased energy demand could stress the power grid to its limit, potentially resulting in outages.
Advertisement
“For this weekend, conservation is key,” said Jim Hanggi, a spokesman for Southern California Edison.
The California Independent System Operator, which runs the power grid for most of the state, has already issued a statewide flex alert — calling for residents to voluntarily cut back their electricity consumption from 3 to 9 p.m. Saturday through Monday.
California ISO Vice President of Operations Eric Schmitt told reporters that although the last major heat wave saw rotating power outages hit the state on Aug. 14 and 15, “at this point, we are not forecasting any blackouts.”
ISO officials cited several factors they hoped would help California avoid rolling blackouts this time around, including the flex alert, a previously issued “restricted maintenance” order requiring that planned routine outages be postponed and coordination with other state agencies “to encourage additional load conservation and make additional generation capacity available for the holiday weekend.”
Holiday conditions
Although Los Angeles County beaches were either closed or limited to active recreation during the summer’s previous holidays, county public health officials, in consultation with the leaders of the county and its beach cities, decided to keep the coastline open for Labor Day.
But they’ve cautioned that if there’s overcrowding, that could change.
“Obviously we hope [beaches] don’t have to shut down because if they don’t shut down, that means that hopefully everyone is following the rules,” said Nicole Mooradian, public information officer for the L.A. County Department of Beaches and Harbors.
Those rules are: Wear a mask at all times unless you’re in the water or eating or drinking, keep six feet apart from all those who don’t live in your household, and abstain from gatherings and group sports including beach volleyball.
The department will have volunteers at several beaches, including Will Rogers, Zuma and Dockweiler, to remind people of mask and distancing rules. The so-called goodwill ambassadors, who are county disaster services workers, will also be handing out trash bags and promoting a “pack in, pack out” message, Mooradian said.
In neighboring Orange County, beaches will also remain open for Labor Day.
“We are expecting more beachgoers than normal and we want them to help us by keeping safety in mind with respect to the water, heat, and COVID-19,” Eric Blaska, public information officer for the Huntington Beach Fire Department, said in an email.
Staying safe
Here are tips from NWS:
—Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.
—Young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles under any circumstances.
—Take extra precautions if you work or spend time outside. When possible reschedule strenuous activities to early morning or evening.
—Know the signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing when possible.
—To reduce risk during outdoor work, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends scheduling frequent rest breaks in shaded or air-conditioned environments.
—Anyone overcome by heat should be moved to a cool and shaded location. Heat stroke is an emergency. Call 911.
Cooling centers
Officials have said people should avoid being outside this weekend. Here are a list of cooling centers open to the public.
-- Quartz Hill Library, 5040 W. Ave. M-2, Quartz Hill, open through Sunday, noon-
6 p.m.;
-- El Monte Community Center, 3130 Tyler Ave., El Monte, open Saturday and
Sunday, noon-6 p.m.;
-- Griffith Manor Park, 1551 Flower St., Glendale, open Friday and
Tuesday, 10 a.m-6 p.m.;
-- Pacific Community Center, 501 S. Pacific Ave., Glendale, Saturday
through Monday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.;
-- Chimbole Cultural Center, 38350 Sierra Highway, Palmdale, open
through Tuesday, noon-6 p.m.;
-- Las Palmas Park, 505 S. Huntington St., San Fernando, open through
Tuesday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.;
-- Buena Vista Library, 300 N. Buena Vista St., Burbank, open through
Monday, noon-6 p.m.;
-- Robinson Park, 1081 N. Fairs Oaks Ave., Pasadena, open through
Monday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.;
-- Salazar Park, 3864 Whittier Blvd., Los Angeles, open through
Sunday, noon-6 p.m.;
-- Sunshine Park, 515 Deepmead Ave., La Puente, open through Sunday,
noon-6 p.m.;
-- Valleydale Park, 5525 N. Lark Ellen Ave., Azusa, open through
Sunday, noon-6 p.m.;
-- Stevenson Ranch Library, 25950 The Old Road., Stevenson Ranch, open
through Sunday, noon-6 p.m.;
-- Museum of Art and History, 665 W. Lancaster Blvd., Lancaster,
ongoing, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.;
-- Ken Miller Recreational Center, 3341 Torrance Blvd., Torrance,
Saturday through Sunday, noon-6 p.m.;
-- Senior Center/Community Center, 201 E. Bonita Ave., San Dimas, open
through Thursday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.;
-- Crowther Teen & Family Center, 241 W. Dawson Ave., Glendora, open
through Monday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.;
-- Huntington Park Library, 6518 Miles Ave., Huntington Park, open through Sunday, noon
to 6 p.m.;
-- Topanga Library, 122 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga, open through Sunday,
noon to 6 p.m.;
-- Claremont Library, 208 N. Harvard Ave., Claremont, open through Sunday, noon
to 6 p.m.;
-- Memorial Park, 320 N. Orange Place, Azusa, open through Monday,
noon to 6 p.m.;
-- Royal Oaks Park Building, 2627 Royal Oaks Drive, Duarte, open
through Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.;
-- San Gabriel Adult Recreation Center, 324 S. Mission Drive, San Gabriel, open
through Monday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and
-- South El Monte Senior Center, 1556 Central Ave., South El Monte, open through
Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.
The city of Los Angeles will operate cooling centers from noon to 8
p.m. Friday through Monday at:
-- Canoga Park Senior Citizen Center, 7326 Jordan Ave.;
-- South Los Angeles Sports Activity Center, 7020 S. Figueroa St.;
-- Lake View Terrace Recreation Center, 11075 Foothill Blvd.;
-- Normandale Recreation Center, 22400 S. Halldale Ave., Torrance; and
-- Lafayette Recreation Center, 625 S. Lafayette Park Place.
The city of Long Beach will operate cooling centers from noon to 6
p.m. Saturday and Sunday at:
-- Admiral Kidd Park, 2125 Santa Fe Ave.;
-- El Dorado Park West, 2800 Studebaker Road;
-- Houghton Park, 6301 Myrtle Ave.;
-- Long Beach Senior Center, 1150 E. 4th St.; and
-- McBride Park, 1550 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.
Cooling centers in Orange County will also be open. Residents should
call ahead to verify hours. The centers include:
Anaheim:
-- Downtown Youth Center, 225 S. Philadelphia St.
Fountain Valley:
-- The Center at Founders Village-Senior and Community Center, 17967
Bushard St., 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Garden Grove:
-- H. Louis Lake Senior Center, 11300 Stanford Ave. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
La Habra:
-- 101 W. La Habra Blvd., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday-Sunday.
Laguna Woods:
-- 24264 El Toro Road, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
La Palma:
-- Cool Center at the La Palma Police Department, 7792 Walker St.,
hours vary, call for more information, (714) 690-3370.
Newport Beach:
-- Newport Coast Community Center, 6401 San Joaquin Hills Road, 9 a.m.
to 5 p.m.
Seal Beach:
-- Marina Community Center, 151 Marina Drive, 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.


latimes--2020-09-05--Metrolink to restore morning train service to San Fernando Valley and Ventura County

As traffic on freeways serving the San Fernando Valley and Ventura County returns to pre-COVID-19 levels , Metrolink said it would reinstate two morning commuter trains on Tuesday to serve people who live and work in those areas .
Ventura County Line trains 101 and 110 will return to Metrolink ’ s schedule to serve stations connecting Los Angeles to Glendale , Burbank , Northridge , Van Nuys , Chatsworth , Simi Valley and Moorpark , officials said .
Westbound Train 101 will depart Union Station at 6:51 a.m. and arrive in Moorpark at 8:06 a.m. , while the eastbound @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and arrive at Union Station at 9:41 a.m .
The eastbound service provides the first morning connection from Los Angeles to Ventura County since the pandemic forced service reductions in March , Metrolink stated .
` `` As we restore service , customer needs are a key factor influencing our planning , ” Metrolink Board Chair Brian Humphrey said Friday .
`` `` A rider brought to our attention there was no service to Ventura County in the morning .
I commend our team for being customer-focused and making sure we fulfilled this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that will serve my home county , as well as the essential businesses of the San Fernando Valley.
” A recent Metrolink customer survey indicated 71 % of current riders are essential workers employed by the region ’ s healthcare , transportation and other critical industries .
Nearly one-third responded they do not have a vehicle and rely on Metrolink to get to essential jobs .
“ Our service and schedules are all centered around the needs and safety of our customers , ” Metrolink Chief Executive Stephanie Wiggins said .
`` `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beginning to rebound and will continue to restore service in a measured and strategic fashion based on need , our ability to socially distance and available funding.
” Face masks are required aboard Metrolink trains and on station platforms , and the rail service said it has implemented enhanced deep-cleaning protocols including the use of an electrostatic sprayer that mists each train car with hospital-grade disinfectants every day .
It also expanded its Clean Care Crew that cleans and disinfects trains throughout the day .
Passengers can see how full their train is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using the How Full is My Train ?
online tool .
More safety information and train schedule updates are also available online .

As traffic on freeways serving the San Fernando Valley and Ventura County returns to pre-COVID-19 levels, Metrolink said it would reinstate two morning commuter trains on Tuesday to serve people who live and work in those areas.
Ventura County Line trains 101 and 110 will return to Metrolink’s schedule to serve stations connecting Los Angeles to Glendale, Burbank, Northridge, Van Nuys, Chatsworth, Simi Valley and Moorpark, officials said.
Westbound Train 101 will depart Union Station at 6:51 a.m. and arrive in Moorpark at 8:06 a.m., while the eastbound 110 will depart Moorpark at 8:28 a.m. and arrive at Union Station at 9:41 a.m.
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The eastbound service provides the first morning connection from Los Angeles to Ventura County since the pandemic forced service reductions in March, Metrolink stated.
`”As we restore service, customer needs are a key factor influencing our planning,” Metrolink Board Chair Brian Humphrey said Friday. ``”A rider brought to our attention there was no service to Ventura County in the morning. I commend our team for being customer-focused and making sure we fulfilled this critical need by offering these additional trains that will serve my home county, as well as the essential businesses of the San Fernando Valley.”
A recent Metrolink customer survey indicated 71% of current riders are essential workers employed by the region’s healthcare, transportation and other critical industries. Nearly one-third responded they do not have a vehicle and rely on Metrolink to get to essential jobs.
“Our service and schedules are all centered around the needs and safety of our customers,” Metrolink Chief Executive Stephanie Wiggins said. ``”We are heartened to see our ridership beginning to rebound and will continue to
restore service in a measured and strategic fashion based on need, our ability to socially distance and available funding.”
Face masks are required aboard Metrolink trains and on station platforms, and the rail service said it has implemented enhanced deep-cleaning protocols including the use of an electrostatic sprayer that mists each train
car with hospital-grade disinfectants every day. It also expanded its Clean Care Crew that cleans and disinfects trains throughout the day.
Passengers can see how full their train is in order to safely socially distance by using the How Full is My Train? online tool. More safety information and train schedule updates are also available online.


latimes--2020-09-05--Fire, smoke, heat, drought — how climate change could spoil your next glass of California Cabernet

A couple of years ago my wife and I visited the Bonny Doon Vineyard near Santa Cruz to sample the offerings of winemaking savant Randall Grahm .
While we were there , Grahm told us something I haven ’ t been able to forget .
It wasn ’ t nearly as foggy along Monterey Bay as it used to be , he said , and that was worrisome for winemakers .
With each dose of aberrant weather California has had since then , I found myself wondering how California ’ s wineries were faring and whether the noble grape was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ level rise and deadly wildfires — of an overcooked planet .
A few weeks ago I called Grahm to continue the conversation .
“ About 25 years ago I started to see substantially less fog , and in the last 20 years , less , and less , ” said Grahm , and that ’ s starting to affect California wine .
With more sun and heat , the grape maturation process is rushed , he said , and while it ’ s possible to still make good wine , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pH balance , color and flavor just right .
Grapes that he buys “ used to ripen maybe the first week of November , and now it ’ s a good three to four weeks earlier .
And that ’ s not trivial.
” The subtle differences in fragrance and complexity Grahm talks about are beyond my palate grade , but what I do understand is that winemakers are adapting because they have to .
For them , climate change is not some abstract , distant worry .
It ’ s creeping into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a big deal .
The United States is the world ’ s fourth-largest wine producer behind Italy , France and Spain , and California produces 80 % of the nation ’ s vino .
Retail sales top $ 40 billion , and the industry employs more than 30,000 Californians directly in growing grapes and producing wine and many more in related jobs .
Here , as in other wine-growing regions of the world impacted by climate change , there won ’ t necessarily be less production in coming years .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ techniques and moving to higher elevations .
After a lot of time on the phone with vintners and climate experts , I took to the highway during the second week of August to see what was happening in the vineyards .
I beat the fires and thousands of lightning strikes by a week , but even without an inferno bearing down , what I found was alarming , though I also saw encouraging innovations .
It had been a while since I traveled the Napa Valley wine trail , and I ’ d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of roller-coaster slopes are crocheted with the vines of California ’ s king of grapes — cabernet sauvignon , often just referred to as cabernet or cab .
And it turns out , that ’ s one of the grapes that may be most imperiled .
It doesn ’ t stand up to extreme heat as well as many lesser-known varieties .
To understand the significance of this , you have to go back to 1976 , when a bottle of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon put California indisputably on the international wine map @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the best French Bordeaux in a blind tasting that came to be known as the Judgment of Paris , and a California wine from Stag ’ s Leap Wine Cellars .
To this day , Napa ‘ s Cabernet is in demand worldwide .
In the United States , it is the top-selling red wine , and the best bottles command stratospheric prices .
To suggest that different , cheaper and perhaps less marketable grapes might be the future of Napa Valley is almost an act of heresy .
For decades , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s tasting rooms to buy bottles that sell for hundreds and even thousands of dollars .
But how long can that go on ?
Nobody knows for sure , but as far back as 2011 , a Stanford University study predicted that the amount of Northern California land suitable for growing premium grapes could shrink by half as early as 2040 , due to increased heat .
That ’ s bad news for the cabernet grape .
Too much heat can mean the berry develops sugar before it has developed its full character @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Winemaker Dan Petroski has been clanging his glass to sound the alarm .
Petroski , who worked in the magazine business and first got interested in wine at high-end New York lunches with clients , has likened the sun ’ s escalating assault on Napa Valley ’ s trophy grape to the slow boiling of a frog .
“ The changes in climate that are predicted both worldwide and in the Napa Valley mean that in 10 , 20 , or 30 years ’ time…Napa will be a different agricultural region , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Petroski loves Cabernet and makes some of the finest in Napa Valley for Larkmead Vineyards , a high-end producer founded in the 1890s .
For 10 years , he said , winemakers have been doing things like shading and misting vines , but he sees a day when “ there ’ s no silver bullet that ’ s going to mitigate climate change.
” At Larkmead , he led me to a three-acre research block he has planted with grapes you may never have heard of — grapes he hopes have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ change than Cabernet .
Here , surrounded by trellised rows of cabernet vines , he ’ s got young stalks of aglianico , charbono , tempranillo , shiraz and touriga nacional .
Those sturdy reds might not be as familiar tasting as Cabernet , and they don ’ t have anywhere near the cachet , but they can handle heat .
“ We ’ ll see what works best , ” said Petroski .
“ Maybe cabernet , pinot noir , chardonnay and other grape varieties that built Napa and Sonoma ... in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be suitable in the next 30 years , ” Petroski said .
“ We have to adapt to what ’ s going on in the world .
This is not a wine industry problem .
This is an agriculture problem .
This is a global problem .
This is a humanity problem.
” Not everyone thinks California ’ s big-money grapes — cabernet sauvignon , pinot noir and chardonnay — will wither , and some of those grapes still prosper in cooler micro-climates throughout California .
At least for now .
Just west @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cellars told me fog still pumps through the valley and creates a perfect growing environment for her pinot noir grapes .
Jim Clendenen of Au Bon Climat said he ’ s got the same golden ribbon of marine climate in the valleys near Santa Maria , where his chardonnay grapes grow .
In hotter climates , like Napa Valley , Jon Priest of Etude Wines is using computer models and artificial intelligence to improve growing and irrigation techniques , and vines can be pruned in a way that creates a canopy of shade @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have at our disposal in the U.S. is technology and knowledge , and we ’ ll find a way to make Cabernet last , ” said Kaan Kurtural , cooperative extension specialist in viticulture at UC Davis .
Or maybe it ’ s time for California wine drinkers to branch out .
“ There are somewhere around 5,000 grapes we can grow and make wine from , ” said Greg Jones , a climatologist and director of wine studies at Linfield University in Oregon , and a contributor to the Stanford study that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ California .
If the state had never grown grapes and were to start from scratch today , says UC Davis agricultural water management specialist Daniele Zaccaria , the smartest bet might be to plant the grapes of southern Europe rather than the cab of Bordeaux .
In fact , such grapes were planted in California a century ago by European immigrants , but they were all but forgotten after the success of Napa Valley ’ s trophy grapes .
I asked Zaccaria what wine he thinks he ’ ll be reaching for in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meal and pairing it with a quintessential California wine .
“ Probably a Primitivo , a Tempranillo , a Negroamaro , a Nero d ’ Avola , ” he said , naming wines typical of Southern Europe , including Sicily .
“ Something from areas very similar in climate.
” You won ’ t find those in many grocery stores today , but they ’ ve been on the shelves of specialty shops for years .
For shoppers interested in branching out , Keith Mabry of K & L Wine Merchants in Hollywood @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Primitivo is an Italian cousin of Zinfandel .
With Tempranillo , he ’ d ask if the customer is familiar with wines of Spain ’ s Rioja region , and if not , he might say it ’ s a medium-bodied dry red similar to Chianti .
For California grapes and other crops , the climate change problem isn ’ t just about too much heat , it ’ s about too little water .
But some grape varieties can handle harsh conditions , and Zaccaria said that in his native Puglia in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ craggy areas with little rainfall and no irrigation .
The roots grow strong , he said , digging deeper into the cracked earth , and the vines can thrive for decades .
You don ’ t have to cross an ocean to see what ’ s possible .
I settled instead for a trip to Paso Robles .
Jason Haas did not plan as a young man to get into the wine business , but his father , Robert , was a major U.S. importer of wine and a friend of French winemakers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working at a French vineyard one summer , at 16 .
He returned two more times , then studied economics , art and archaeology in college before working in tech .
By then , Robert Haas had purchased some land in Paso Robles and planted the southern Rhone Valley grapes he had come to love , including grenache , mourvedre , syrah , roussanne and grenache blanc .
In 2002 , the elder Haas needed someone with a tech background to help out at his Tablas Creek Vineyard , and his son joined @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the top of a hill at Tablas where Grenache and Syrah were planted about 15 years ago .
They were spaced farther apart than is common , so roots have less competition for water .
Haas keeps a herd of 200 sheep as farmhands .
They weed the vineyard , their fertilizer helps the soil hold water , and their hooves cultivate rather than compact the earth .
One-third of the vines at the 120-acre winery are dry-farmed .
The rest have irrigation but the water isn ’ t needed when rainfall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He is now a proprietor of the winery his late father established , and the award-winning wines include the classic Paso blend of Syrah , Grenache and Mourvedre .
Two weeks ago , temperatures topped 100 several days in a row , Haas said .
But his Rhone grapes handled the heat , no problem .
I have nothing against Cabernet Sauvignon .
With a steak , or on a cold October night when the Dodgers are losing , that ’ s the grog I might reach for because it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a flap of peppered jerky in an oak barrel , and you feel like you might grow hair on your head again .
But if the wines of California ’ s future are from Southern Europe , I ’ m OK with that .
They can be lighter and go better with the chicken , fish and produce that are the essence of California cuisine .
My favorite thing about them ?
They don ’ t cost nearly as much as the more famous stuff .
With that in mind , I paid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ got me thinking about the relationship between wine and climate change .
I found Randall Grahm on his vineyard in San Juan Bautista , which he said he first saw in a dream , before he knew it existed .
Here , on 280 acres of terrain he calls Popelouchum — paradise in the Native American language of the Mutsun people — he is trying to create a new variety of grape that will , among other things , stand up to climate change .
Grahm , 67 , grew up in Los @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ sweeping the floors ” at Wine Merchant in Beverly Hills , where he managed to sample enough of the product to know what he wanted to do with himself .
That took him to U.C .
Davis for a plant science degree in 1979 , after which he borrowed enough money to buy some land in the Santa Cruz mountains town of Bonny Doon , and set out to make a great Pinot Noir , a wine whose light , earthy complexity he considered worthy of worship .
That didn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hoped , so Grahm switched his focus to Rhone varietals , and the results catapulted him to wine industry stardom .
In 1989 , Grahm landed on the cover of Wine Spectator , which crowned him the Rhone Ranger .
You ’ ve probably had one or more of his wines .
Maybe the Big House Red or the Cardinal Zin , both of which were easy on the tongue and the wallet .
Another big hit was the somewhat more expensive Le Cigare Volant , or Flying Cigar .
To Grahm , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the big Cabs of Napa Valley .
But commercial success has never defined nor particularly motivated Grahm , who last year sold Bonny Doon but is still the face of it .
He is the piano player who must play like no one else has , the artist who ’ s never entirely satisfied with a painting .
His current obsession is to create a wine that is not an impersonation of any other , but is instead a California original .
A wine that is the essence of the place and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a vin de terroir .
“ Ultimately what ’ s very important to me is trying to make something that ’ s truly distinctive , because there ’ s so much wine in the world , and the world doesn ’ t need a carbon copy of something that already exists , ” said Grahm .
A cool breeze flowed in from the west , across the berry farms east of Watsonville , as I toured paradise with Grahm .
The fog doesn ’ t make many appearances here , he said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ won ’ t require a daily cover of maritime mist .
Here the Rhone Ranger is a lone ranger , growing genetically diverse European vines , some of them obscure , with the goal of breeding thousands of new grape varieties .
Ultimately , the married vines might produce a grape the world can ’ t yet imagine but will one day recognize as a true California original , like the giant Sequoia .
This could take years , and might or might not work , but in the Grahm gestalt , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Grahm says he aspires to touch the land as lightly as possible , create disease-resistant plants without pesticides or chemicals , dry farm as much as possible , and create grapes that reflect the elements rather than fight to survive them .
In other words , he ’ s after a grape and a wine built to withstand climate change .
The new grape is a ways off , but at a picnic table overlooking paradise , Grahm brought out some of the first wines he ’ s grown here — a white @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he literally made in a galvanized garbage can , and a silky smooth Grenache that was so good I had to raise a glass .
To paradise , to the planet , to the fog that once was .

A couple of years ago my wife and I visited the Bonny Doon Vineyard near Santa Cruz to sample the offerings of winemaking savant Randall Grahm. While we were there, Grahm told us something I haven’t been able to forget. It wasn’t nearly as foggy along Monterey Bay as it used to be, he said, and that was worrisome for winemakers.
With each dose of aberrant weather California has had since then, I found myself wondering how California’s wineries were faring and whether the noble grape was becoming a marker — along with sea level rise and deadly wildfires — of an overcooked planet. A few weeks ago I called Grahm to continue the conversation.
For the record: An earlier version of this story misidentified the winery with the winning red wine at a 1976 Paris tasting. It was Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars, not Stags’ Leap Winery.
“About 25 years ago I started to see substantially less fog, and in the last 20 years, less and less,” said Grahm, and that’s starting to affect California wine.
With more sun and heat, the grape maturation process is rushed, he said, and while it’s possible to still make good wine, it’s harder to get the acid-sugar ratio, pH balance, color and flavor just right. Grapes that he buys “used to ripen maybe the first week of November, and now it’s a good three to four weeks earlier. And that’s not trivial.”
The subtle differences in fragrance and complexity Grahm talks about are beyond my palate grade, but what I do understand is that winemakers are adapting because they have to. For them, climate change is not some abstract, distant worry. It’s creeping into their vineyards right now.
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And that’s a big deal. The United States is the world’s fourth-largest wine producer behind Italy, France and Spain, and California produces 80% of the nation’s vino. Retail sales top $40 billion, and the industry employs more than 30,000 Californians directly in growing grapes and producing wine and many more in related jobs. Here, as in other wine-growing regions of the world affected by climate change, there won’t necessarily be less production in coming years. But growers are switching varieties, tinkering with techniques and moving to higher elevations.
Randall Grahm, founder of Bonny Doon Vineyard, tends to young grenache noir vines. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
::
After a lot of time on the phone with vintners and climate experts, I took to the highway during the second week of August to see what was happening in the vineyards. I beat the fires and thousands of lightning strikes by a week, but even without an inferno bearing down, what I found was alarming, though I also saw encouraging innovations.
Having grown up in the Bay Area, not far from wine country, I recall hot and breezy summer days as the reliable norm, but definitely not with the kind of lightning storms Northern California is now seeing. On summer excursions to San Francisco from Contra Costa County when I was a kid, we brought jackets because the city was always cool in the summer. On June 10 this year, the thermometer at the San Francisco airport hit 100, the highest temperature on record in the months of June, July and August.
It had been a while since I traveled the Napa Valley wine trail, and I’d forgotten how beautiful it is. Miles of roller-coaster slopes are crocheted with the vines of California’s king of grapes — cabernet sauvignon, often just referred to as cabernet or cab. And it turns out, that’s one of the grapes that may be most imperiled. It doesn’t stand up to extreme heat as well as many lesser-known varieties.
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To understand the significance of this, you have to go back to 1976, when a bottle of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon put California indisputably on the international wine map once and for all. The underdog California Cabernets were pitted against the best French Bordeaux in a blind tasting that came to be known as the Judgment of Paris, and a California wine from Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars.
To this day, Napa‘s Cabernet is in demand worldwide. In the United States, it is the top-selling red wine, and the best bottles command stratospheric prices. To suggest that different, cheaper and perhaps less marketable grapes might be the future of Napa Valley is almost an act of heresy. For decades, tourists have flocked to the valley’s tasting rooms to buy bottles that sell for hundreds and even thousands of dollars.
Tablas Creek Vineyard is growing grape varieties that require very little water. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
But how long can that go on?
Nobody knows for sure, but as far back as 2011, a Stanford University study predicted that the amount of Northern California land suitable for growing premium grapes could shrink by half as early as 2040, due to increased heat.
That’s bad news for the cabernet grape. Too much heat can mean the berry develops sugar before it has developed its full character, throwing off balance and coloring.
Winemaker Dan Petroski has been clanging his glass to sound the alarm. Petroski, who worked in the magazine business and first got interested in wine at high-end New York lunches with clients, has likened the sun’s escalating assault on Napa Valley’s trophy grape to the slow boiling of a frog.
Farmworkers pick white wine grapes grown for Massican Winery in Napa Valley. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
“The changes in climate that are predicted both worldwide and in the Napa Valley mean that in 10, 20, or 30 years’ time…Napa will be a different agricultural region,” Petroski wrote recently for a trade publication. “This is what we must prepare for now.”
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::
Petroski loves Cabernet and makes some of the finest in Napa Valley for Larkmead Vineyards, a high-end producer founded in the 1890s. For 10 years, he said, winemakers have been doing things like shading and misting vines, but he sees a day when “there’s no silver bullet that’s going to mitigate climate change.”
And Petroski isn’t just talking and writing about the problem. At Larkmead, he led me to a three-acre research block he has planted with grapes you may never have heard of — grapes he hopes have a better chance of standing up to climate change than cabernet.
Here, surrounded by trellised rows of cabernet vines, he’s got young stalks of aglianico, charbono, tempranillo, shiraz and touriga nacional. Those sturdy reds might not be as familiar tasting as Cabernet, and they don’t have anywhere near the cachet, but they can handle heat.
“We’ll see what works best,” said Petroski, who isn’t entirely wedded to red wine. Under his own label, Massican, he makes Italian-inspired white wine from grapes including greco, pinot bianco, friulano and ribolla gialla, which he says seem to be handling climate change pretty well.
Dan Petroski, right, chief wine maker of Larkmead Vineyards, prepares Cabernet Sauvignon grapes for a mock fermentation to check grape maturity and color development in the tank room at Larkmead Vineyards in Pope Valley. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
Farmworkers pick white wine grapes grown for Massican Winery. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
“Maybe cabernet, pinot noir, chardonnay and other grape varieties that built Napa and Sonoma ... in the last 30 years won’t be suitable in the next 30 years,” Petroski said. “We have to adapt to what’s going on in the world. This is not a wine industry problem. This is an agriculture problem. This is a global problem. This is a humanity problem.”
::
Not everyone thinks California’s big-money grapes — cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir and chardonnay — will wither, and some of those grapes still prosper in cooler micro-climates throughout California. At least for now. Just west of Buellton, Kathy Joseph of Fiddlehead Cellars told me fog still pumps through the valley and creates a perfect growing environment for her pinot noir grapes. Jim Clendenen of Au Bon Climat said he’s got the same golden ribbon of marine climate in the valleys near Santa Maria, where his chardonnay grapes grow.
In hotter climates, like Napa Valley, Jon Priest of Etude Wines is using computer models and artificial intelligence to improve growing and irrigation techniques, and vines can be pruned in a way that creates a canopy of shade over grapes.
“The thing we have at our disposal in the U.S. is technology and knowledge, and we’ll find a way to make Cabernet last,” said Kaan Kurtural, cooperative extension specialist in viticulture at UC Davis.
VIDEO | 02:34 Growing wine grapes with less water. How California wineries are adapting to global warming California wine makers are adapting to the increasingly hotter climate using improved farming techniques and by growing grape varieties that require less water.
Or maybe it’s time for California wine drinkers to branch out.
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“There are somewhere around 5,000 grapes we can grow and make wine from,” said Greg Jones, a climatologist and director of wine studies at Linfield University in Oregon, and a contributor to the Stanford study that forecast shrinking acreage for certain varieties in California.
If the state had never grown grapes and were to start from scratch today, says UC Davis agricultural water management specialist Daniele Zaccaria, the smartest bet might be to plant the grapes of southern Europe rather than the cab of Bordeaux. In fact, such grapes were planted in California a century ago by European immigrants, but they were all but forgotten after the success of Napa Valley’s trophy grapes.
I asked Zaccaria what wine he thinks he’ll be reaching for in 30 years, when preparing a nice meal and pairing it with a quintessential California wine.
“Probably a Primitivo, a Tempranillo, a Negroamaro, a Nero d’Avola,” he said, naming wines typical of Southern Europe, including Sicily. “Something from areas very similar in climate.”
You won’t find those in many grocery stores today, but they’ve been on the shelves of specialty shops for years. For shoppers interested in branching out, Keith Mabry of K&L Wine Merchants in Hollywood says he’d point out that Primitivo is an Italian cousin of Zinfandel. With Tempranillo, he’d ask if the customer is familiar with wines of Spain’s Rioja region, and if not, he might say it’s a medium-bodied dry red similar to Chianti.
For California grapes and other crops, the climate change problem isn’t just about too much heat, it’s about too little water. But some grape varieties can handle harsh conditions, and Zaccaria said that in his native Puglia in southern Italy, vineyards do well in craggy areas with little rainfall and no irrigation. The roots grow strong, he said, digging deeper into the cracked earth, and the vines can thrive for decades.
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::
Fog starts to roll in over the hills from the west into the valleys surrounding vineyards in Lompoc. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times)
You don’t have to cross an ocean to see what’s possible. I settled instead for a trip to Paso Robles.
Jason Haas did not plan as a young man to get into the wine business, but his father, Robert, was a major U.S. importer of wine and a friend of French winemakers. That was how Jason ended up working at a French vineyard one summer, at 16. He returned two more times, then studied economics, art and archaeology in college before working in tech.
By then, Robert Haas had purchased some land in Paso Robles and planted the southern Rhone Valley grapes he had come to love, including grenache, mourvedre, syrah, roussanne and grenache blanc. In 2002, the elder Haas needed someone with a tech background to help out at his Tablas Creek Vineyard, and his son joined the family business.
At Tablas Creek Vineyard, in the Adelaida district west of Paso Robles, California, Jason Haas, partner and general manager, is growing grape varieties that require very little water. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times)
Jason took me to the top of a hill at Tablas where Grenache and Syrah were planted about 15 years ago. They were spaced farther apart than is common, so roots have less competition for water. Haas keeps a herd of 200 sheep as farmhands. They weed the vineyard, their fertilizer helps the soil hold water, and their hooves cultivate rather than compact the earth.
One-third of the vines at the 120-acre winery are dry-farmed. The rest have irrigation but the water isn’t needed when rainfall is close to normal, Haas said. He is now a proprietor of the winery his late father established, and the award-winning wines include the classic Paso blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre. Two weeks ago, temperatures topped 100 several days in a row, Haas said. But his Rhone grapes handled the heat, no problem.
::
I have nothing against Cabernet Sauvignon. With a steak, or on a cold October night when the Dodgers are losing, that’s the grog I might reach for because it’s a soothing salve, your tongue becomes a flap of peppered jerky in an oak barrel, and you feel like you might grow hair on your head again.
But if the wines of California’s future are from Southern Europe, I’m OK with that. They can be lighter and go better with the chicken, fish and produce that are the essence of California cuisine. My favorite thing about them? They don’t cost nearly as much as the more famous stuff.
Kathy Joseph harvests Chardonnay grapes along with the crew in Lompoc. (Carolyn Cole / Los Angeles Times)
With that in mind, I paid a visit to the man who first got me thinking about the relationship between wine and climate change. I found Randall Grahm on his vineyard in San Juan Bautista, which he said he first saw in a dream, before he knew it existed. Here, on 280 acres of terrain he calls Popelouchum — paradise in the Native American language of the Mutsun people — he is trying to create a new variety of grape that will, among other things, stand up to climate change.
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Grahm, 67, grew up in Los Angeles and after college got a job “sweeping the floors” at Wine Merchant in Beverly Hills, where he managed to sample enough of the product to know what he wanted to do with himself. That took him to UC Davis for a plant science degree in 1979, after which he borrowed enough money to buy some land in the Santa Cruz mountains town of Bonny Doon, and set out to make a great Pinot Noir, a wine whose light, earthy complexity he considered worthy of worship.
That didn’t go as well as he’d hoped, so Grahm switched his focus to Rhone varietals, and the results catapulted him to wine industry stardom. In 1989, Grahm landed on the cover of Wine Spectator, which crowned him the Rhone Ranger.
You’ve probably had one or more of his wines. Maybe the Big House Red or the Cardinal Zin, both of which were easy on the tongue and the wallet. Another big hit was the somewhat more expensive Le Cigare Volant, or Flying Cigar. To Grahm, soft red blends are more interesting than the big Cabs of Napa Valley.
But commercial success has never defined nor particularly motivated Grahm, who last year sold Bonny Doon but is still the face of it. He is the piano player who must play like no one else has, the artist who’s never entirely satisfied with a painting. His current obsession is to create a wine that is not an impersonation of any other, but is instead a California original. A wine that is the essence of the place and the climate where it’s grown — a vin de terroir.
“Ultimately what’s very important to me is trying to make something that’s truly distinctive, because there’s so much wine in the world, and the world doesn’t need a carbon copy of something that already exists,” said Grahm.
A cool breeze flowed in from the west, across the berry farms east of Watsonville, as I toured paradise with Grahm. The fog doesn’t make many appearances here, he said, but the grapes he’s seeding won’t require a daily cover of maritime mist.
Advertisement
Here the Rhone Ranger is a lone ranger, growing genetically diverse European vines, some of them obscure, with the goal of breeding thousands of new grape varieties. Ultimately, the married vines might produce a grape the world can’t yet imagine but will one day recognize as a true California original, like the giant Sequoia. This could take years, and might or might not work, but in the Grahm gestalt, this project is about more than wine.
Grahm says he aspires to touch the land as lightly as possible, create disease-resistant plants without pesticides or chemicals, dry farm as much as possible, and create grapes that reflect the elements rather than fight to survive them. In other words, he’s after a grape and a wine built to withstand climate change.
The new grape is a ways off, but at a picnic table overlooking paradise, Grahm brought out some of the first wines he’s grown here — a white blend, a Pinot Noir he said he literally made in a galvanized garbage can, and a silky smooth Grenache that was so good I had to raise a glass.
To paradise, to the planet, to the fog that once was.
steve.lopez@latimes.com