Elementary school kids of Park Avenue elementary school in Cudahy California were doused by an aeroplane's fuel during its emergency landing to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Tuesday.

Delta flight 89 which was a Boeing 777, was en route to Shanghai and had taken off from Los Angeles Airport with 149 passengers on board.

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Watch | 60 injured after flight dumped fuel on school playground 
 
Plane was enroute emergency landing<a href="https://twitter.com/nischitav?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nischitav</a> explains <a href="https://t.co/tytcXuZj9x">pic.twitter.com/tytcXuZj9x</a>
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But it was turned around due to an engine issue.A mist of fuel was sprayed in two lines and has adversely affected 60 people in which most of them were students.

A video of the plane on the verge of emergency landing was shot by a 16-year-old outside his house.First response emergency units were witnessed almost immediately.

The evacuation of students and meeting their parents and caretakers at the school gate can be seen in the aerial video.According to the fire department, the firefighters needed to treat ''multiple'' children after they complained of skin and lung irritation by the fuel.

Some hit by the fuel decontaminated themselves with soap and water from the strong vapour.

According to Cudahy mayor's, Elizabeth Alcantar "during the afternoon today, a delta airlines flight dumped fuel over park avenue elementary school in the city of Cudahy as well as surrounding communities.''

''There were other 14 schools affected by this incident with our school here in the city having the biggest impact. We have been advised that 22 children and 11 adults reported minor injuries of skin irritation and have been cleared. But none were transported to the hospital," she also added.

''This afternoon at approximately 12:12 pm, your Los Angeles county fire department was dispatched to a hazardous materials incident here at park avenue elementary school. Upon the first arriving units they found 31 patients who were contacted with the jet fuel. They were all treated and released at the scene here to their parents or their guardians," said battalion chief Jason Robertson, Los Angeles county fire department.

Elementary school kids of Park Avenue elementary school in Cudahy California were doused by an aeroplane's fuel during its emergency landing to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Tuesday.

Elementary school kids of Park Avenue elementary school in Cudahy California were doused by an aeroplane's fuel during its emergency landing to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Tuesday. Delta flight 89 which was a Boeing 777, was en route to Shanghai and had taken off from Los Angeles Airport with 149 passengers on board. Watch | 60 injured after flight dumped fuel on school playground Plane was enroute emergency landing@nischitav explains pic.twitter.com/tytcXuZj9x — WION (@WIONews) January 15, 2020 × But it was turned around due to an engine issue.A mist of fuel was sprayed in two lines and has adversely affected 60 people in which most of them were students. A video of the plane on the verge of emergency landing was shot by a 16-year-old outside his house.First response emergency units were witnessed almost immediately. The evacuation of students and meeting their parents and caretakers at the school gate can be seen in the aerial video.According to the fire department, the firefighters needed to treat ''multiple'' children after they complained of skin and lung irritation by the fuel. Some hit by the fuel decontaminated themselves with soap and water from the strong vapour. According to Cudahy mayor's, Elizabeth Alcantar "during the afternoon today, a delta airlines flight dumped fuel over park avenue elementary school in the city of Cudahy as well as surrounding communities.'' ''There were other 14 schools affected by this incident with our school here in the city having the biggest impact. We have been advised that 22 children and 11 adults reported minor injuries of skin irritation and have been cleared. But none were transported to the hospital," she also added. ''This afternoon at approximately 12:12 pm, your Los Angeles county fire department was dispatched to a hazardous materials incident here at park avenue elementary school. Upon the first arriving units they found 31 patients who were contacted with the jet fuel. They were all treated and released at the scene here to their parents or their guardians," said battalion chief Jason Robertson, Los Angeles county fire department.

Watch: Plane dumps fuel over school kids in during emergency landing

U.S.-Based Multinational Ride Hailing Firm Uber Sues To Vacate Labour Law In California. #WION #Gravitas #Uber #California

Gravitas: Uber sues California

Ride-hailing company&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uber-co-founder-travis-kalanick-to-leave-companys-board-270071">Uber&nbsp;Technologies Inc</a> and courier services provider&nbsp;Postmates&nbsp;Inc asked a US&nbsp;court to&nbsp;block&nbsp;a&nbsp;California&nbsp;labor&nbsp;law&nbsp;set to go into effect on Wednesday, arguing the bill violates the US&nbsp;Constitution.

In a&nbsp;lawsuit filed in Los Angeles federal court on Monday, the companies and two app-based drivers said the&nbsp;law, which would make it harder for&nbsp;gig&nbsp;economy companies to qualify their&nbsp;workers as independent contractors rather than employees, was irrational, vague and incoherent.

The office of&nbsp;California&nbsp;Attorney General Xavier Becerra said in a statement on Monday it was reviewing the complaint. The bill, called AB5, faces multiple legal challenges.

The&nbsp;law&nbsp;was signed by&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-threatens-to-withhold-emergency-aid-from-fire-hit-california-259805">California&nbsp;Governor Gavin Newsom</a> in September and has garnered national attention, largely owing to the size of&nbsp;California's workforce and the state's leadership role in establishing policies that are frequently adopted by other states.

&nbsp;

Also Watch: Uber can't fix safety issues

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&nbsp;

Backers of the bill, including labor groups, have argued the&nbsp;law&nbsp;protects&nbsp;workers' rights. By classifying the contractors as employees, the companies would be subject to labor&nbsp;laws that require higher pay and other benefits such as medical insurance.

The bill strikes at the heart of the "gig&nbsp;economy" business model of technology platforms like&nbsp;Uber,&nbsp;Postmates, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ride-hailing-company-lyft-rises-in-wall-street-premier-206594">Lyft Inc</a>, DoorDash and others who rely heavily on the state's 450,000 contract&nbsp;workers, not full-time employees, to drive passengers or deliver food via app-based services.

Uber,&nbsp;Postmates&nbsp;and other app-based companies said the legislation compromises the flexibility prized by their workforce, and that fewer&nbsp;workers would be hired were they considered employees.

The companies in their Monday&nbsp;lawsuit called AB5 a "thinly veiled attempt" to target and harm&nbsp;gig&nbsp;economy businesses. Singling out app-based&nbsp;workers violates equal protection guaranteed under the constitutions of the United States and&nbsp;California, the companies argued.

"It irreparably harms network companies and app-based independent service providers by denying their constitutional rights to be treated the same as others to whom they are similarly situated," the&nbsp;lawsuit said.

The companies pointed to allegedly arbitrary exemptions of different non-gig&nbsp;worker&nbsp;groups, including salespeople, travel agents, construction truck drivers, and commercial fishermen.

The full impact of the bill remains unclear in the short term, but the&nbsp;lawsuit cited a study saying the bill would increase ride-hailing company Lyft's operating costs by 20 per cent&nbsp;and lead to some 300,000 fewer drivers in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nasas-trip-to-mars-begins-in-california-clean-room-270678">California</a>.

Uber, Lyft and food delivery company DoorDash have earmarked $90 million for a planned November 2020 ballot initiative that would exempt them from the&nbsp;law.

Ride-hailing company Uber Technologies Inc and courier services provider Postmates Inc asked a US court to block a California labor law set to go into effect on Wednesday, arguing the bill violates the US Constitution.

Ride-hailing company Uber Technologies Inc and courier services provider Postmates Inc asked a US court to block a California labor law set to go into effect on Wednesday, arguing the bill violates the US Constitution. In a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles federal court on Monday, the companies and two app-based drivers said the law, which would make it harder for gig economy companies to qualify their workers as independent contractors rather than employees, was irrational, vague and incoherent. The office of California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said in a statement on Monday it was reviewing the complaint. The bill, called AB5, faces multiple legal challenges. The law was signed by California Governor Gavin Newsom in September and has garnered national attention, largely owing to the size of California's workforce and the state's leadership role in establishing policies that are frequently adopted by other states. Also Watch: Uber can't fix safety issues × Backers of the bill, including labor groups, have argued the law protects workers' rights. By classifying the contractors as employees, the companies would be subject to labor laws that require higher pay and other benefits such as medical insurance. The bill strikes at the heart of the "gig economy" business model of technology platforms like Uber, Postmates, Lyft Inc, DoorDash and others who rely heavily on the state's 450,000 contract workers, not full-time employees, to drive passengers or deliver food via app-based services. Uber, Postmates and other app-based companies said the legislation compromises the flexibility prized by their workforce, and that fewer workers would be hired were they considered employees. The companies in their Monday lawsuit called AB5 a "thinly veiled attempt" to target and harm gig economy businesses. Singling out app-based workers violates equal protection guaranteed under the constitutions of the United States and California, the companies argued. "It irreparably harms network companies and app-based independent service providers by denying their constitutional rights to be treated the same as others to whom they are similarly situated," the lawsuit said. The companies pointed to allegedly arbitrary exemptions of different non-gig worker groups, including salespeople, travel agents, construction truck drivers, and commercial fishermen. The full impact of the bill remains unclear in the short term, but the lawsuit cited a study saying the bill would increase ride-hailing company Lyft's operating costs by 20 per cent and lead to some 300,000 fewer drivers in California. Uber, Lyft and food delivery company DoorDash have earmarked $90 million for a planned November 2020 ballot initiative that would exempt them from the law.

Uber, Postmates sue to block California gig worker law, claiming it's unconstitutional

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/ford-ready-to-sell-russian-plants-says-companies-have-shown-interest-225433">Ford</a>&nbsp;Motor Co said on Monday&nbsp;reservations&nbsp;were&nbsp;full&nbsp;for the&nbsp;high-end&nbsp;Mustang&nbsp;Mach-E First Edition&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/tesla-unveils-first-ever-electric-pickup-truck-263785">electric</a>&nbsp;sport utility vehicle.

The No. 2 US&nbsp;automaker unveiled the&nbsp;electric&nbsp;Mustang&nbsp;crossover on November&nbsp;17 and began taking&nbsp;reservations&nbsp;with a refundable deposit of $500.

There are four other&nbsp;versions of the&nbsp;Mach-E in addition to the First Edition.

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Ford&nbsp;did not provide details on how many&nbsp;reservations&nbsp;it took for the First Edition, which sells for about $60,000, but has said global production in the first 12 months for all&nbsp;versions of the&nbsp;Mach-E is limited to 50,000 vehicles.

The&nbsp;Mach-E has become a&nbsp;high-profile test for a restructuring at&nbsp;Ford&nbsp;that has been marred by profit warnings, costly quality problems and the troubled launch this year of another important vehicle, the&nbsp;Ford&nbsp;Explorer sport-utility.

The&nbsp;Mach-E was unveiled in Los Angeles in November. It will be built in Mexico, the first of more than a dozen all-electric&nbsp;vehicles&nbsp;Ford&nbsp;plans to launch by 2022 with an investment of $11.5 billion (8.7 billion pounds). The&nbsp;Mach-E's design was inspired by the classic 1960s&nbsp;Mustang&nbsp;sports car and is meant to challenge&nbsp;electric&nbsp;carmaker <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/tesla-begins-deliveries-of-china-made-model-3-cars-270899">Tesla</a> Inc.

More than 80 per cent&nbsp;of US&nbsp;customers are reserving&nbsp;Mach-E with an extended range battery, while about 55 per cent&nbsp;opted for an all-wheel drive,&nbsp;Ford&nbsp;said.

More than 25 per cent&nbsp;of the&nbsp;reservations&nbsp;are from California, with nearly 30 per cent&nbsp;of US&nbsp;customers choosing&nbsp;Mach-E GT, the company said.

Ford Motor Co said on Monday reservations were full for the high-end Mustang Mach-E First Edition electric sport utility vehicle. The No. 2 US automaker unveiled the electric Mustang crossover on November 17 and began taking reservations with a refundable deposit of $500.

Ford Motor Co said on Monday reservations were full for the high-end Mustang Mach-E First Edition electric sport utility vehicle. The No. 2 US automaker unveiled the electric Mustang crossover on November 17 and began taking reservations with a refundable deposit of $500. There are four other versions of the Mach-E in addition to the First Edition. Ford did not provide details on how many reservations it took for the First Edition, which sells for about $60,000, but has said global production in the first 12 months for all versions of the Mach-E is limited to 50,000 vehicles. The Mach-E has become a high-profile test for a restructuring at Ford that has been marred by profit warnings, costly quality problems and the troubled launch this year of another important vehicle, the Ford Explorer sport-utility. The Mach-E was unveiled in Los Angeles in November. It will be built in Mexico, the first of more than a dozen all-electric vehicles Ford plans to launch by 2022 with an investment of $11.5 billion (8.7 billion pounds). The Mach-E's design was inspired by the classic 1960s Mustang sports car and is meant to challenge electric carmaker Tesla Inc. More than 80 per cent of US customers are reserving Mach-E with an extended range battery, while about 55 per cent opted for an all-wheel drive, Ford said. More than 25 per cent of the reservations are from California, with nearly 30 per cent of US customers choosing Mach-E GT, the company said.

Ford says reservations full for high end version of electric Mustang Mach-E

California's bankrupt power producer PG&amp;E Corp said on Friday (December 6) it had reached a $13.5 billion settlement with victims of some of most devastating wildfires in the state's modern history.

State fire investigators in May determined that PG&amp;E transmission lines caused the deadliest and most destructive wildfire on record in California, the wind-driven Camp Fire that killed 85 people in and around the town of Paradise last year.

They likewise concluded that PG&amp;E power lines had sparked a separate flurry of wildfires that swept California's wine country north of San Francisco Bay in 2017.

The agreement helps smooth the way for the beleaguered company to emerge from bankruptcy. It filed for Chapter 11 protection in January, citing potential liabilities in excess of $30 billion from wildfires in 2017 and 2018 linked to its equipment.

PG&amp;E had previously reached a $1 billion settlement with cities, counties and other public entities and an $11 billion agreement with insurance carriers related to the wildfires.

It has come under renewed criticism this year for precautionary power outages to guard against the risk of wildfires posed by extremely dry and windy weather.

California's bankrupt power producer PG&E Corp said on Friday (December 6) it had reached a $13.5 billion settlement with victims of some of most devastating wildfires in the state's modern history.

California's bankrupt power producer PG&E Corp said on Friday (December 6) it had reached a $13.5 billion settlement with victims of some of most devastating wildfires in the state's modern history. State fire investigators in May determined that PG&E transmission lines caused the deadliest and most destructive wildfire on record in California, the wind-driven Camp Fire that killed 85 people in and around the town of Paradise last year. They likewise concluded that PG&E power lines had sparked a separate flurry of wildfires that swept California's wine country north of San Francisco Bay in 2017. The agreement helps smooth the way for the beleaguered company to emerge from bankruptcy. It filed for Chapter 11 protection in January, citing potential liabilities in excess of $30 billion from wildfires in 2017 and 2018 linked to its equipment. PG&E had previously reached a $1 billion settlement with cities, counties and other public entities and an $11 billion agreement with insurance carriers related to the wildfires. It has come under renewed criticism this year for precautionary power outages to guard against the risk of wildfires posed by extremely dry and windy weather.

Bankrupt PG&E reaches $13.5 bn settlement with California wildfire victims

&nbsp;A&nbsp;California&nbsp;college student has&nbsp;accused&nbsp;popular video-sharing app&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tiktok-apologises-to-us-teen-for-removing-viral-eyelash-curling-video-264983">TikTok&nbsp;</a>in a class-action&nbsp;lawsuit&nbsp;of transferring private&nbsp;user&nbsp;data&nbsp;to servers in&nbsp;China, despite the company's assurances that it does not store personal&nbsp;data&nbsp;there.

The allegations may deepen legal troubles in the United States for&nbsp;TikTok, which is owned by Beijing ByteDance Technology Co but operates entirely outside of&nbsp;China&nbsp;and has developed an especially devoted fan base among US teenagers.

The company is already facing a US&nbsp;government national security probe over concerns about&nbsp;data&nbsp;storage and possible censorship of politically sensitive content.

The&nbsp;lawsuit, filed in the US&nbsp;District Court for the Northern District of&nbsp;California&nbsp;last Wednesday and originally reported by The Daily Beast, alleges&nbsp;TikTok&nbsp;has surreptitiously "vacuumed up and transferred to servers in&nbsp;China&nbsp;vast quantities of private and personally-identifiable&nbsp;user&nbsp;data."

TikTok&nbsp;did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the allegations but maintains that it stores all US&nbsp;user&nbsp;data&nbsp;in the United States with backups in Singapore.

The documents identify the plaintiff as Misty Hong, a college student and resident of Palo Alto,&nbsp;California, who downloaded the&nbsp;TikTok&nbsp;app in March or April 2019 but never created an account.

Months later, she alleges, she discovered that&nbsp;TikTok&nbsp;had created an account for her without her knowledge and produced a dossier of private information about her, including biometric information gleaned from videos she created but never posted.

According to the filing,&nbsp;TikTok&nbsp;transferred&nbsp;user&nbsp;data&nbsp;to two servers in&nbsp;China&nbsp;bugly.qq.com, and umeng.com as recently as April 2019, including information about the&nbsp;user's device and any websites the&nbsp;user&nbsp;had visited.

Bugly is owned by Tencent,&nbsp;China's largest mobile software company, which also owns social network WeChat, while Umeng is part of Chinese e-commerce giant<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/alibabas-hong-kong-shares-rise-66-on-debut-in-heavy-volume-264639"> Alibaba Group</a>.

The&nbsp;lawsuit&nbsp;also claims that source code from Chinese tech giant Baidu is embedded within the&nbsp;TikTok&nbsp;app, as is code from Igexin, a Chinese advertising service, which security researchers discovered in 2017 was enabling developers to install spyware on a&nbsp;user's phone.

The legal documents did not provide evidence of the&nbsp;data&nbsp;transfers or the existence of Baidu or Igexin source code in the app. Hong and her legal representatives could not immediately be reached for comment.

A California college student has accused popular video-sharing app TikTok in a class-action lawsuit of transferring private user data to servers in China, despite the company's assurances that it does not store personal data there.

A California college student has accused popular video-sharing app TikTok in a class-action lawsuit of transferring private user data to servers in China, despite the company's assurances that it does not store personal data there. The allegations may deepen legal troubles in the United States for TikTok, which is owned by Beijing ByteDance Technology Co but operates entirely outside of China and has developed an especially devoted fan base among US teenagers. The company is already facing a US government national security probe over concerns about data storage and possible censorship of politically sensitive content. The lawsuit, filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of California last Wednesday and originally reported by The Daily Beast, alleges TikTok has surreptitiously "vacuumed up and transferred to servers in China vast quantities of private and personally-identifiable user data." TikTok did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the allegations but maintains that it stores all US user data in the United States with backups in Singapore. The documents identify the plaintiff as Misty Hong, a college student and resident of Palo Alto, California, who downloaded the TikTok app in March or April 2019 but never created an account. Months later, she alleges, she discovered that TikTok had created an account for her without her knowledge and produced a dossier of private information about her, including biometric information gleaned from videos she created but never posted. According to the filing, TikTok transferred user data to two servers in China bugly.qq.com, and umeng.com as recently as April 2019, including information about the user's device and any websites the user had visited. Bugly is owned by Tencent, China's largest mobile software company, which also owns social network WeChat, while Umeng is part of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group. The lawsuit also claims that source code from Chinese tech giant Baidu is embedded within the TikTok app, as is code from Igexin, a Chinese advertising service, which security researchers discovered in 2017 was enabling developers to install spyware on a user's phone. The legal documents did not provide evidence of the data transfers or the existence of Baidu or Igexin source code in the app. Hong and her legal representatives could not immediately be reached for comment.

TikTok accused of sending user data to China in California lawsuit

Indian student shot dead in California. The dead has been identified as Abhishek Sudesh Bhat. Abhishek was pursuing his master's degree in California and was doing a part-time job in a motel. Watch this video to find out more.

Indian student shot dead in California

Hundreds of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/california-school-shooter-used-kit-gun-authorities-263791">California</a>&nbsp;firefighters&nbsp;on Tuesday battled a wind-driven bushfire that grew out of control overnight near Santa Barbara, threatening thousands of homes and prompting evacuation orders.

The so-called "Cave Fire" that started on Monday in Los Padres National Forest, grew to nearly 4,300 acres&nbsp;overnight as it moved toward populated areas in the cities of Santa Barbara, Goleta and nearby communities about a two hours' drive north of Los Angeles.

Some 600&nbsp;firefighters&nbsp;were battling the&nbsp;blaze&nbsp;that prompted evacuation orders for about 2,300 homes or nearly 5,500 people.

Fire officials said helicopters and fixed-wing planes were assisting the&nbsp;firefighters&nbsp;who faced steep, rugged terrain.

"The Cave Fire is burning under some of the toughest firefighting conditions anywhere in the world," said Los Padres National Forest Fire Chief Jimmy Harris.

"We’ve experienced several offshore wind events at this point, and that has just dried the fuel bed out to the point where we're seeing the fire behaviour we saw last night."&nbsp;

He said the&nbsp;blaze&nbsp;was all the more challenging for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/teams-make-progress-against-latest-major-california-blaze-259577">firefighters</a>&nbsp;as high winds were pushing the flames downhill and then back uphill.

Authorities said the fire, the cause of which was unknown, was zero per cent contained by midday Tuesday but they were hopeful that a storm set to arrive in the area later in the day would help extinguish the flames.

While the rain could bring much-needed relief for&nbsp;firefighters, officials warned that it may also prompt flash floods and debris flows.

Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown said that about 4,000 people who were forced to evacuate would be allowed back into their homes Tuesday afternoon.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sydneysiders-urged-to-stay-indoors-as-australian-bushfire-smoke-blankets-city-263900">blaze</a>&nbsp;comes on the heels of a series of major fires that erupted in the state last month destroying homes and vineyards and forcing thousands of people to flee.

Hundreds of California firefighters on Tuesday battled a wind-driven bushfire that grew out of control overnight near Santa Barbara, threatening thousands of homes and prompting evacuation orders.

Hundreds of California firefighters on Tuesday battled a wind-driven bushfire that grew out of control overnight near Santa Barbara, threatening thousands of homes and prompting evacuation orders. The so-called "Cave Fire" that started on Monday in Los Padres National Forest, grew to nearly 4,300 acres overnight as it moved toward populated areas in the cities of Santa Barbara, Goleta and nearby communities about a two hours' drive north of Los Angeles. Some 600 firefighters were battling the blaze that prompted evacuation orders for about 2,300 homes or nearly 5,500 people. Fire officials said helicopters and fixed-wing planes were assisting the firefighters who faced steep, rugged terrain. "The Cave Fire is burning under some of the toughest firefighting conditions anywhere in the world," said Los Padres National Forest Fire Chief Jimmy Harris. "We’ve experienced several offshore wind events at this point, and that has just dried the fuel bed out to the point where we're seeing the fire behaviour we saw last night." He said the blaze was all the more challenging for firefighters as high winds were pushing the flames downhill and then back uphill. Authorities said the fire, the cause of which was unknown, was zero per cent contained by midday Tuesday but they were hopeful that a storm set to arrive in the area later in the day would help extinguish the flames. While the rain could bring much-needed relief for firefighters, officials warned that it may also prompt flash floods and debris flows. Santa Barbara County Sheriff Bill Brown said that about 4,000 people who were forced to evacuate would be allowed back into their homes Tuesday afternoon. The blaze comes on the heels of a series of major fires that erupted in the state last month destroying homes and vineyards and forcing thousands of people to flee.

California: 'Cave Fire' threatens thousands of homes and triggers evacuation

Flames ripped through brush and woodland on hills above the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/northern-california-wildfire-torches-more-than-1000-homes-156569"> Californian</a> city of Santa Barbara early on Tuesday, forcing some residents to leave their homes, authorities said.

The fire broke out in Los Padres National Forest late on Monday afternoon and spread to cover 3,100 acres by the evening, Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office tweeted.

"An evacuation warning is being issued for the area north of Foothill Road and Ontare to Gibraltar Road," the official said, referring to areas north of the city.

The blaze, dubbed the "cave fire", started near East Camino Cielo and Painted Cave Road in the forest, it added.

Firefighters from neighboring areas were rushing to Santa Barbara to help the local service control the fast-moving blaze, authorities said.

Flames ripped through brush and woodland on hills above the Californian city of Santa Barbara early on Tuesday, forcing some residents to leave their homes, authorities said.

Flames ripped through brush and woodland on hills above the Californian city of Santa Barbara early on Tuesday, forcing some residents to leave their homes, authorities said. The fire broke out in Los Padres National Forest late on Monday afternoon and spread to cover 3,100 acres by the evening, Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office tweeted. "An evacuation warning is being issued for the area north of Foothill Road and Ontare to Gibraltar Road," the official said, referring to areas north of the city. The blaze, dubbed the "cave fire", started near East Camino Cielo and Painted Cave Road in the forest, it added. Firefighters from neighboring areas were rushing to Santa Barbara to help the local service control the fast-moving blaze, authorities said.

Fast-moving fire threatens homes in Santa Barbara County

California police on Monday probed possible links to Asian gang violence in the state's latest mass shooting, after at least two suspects shot dead four men during a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/four-killed-six-wounded-in-california-backyard-shooting-police-262863">backyard football game screening</a>.

The attack took place Sunday evening in central California's Fresno city at the home of members of the Hmong community, police said.

At least two suspects armed with semi-automatic pistols "walked into the backyard and began immediately firing into the crowd" of around 16 people, said Fresno police chief Andy Hall.

The gunmen fired randomly before fleeing on foot, he added.

Watch: Another shootout at California, at least 10 shot and 4 killed

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Three victims were pronounced dead at the scene while a fourth died in a hospital. Six more were receiving treatment Monday but their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

All of the victims were adult males.

While no motive has been established, Hall said a number of incidents involving Asian gangs had taken place in the area in recent weeks, including one murder.

Some people at the party had been involved in a "disturbance" earlier in the week, he said.

"There is no indication that the residents, or anyone at the residence, were affiliated with a gang," said Hall.

"However, whenever we have a major incident like this we always look towards criminal and gang activity."

To avoid possible "retaliation" and prevent any outbreak of violence, the Fresno police would set up a task force specifically dedicated to Asian gangs, he added.

California police on Monday probed possible links to Asian gang violence in the state's latest mass shooting, after at least two suspects shot dead four men during a backyard football game screening.

California police on Monday probed possible links to Asian gang violence in the state's latest mass shooting, after at least two suspects shot dead four men during a backyard football game screening. The attack took place Sunday evening in central California's Fresno city at the home of members of the Hmong community, police said. At least two suspects armed with semi-automatic pistols "walked into the backyard and began immediately firing into the crowd" of around 16 people, said Fresno police chief Andy Hall. The gunmen fired randomly before fleeing on foot, he added. Watch: Another shootout at California, at least 10 shot and 4 killed Three victims were pronounced dead at the scene while a fourth died in a hospital. Six more were receiving treatment Monday but their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. All of the victims were adult males. While no motive has been established, Hall said a number of incidents involving Asian gangs had taken place in the area in recent weeks, including one murder. Some people at the party had been involved in a "disturbance" earlier in the week, he said. "There is no indication that the residents, or anyone at the residence, were affiliated with a gang," said Hall. "However, whenever we have a major incident like this we always look towards criminal and gang activity." To avoid possible "retaliation" and prevent any outbreak of violence, the Fresno police would set up a task force specifically dedicated to Asian gangs, he added.

Police looking for two suspects in California backyard shooting which killed four

The state of California on Monday sued<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-says-e-cigarette-ban-implies-use-of-devices-also-prohibited-262972"> e-cigarette </a>maker Juul Labs Inc, alleging the San Francisco company engaged in a "systematic" and "wildly successful" campaign to attract teenagers to its nicotine devices.

The lawsuit draws on internal correspondence and other evidence, asserting the company did little to prevent sales to underage customers. It also claims that Juul used a "flawed" age-verification process for online sales.

Filed in California state court in Alameda County, the lawsuit also cites passages from a recent Reuters investigation that documented how Juul disregarded evidence soon after its launch in 2015 that teenagers were attracted to the product.

The Reuters story documented how Juul rarely mentioned nicotine in early consumer marketing, while at the same time pitching retailers on Juul's unique addictive power.

Juul spokesman Austin Finan said the company had not yet reviewed the complaint. "We remain focused on resetting the vapour category in the US and earning the trust of society by working cooperatively with attorneys general, regulators, public health officials, and other stakeholders to combat underage use and convert adult smokers from combustible cigarettes," he said in a statement.

The lawsuit seeks monetary damages based on violations of state laws governing false advertising and unfair competition, among others.

Other lawsuits brought so far on behalf of teenage Juul users and other plaintiffs focus on the company's early youth-oriented advertising and social media campaigns. The state of North Carolina filed a lawsuit against Juul earlier this year.

Juul, the US&nbsp;&nbsp;market leader in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-calls-for-businesses-to-shut-down-e-cigarette-online-shops-259443">e-cigarette</a>s, has come under intense scrutiny from regulators, lawmakers and attorneys general over the surging popularity of its products among teenagers in recent years. More than 27 per cent&nbsp;of US&nbsp;high schoolers used an<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-to-meet-with-vaping-industry-as-he-mulls-tighter-regulation-261512"> e-cigarette</a> in the previous month, according to a federal youth tobacco survey released in September, up from 11.7 per cent two years ago.

A recent study found that nearly 60 per cent of high schoolers and 54 per cent&nbsp;of middle schoolers who use nicotine vaping products said Juul was their usual brand.

The company stopped selling many of its most popular flavours in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-state-upholds-e-cigarette-ban-amid-vaping-deaths-253923">United States</a> in recent months, including mint and mango, as research showed those flavours were highly popular among teenagers.

The lawsuit brought by California alleges that customers who failed Juul's online age verification process could create multiple accounts to circumvent the system or ask Juul customer service employees to adjust the address or name to try again.

Sales records in California, according to the suit, show the company sent thousands of Juul devices and pods to fictitious names including "Beer Can" and "Patricia Juul," and to addresses such as&nbsp;"no signature needed, Palo Alto."

The lawsuit quotes correspondence earlier this year from a Juul senior developer, Frederic Boivin, agreeing with another employee that the company shouldn't be allowed to edit customer information because it risked "huge compliance violations."

Referring to a specific case, he added: "For all, we know this is an underage person," according to the suit.

Boivin went on to tell Eadon Jacobs, a director of digital product at Juul, that "you can edit everything," according to the suit. Jacobs responded with one word: "Shit," according to the complaint.

Boivin and Jacobs did not respond to requests for comment.

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said on Monday that Juul "targeted underage Californians with its marketing and sales practices," and is engaging in business practices that are "endangering lives, especially of our children."

The state of California on Monday sued e-cigarette maker Juul Labs Inc, alleging the San Francisco company engaged in a "systematic" and "wildly successful" campaign to attract teenagers to its nicotine devices.

The state of California on Monday sued e-cigarette maker Juul Labs Inc, alleging the San Francisco company engaged in a "systematic" and "wildly successful" campaign to attract teenagers to its nicotine devices. The lawsuit draws on internal correspondence and other evidence, asserting the company did little to prevent sales to underage customers. It also claims that Juul used a "flawed" age-verification process for online sales. Filed in California state court in Alameda County, the lawsuit also cites passages from a recent Reuters investigation that documented how Juul disregarded evidence soon after its launch in 2015 that teenagers were attracted to the product. The Reuters story documented how Juul rarely mentioned nicotine in early consumer marketing, while at the same time pitching retailers on Juul's unique addictive power. Juul spokesman Austin Finan said the company had not yet reviewed the complaint. "We remain focused on resetting the vapour category in the US and earning the trust of society by working cooperatively with attorneys general, regulators, public health officials, and other stakeholders to combat underage use and convert adult smokers from combustible cigarettes," he said in a statement. The lawsuit seeks monetary damages based on violations of state laws governing false advertising and unfair competition, among others. Other lawsuits brought so far on behalf of teenage Juul users and other plaintiffs focus on the company's early youth-oriented advertising and social media campaigns. The state of North Carolina filed a lawsuit against Juul earlier this year. Juul, the US market leader in e-cigarettes, has come under intense scrutiny from regulators, lawmakers and attorneys general over the surging popularity of its products among teenagers in recent years. More than 27 per cent of US high schoolers used an e-cigarette in the previous month, according to a federal youth tobacco survey released in September, up from 11.7 per cent two years ago. A recent study found that nearly 60 per cent of high schoolers and 54 per cent of middle schoolers who use nicotine vaping products said Juul was their usual brand. The company stopped selling many of its most popular flavours in the United States in recent months, including mint and mango, as research showed those flavours were highly popular among teenagers. The lawsuit brought by California alleges that customers who failed Juul's online age verification process could create multiple accounts to circumvent the system or ask Juul customer service employees to adjust the address or name to try again. Sales records in California, according to the suit, show the company sent thousands of Juul devices and pods to fictitious names including "Beer Can" and "Patricia Juul," and to addresses such as "no signature needed, Palo Alto." The lawsuit quotes correspondence earlier this year from a Juul senior developer, Frederic Boivin, agreeing with another employee that the company shouldn't be allowed to edit customer information because it risked "huge compliance violations." Referring to a specific case, he added: "For all, we know this is an underage person," according to the suit. Boivin went on to tell Eadon Jacobs, a director of digital product at Juul, that "you can edit everything," according to the suit. Jacobs responded with one word: "Shit," according to the complaint. Boivin and Jacobs did not respond to requests for comment. California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said on Monday that Juul "targeted underage Californians with its marketing and sales practices," and is engaging in business practices that are "endangering lives, especially of our children."

California sues e-cigarette maker Juul for selling nicotine products to youth

Another shootout at California, at least 10 people have been shot, 4 killed. Watch this video to find out more in details.

Another shootout at California, atleast 10 people have been shot & 4 killed

California mass shootings: A dark year for the US West Coast

Four people were shot dead and six others wounded while watching a football game in the backyard of a central&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/first-pics-from-the-scene-of-california-shooting-239142">California</a>&nbsp;home on Sunday, police said.

"Three people died on the scene," deputy Fresno police chief Michael Reed told reporters.

"One was critical and... succumbed to his injuries" after being rushed to a hospital, he added.

Police were called to the scene after at least two people snuck into the backyard of a home in Fresno, around 320 kilometres&nbsp;north of Los Angeles, and opened fire.

Earlier,&nbsp;the Fresno Bee newspaper reported that&nbsp;several people had&nbsp;died and at least nine were injured in the aftermath of a mass shooting in southeastern California's Fresno. 
 
Lt&nbsp;Bill Dooley told the Bee&nbsp;that at least nine people had sustained injuries after a "mass casualty" shooting incident in the backyard of a house, which left "several" people dead. 
 
"Officers arrived on the scene,&nbsp;what we found were several individuals deceased in the backyard. We do have multiple shooting victims. We’re not releasing the total number yet," Dooley said.

No information about the shooter has been made public yet,&nbsp;with Dooley saying that "unknown suspects" had opened fire and then ran away. 
 
According to him, a family gathering was taking place in a backyard when the attack took place. 
 
Additionally, the victims have been taken to a local hospital.

(With inputs from Sputnik and AFP)

Four people were shot dead and six others wounded while watching a football game in the backyard of a central California home on Sunday, police said. "Three people died on the scene," deputy Fresno police chief Michael Reed told reporters.

Four people were shot dead and six others wounded while watching a football game in the backyard of a central California home on Sunday, police said. "Three people died on the scene," deputy Fresno police chief Michael Reed told reporters. "One was critical and... succumbed to his injuries" after being rushed to a hospital, he added. Police were called to the scene after at least two people snuck into the backyard of a home in Fresno, around 320 kilometres north of Los Angeles, and opened fire. Earlier, the Fresno Bee newspaper reported that several people had died and at least nine were injured in the aftermath of a mass shooting in southeastern California's Fresno. Lt Bill Dooley told the Bee that at least nine people had sustained injuries after a "mass casualty" shooting incident in the backyard of a house, which left "several" people dead. "Officers arrived on the scene, what we found were several individuals deceased in the backyard. We do have multiple shooting victims. We’re not releasing the total number yet," Dooley said. No information about the shooter has been made public yet, with Dooley saying that "unknown suspects" had opened fire and then ran away. According to him, a family gathering was taking place in a backyard when the attack took place. Additionally, the victims have been taken to a local hospital. (With inputs from Sputnik and AFP)

Four killed, six wounded in California backyard shooting: Police

The teenager who <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/police-look-for-motive-behind-california-school-shooting-262348">gunned down classmates</a> at a California high school before shooting himself died Friday, leaving detectives baffled over the motive of a Boy Scout with no obvious alarm bells in his background.

Nathaniel Berhow died in a hospital one day after shooting himself in the head at the end of a 16th birthday rampage that left two fellow students dead.

Berhow had been in critical condition since police officers storming the campus found him lying among the wounded.

The Los Angeles sheriff's department confirmed Berhow died shortly after 3:30 pm (2330 GMT) on Friday.&nbsp;

The puzzle of what led him to open fire at Saugus High School, a short commute from Los Angeles, deepened as a picture emerged of a quiet yet sociable teen who was familiar with guns but had no history of troubling behaviour.

"We know it was a planned attack, it was deliberate... The motive? We don't have it yet," Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva told a news conference.

The victims,&nbsp;a boy and a girl died while another three students were wounded,&nbsp;appeared to have been chosen at random, he said.

"There's no relationships that we can tell (between) the suspect and the victims," Villanueva added, scotching rumours that an ex-girlfriend had been his target.

There was also no history of the teen being bullied.

The FBI earlier said there is no evidence that the suspect had any ideological motives or acted on behalf of any organization. No manifesto or suicide note has been found.

Deepening the riddle, Berhow's late father had owned six registered guns -- but none of them matched the .45 calibre semiautomatic the suspect used.

His proficiency with the weapon during his short, deadly ambush suggested he had been firing guns for some time.

"In 16 seconds he cleared a malfunction and was able to shoot five people and himself, so he seemed very familiar with firing the weapon," said Villanueva.

'Bewildered'&nbsp;

Jared Axen, 33, a next-door neighbour, described Berhow as an introvert who was usually quiet and reserved but who had friends and could readily be engaged in conversation.

"I would see him go back and forth between scouting. I'd see him do a lot of sports-related activities," he told the Los Angeles Times.

School records show Berhow was a keen middle-distance track runner.

Aidan Soto, a fellow scout and student at Saugus, described the suspect as a "good kid," and the last person he would expect to carry out a mass shooting.

"The younger scouts really looked up to him. He was there when they needed him with anything. I'm bewildered and looking for answers."

Although Berhow had no <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-five-wounded-after-shooting-at-california-high-school-officials-262164">evident history of violence</a>, his family life over the past few years had been difficult.

His father, divorced from his mother not long before, died of a heart attack in December 2017.

The father had reportedly suffered from alcohol-related problems, and was at one point suspected of domestic violence but never prosecuted for lack of evidence.&nbsp;

Nonetheless, the father and son were seemingly close.

"He would tell me that he missed his father and that he loved him," Axen said.

'Another innocent person'

The father was a keen hunter whom neighbours would see manufacturing ammunition in his garage. Investigators said they found additional arms at the home, beyond the six registered weapons.

Berhow would sometimes accompany his father on hunting trips, according to Axen,&nbsp;accounting for the deadly accuracy of his shooting.

He also "knew how many rounds he had," noted Villanueva, the sheriff.&nbsp;The teen gunman saved his final bullet for himself.

The students slain by Berhow were identified as Gracie Anne Muehlberger, 15, and a 14-year-old boy.

Messages on Muehlberger's Instagram page read&nbsp;"I miss you so much already love," and "It's so sad that another innocent person has to die."

Another <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/california-two-killed-in-school-shooting-teen-shooter-in-custody-262181">wounded teenager</a> was able to return home Friday morning, and two girls,&nbsp;both operated on for gunshot wounds,&nbsp;should be able to leave the hospital in a few days, say medics.

Tearful prayer vigils were held Thursday night, and all schools in the district remained closed Friday in a mark of respect, Deputy Superintendent Mike Kuhlman said.

The teenager who gunned down classmates at a California high school before shooting himself died Friday, leaving detectives baffled over the motive of a Boy Scout with no obvious alarm bells in his background.

The teenager who gunned down classmates at a California high school before shooting himself died Friday, leaving detectives baffled over the motive of a Boy Scout with no obvious alarm bells in his background. Nathaniel Berhow died in a hospital one day after shooting himself in the head at the end of a 16th birthday rampage that left two fellow students dead. Berhow had been in critical condition since police officers storming the campus found him lying among the wounded. The Los Angeles sheriff's department confirmed Berhow died shortly after 3:30 pm (2330 GMT) on Friday. The puzzle of what led him to open fire at Saugus High School, a short commute from Los Angeles, deepened as a picture emerged of a quiet yet sociable teen who was familiar with guns but had no history of troubling behaviour. "We know it was a planned attack, it was deliberate... The motive? We don't have it yet," Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva told a news conference. The victims, a boy and a girl died while another three students were wounded, appeared to have been chosen at random, he said. "There's no relationships that we can tell (between) the suspect and the victims," Villanueva added, scotching rumours that an ex-girlfriend had been his target. There was also no history of the teen being bullied. The FBI earlier said there is no evidence that the suspect had any ideological motives or acted on behalf of any organization. No manifesto or suicide note has been found. Deepening the riddle, Berhow's late father had owned six registered guns -- but none of them matched the .45 calibre semiautomatic the suspect used. His proficiency with the weapon during his short, deadly ambush suggested he had been firing guns for some time. "In 16 seconds he cleared a malfunction and was able to shoot five people and himself, so he seemed very familiar with firing the weapon," said Villanueva. 'Bewildered' Jared Axen, 33, a next-door neighbour, described Berhow as an introvert who was usually quiet and reserved but who had friends and could readily be engaged in conversation. "I would see him go back and forth between scouting. I'd see him do a lot of sports-related activities," he told the Los Angeles Times. School records show Berhow was a keen middle-distance track runner. Aidan Soto, a fellow scout and student at Saugus, described the suspect as a "good kid," and the last person he would expect to carry out a mass shooting. "The younger scouts really looked up to him. He was there when they needed him with anything. I'm bewildered and looking for answers." Although Berhow had no evident history of violence, his family life over the past few years had been difficult. His father, divorced from his mother not long before, died of a heart attack in December 2017. The father had reportedly suffered from alcohol-related problems, and was at one point suspected of domestic violence but never prosecuted for lack of evidence. Nonetheless, the father and son were seemingly close. "He would tell me that he missed his father and that he loved him," Axen said. 'Another innocent person' The father was a keen hunter whom neighbours would see manufacturing ammunition in his garage. Investigators said they found additional arms at the home, beyond the six registered weapons. Berhow would sometimes accompany his father on hunting trips, according to Axen, accounting for the deadly accuracy of his shooting. He also "knew how many rounds he had," noted Villanueva, the sheriff. The teen gunman saved his final bullet for himself. The students slain by Berhow were identified as Gracie Anne Muehlberger, 15, and a 14-year-old boy. Messages on Muehlberger's Instagram page read "I miss you so much already love," and "It's so sad that another innocent person has to die." Another wounded teenager was able to return home Friday morning, and two girls, both operated on for gunshot wounds, should be able to leave the hospital in a few days, say medics. Tearful prayer vigils were held Thursday night, and all schools in the district remained closed Friday in a mark of respect, Deputy Superintendent Mike Kuhlman said.

Gunman who killed fellow classmates in California dies as police look for motive

In California high school shootout, 16-yr old teenager shot himself after open firing and shooting 5 of the students. Watch this video to find out more in details.

California high school shootout: Teenager shot himself after open firing

The two students killed were a 16-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy.

Two dead, several injured in California school shooting

A teenage boy <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/at-least-five-wounded-after-shooting-at-california-high-school-officials-262164">gunned down fellow students</a> at a California high school on his 16th birthday Thursday, killing two and wounding another three before turning the pistol on himself.

The gunman was taken into custody in "grave" condition, police said, as officers stormed Saugus High School in Santa Clarita,&nbsp;the latest in a relentless cycle of classroom shootings in the United States that have left around 300 youngsters dead over two decades.&nbsp;

The chilling scene played out even as lawmakers in Washington were debating the latest attempt at gun control legislation that has stalled in Congress for months.

Terrified students described barricading themselves into classrooms while others fled as word rapidly spread of the unidentified Asian boy opening fire with a .45 calibre semiautomatic.

"Detectives reviewed the video at the scene, which clearly show the subject in the quad withdraw a handgun from his backpack, shoot and wound five people, and then shoot himself in the head," homicide captain Kent Wegener told a news conference.

The teen was found among the wounded by first responders, said Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva.&nbsp;

No motive has yet been established, but a message reading "Saugus, have fun at school tomorrow" had been posted on "what we believe to be the subject's Instagram account," Wegener confirmed.

It was removed by another person following the incident, he added.

The FBI said there was no sign of an ideological motive or any co-conspirators.

The dead were a 16-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy. The other three wounded, one boy and two girls,&nbsp;were aged between 14 and 15.

The shooting at the school of 2,300 students was first reported shortly after 7:30 am&nbsp;(1530 GMT).&nbsp;

The school,&nbsp;65 kilometres&nbsp;north of Los Angeles,&nbsp;was locked down, and witness descriptions and surveillance footage identified the suspect within an hour of the shooting.

Officers went to his home and his mother and girlfriend were at a local police station speaking with detectives.

'My heart sank'

Seventeen-year-old student Andrei Mojica was in his government class when someone burst in and said there was a shooter on campus.

"That's when my heart sank," he told the Los Angeles Times.

The class of around 30 students followed their emergency drills and began barricading the doors with desks and tables, before waiting in silence, ready to wield a fire extinguisher as a weapon.

"We had no clue whether the shooter was on the opposite side of campus or right outside our door," he told the newspaper. "That fear made it feel like we were waiting in silence forever."

Finally, they were escorted from the classroom by a SWAT team.

A tearful mother waiting beside a nearby church with other parents said she had dropped off her ninth-grader about a minute before the shooting started.

"I haven't seen my son yet but I've talked to him. He's okay ... He just sounded numb," she told an NBC affiliate.

"All he's said is he was walking through the quad and somebody started shooting and he turned and he saw that it was real and ran into a classroom," she added.

Students told CNN they had heard multiple loud bangs that "sounded like fireworks" and began to run.

Twenty-four ambulances, seven paramedic units and a helicopter were at the school campus, opposite a residential area, along with dozens of squad cars.

Agents from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, as well as firefighters, were among those responding.

Gun debate

The incident is the latest of more than 40 shootings at US schools since as recently as May 2018, when a 17-year-old killed 10 people, eight of the students, in Santa Fe, Texas.

Authorities said his shotgun and revolver were legally owned by his father.

Three months earlier a 19-year-old expelled from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida returned and opened fire, killing 14 students and three staff members.

There is roughly one school shooting a week in the United States, according to Everytown for Gun Safety.

President Donald Trump tweeted that his staff "continue to monitor the terrible events," adding his "deepest condolences to the families and friends of those tragically lost."

The perennial hot-button issue of arms control threatens to spill into next year's election.

"Every day, our children and our communities are forced to endure horrendous acts of violence and bloodshed, while Republicans continue to obstruct meaningful, bipartisan solutions to end the epidemic of gun violence," said Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic speaker of the House of Representatives.

News of the shooting broke during a debate on gun control legislation at the Senate in Washington.

Democrat Senator Richard Blumenthal was speaking as he was handed a piece of paper by an aide.

"On the floor right now there's a school shooting in Santa Clarita, California," he told the chamber.

"How can we turn the other way? How can we refuse to see that shooting in real-time, demanding our attention, requiring our action? We are complicit if we fail to act."

California senator Kamala Harris, a Democratic candidate for the 2020 election, said she was "heartbroken and praying for Santa Clarita."

A teenage boy gunned down fellow students at a California high school on his 16th birthday Thursday, killing two and wounding another three before turning the pistol on himself.

A teenage boy gunned down fellow students at a California high school on his 16th birthday Thursday, killing two and wounding another three before turning the pistol on himself. The gunman was taken into custody in "grave" condition, police said, as officers stormed Saugus High School in Santa Clarita, the latest in a relentless cycle of classroom shootings in the United States that have left around 300 youngsters dead over two decades. The chilling scene played out even as lawmakers in Washington were debating the latest attempt at gun control legislation that has stalled in Congress for months. Terrified students described barricading themselves into classrooms while others fled as word rapidly spread of the unidentified Asian boy opening fire with a .45 calibre semiautomatic. "Detectives reviewed the video at the scene, which clearly show the subject in the quad withdraw a handgun from his backpack, shoot and wound five people, and then shoot himself in the head," homicide captain Kent Wegener told a news conference. The teen was found among the wounded by first responders, said Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva. No motive has yet been established, but a message reading "Saugus, have fun at school tomorrow" had been posted on "what we believe to be the subject's Instagram account," Wegener confirmed. It was removed by another person following the incident, he added. The FBI said there was no sign of an ideological motive or any co-conspirators. The dead were a 16-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy. The other three wounded, one boy and two girls, were aged between 14 and 15. The shooting at the school of 2,300 students was first reported shortly after 7:30 am (1530 GMT). The school, 65 kilometres north of Los Angeles, was locked down, and witness descriptions and surveillance footage identified the suspect within an hour of the shooting. Officers went to his home and his mother and girlfriend were at a local police station speaking with detectives. 'My heart sank' Seventeen-year-old student Andrei Mojica was in his government class when someone burst in and said there was a shooter on campus. "That's when my heart sank," he told the Los Angeles Times. The class of around 30 students followed their emergency drills and began barricading the doors with desks and tables, before waiting in silence, ready to wield a fire extinguisher as a weapon. "We had no clue whether the shooter was on the opposite side of campus or right outside our door," he told the newspaper. "That fear made it feel like we were waiting in silence forever." Finally, they were escorted from the classroom by a SWAT team. A tearful mother waiting beside a nearby church with other parents said she had dropped off her ninth-grader about a minute before the shooting started. "I haven't seen my son yet but I've talked to him. He's okay ... He just sounded numb," she told an NBC affiliate. "All he's said is he was walking through the quad and somebody started shooting and he turned and he saw that it was real and ran into a classroom," she added. Students told CNN they had heard multiple loud bangs that "sounded like fireworks" and began to run. Twenty-four ambulances, seven paramedic units and a helicopter were at the school campus, opposite a residential area, along with dozens of squad cars. Agents from the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, as well as firefighters, were among those responding. Gun debate The incident is the latest of more than 40 shootings at US schools since as recently as May 2018, when a 17-year-old killed 10 people, eight of the students, in Santa Fe, Texas. Authorities said his shotgun and revolver were legally owned by his father. Three months earlier a 19-year-old expelled from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida returned and opened fire, killing 14 students and three staff members. There is roughly one school shooting a week in the United States, according to Everytown for Gun Safety. President Donald Trump tweeted that his staff "continue to monitor the terrible events," adding his "deepest condolences to the families and friends of those tragically lost." The perennial hot-button issue of arms control threatens to spill into next year's election. "Every day, our children and our communities are forced to endure horrendous acts of violence and bloodshed, while Republicans continue to obstruct meaningful, bipartisan solutions to end the epidemic of gun violence," said Nancy Pelosi, the Democratic speaker of the House of Representatives. News of the shooting broke during a debate on gun control legislation at the Senate in Washington. Democrat Senator Richard Blumenthal was speaking as he was handed a piece of paper by an aide. "On the floor right now there's a school shooting in Santa Clarita, California," he told the chamber. "How can we turn the other way? How can we refuse to see that shooting in real-time, demanding our attention, requiring our action? We are complicit if we fail to act." California senator Kamala Harris, a Democratic candidate for the 2020 election, said she was "heartbroken and praying for Santa Clarita."

California: Two killed in school shooting, teen shooter in custody

A California high school student dressed in black opened fire on campus on Thursday, killing a 16-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy and wounding three other teens before shooting himself in the head, officials said.

California: Another shootout at a high school claim lives of two students

The psychological scars remain raw a year after California's deadliest wildfire raced across a mountain ridge and destroyed the town of Paradise, killing 85 people.

Hope and despair in Paradise one year after devastating fire

Apple said Monday it would commit $2.5 billion over the next two years to help address the shortage of affordable housing in California and reduce homelessness.

The move by Apple follows similar initiatives from Silicon Valley peers Google and Facebook, which each have pledged $1 billion for housing programs.

"Before the world knew the name Silicon Valley, and long before we carried technology in our pockets, Apple called this region home, and we feel a profound civic responsibility to ensure it remains a vibrant place where people can live, have a family and contribute to the community," said Apple chief executive Tim Cook in a statement.

"Affordable housing means stability and dignity, opportunity and pride. When these things fall out of reach for too many, we know the course we are on is unsustainable, and Apple is committed to being part of the solution."

Apple said data showed some 30,000 people left San Francisco between April and June of 2019 and that its efforts are geared to help "community members like teachers, firefighters, first responders and service workers" who cannot find affordable lodging.

Apple said it was working with California Governor Gavin Newsom on several programs to address housing and homelessness.

The iPhone maker said $1 billion will go to the state's affordable housing fund that will extend credit to develop and build additional housing faster and at a lower cost.

Apple also said it would make available land it owns in San Jose worth some $300 million for homes.

The company is committing $200 million to support new lower-income housing in the Bay Area, including $150 for a public-private partnership.

It will also offer $50 million to support the efforts to address homelessness in Silicon Valley with the nonprofit group Destination: Home.

"We have worked closely with leading experts to put together a plan that confronts this challenge on all fronts, from the critical need to increase housing supply, to support for first-time homebuyers and young families, to essential philanthropy to assist those at greatest risk," said Lisa Jackson, Apple's vice president&nbsp;for environment and social initiatives.

Apple said Monday it would commit $2.5 billion over the next two years to help address the shortage of affordable housing in California and reduce homelessness. The move by Apple follows similar initiatives from Silicon Valley peers Google and Facebook, which each have pledged $1 billion for housing programs.

Apple said Monday it would commit $2.5 billion over the next two years to help address the shortage of affordable housing in California and reduce homelessness. The move by Apple follows similar initiatives from Silicon Valley peers Google and Facebook, which each have pledged $1 billion for housing programs. "Before the world knew the name Silicon Valley, and long before we carried technology in our pockets, Apple called this region home, and we feel a profound civic responsibility to ensure it remains a vibrant place where people can live, have a family and contribute to the community," said Apple chief executive Tim Cook in a statement. "Affordable housing means stability and dignity, opportunity and pride. When these things fall out of reach for too many, we know the course we are on is unsustainable, and Apple is committed to being part of the solution." Apple said data showed some 30,000 people left San Francisco between April and June of 2019 and that its efforts are geared to help "community members like teachers, firefighters, first responders and service workers" who cannot find affordable lodging. Apple said it was working with California Governor Gavin Newsom on several programs to address housing and homelessness. The iPhone maker said $1 billion will go to the state's affordable housing fund that will extend credit to develop and build additional housing faster and at a lower cost. Apple also said it would make available land it owns in San Jose worth some $300 million for homes. The company is committing $200 million to support new lower-income housing in the Bay Area, including $150 for a public-private partnership. It will also offer $50 million to support the efforts to address homelessness in Silicon Valley with the nonprofit group Destination: Home. "We have worked closely with leading experts to put together a plan that confronts this challenge on all fronts, from the critical need to increase housing supply, to support for first-time homebuyers and young families, to essential philanthropy to assist those at greatest risk," said Lisa Jackson, Apple's vice president for environment and social initiatives.

Apple offers $2.5 bn to address California housing crisis

US President Donald Trump threatened once again Sunday to withhold federal aid from California after its Democratic governor criticized his environmental policies.

Over the past two weeks, fires have ravaged nearly 100,000 acres (40,000 hectares) in the sprawling western state, where firefighters on Sunday were battling the Maria Fire, about 60 miles (100 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles.

Taking a line of attack he first used last year when fires killed 86 people in northern California, Trump blamed Governor Gavin Newsom, saying he had done "a terrible job of forest management."

"Every year, as the fire's (sic) rage &amp; California burns, it is the same thing and then he comes to the Federal Government for $$$ help. No more. Get your act together Governor," he said on Twitter. &nbsp;

Newsom, responding on Twitter, brushed off Trump's criticism in a terse 12 words: "You don't believe in climate change. You are excused from this conversation."

Newsom had offered a fuller critique in a recent interview with The New York Times, pointing to Trump's roll-back of environmental protections.

"We're waging war against the most destructive fires in our state's history," he said, "and Trump is conducting a full-on assault against the antidote."

The president has on several occasions openly questioned the scientific consensus that human activity causes changes in the climate, and notably the drought that has contributed to the California fires.

His administration decided on September 18 to revoke California's authority to set its own standards for automobile pollution.

Newsom criticized the Republican government's ambivalence in dealing with the disasters.

"Last night they approved seven additional emergency grants in record time," Newsom told the Times. "But what's so insidious, and what's so remarkable is that he's doing everything right to respond to these disasters and everything wrong to address what's happening to cause them."

Far from the political struggles, firefighters were continuing to press their fight against the Maria Fire, which they said Sunday is now 70 per cent contained, and the Kincade Fire north of San Francisco, now 78 per cent contained.

Other fires, including some that threatened multi-million-dollar homes and iconic institutions in the Los Angeles area, have subsided, and residents who had evacuated are beginning to return home.

US President Donald Trump threatened once again Sunday to withhold federal aid from California after its Democratic governor criticized his environmental policies.

US President Donald Trump threatened once again Sunday to withhold federal aid from California after its Democratic governor criticized his environmental policies. Over the past two weeks, fires have ravaged nearly 100,000 acres (40,000 hectares) in the sprawling western state, where firefighters on Sunday were battling the Maria Fire, about 60 miles (100 kilometers) northwest of Los Angeles. Taking a line of attack he first used last year when fires killed 86 people in northern California, Trump blamed Governor Gavin Newsom, saying he had done "a terrible job of forest management." "Every year, as the fire's (sic) rage & California burns, it is the same thing and then he comes to the Federal Government for $$$ help. No more. Get your act together Governor," he said on Twitter. Newsom, responding on Twitter, brushed off Trump's criticism in a terse 12 words: "You don't believe in climate change. You are excused from this conversation." Newsom had offered a fuller critique in a recent interview with The New York Times, pointing to Trump's roll-back of environmental protections. "We're waging war against the most destructive fires in our state's history," he said, "and Trump is conducting a full-on assault against the antidote." The president has on several occasions openly questioned the scientific consensus that human activity causes changes in the climate, and notably the drought that has contributed to the California fires. His administration decided on September 18 to revoke California's authority to set its own standards for automobile pollution. Newsom criticized the Republican government's ambivalence in dealing with the disasters. "Last night they approved seven additional emergency grants in record time," Newsom told the Times. "But what's so insidious, and what's so remarkable is that he's doing everything right to respond to these disasters and everything wrong to address what's happening to cause them." Far from the political struggles, firefighters were continuing to press their fight against the Maria Fire, which they said Sunday is now 70 per cent contained, and the Kincade Fire north of San Francisco, now 78 per cent contained. Other fires, including some that threatened multi-million-dollar homes and iconic institutions in the Los Angeles area, have subsided, and residents who had evacuated are beginning to return home.

Donald Trump threatens to withhold emergency aid from fire-hit California

Four people were shot dead at a crowded Halloween costume party at a house in Orinda in Northern California, the county sheriff's office said on Friday.

The shooting took place around 10:45 p.m. on Thursday at a house party with more than 100 people attending in an expensive neighbourhood of Orinda, a small city across the bay from San Francisco, the Contra Costa Sheriff's Office said in a statement.

Four people died in the shooting and several other people were injured, the statement said. The sheriff's office has not publicly identified the victims or any suspects.

Video footage broadcast by ABC7 News showed a person on a stretcher being loaded into an ambulance and young people who appeared to be party guests, including some in costumes, walking in the street outside the house.

"Our whole neighbourhood heard it and then people were screaming and fleeing," Chris Gade, who lives near the house, told reporters, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

The party took place in a short-term rental home and had been advertised on social media, the Chronicle reported. The host of the party had rented it through the online listings service Airbnb and had told the house's owner she was holding a reunion for only 12 people, the Chronicle reported, citing the house's owner, Michael Wang.

Airbnb said it had removed the house from its website and had banned the person who had rented it from using the platform, the Chronicle reported.

Four people were shot dead at a crowded Halloween costume party at a house in Orinda in Northern California, the county sheriff's office said on Friday. The shooting took place around 10:45 p.

Four people were shot dead at a crowded Halloween costume party at a house in Orinda in Northern California, the county sheriff's office said on Friday. The shooting took place around 10:45 p.m. on Thursday at a house party with more than 100 people attending in an expensive neighbourhood of Orinda, a small city across the bay from San Francisco, the Contra Costa Sheriff's Office said in a statement. Four people died in the shooting and several other people were injured, the statement said. The sheriff's office has not publicly identified the victims or any suspects. Video footage broadcast by ABC7 News showed a person on a stretcher being loaded into an ambulance and young people who appeared to be party guests, including some in costumes, walking in the street outside the house. "Our whole neighbourhood heard it and then people were screaming and fleeing," Chris Gade, who lives near the house, told reporters, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. The party took place in a short-term rental home and had been advertised on social media, the Chronicle reported. The host of the party had rented it through the online listings service Airbnb and had told the house's owner she was holding a reunion for only 12 people, the Chronicle reported, citing the house's owner, Michael Wang. Airbnb said it had removed the house from its website and had banned the person who had rented it from using the platform, the Chronicle reported.

Four people shot dead at Halloween party at Airbnb rental in California

Authorities say a wind-driven wildfire fire in San Bernardino, California, has destroyed or damaged six homes and two outbuildings.

Doorbell camera shows neighbor warning of wildfire

At least four people were killed and several wounded in a shooting at a Halloween party near San Francisco, local authorities and media reported.

The shooting took place at a rented Airbnb home around Thursday night in Orinda, around 30 kms&nbsp;northeast of San Francisco, according to NBC Bay Area news.

"Orinda homicide update - four fatalities, several injuries," the Contra Costa County sheriff's office tweeted early Friday.

Three people were killed and nine others wounded in a Halloween party south of Los Angeles late Tuesday, local media reported.

At least four people were killed and several wounded in a shooting at a Halloween party near San Francisco, local authorities and media reported. The shooting took place at a rented Airbnb home around Thursday night in Orinda, around 30 kms northeast of San Francisco, according to NBC Bay Area news.

At least four people were killed and several wounded in a shooting at a Halloween party near San Francisco, local authorities and media reported. The shooting took place at a rented Airbnb home around Thursday night in Orinda, around 30 kms northeast of San Francisco, according to NBC Bay Area news. "Orinda homicide update - four fatalities, several injuries," the Contra Costa County sheriff's office tweeted early Friday. Three people were killed and nine others wounded in a Halloween party south of Los Angeles late Tuesday, local media reported.

Four killed in Halloween shooting in California

Reports claim that Multiple people have been shot in Halloween party in California. Several people are injured and have been taken away in the ambulances. Watch this video to know more.

Reports: Multiple people shot in Halloween party in California

California Wildfires: California is in a catastrophic situation, Dry weather and strong wind have intensified on-going fires. For the rescue operation, Hundreds of firefighters and rescue workers have been deployed.

California's Long wall of Orange Flames

A fast-moving wildfire threatened thousands of homes and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library outside Los Angeles on Wednesday (October 30) as extraordinarily dry, heavy Santa Ana winds buffeted the region, forcing meteorologists to grasp for new language to warn of the danger.

"Way too close" - fast-moving wildfire threatens Reagan Library

Firefighters in California struggled to contain a new fast-moving blaze on Wednesday that threatened thousands of homes and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, as rare "extreme" red flag warnings were issued for much of the Los Angeles region.

The so-called Easy-Fire in the Simi Valley northwest of Los Angeles erupted around 6:00 am, forcing the evacuation of the library and nearby homes as it spread to more than 1,500 acres (526 hectares), officials said.

Fire crews raced to protect the hilltop library surrounded by dense brush as helicopters and aircraft dropped water and fire retardant on the flames fed by powerful wind gusts.

"The fire outflanked us very rapidly, pushed by those 40 to 50 mile-per-hour winds," Ventura County Fire Assistant Chief Chad Cook told reporters.&nbsp;

Authorities said 7,000 homes were under mandatory evacuation orders affecting some 30,000 residents.

By evening, the fire had spared the building, though authorities warned the situation could quickly change because of the fierce winds that can spread embers for miles.

'Still not through this'

"We are still not through this," Ventura County Fire Chief Mark Lorenzen told reporters. "We have another 24 hours of significant weather conditions and a lot of threats."&nbsp;

Library officials said the archives and much of the memorabilia from the Reagan administration and from his time as governor of California were safely stored in an underground fireproof vault at the facility.

"It was a crazy morning, it was unexpected," Duke Blackwood, executive director of the library told AFP. "At this point, most of the fire danger is out but there (are) still a lot of hot spots and smoke."

Authorities said it was unclear what caused the fire, which started near Easy Street and raced through hillsides toward neighbourhoods.

The blaze broke out amid unprecedented "extremely critical" red flags warnings in parts of southern California because of so-called Santa Ana winds, with potential gusts of up to 80 miles per hour (130 kilometers per hour) in mountainous areas.

"We expect the Santa Anas to be howling," the National Weather Service said, adding that the red flag warnings were in effect through Thursday evening.

Some 18 million Californians live in the areas affected.

Several brush fires also erupted throughout the day Wednesday in other areas of southern California, stretching resources, shutting down schools and creating a traffic nightmare.

Closer to Los Angeles, firefighters were battling the Getty Fire, which began near the famous Getty Center museum on Monday and by Wednesday afternoon had burned 745 acres, with 27 per cent containment.

Evacuation orders were lifted Wednesday afternoon for most people affected by the blaze as fire crews appeared to gain the upper hand.

Los Angeles Fire Department spokeswoman Margaret Steward said that in anticipation of the record-strong Santa Ana winds, all staff had been mobilized and additional backup brought in.

"These resources will be strategically placed in key locations that have a history of being prone to wildfire," she said.

No fatalities

Mandatory evacuations were also ordered on Wednesday in the Jurupa Valley, about an hour's drive east of Los Angeles, after a fire broke out near a freeway and quickly spread to 250 acres.

Farther north, in Sonoma County, Cal Fire, the California fire department, said firefighters had made progress overnight battling the Kincade Fire, which covers 120 square miles and led to mandatory evacuation orders affecting nearly 200,000 people.

With the worst apparently over, some residents were allowed to return to their homes still standing on Wednesday.

Attesting to the scale of the fire, American astronaut Andrew Morgan tweeted images he took of the area on Thursday while onboard the International Space Station.

"Thinking of the people who have lost their homes and the brave first responders on the front lines protecting them," he said.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a statewide emergency because of the fires and the state's largest utility, Pacific Gas and Electric, has been imposing rolling blackouts in the northern and central parts of the state in a bid to reduce the fire risk.

Other utilities in the southern part of the state have also shut off power to customers.

The wildfires come as California is still reeling from the aftermath of the most destructive wildfire in state history -- the Camp Fire, which destroyed the town of Paradise and killed 86 people last year.

Similar blazes in northern California, including in the Napa and Sonoma wine regions, killed 44 people in 2017 and destroyed thousands of structures.

Remarkably, there have been no fatalities linked to this year's fires.

Firefighters in California struggled to contain a new fast-moving blaze on Wednesday that threatened thousands of homes and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, as rare "extreme" red flag warnings were issued for much of the Los Angeles region.

Firefighters in California struggled to contain a new fast-moving blaze on Wednesday that threatened thousands of homes and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, as rare "extreme" red flag warnings were issued for much of the Los Angeles region. The so-called Easy-Fire in the Simi Valley northwest of Los Angeles erupted around 6:00 am, forcing the evacuation of the library and nearby homes as it spread to more than 1,500 acres (526 hectares), officials said. Fire crews raced to protect the hilltop library surrounded by dense brush as helicopters and aircraft dropped water and fire retardant on the flames fed by powerful wind gusts. "The fire outflanked us very rapidly, pushed by those 40 to 50 mile-per-hour winds," Ventura County Fire Assistant Chief Chad Cook told reporters. Authorities said 7,000 homes were under mandatory evacuation orders affecting some 30,000 residents. By evening, the fire had spared the building, though authorities warned the situation could quickly change because of the fierce winds that can spread embers for miles. 'Still not through this' "We are still not through this," Ventura County Fire Chief Mark Lorenzen told reporters. "We have another 24 hours of significant weather conditions and a lot of threats." Library officials said the archives and much of the memorabilia from the Reagan administration and from his time as governor of California were safely stored in an underground fireproof vault at the facility. "It was a crazy morning, it was unexpected," Duke Blackwood, executive director of the library told AFP. "At this point, most of the fire danger is out but there (are) still a lot of hot spots and smoke." Authorities said it was unclear what caused the fire, which started near Easy Street and raced through hillsides toward neighbourhoods. The blaze broke out amid unprecedented "extremely critical" red flags warnings in parts of southern California because of so-called Santa Ana winds, with potential gusts of up to 80 miles per hour (130 kilometers per hour) in mountainous areas. "We expect the Santa Anas to be howling," the National Weather Service said, adding that the red flag warnings were in effect through Thursday evening. Some 18 million Californians live in the areas affected. Several brush fires also erupted throughout the day Wednesday in other areas of southern California, stretching resources, shutting down schools and creating a traffic nightmare. Closer to Los Angeles, firefighters were battling the Getty Fire, which began near the famous Getty Center museum on Monday and by Wednesday afternoon had burned 745 acres, with 27 per cent containment. Evacuation orders were lifted Wednesday afternoon for most people affected by the blaze as fire crews appeared to gain the upper hand. Los Angeles Fire Department spokeswoman Margaret Steward said that in anticipation of the record-strong Santa Ana winds, all staff had been mobilized and additional backup brought in. "These resources will be strategically placed in key locations that have a history of being prone to wildfire," she said. No fatalities Mandatory evacuations were also ordered on Wednesday in the Jurupa Valley, about an hour's drive east of Los Angeles, after a fire broke out near a freeway and quickly spread to 250 acres. Farther north, in Sonoma County, Cal Fire, the California fire department, said firefighters had made progress overnight battling the Kincade Fire, which covers 120 square miles and led to mandatory evacuation orders affecting nearly 200,000 people. With the worst apparently over, some residents were allowed to return to their homes still standing on Wednesday. Attesting to the scale of the fire, American astronaut Andrew Morgan tweeted images he took of the area on Thursday while onboard the International Space Station. "Thinking of the people who have lost their homes and the brave first responders on the front lines protecting them," he said. California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a statewide emergency because of the fires and the state's largest utility, Pacific Gas and Electric, has been imposing rolling blackouts in the northern and central parts of the state in a bid to reduce the fire risk. Other utilities in the southern part of the state have also shut off power to customers. The wildfires come as California is still reeling from the aftermath of the most destructive wildfire in state history -- the Camp Fire, which destroyed the town of Paradise and killed 86 people last year. Similar blazes in northern California, including in the Napa and Sonoma wine regions, killed 44 people in 2017 and destroyed thousands of structures. Remarkably, there have been no fatalities linked to this year's fires.

California fires: New blazes as dangerous winds fan the flames

Firefighters braced late on Tuesday for a resurgence of strong Santa Ana desert winds across Southern California after a day of light breezes helped them gain ground against a blaze&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bracing-for-winds-authorities-order-thousands-to-flee-california-wine-country-fire-258340">displacing thousands </a>of Los Angeles residents near the famed Getty Center museum.

City arson investigators reported earlier on Tuesday that the Getty fire was likely caused by a broken tree branch being blown into power lines during high winds early Monday morning.

Electricity remained cut off to roughly half a million homes and businesses in northern and central California on Tuesday as a precaution by the state's largest utility, while firefighting strike teams and equipment were posted on standy at strategic points throughout the state.

The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center reported a critical or extreme fire danger existed for more than 34,000 square miles of California, encompassing some 21 million people.

Governor Gavin Newsom, who has accused utilities of failing to adequately modernize and safely maintain their power systems, paid a visit to the Getty fire zone on Tuesday afternoon.

"This is a challenging time," Newsom told a news conference at a command centre in the University of California's Los Angeles campus, adding that 43 of the state's 58 counties were "experiencing at or near-historic wind events."

At the start of the day, firefighters in Los Angeles and those battling a much larger conflagration in northern California's Sonoma County wine country took advantage of lighter winds to make headway before hazardous winds reemerged.

Fire officials worried high winds forecast to gust to 70 miles&nbsp;per hour or more would lift embers from smouldering hot spots and carry them into unburned vegetation, re-igniting and spreading flames anew.

Los Angeles Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas said extremely high winds could also force the grounding of water-dropping helicopters, a vital component of the firefighting arsenal.

While moderately high winds that returned to northern California late on Tuesday were expected to fade by Wednesday morning, forecasts called for extreme Santa Anas to arrive in Southern California late Tuesday night and last into Thursday.

That gave an army of some 1,100 firefighters battling the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/firefighters-struggle-against-massive-wind-whipped-california-wildfire-258443">Getty fire</a> a narrow window for consolidating gains a day after wind-driven flames and embers spread over scrub-covered slopes around some of most expensive homes on the city's west side.

By late afternoon, crews had managed to confine the blaze to about 650 acres&nbsp;while carving solid containment lines around 15 per cent&nbsp;of its perimeter, up from 5 per cent&nbsp;a day earlier.

In northern California, where firefighters struggled for a fifth day against a 76,000-acre blaze in Sonoma County's wine-growing region, high-wind forecasts prompted Pacific Gas and Electric Co&nbsp;to impose a new round of prescribed blackouts for nearly 600,000 homes and business.

That included about 400,000 customers blacked out in a "public safety power shut-off" that PG&amp;E instituted days earlier, the company said in a statement. Tuesday's power cuts marked the third wave of mass blackouts implemented this month by PG&amp;E.

Utilities serving Southern California's more highly urbanized areas have imposed smaller-scale outages.

Announcing preliminary findings of its Getty fire investigation, the Los Angeles Fire Department said the blaze probably started when a tree branch snapped off in high winds landed on adjacent power lines, producing sparks and "arcing" that ignited nearby brush.

The lines, which are operated by the city's Department of Water and Power (DWP), remained intact, the statement said.

The DWP said the broken branch apparently came from a Eucalyptus tree growing about 30 feet away, beyond the vegetation-clearance zone required by state regulations.

PG&amp;E has likewise been implicated in the latest Sonoma County blaze, dubbed the Kincade fire. The utility acknowledged last week that the Kincade fire broke out near a damaged PG&amp;E transmission tower at about the time a live high-voltage line carried by that tower malfunctioned.

The company, whose mass power shutdowns have drawn harsh criticism from the governor, filed for bankruptcy in January, citing $30 billion in potential liability from a series of deadly fires sparked by its equipment in 2017 and 2018.

Citing progress made against the Kincade fire, Newsom said the number of evacuees in northern California had diminished from 190,000 at the peak of that blaze to 130,000 on Tuesday.

Property losses from the Kincade, listed at 15 per cent&nbsp;contained, were put at 189 homes and other structures, double Monday's tally.

The size of the Getty fire's evacuation zone was reduced by roughly 3,000 homes on Tuesday, but residents of about 7,000 dwellings remained displaced, fire officials said. At least a dozen homes have been destroyed so far.

Firefighters braced late on Tuesday for a resurgence of strong Santa Ana desert winds across Southern California after a day of light breezes helped them gain ground against a blaze displacing thousands of Los Angeles residents near the famed Getty Center museum.

Firefighters braced late on Tuesday for a resurgence of strong Santa Ana desert winds across Southern California after a day of light breezes helped them gain ground against a blaze displacing thousands of Los Angeles residents near the famed Getty Center museum. City arson investigators reported earlier on Tuesday that the Getty fire was likely caused by a broken tree branch being blown into power lines during high winds early Monday morning. Electricity remained cut off to roughly half a million homes and businesses in northern and central California on Tuesday as a precaution by the state's largest utility, while firefighting strike teams and equipment were posted on standy at strategic points throughout the state. The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center reported a critical or extreme fire danger existed for more than 34,000 square miles of California, encompassing some 21 million people. Governor Gavin Newsom, who has accused utilities of failing to adequately modernize and safely maintain their power systems, paid a visit to the Getty fire zone on Tuesday afternoon. "This is a challenging time," Newsom told a news conference at a command centre in the University of California's Los Angeles campus, adding that 43 of the state's 58 counties were "experiencing at or near-historic wind events." At the start of the day, firefighters in Los Angeles and those battling a much larger conflagration in northern California's Sonoma County wine country took advantage of lighter winds to make headway before hazardous winds reemerged. Fire officials worried high winds forecast to gust to 70 miles per hour or more would lift embers from smouldering hot spots and carry them into unburned vegetation, re-igniting and spreading flames anew. Los Angeles Fire Chief Ralph Terrazas said extremely high winds could also force the grounding of water-dropping helicopters, a vital component of the firefighting arsenal. While moderately high winds that returned to northern California late on Tuesday were expected to fade by Wednesday morning, forecasts called for extreme Santa Anas to arrive in Southern California late Tuesday night and last into Thursday. That gave an army of some 1,100 firefighters battling the Getty fire a narrow window for consolidating gains a day after wind-driven flames and embers spread over scrub-covered slopes around some of most expensive homes on the city's west side. By late afternoon, crews had managed to confine the blaze to about 650 acres while carving solid containment lines around 15 per cent of its perimeter, up from 5 per cent a day earlier. In northern California, where firefighters struggled for a fifth day against a 76,000-acre blaze in Sonoma County's wine-growing region, high-wind forecasts prompted Pacific Gas and Electric Co to impose a new round of prescribed blackouts for nearly 600,000 homes and business. That included about 400,000 customers blacked out in a "public safety power shut-off" that PG&E instituted days earlier, the company said in a statement. Tuesday's power cuts marked the third wave of mass blackouts implemented this month by PG&E. Utilities serving Southern California's more highly urbanized areas have imposed smaller-scale outages. Announcing preliminary findings of its Getty fire investigation, the Los Angeles Fire Department said the blaze probably started when a tree branch snapped off in high winds landed on adjacent power lines, producing sparks and "arcing" that ignited nearby brush. The lines, which are operated by the city's Department of Water and Power (DWP), remained intact, the statement said. The DWP said the broken branch apparently came from a Eucalyptus tree growing about 30 feet away, beyond the vegetation-clearance zone required by state regulations. PG&E has likewise been implicated in the latest Sonoma County blaze, dubbed the Kincade fire. The utility acknowledged last week that the Kincade fire broke out near a damaged PG&E transmission tower at about the time a live high-voltage line carried by that tower malfunctioned. The company, whose mass power shutdowns have drawn harsh criticism from the governor, filed for bankruptcy in January, citing $30 billion in potential liability from a series of deadly fires sparked by its equipment in 2017 and 2018. Citing progress made against the Kincade fire, Newsom said the number of evacuees in northern California had diminished from 190,000 at the peak of that blaze to 130,000 on Tuesday. Property losses from the Kincade, listed at 15 per cent contained, were put at 189 homes and other structures, double Monday's tally. The size of the Getty fire's evacuation zone was reduced by roughly 3,000 homes on Tuesday, but residents of about 7,000 dwellings remained displaced, fire officials said. At least a dozen homes have been destroyed so far.

Southern California firefighters brace for resurgence of extreme winds

A <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/firefighters-struggle-against-massive-wind-whipped-california-wildfire-258443">fast-moving wildfire</a> on Monday destroyed at least five multimillion-dollar homes in one of the wealthiest neighbourhoods in Los Angeles and forced celebrities to flee in the middle of the night.

Among neighbourhoods under evacuation orders was the posh area of Brentwood, a section on the west side of the city that became world-famous in 1994 when former football star O.J. Simpson was accused of killing his ex-wife and a waiter there.

Today Brentwood is home to basketball superstar <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/houston-rockets-gm-wasnt-educated-when-he-sent-hong-kong-tweet-lebron-james-256087">LeBron James</a>, A-list Hollywood actors, wealthy producers and media company executives.

James, who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers, said he and his family had to drive around in the early morning hours looking for a place to stay after fleeing the home he shares with his wife and three children.

"Had to emergency evacuate my house and I’ve been driving around with my family trying to get rooms," James wrote on Twitter around 4 a.m. He later added that he found a place to take them in. "Crazy night man!," he said.

James bought a $23 million, eight-bedroom home in Brentwood in late 2017, according to media reports.

On the northern edge of Brentwood, a cluster of several multimillion-dollar homes were reduced to smoldering debris along a street festooned with Halloween decorations.

A fake bloody arm, part of the holiday decorations, had turned into melted plastic at one dwelling, and a giant skull replica remained in the front of another. Heavy smoke and ash filled the air as water-dropping helicopters and airplane tankers buzzed overhead.

Actor and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger also said he was among the thousands who had to evacuate overnight.

"If you are in an evacuation zone, don’t screw around. Get out," Schwarzenegger wrote on Twitter.

A red-carpet premiere for Schwarzenegger's new movie, "Terminator: Dark Fate," that had been scheduled for Monday night was canceled due to fires in the area.

The "Terminator" premiere had been scheduled to take place in Hollywood, several miles from the fire zone. Food intended for the premiere party was being donated to local American Red Cross shelters that were housing fire evacuees, Paramount Pictures said.

"Agents of SHIELD" actor Clark Gregg and "Sons of Anarchy" creator Kurt Sutter also said on Twitter that they had been forced to leave their homes.

The streets of Brentwood became familiar to TV viewers when Simpson stood trial on charges of stabbing ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and waiter Ronald Goldman. Prosecutors alleged Simpson killed the pair at her Brentwood home and then fled to his nearby mansion.

Simpson was acquitted of murder but later found liable for the deaths in a civil case. He told the Associated Press in June he now lives in Las Vegas.

Monday's fire erupted in the hills above where Simpson had lived and was near the Getty Center, a museum for the art collection of late oil magnate J. Paul Getty that includes works by Rembrandt and Van Gogh, according to the museum's website.

The Getty fire has forced schools to close in several areas, including the public school district encompassing Santa Monica and Pacific Palisades and the University of California Los Angles (UCLA).

A fast-moving wildfire on Monday destroyed at least five multimillion-dollar homes in one of the wealthiest neighbourhoods in Los Angeles and forced celebrities to flee in the middle of the night.

A fast-moving wildfire on Monday destroyed at least five multimillion-dollar homes in one of the wealthiest neighbourhoods in Los Angeles and forced celebrities to flee in the middle of the night. Among neighbourhoods under evacuation orders was the posh area of Brentwood, a section on the west side of the city that became world-famous in 1994 when former football star O.J. Simpson was accused of killing his ex-wife and a waiter there. Today Brentwood is home to basketball superstar LeBron James, A-list Hollywood actors, wealthy producers and media company executives. James, who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers, said he and his family had to drive around in the early morning hours looking for a place to stay after fleeing the home he shares with his wife and three children. "Had to emergency evacuate my house and I’ve been driving around with my family trying to get rooms," James wrote on Twitter around 4 a.m. He later added that he found a place to take them in. "Crazy night man!," he said. James bought a $23 million, eight-bedroom home in Brentwood in late 2017, according to media reports. On the northern edge of Brentwood, a cluster of several multimillion-dollar homes were reduced to smoldering debris along a street festooned with Halloween decorations. A fake bloody arm, part of the holiday decorations, had turned into melted plastic at one dwelling, and a giant skull replica remained in the front of another. Heavy smoke and ash filled the air as water-dropping helicopters and airplane tankers buzzed overhead. Actor and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger also said he was among the thousands who had to evacuate overnight. "If you are in an evacuation zone, don’t screw around. Get out," Schwarzenegger wrote on Twitter. A red-carpet premiere for Schwarzenegger's new movie, "Terminator: Dark Fate," that had been scheduled for Monday night was canceled due to fires in the area. The "Terminator" premiere had been scheduled to take place in Hollywood, several miles from the fire zone. Food intended for the premiere party was being donated to local American Red Cross shelters that were housing fire evacuees, Paramount Pictures said. "Agents of SHIELD" actor Clark Gregg and "Sons of Anarchy" creator Kurt Sutter also said on Twitter that they had been forced to leave their homes. The streets of Brentwood became familiar to TV viewers when Simpson stood trial on charges of stabbing ex-wife Nicole Brown Simpson and waiter Ronald Goldman. Prosecutors alleged Simpson killed the pair at her Brentwood home and then fled to his nearby mansion. Simpson was acquitted of murder but later found liable for the deaths in a civil case. He told the Associated Press in June he now lives in Las Vegas. Monday's fire erupted in the hills above where Simpson had lived and was near the Getty Center, a museum for the art collection of late oil magnate J. Paul Getty that includes works by Rembrandt and Van Gogh, according to the museum's website. The Getty fire has forced schools to close in several areas, including the public school district encompassing Santa Monica and Pacific Palisades and the University of California Los Angles (UCLA).

Arnold Schwarzenegger, LeBron James evacuated as Los Angeles wildfire continues surge

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