SUMMARY: Four major wildfires are raging in the Los Angeles area, destroying thousands of structures and burning over 7,000 acres. The Etienne fire has claimed at least two lives, with scenes described as apocalyptic as smoke blankets the valleys. Hurricane-strength winds complicate firefighting efforts, grounding helicopters and forcing residents to fight flames with buckets of water. A senior assisted living facility was lost, though all 90 residents were evacuated safely. The LA County Fire Department was unprepared for multiple concurrent fires, and President Biden received updates from emergency responders while the California National Guard deployed trained troops to assist.

Two people are dead, many have been hurt, and more than 1,000 structures have been destroyed by multiple massive wildfires tearing across the Los Angeles area, authorities said Wednesday.

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SUMMARY: Governor Bill Lee is considering calling a special session for Tennessee’s legislature to expand school vouchers and provide disaster relief for areas affected by Hurricane Helene. He wants to implement the Education Freedom Scholarship Act promptly if it’s approved. The voucher program, which currently operates in Nashville, Memphis, and Chattanooga, allows parents to use public funds for private school tuition. Democratic lawmakers criticized Lee for delaying the special session and linking disaster relief with the voucher program. Lee defended the program, citing high parent satisfaction rates and stating funding for the ESA would come from lottery and sports betting revenue.

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SUMMARY: AA crews are preparing for potential snow on Friday, with several inches expected. Road pre-treatment is underway using a saltwater brine mixture to prevent ice formation. Officials advise giving extra room for the 12-hour shift crews as they work to keep roads safe with over 200 salt trucks and 99 brine trucks statewide. In East Tennessee, snow is anticipated more than in other areas, emphasizing the need for readiness. As temperatures drop below 20°F, the effectiveness of salt diminishes, particularly on bridges that freeze first. Motorists are urged to drive cautiously, especially regarding black ice risks after snow melts.

A Weather Impact Alert has been issued for Friday and Saturday as there’s a chance for snow moving into our region, creating hazardous travel conditions.

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