NEWS CLIPS

 The opinions and views expressed in the news stories of interest do not always reflect those of the California Department of Parks and Recreation.

News Stories of Interest

California Department of Parks and Recreation
Week of Jan. 13, 2025

The opinions and views expressed in the news stories of interest do not always reflect those of the California Department of Parks and Recreation.

"We lost a ton": Will Rogers Ranch docent details rush to save ranch artifacts
The wildfires devastating the Los Angeles area struck close to home for many Oklahomans as the former California estate of Will Rogers burned to the ground last week.
Paxson Haws, The Norman Transcript, Jan. 17, 2025

o   MORE COVERAGE: Los Angeles Times, Tempo.co, Deseret News, Time Out

L.A. Wildfires: As Evacuation Orders Begin To Be Lifted, Officials Warn Of Toxic Debris & Potential New Complications From Winter Rains
As the winds finally subsided today, state and local officials offered hope that some evacuation orders may be lifted in the next week and, in areas impacted by the Eaton Fire, repopulation for neighborhoods deemed safe may begin in as little as one week.
Denise Petski and Tom Tapp, DEADLINE, Jan. 16, 2025

Gavin Newsom has grown California’s government to record size. Now he, too, is selling ‘efficiency’
With California facing an uncertain fiscal future, Gov. Gavin Newsom made his own pitch for a leaner state government last week as he previewed his annual budget proposal.
Alexei Kosoff, CalMatters, Jan. 17, 2025

Gatherings: Gold Discovery Day at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park
California State Parks invites the public to commemorate the anniversary of James Marshall’s discovery of gold during Gold Discovery Day at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park on Saturday, Jan. 25, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Gold Country Media, Jan. 17, 2025

Caitlyn Jenner shows 'everything that California officials did wrong' in single photo: Caitlyn Jenner has blamed poor land management by California officials for the wildfire crisis still menacing the state. The Olympian accused the forestry service of 'hypocrisy' by insisting homeowners clear their properties of undergrowth, while leaving their own lands to grow wild.
Bethan Sexton, Daily Mail, Jan. 15, 2025

The Los Angeles wildfires have destroyed dozens of historically significant structures: …The former home of actor Will Rogers, located within Will Rogers State Park, the Zorthian Ranch artist colony, and the Andrew McNally House are among the notable properties razed during the wildfires.
Madeline Fitzgerald, QUARTZ, Jan. 15, 2025

Immigration Station at Angel Island reveals history of Asian-Americans: This is the Angel Island Immigration Station, where more than half a million people took their first steps on American soil between 1910 and 1940. Some 300,000 of them were held in its inhospitable walls for weeks, months, even years, while awaiting word on whether or not they would be given a chance in the Land of the Free.

Jason Mastrodonato, The Mercury News, Jan. 15, 2025

LA wildfires destroy CA State Park, previously owned by Puget Sound woman’s family, actor Will Roger
(NOTE: You can watch the video linked to this story in the banner located above the story)
The Los Angeles wildfires destroyed a California state park that was previously owned by a Puget Sound woman’s family member, who was also a famous actor known around the world.
Louie Tran, KIRO 7 News, Jan. 14, 2025

MORE COVERAGE: News on 6, KOCO News, The Straits Times, NZCity, Travel Noire, Sunset.com, Dwell Magazine, Good Morning America, USA Today  

Palisades Fire: How the Will Rogers Ranch Horses Were Saved
Cha Cha Jago lost her house to the Palisades Fire. But she’s more focused, at least at the moment, on how the aftermath of that wildfire is affecting the horses, horse workers and horse riders of Jigsaw Farms, her equine riding company.
Gary Baum, Hollywood Reporter, Jan. 14, 2025

Firefighters report progress against LA blazes as winds pick up again
Millions of Southern Californians nervously kept watch as winds began picking up Wednesday during a final round of dangerous wildfire weather forecast for the region where two massive blazes have killed at least 25 people and destroyed thousands of homes.
Jaimie Ding, Julie Watson and John Seewer, Associated Press, Jan. 15, 2025

o   MORE COVERAGE: KEYT

The Los Angeles Parks, Historic Sites, and Landmarks Affected by the Fires: The Los Angeles wildfires have collectively destroyed more than 12,000 buildings and homes and scorched over 40,000 acres as of Monday, January 13. The fires' devastating wreckage includes iconic LA landmarks burned by the flames — among them are historic sites and state parks long cherished by local residents and travelers.
Hannah Towey, Conde Nast Traveler, Jan. 13, 2025

o   MORE COVERAGE: Curbed LA, Mansion Global, MSN, Architectural Digest, Bundle, ABC.au, South China Morning Post, The Eastsider, HomeNewsHere, Daily Journal, El Paso Inc, Patch

Popular Trail Systems Decimated by Fires Surrounding Los Angeles: Homes, businesses, and recreation locations have been decimated in the fires, with over 10,000 structures burned or incinerated. Also destroyed are famous landmarks, such as sections of the Pacific Coast Highway and numerous state parks.
Emma Grace, Adventure on SI, Jan. 13, 2025

California students access state parks virtually through the successful PORTS program: Students or teachers can now explore California State Parks from their classrooms through an interactive virtual or in-person program called PORTS.
Rudy Aguado, Jan. 10, 2025, KRCR

How to start your new year enjoying nature: Trail challenges, mushroom viewing, birding, and more are all on offer this year. The wet weather and cool temperatures bring out a different side of the natural environment, and local groups, the state and local parks, and others are hosting a variety of events and activities to kick off the new year.
Callie Rhoades, Jan. 13, 2025, Berkeleyside

Keep Wildlife Wild in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park: Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park is home to an array of remarkable wildlife, including black bears, coyotes, gray foxes, and other species that thrive in this pristine environment. Humboldt Redwoods State Parks is calling on visitors to help preserve these natural spaces and the animals that inhabit them by following a few simple guidelines.
Redheaded Blackbelt, Jan. 13, 2025

‘Gone Forever’: Will Rogers’ historic home destroyed in California wildfire: Devastating wildfires continue to burn across Southern California, killing at least five and forcing hundreds of thousands out of their homes. The Palisades fire is now the most destructive in L.A. history and has destroyed an important part of history. The Will Rogers State Historic Park, including his historic ranch house and stables, has burned to the ground.
Sydnee Batzlaff, KFOR Oklahoma, Jan. 9, 2025

o   MORE COVERAGE: Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Union-Bulletin, Travel and Tour World, Inside Edition, My News LA, Elle Decor, Antelope Valley Press, CNN, fortworth magazine,

60-Year-Old Kentucky Woman Charged With Arson For Allegedly Setting Brush Fire Near LA Wildfires: A Kentucky woman was arrested on suspicion of arson amid the wildfires in Los Angeles that have destroyed 35,000 homes and businesses. Gloria Lynn Mandich, 60, was charged with felony arson related to a January 8 brush fire in Los Angeles County. She allegedly started a new blaze near Leo Carrillo State Park outside of the city's multiple wildfires, announced California State Parks.
Carla St. Louis, The Latin Times, Jan. 12, 2025

Truckee Rivershed Water Council completed $8 million worth of restoration in 2024: Transforming sagebrush-choked meadows and degraded land into flourishing meadows and canyons is a process that can take years to see through. From the first Truckee River Day event in 1996 to now, the Truckee Rivershed Water Council (TRWC) has partnered with organizations like the U.S. Forest Service and California State Parks to restore and revitalize the watershed and river. 
Eli Ramos, Sierra Sun, Jan. 13, 2025