Local fire crews are launching a sweeping effort to prevent future wildfires in the Santa Monica Mountains. It entails using both animals and machines to create fire breaks — a controversial solution in Southern California.

Critical fire weather conditions in Southern California elevate wildfire risk with high winds and low humidity. Stay informed and prepared.

Mayor Karen Bass appointed Deputy Chief Jaime Moore to be the new head of the Los Angeles Fire Department on Friday. Moore, who joined the LAFD in 1995, was the commander of operations for the department's Valley Bureau prior to the promotion.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has appointed Deputy Chief and Commander of Operations Valley Bureau, Jaime E. Moore, as LAFD's new fire chief.

Moore, a Santa Monica High and UCLA graduate, grew up in LA’s Westside in a bilingual household with his Mexican-born mother.

Authorities allege Jonathan Rinderknecht deliberately set a fire in the Palisades on Jan. 1. Fire crews responded and extinguished what was called the Lachman Fire. But the newly surfaced video shows the fire still smoldering 36 hours later, with no fire crews or hoses in sight.

Researchers are raising alarms about potential hazards in the water and on the beaches of Santa Monica Bay following recent storms and the lingering effects of the Palisades Fire.

Hit hard by the Palisades fire, residents worry a fire may be sparked by homeless people cooking or trying to stay warm.