LA’s perfect wildfire: Ignited by a backyard spark, it destroyed 20 square miles of mansions in hours and remains uncontrolled

On Tuesday morning, live webcams showed how a backyard spark – which started as a grey smoke – spread uncontrollably and turned into a devastating wildfire.

It only took minutes before what appeared as smoke turned into a thick cloud, and flames started whipping up the dry plants and bushes.

The wildfire is “spreading at a speed beyond anything we’ve seen… it’s now unlike anything we have seen in our lifetime,” LA Fire Chief Kristin Crowley said.

Reuters

Unfortunately, the prospect of the out-of-control wildfire to be stopped in the days to come seems like a mission impossible due to the weather conditions.

So far, roughly 179,783 residents are under evacuation order in Los Angeles County. Another 200,000 are under evacuation warning, meaning they would need to evacuate at any moment, BBC reported.

At least five people lost their lives and dozens are injured.

Reuters

The Palisades wildfire, the largest of the blazes in the south of LA, destroyed thousands of homes, businesses, and other structures alone.

At the time being, there are five active fires on the territory of the City of Angels.

Last summer, podcaster and comedian Joe Rogan recounted a conversation he had with an LA firefighter. Speaking to guest and fellow comedian Sam Morril, Rogan recalled the firefighter saying to him, “One day, it’s just gonna be the right wind and fire’s gonna start in the right place and it’s gonna burn through LA all the way to the ocean and there’s not a f***ing thing we can do about it.

“If the wind hits the wrong way, it’s just going to burn through LA.”

Altadena in California before the fires/ Maxar/Reuters
Altadena in California after the fires/ Maxar/Reuters

Sadly, these predictions came true.

According to experts, besides the weather conditions, the climate change has a lot to do with the wildfire spreading in January.

“Climate change, including increased heat, extended drought, and a thirsty atmosphere, has been a key driver in increasing the risk and extent of wildfires in the western United States,” the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said.

Maxar/Reuters

As per the Daily Mail, citing experts on the topic, heavy rains from El Niño last year fueled vegetation growth in the Los Angeles area, which dried out since then and turned highly flammable.

Once the wildfire started, Southern California faced the wrath of ‘devil winds,’ known formally as Santa Ana winds, dry, warm gusts blowing inland from the northeast, contrary to the region’s usual cooler winds originating from the Pacific Ocean.

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Struggling woman purchases a used stroller for her baby and discovers an envelope hidden inside

Purchasing an old stroller led to unexpected things.

As if life wasn’t hard enough for Miriam and John, who were struggling to make ends meet and worked long hours and double shifts after they learned they were expecting a baby, John was involved in an accident that changed their lives completely.

Miriam and John met when they were still teenagers, but they both knew they belonged with one another.

When John proposed with a silver ring, Miriam was over the moon. She loved that ring more than anything, and she didn’t care it wasn’t an expensive one.

When Miriam fell pregnant, they started working even harder than before in order to be able to afford a house.

Miriam worked at the warehouse, and although it was hard, she knew she was doing it for the sake of the family.

Midjourney

One day, which started like any other, Miriam went to the doctor’s for the regular ultra sound. He told her everything was fine, and she left the hospital, eager to get home as soon as possible and take some break.

But just as she left the doctor’s room, she got a call.

“Miriam?” a woman’s voice from the other side of the line asked.

“Yes, it’s me,” Miriam replied. And then the woman told her to get to the STSV Hospital. John was involved in an accident and was seriously injured.

Miriam panicked. She got inside a cab and headed to the hospital where John was, but the moment she got out of the vehicle she collapsed.

The next thing she remembered was waking up at a cold room.

“Where’s my baby?” she started yelling when she noticed her flat stomach.

“Your baby is doing fine. We were forced to perform an emergency C-section after you collapsed. Your girl is at the NICU and she’s stable.”

Miriam felt a sense of relief, but she then recalled the reason she went to the hospital in the first place. She started calling John’s name, and then a doctor came and took her to her husband.

Sadly, John’s injuries were so severe that he was left paralyzed from the waist down.

It was the best and the worst day of Miriam’s life.

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A couple of weeks later, both John and the baby got home.

John was angry because of his condition, but Miriam assured him she was there for him.

She struggled juggling between work, her baby, and the house, but she somehow managed.

One day, she went to the flea market in hopes of getting a stroller for her baby girl.

To her surprise, she found one that only cost $10. Miriam didn’t hesitate. She handed the money to the seller and went straight home to clean it.

Once home, she noticed there was something inside the stroller.

Midjourney

“What could this be?” she asked John, who was eager to learn what was going on with the stroller.

And then, Miriam found an envelope. Inside were ten $100 bills and a note. The note read: “If you are reading this, then you bought the stroller, and sadly, it means you are a struggling parent. But don’t worry. Here’s a little help from me. If you believe you really need the money, then use them wisely. If not, then send them to the shelter whose address is included in this letter. Best of luck in your life.”

“Miriam, that’s a lot of money,” John said. “We could buy everything for our daughter.”

But Miriam hesitated whether to take the money. “John, at least we have a roof over our heads. Maybe someone else would need this money more than we do,” she said.

Eventually, Miriam decided to send the money to the shelter mentioned in the letter.

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Life went on, and she even forgot about the stroller, until one day someone knocked on the door.

It was a nicely dressed woman driving an expensive car.

“Miriam?” she said. “Did you buy a stroller at the flea market?”

Miriam was confused. She said she did, and wondered how did the woman know that.

It was then that the woman, who introduced herself as the owner of a popular clothing company, told her that she was the one who put the money there.

She was once married and had a daughter, but both her husband and daughter passed away.

The woman would place money inside worn out objects with the same note as the one Miriam received when she bought the stroller, but none of them ever gave the money away. Miriam was the first one.

Midjourney

When the woman noticed how humble Miriam’s home was and how much she struggled, she knew Miriam had a heart of gold. She could use the money herself, but she still decided to help someone else.

Learning this, the woman offered Miriam a high-paying job in her company. She said she needed someone humble, honest, and reliable, and Miriam possessed all of those traits.

Who knew that purchasing an old stroller could change Miriam and John’s lives in unexpected ways.

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Pharmacist reveals two warning signs of silent killer that you might spot in your feet

When it comes to our health, certain symptoms we often overlook can serve as warning signs that it’s time to visit a doctor.

How often do you pay attention to any changes that happen to your feet and toes?

I guess this part of our body is sometimes overlooked. However, these changes can say a lot about our overall health.

Noel Wicks, a pharmacist and advisor to Excilor, spoke to the Express about the warning signs our feet can hold. Who knew that beyond our socks and shoes there were secrets about our wekk-being?

“We need to keep an eye on our foot health, including our toenails, because it can impact on our overall health and be a sign of [serious] health issues,” Wicks said.

She added that our feet can sometimes feel cold and numb because the blood vessels that supply them with blood are rather tiny and can clog up easily.

Changes in our toenails can also be red flags indicating that it’s time to make an appointment with the doctor.

“Thickening and brittleness of toenails may also occur with heart disease,” the pharmacist said.

PAD, or peripheral vascular disease, is caused by narrowing, blockage, or spasms in a blood vessel.

As per NHS, “Many people with PAD have no symptoms. However, some develop a painful ache in their legs when they walk, which usually disappears after a few minutes’ rest. The medical term for this is ‘intermittent claudication.’

“The pain can range from mild to severe, and usually goes away after a few minutes when you rest your legs. Both legs are often affected at the same time, although the pain may be worse in one leg.”

Other symptoms we shouldn’t overlook include tingling, pain, and burning sensations. Dry or cracked skin, as well as blisters or sores that fail to heal, may say a lot too.

Fungal infections and athlete’s foot can also be warning signs of something more serious happening with our body.

In case you notice changes in the color of your toenails – they get more yellow – you should be aware that it can point to diabetes or heart issues.

Whenever you notice a change on any part of your body, not juts the feet and toes, make sure you seek medical advice.

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Too much at 64: Valerie Bertinelli faces backlash for revealing underwear selfie

Actress Valerie Bertinelli, 64, caused a stir on the social media after posting a photo of herself in underwear.

According to her, she wanted to spread a message of self-acceptance and gratitude for her journey throughout the years that was filled with plenty of emotional and physical challenges.

However, what Valerie Bertinelli believed would be an image of a candid reflection of her body turned into a heated discussion among people on Instagram about whether a photo like that was appropriate or not.

A Bold Statement in Self-Acceptance

In her now-viral Instagram post, Valerie Bertinelli posed confidently in front of a mirror, holding a box of hair dye. The unfiltered photo showcased her without makeup, emphasizing her embrace of natural beauty. She captioned the post:

“At some point I will talk about the madness my body has been through this year. But right now, every lump, bump, wrinkle and saggy part of me just feels acceptance and simple appreciation to be standing in front of a mirror in a hotel bathroom in downtown Manhattan, ready to color my roots late on a Monday night.”

The post highlighted the progress in Valerie Bertinelli body image journey and was met with mixed reactions. While many followers praised her for sharing such an honest and bold moment, others labeled the photo as inappropriate or unnecessary.

Mixed Reactions to Valerie Bertinelli’s Post

The responses to Bertinelli’s photo revealed the polarizing nature of such self-expressions. Critics commented:

  • “That’s great for you, but you don’t have to show everyone.”
  • “Why do we want to see an old lady wearing her pants online? Disgusting.”
  • “Have you lost your mind posting this photo? Get some therapy.”

Others accused her of seeking validation. A particularly harsh critic wrote, “Honestly, you’re quite lovely, but why do you need to post an underwear picture for compliments?”

However, there was also an outpouring of support. Fans left comments like, “Looking fabulous!!🔥❤️🔥,” and “You are definitely an inspiration to us all.🥰,” applauding her boldness and her journey to self-acceptance.

Valerie Bertinelli’s Body Image Journey

Valerie Bertinelli’s Instagram post represents a pivotal moment in her years-long journey toward self-love. Despite her stunning appearance, she struggled with body image issues growing up and even throughout her Hollywood career.

“This is what I have; I so love my brain and my body carries my brain. I so love my heart, and this body is what carries my heart,” she shared. “It’s aging; that’s what we all do; that’s all it’s doing.”

Her battle with body image led her to write the book “Enough Already: Learning to Love the Way I Am Today.” In it, Bertinelli shared how her life in the public eye shaped her self-perception and the gradual realization that she was much more than her appearance.

Breaking Free from Societal Pressure

As a child and teen actress on One Day at a Time, Bertinelli faced criticism about her weight. “I remember my fifth grade teacher patting me on the belly and saying, ‘You might want to keep an eye on that,’” she recalled. She also spoke about being pressured into smaller clothing sizes on set.

Through therapy and self-discovery, Bertinelli broke free from these societal pressures. She now measures progress not by the scale but by how her clothes fit and how she feels in her body.

Inspiring Confidence Through Role Models

Valerie Bertinelli credits the confidence and self-love of plus-size celebrities for helping her embrace her body. She expressed gratitude for their influence and noted how much she wished for similar role models during her childhood.

“These individuals radiate inner beauty no matter their size,” she said, adding that their presence today is a beacon of inspiration for those on their own self-acceptance journeys.

A New Chapter in Self-Love

Valerie Bertinelli has also reframed her relationship with food. Once a source of struggle, food has become a passion for her, particularly through her work on the Food Network. She now focuses on the love and joy her body allows her to give and receive.

Her goal is to inspire others to embrace their imperfections and practice self-compassion. By sharing her story, Bertinelli hopes to connect with those who need encouragement in their own journeys toward body acceptance.

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My husband made me stay home with our sick kids while he went on vacation

My husband went on vacation all by himself, and I taught him a lesson to remember.

After a long and tiring 12-hour-shift at the ER, I came home to the usual chaos. Toys all over the living room, and snack wrappers in every corner.

“Rough day?” my husband, Garrett, said, not bothering to lift his head from his phone.

Trying to stay calm, I replied: “Yes, the ER was a madhouse.”

My kids, Zach and Penny, were shrieking as they chased each other around the house.

The moment they saw me, they started yelling, “Mom, we are starving!”

I was barely standing on my feet, and now my kids wanted me to prepare dinner. “Garrett, did you feed the kids?” I asked. With the can of beer in his hand, he said, “Yea, they had some chips. I thought you wanted to cook when you get home.”

I felt tired from this life. Garrett never bothered to lift a finger. All he did while at home was watching TV on the couch, and that was it.

As we had dinner, I looked at my kids and my husband and thought to myself that things might change for the better following the vacation we’ve been planning for quite some time. Maybe some away time would remind Garrett why he fell for me in the first place.

But sadly, that evening, Penny got sick. Withing an hour, Zach’s face went pale too. He didn’t feel right either.

In the morning, I realized that they couldn’t go on vacation like that, so over breakfast I suggested we postpone the trip.

“What!?” Garrett yelled. “No way, I was looking forward to this vacation for way too long.”

I tried to explain to him that the kids were too sick to be able to travel that day, but he didn’t care. “You stay home with them. I’ll go and I promise I’ll enjoy for both of us.”

Honestly, I thought he was just joking. But no, my husband was dead serious. He was going on the vacation all by himself.

I watched in disbelief while he was packing his suitcase. My kids were disappointed, nearly crying over the failed vacation.

Garrett left, and I was there all by myself, struggling to juggle between the house and the kids.

On day two of my husband’s vacation, he posted a photo of himself enjoying a cocktail with the caption, Living the dream.

And that’s when something in me snapped.

I went to the garage – his man cave – and took photos of all of his belongings, including the fishing gear, the boat he barely used, and almost all of his expensive junk that he had accumulated over the years. Then, I listed every item on buy-and-sell groups on the social media, and in no time, I sold everything he owned.

I got plenty of money to be able to take my kids on vacation. If Garrett could go, so could we.

I booked a resort and hoped for the best.

Luckily, the kids loved it. They had so much fun there.

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One day while by the pool, Garrett’s name appeared on my phone’s screen. No greeting, nothing, his words were: “What the hell, Nora, where are my things?”

He didn’t even ask where I or the kids were. He only cared for his belongings.

“I sold them,” I said.

“What!? You must be kidding.”

“No, Garrett, I’m not. And I took the kids on vacation with the money, so they could also be living the dream.”

He was mad beyond words, but I didn’t care. What’s most, I told him we were better off without one another.

Pexels

“This isn’t over, Nora. You’ll regret this.”

But his threats didn’t scare me. I was done being taken for granted.

I had no idea what future held for me and the kids, but one thing was certain, Garrett didn’t belong there any longer.

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A boy discovers an envelope with his name at the grave of his adoptive mother

The life at the shelter felt like a huge burden for Stuart. He was already 13-years-old and he had spent too much time in that place. After years of losing trust in people and building walls around him, he was finally given a permanent home, but he never truly accepted his adoptive mother.

When he first walked inside the shelter as a five-year-old boy, all Stuart had was his tattered teddy bear, which was old and worn, but served as a shield from the outer world this young boy was unfamiliar with.

While the rest of the children were cheerful, he never joined any of their games. Instead, he was always all by himself, refusing to make any friends.

It was as though he accepted the solitude as something that was inevitable.

Over the years, he witnessed many of the children being taken to foster homes or getting adopted, but no one ever approached Stuart. And just as he lost hope, a woman named Jennifer visited the shelter.

She could see the pain in his lovely eyes that didn’t have the spark most children his age had.

Jennifer approached him and attempted to start a conversation, but Stuart shut her out, refusing to speak.

However, after realizing she wouldn’t quit easily, he asked her why she was there and if she was like the rest of the people who come to the shelter and then just leave and never look back.

Extending her hand towards him, she assured him she was there to stay if he wanted to.

But after many disappointments, Stuart doubted the sincerity of her words.

“If you want to come home with me, I’ll be there,” Jennifer said.

Stuart looked her in the eyes and asked, “But why do you want me? Everyone says I’m a sad child.”

His words broke Jennifer’s heart.

“I want you more than anything in this world,” she said.

Stuart felt a glimpse of hope after eight long years spent at the shelter. He was finally getting a place to call home, but sadly, he never accepted Jennifer as his mother.

Jennifer, however, never lost hope. She knew more time needed to pass before Stuart’s wounds healed completely. She prayed that his little heart start to open up. But as years passed, the emotional walls Stuart built around him only grew stronger. He was never close to his adoptive mother and refused any help she has ever offered.

One evening, while doing his homework, Jennifer sat next to him, but he threw the papers across the room, telling her he could handle things on his own.

Many times, he would remind her that she was just his adoptive mother, not his real one, and that he wasn’t her son.

Every time he uttered those words, a piece of her fragile heart broke.

When he learned that Jennifer was seriously ill, he still treated her as nothing but a stranger, unable to embrace her love.

Sadly, Jennifer passed away shortly after she learned of her cancer diagnosis. On her funeral, Stuart stood in a corner, silent and with not a single tear in his eyes.

Spotting him there, Jennifer’s best friend, Carol, remembered Jennifer’s final request: to help Stuart learn how much she loved him.

A few days passed by and Carol, who was appointed as Stuart’s guardian, visited him. “Stuart, you should visit your mom’s grave. Se left something for you there.”

Intrigued, Stuart headed towards the cemetery. Indeed, there was an envelop on the grave of his adoptive mother. He grabbed it and opened it, his cold demeanor still unaffected.

But as he opened the letter and started going through the carefully written words, Stuart finally broke in tears.

In the letter, Jennifer wrote of the pain she felt when she left him at the shelter with a promise to return for him when she would stand on her feet. She struggled financially and emotionally and couldn’t take care of him, but she loved him even before he was born.

The moment Stuart realized Jennifer wasn’t his adoptive mother, but the woman who gave birth to him, he was totally crushed.

He regretted every second in which he refused her affection and pushed her away.

But it was already late for anything to be changed.

From that moment on, he visited her grave often, finally learning the depth oh her love for him.

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My husband and in-laws expected me to pay for the NYE dinner with my mom’s inheritance

My mom’s sudden passing left me with her inheritance. It wasn’t a lot, but it was enough to ensure my future and bring me a sense of security.

I still wasn’t sure what to spend the money on, but it seemed like my husband, Ethan, had plenty of ideas on his mind.

“Babe, what about renovating the house with your mom’s money?” he would say. “Or maybe get a new car, what do you say?”

I found this rather strange, because it was my money that my mom left to me, so I try not to think about Ethan’s words much.

But then, New Year Eve’s came, and things got heated between us.

His mom and dad called and invited us out. To my surprise, they chose the fanciest restaurant in town.

“Claire, you are going to love it,” my mother-in-law, Karen, gushed over the phone.

And yes, I did love the place. The moment we entered, I was stunned by the lights that sparkled like diamonds and the live music, which was soft but lovely.

I knew the prices were outrageous, but it was New Year’s Eve, and it was just one day of the year, so I thought I would deal with whatever came later.

When the waiter brought the menu, I was shocked by how expensive everything was. And then, cocktails, appetizers, entrees, and desserts kept coming.

No matter how much I tried to push aside my worries over the prices, I simply couldn’t.

The evening was a delightful one. My father-in-law, Tom, was sharing stories about his games of golf, and Karen talked about some local gossips. Somehow, I felt like I finally fit in.

But then, the bill came, and things got the wrong turn.

The waiter placed it in the middle of the table, and no one reached for it. I was looking at Ethan, but he was ignoring me because of some reason. And then, Karen took it and leaned towards me, saying, “Claire, darling, since you’ve inherited money recently, I believe this should be on you. It would be nice if you treat your family dinner.”

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I froze. Ethan didn’t say anything. It was as though he agreed with his mother.

“It’s not a big deal,” Karen said, “you should share your blessing with your family.”

Tom turned to me and added, “Karen’s right, Claire. It’s not about the money, it’s about bringing us closer.”

But I didn’t agree with them. My mom’s inheritance wasn’t theirs to spend.

Finally, Ethan turned to me and said, “It’s just one dinner, don’t make a big deal out of it.”

Flabbergasted, I reached for my wallet, but then I changed my mind. “Actually, no. I’m not paying for everyone’s dinner.”

Freepik

They all looked at me as though I committed a crime. But somehow, I didn’t care.

Ever since I got my mom’s inheritance, Ethan pretended it was his. He made plans on how to spend it, and now he involved his parents as well. It was something I wasn’t willing to accept.

They called me selfish, but I didn’t say anything, I just left.

Shortly after, Ethan called me on the phone. Instead of an apology, he accused me of embarrassing him in front of his parents.

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But it wasn’t about the bill that I could easily covered, it was about the lack of respect my husband and my in-laws had for me.

“I think we need some space,” Ethan said over the phone. Surprisingly, I felt a strange sense of relief. “I think you are right,” I said. Honestly, I wasn’t sure if I belonged to that kind of marriage.

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My wife left me and the kids for a rich man — 2 years later, our reunion was poetic justice

My wife left me and the kids, and her decision not only brought devastation and anger but also left me facing a million questions from my girls and my entire family—questions I didn’t have the answers to.

What I believed to be a beautiful marriage of ten years ended as though it had never existed.

During the last couple of months of my union with Anna, she became distant and spent more time on her phone and on the social media then around the girls.

It felt like something switched in her. She was no longer her old self.

And then, out of the blue, she told me she wanted out of the marriage.

“Anna, it’s not just about you and I, we have two daughters together,” I tried to convince her to change her minds.

In the days to come, my pleas turned into begging, but she wouldn’t listen.

“What is wrong, Anna, we can work together on whatever makes you feel this way,” I said, but she seemed determined to leave.

Midjourney

We weren’t extremely wealthy, but we did have nannies for the girls growing up and could afford to go on family vacations twice a year, but it seemed like my wife wanted more.

“I’ve found myself,” she said. “I want something different.” She then packed her bags and left.

Heartbroken, I found myself struggling between work, the house, and taking care of my girls. On top of everything, my entire family wanted to know why my marriage burst like a bubble, and I didn’t know the answer.

The girls kept asking when mommy was coming home, and those questions shattered my world.

Pixabay

A few weeks later, I finally learned the true reason behind Miranda’s decision. She was with another man, someone named Marco.

As I scrolled through his Instagram, I saw photos of them at expensive 5-star restaurants, and their travels to Paris.

My wife left me and the kids so that she could have fun while her daughters left empty spaces on their crayon drawings hoping she would come back.

It was excruciating, especially for Sophie and Emily who longed for their mom.

But over time, we managed to cope with the reality of Anna’s absence.

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And then, two years after she abandoned us, I met her in front of a supermarket and the meeting almost felt like poetic justice. Seeing her after that much time felt surreal. I couldn’t believe my eyes. “Anna, is that you?” I asked as soon as I got out of my car.

She looked older and fragile, as though her entire world collapsed.

Anna tried to avoid me at first, but she then asked to talk to me at the nearest park.

The woman who felt confident and wanted more from her life than being around her husband and her children was now crushed. She regretted her decision of ever leaving and begged to reconnect with her daughters.

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“No, Anna,” I said firmly. “They spent a long time feeling miserable because their mother had left them. But now they finally moved on an are thriving.”

Her new man, Marco, turned out to be a fraud who left her penniless.

At one point, I even felt sorry for her and her poor choices, but I didn’t let her tears to change my decision that I didn’t want her back.

Both me and my kids deserved better.

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