Initially, eight fires were confirmed to be active in the LA area, but firefighters successfully contained three of them.
Overnight efforts have reduced the number of active fires to three, as authorities managed to control some of the blazes.
Jeff Macomber, who is the secretary of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, has stated: “Wildfires are a constant and formidable challenge for California, and CDCR conservation fire camps remain dedicated to supporting the state’s response.
“The work of our incarcerated firefighters and staff is an essential part of this effort, and their commitment to protecting lives and property during these emergencies cannot be overstated.”
Among the Californian wildfires, one has claimed an iconic LA school used for filming beloved movies and TV series, such as Freaky Friday and Carrie.
Palisades Charter High School was a filming location for the 1976 movie adaptation of the Stephen King novel, and it also featured in all the school scenes for 2003’s Freaky Friday.
The school served as a backdrop for seasons three to seven of Teen Wolf as well.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the school, which was about to commence a new term, has lost some athletic facilities and bungalow structures to the fire.
The principal, Pam Magee, has confirmed that the main building remains intact and estimates that 70 percent of the school has been spared from damage.
PCHS counts J.J. Abrams as one of its notable alumni. He even drew inspiration from his former English teacher, Rose Gilbert, for a character in one of his films.
Abrams shared with the Palisadian Post in 2015 that the character Maz Kanata from Star Wars: The Force Awakens was based on Gilbert: “We really wanted the story to feel authentic, despite being a wild fantasy. I mentioned Rose in an early story meeting as a sort of timeless, wise figure that I’d actually known in my life.”
According to Business Insider, Gilbert dedicated 50 years of her life to teaching at the school, passing away at the age of 95 in 2013.