In today's newscast:
Showers, towels and coffee for firefighters
The Plaskett Fire on Big Sur’s southern coast is nearly 80% contained. A nearby resort has offered free showers to folks working the fire since the blaze began.
Treebones Resort is just off Highway 1 about a mile north of Gorda. It’s within an evacuation zone and has been closed to the public but open to fire crews.
"The firefighters have been super, super respectful of the property as they go around," said Tim Heist. He’s part of a skeleton crew that stayed on the property.
"Ash was raining down everywhere. Little burnt leaves were falling down. Everything was crispy and dry," he said. "You look at the pool and it was just filled with dirt."
They’ve kept coffee and towels flowing for fire crews…many who are walking the grounds in sandals after grueling 12 or 16 hour shifts.
"And they're always very, very thankful," Heist said, "and I'm like, 'No, thank you.' We're able to do this because the fire got fought."
Even with the property still standing, the area is not in the clear yet. Fire crews are filling up trucks from the resort’s well. And the staff on site are mostly living out of their cars.
"I'm ready to go whenever. If I see flames on the top of the hill, that's our sign to scoot.”
Treebones Resort plans to welcome guests back later this month, once Highway 1 reopens.
LA jail faces federal investigation
The US Department of Justice is investigating Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles.
The federal government will look into whether the county has failed to provide environmentally safe, humane and habitable conditions for people held at the jail.
Monitors from the American Civil Liberties Union have documented problems including overcrowding, severe mold and mildew, and rodent infestations.
Investigators will determine whether the county has violated any constitutional rights, including equal protection under the law and protections against cruel and unusual punishment.
That reporting from our partner, LAist.
