Newsletter: Essential California: Wildfires destroy hundreds of buildings throughout state

Good morning. It is Saturday, Aug. 20. Here’s what you don’t want to miss this weekend:

TOP STORIES

The Blue Cut fire in San Bernardino County has claimed 96 homes and 200 other structures. In Northern California, a blaze in Lake County destroyed 300 buildings. “Let’s call it an imperfect storm of conditions: the drought, the heat, the low humidity. And let’s be honest, this is not really big winds,” said Char Miller, a Pomona College professor who’s an expert in wildfires. Los Angeles Times

When Mabel Ramos returned home Thursday, she discovered the Blue Cut fire had taken her home and 135 of her livestock. “I cried. It was terrible.” Los Angeles Times

The drought has made East Porterville famous — for a lack of water. Wells went dry and residents watched their community turned to dust. But on Friday, water flowed from Porterville to a home here. As many as 1,800 homes soon will benefit from the municipal water system. “I had chills when they turned the water on,” said Bill Croyle, a deputy director with the Department of Water Resources. Los Angeles Times

In Los Angeles’ Westlake neighborhood, the homeless community is mourning the loss of Ida Mae Prince. The 58-year-old woman lived in a makeshift shanty for 30 years, offering guidance and assistance to the men and women on the street. “She taught so many ladies of the night how to conduct themselves,” said Berval Cato. Los Angeles Times

Rents in San Francisco are increasing, but at a slower rate than in previous years. Part of the reason is a sudden increase in housing stock at the top end of the rental market. An additional 9,000 units are expected to come online this year. SFGate

It’s not what you would typically expect to see at the Wedge — a giant, inflatable flamingo. “With any swell, there’s going be a lot of people and high risk for rip currents. It’s going to be pretty consistent,” said Laguna lifeguard Matt Grace. Orange County Register

Wendy Tokuda is ending her broadcasting career in California. “Television had the ability at that time of making the Bay Area more of a community. I just happened to be there at this magical time,” she said. SFGate

Take a trip through the $700-million USC Village with this new aerial footage. Urbanize LA

THIS WEEK’S MOST POPULAR STORIES IN ESSENTIAL CALIFORNIA

1. What are the unwritten rules for when you have to pick up someone from LAX? LAist

2. A gorgeous new time-lapse video of Los Angeles. YouTube

3. These are likely to keep you up at night — 10 urban legends about L.A. BuzzFeed

4. The Blue Cut fire in the Cajon Pass has been very difficult for firefighters to tackle. “You could throw the world’s firefighting resources at it and it’s just going to keep going,” said Capt. Howard Deets of the Mill Creek hotshot crew. Los Angeles Times

5. The Brown Derby’s neon sign is on once again. LAist

ICYMI, HERE ARE THIS WEEK’S GREAT READS

A thousand words: This haunting image from Syria captured the attention of the world this week. “The barefoot boy is clad in shorts and a cartoon-emblazoned T-shirt — just like any kindergartner anywhere on a hot summer’s evening — lending the chaotic events an incongruous touch of childhood familiarity, right down to his slightly pigeon-toed pose.” Los Angeles Times

Home stretch: Five weeks and 1,100 miles after it began, columnist Steve Lopez’s coastal road trip is coming to an end. “Californians are passionate about their coast. They’re closely watching those in public office whose job is to protect fisheries and dunes, to limit development and maximize access,” he writes. Los Angeles Times

Calling out sexism: Two steps forward, one step back. That’s typically how progress comes. So what can women expect if Democrat Hillary Clinton wins in November and becomes the first woman to lead America? “Four to eight years of the kind of down-and-dirty public misogyny you might expect from a stag party at Roger Ailes’s house.” The Atlantic

LOOKING AHEAD

Monday: The Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science will celebrate its 50th anniversary.

Thursday: The Los Angeles Food and Wine Festival will begin.

If you have a memory or story about the Golden State, share it with us. Send us an email to let us know what you love or fondly remember about our state. (Please keep your story to 100 words.)

Please let us know what we can do to make this newsletter more useful to you. Send comments, complaints and ideas to Alice Walton or Shelby Grad.