Morning Note

The devastating California wildfires, fueled by 100-mile-per-hour winds and catastrophic city mismanagement, are continuing to rage.

As of this morning, the disaster has reportedly displaced tens of thousands of people, burned across 28,000 acres, left more than 340,000 residents without power, and killed five civilians. Most of the fires remain at less than ten percent containment despite Gavin Newsom’s deployment of over 600 National Guard members and the tireless work of more than 7,500 first responders. The deployment includes more than 1,100 fire engines, 31 helicopters, and 53 bulldozers. 

Many with LA ties are aiming their fury at their local government, blaming city and state leadership for being unprepared to combat the crisis. "This is just incredible mismanagement, incredibly poor leadership," actor Zachary Levi said in a televised interview Wednesday. "I would go so far as to say that it's criminally negligent."

The state’s ironic water shortage is exacerbating the crisis. Despite being next to an ocean, residents are reporting that no water is coming out of the region’s fire hydrants, leaving firefighters unable to deter the flames. 

Read more and see the latest stomach-churning images here.