Southern California earthquake points to danger of fault line

This post has been corrected. See the note below.

Some might believe that the 4.7 magnitude Riverside County temblor that rattled windows and swayed skyscrapers across Southern California on Monday morning released tension from the San Jacinto fault, thereby avoiding danger of a larger earthquake.

But according to a study published in January in the journal Nature, conventional wisdom is wrong.

A pair of researchers, one from Caltech and the other from the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, concluded that stick-slip faults similar to the San Jacinto fault that ruptured Monday aren’t limited to frequent, smaller temblors.

The authors pointed to the 2011 Fukushima earthquake in Japan. That quake, a 9.0, was born from a stick-slip fault that unexpectedly ruptured with devastating consequences.

Before that disaster, seismologists believed earthquake faults that experienced “creep,” or small, gradual movement throughout the year, had little chance of massive ruptures. The San Jacinto fault, Hutton said Tuesday, is one of those creeping faults.

“It does have frequent, small earthquakes but it does have big ones every now and then,” she said. “It doesn’t make it any safer.”

The San Jacinto fault is similar, with tectonic plates that slide horizontally against each other. Monday’s tremor was the biggest in three years and was felt across a wider swath than typical West Coast earthquakes, Susan Hough of the U.S. Geological Survey told the Los Angeles Times on Monday.

Scientists said the finding is forcing seismologists to rethink faults worldwide. A quake from San Francisco to San Diego along the San Andreas fault now seems more plausible, the study’s authors wrote.

For the Record, 3:52 p.m. March 12: An earlier version of this post incorrectly identified Susan Hough as Sarah Hough.

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Image: San Jacinto fault zone. Credit: USGS

Weather prompts road closures in Angeles National Forest

The Los Angeles County Public Works Department said it planned to close portions of roadways Thursday night in the Angeles National Forest based on weather forecasts of snow and icy road conditions.

Starting at 10 p.m., agency officials said motorists would be barred from accessing Angeles Forest Highway from Aliso Canyon Road to State Route 2, also known as Angeles Crest Highway, and Upper Big Tujunga Canyon Road between Angeles Forest Highway and Angeles Crest Highway.

A late winter storm was expected to bring rain and possibly thunderstorms to Southern California late Thursday and into Friday, along with up to eight inches of snow in the mountains, according to the National Weather Service.

Rainfall amounts would vary, with the potential for brief heavy downpours and small hail, forecasters said. The snow level would be in the 3,000- to 4,000-foot range, with four to eight inches likely above 5,000 feet.

Officials said the closures in the Angeles National Forest would remain in effect until the storm system has passed and the roads have been inspected.

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Storm brings rain to Southern California, snow to mountains

A late winter storm is bringing rain and possibly thunderstorms to Southern California on Thursday and Friday, along with up to eight inches of snow in the mountains.

Rainfall amounts will vary, with the potential for brief heavy downpours and small hail, according to the National Weather Service.

The snow level will be in the 3,000- to 4,000-foot range, with four to eight inches likely above 5,000 feet.

The roads that could be affected by snowfall include Interstate 5 near the Grapevine, Highway 14 through Soledad Canyon, Highway 138 in the Antelope Valley and Highway 33 in the Ventura County mountains.

In the Angeles National Forest, portions of Angeles Forest Highway and Upper Big Tujunga Canyon Road were scheduled to be closed Thursday evening because of snow, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Works said on its website. Access to portions of Big Pine Highway and Table Mountain Road will be limited, with chains required.

Drivers heading into the mountains late Thursday and Friday should carry chains along with extra food and clothing, the National Weather Service said. The cold weather -- with temperatures expected to fall into the 20s or lower tonight and Friday night -- could be hazardous for campers and hikers who are not properly equipped, the forecast added.

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Brush fire fanned by gusty winds burns 400 acres by Lone Pine

A brush fire fanned by gusty winds scorched 400 acres in Inyo County but firefighters appeared to be gaining the upper hand in stopping the blaze, officials said Wednesday night.

The blaze, called the River fire, broke out Wednesday morning and spread across thick brush near Narrow Gauge Road and California 136 east of Lone Pine, fire officials said.

Nearly 200 firefighters were battling the fire, which was 85% contained Wednesday evening, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said.

The fire was burning as a Santa Ana wind condition helped cause warm weather across Southern California, the National Weather Service said. The weather was expected to stay warm through Saturday.

The agency said that northeast wind gusts up to 35 mph were expected in mountain canyons and passes.

“Gusty winds and thick bush are posing a challenge toward containment for firefighters,” fire officials said in a statement. Full containment was expected Thursday.

The cause of the blaze was under investigation.

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Map shows location of the fire. Credit: California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection

911 calls about fatal tour bus crash cite brakes

Phone calls to emergency dispatchers after a tour bus crash near Yucaipa earlier this month that left eight people dead show that some authorities immediately believed the bus' brakes had probably given out.

"Now the bus is crashed, it passed up a line of traffic going about 80 mph, I don't know what's wrong with the person driving the bus," said one woman who called 911 at 6:32 p.m., shortly after the Feb. 3 incident.

"OK, because their brakes went out," responded the dispatcher, according to recordings of emergency calls related to the crash provided by the California Highway Patrol. "We're trying to find them.... We're getting several calls and we're not able to tell exactly where this is at."

The bus crashed on California 38 about four miles north of Yucaipa. It had left Mexico earlier the same day for a trip to Big Bear and crashed on the return trip, striking two other vehicles. Seven bus passengers were killed, as was a person in one of the other vehicles.

Since the deadly crash, federal officials have ordered the company that owned the bus involved --  Scapadas Magicas --  to close immediately, saying it was "an imminent hazard to public safety."

Other callers to emergency dispatchers after the accident reported fires and people with apparently serious injuries.

"It flipped and turned over.... There's tons of people all over the place.... It's horrible. I would imagine he had no brakes.... He had his blinkers on," one caller said.

"It's horrible, there's a car, a truck that's been hit, some kind of trailer, blood everywhere, just everywhere.... The bus driver acted like he was in a race," the caller said.

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Photo: Authorities investigate deadly tour bus crash. Credit: Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times

Forecast for Oscar Sunday: Warm, sunny, windy

Southern California residents can expect sunny skies, warm temperatures and a high-wind advisory in place until late Sunday afternoon, according to forecasters.

The high-wind warning will be in effect from 10 p.m. Saturday until about 4 p.m. Sunday for mountain areas in Los Angeles and Ventura counties. Northeast winds of 25 to 40 mph are expected with Santa Ana gusts of up to about 60 mph, said David Sweet, a weather service meteorologist in Oxnard.

The strong winds could blow down power lines, small trees and weakened branches.

During this same period, a wind advisory for northeast winds of 15 to 30 mph with gusts to between 35 and 50 mph will be in effect for the valleys and coastal areas of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, Sweet said.

The strongest Santa Anas will be found in the higher elevations of Ventura and Los Angeles counties, as well as in the Santa Monica Mountains, according to AccuWeather.com.

Similarly, on-shore winds will blow dust around along the Orange County coast and in mountains and foothills. Temperatures there will hover around 70 degrees, with the Inland Empire experiencing the mid-60s, said James Thomas, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in San Diego.

Across San Diego County and portions of the Inland Empire, strong northeast winds are expected to persist until Monday morning, with gusts exceeding 55 mph affecting travel on Interstate 15 and California 91. Interstate 10 will also be affected through the San Gorgonio Pass.

Anthony Sagliani, an AccuWeather.com meteorologist, said the Santa Anas should subside by Tuesday morning across most areas. Temperatures are expected to warm significantly throughout the week, with some spots reaching highs near the 80-degree mark by Friday.

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Subfreezing temperatures, strong winds expected in L.A. area

Strong winds and subfreezing temperatures are expected in inland and mountain areas across Southern California on Thursday in the wake of a winter storm that dumped snow and rain on the region.

Temperatures are expected to range from the upper 20s to low 30s from interior valleys in San Luis Obispo County to the Antelope, San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys in Los Angeles County, according to the National Weather Service.

PHOTOS: Snow dusts local mountains

The frigid temperatures are a result of a cold, dry air mass. The agency said crops, sensitive vegetation and animals need to be protected. Frost advisories were issued for inland valley areas from the Central Coast to the San Gabriel Valley.

Powerful northwest winds were blowing Wednesday night and gusts were expected to hit 50 mph to 60 mph in mountains in Ventura and Los Angeles counties, forecasters said.

On Wednesday morning, ice and snow blanketed mountain areas, forcing the California Highway Patrol to temporarily close Interstate 5 in the Grapevine area.

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Photo: Sheley Roberts shovels snow in a parking lot Wednesday at Lake of the Woods in Kern County. Credit: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times

Indian tribe donating to families of 2 slain during Dorner manhunt

The Morongo Band of Mission Indians said Wednesday it will donate $20,000 to the families of two Inland Empire officers killed during the manhunt for Christopher Dorner.

The Riverside County tribe announced it will donate $10,000 apiece to the memorial funds for Riverside Police Officer Michael Crain and San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Detective Jeremiah MacKay.

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Dorner, the fired Los Angeles police officer accused of terrorizing Southern California in a rampage that ended last week, allegedly opened fire on Crain’s patrol car while it was stopped at a red light on Feb. 7. Crain’s partner, Officer Andrew Tachias, was seriously injured in the attack.

MacKay was killed five days later during a fierce shootout near Big Bear after Dorner barricaded himself in a mountain cabin. Authorities say Dorner died of a gunshot wound, believed to be self-inflicted, as flames engulfed the cabin shortly after officers fired tear gas canisters into the home.

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Deputy Alex Collins was shot and seriously wounded in that firefight.

“These brave men gave their lives to protect and serve our communities and we should never forget their heroic sacrifice and the devastating loss that their families are suffering," said Morongo Tribal Chairman Robert Martin.

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Photo: Lynette Quinata MacKay, widow of Det. Jeremiah MacKay, shown holding their
4-month-old baby, joins the slain officer's parents, Alan and Dawn MacKay, at right, and others at a candlelight vigil Tuesday. Credit: Al Schaben / Los Angeles Times

Mountain roads to close before storm hits L.A. area

Roads in the Angeles National Forest will be closed early Tuesday because of an incoming storm expected to dump snow and rain across the Los Angeles region and bring cold weather and heavy winds.

The storm is expected to descend on the region beginning Tuesday morning and last through Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

"Due to the cold and unstable nature of this system, there is a possibility of thunderstorms, capable of producing brief heavy downpours, small hail and isolated waterspouts," the agency said in a statement.

Rainfall amounts are expected to range from 0.33 inches to 0.66 inches, and up to 10 inches of snow could blanket mountains above 4,500 feet, the agency said. Winds will blow up to 25 mph with gusts as high as 40 mph.

Angeles Forest Highway will be closed from Aliso Canyon Road to Angeles Crest Highway, the county Public Works Department said. Big Tujunga Canyon Road also will be closed from Angeles Forest Highway to Angeles Crest Highway.

The closures will begin at 3 a.m. and remain in effect until the storm has passed and the roads can be inspected, officials said.

The weather service said ice and snow could also force officials to close Interstate 5 in  the Grapevine area.

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Storm expected to bring cold rain, snow; road closures planned

A cold, blustery storm originating from the Gulf of Alaska is expected to move down the California coast Tuesday, creating traffic headaches in some places, authorities warned. 

Possible thunderstorms were expected to affect most of the Southland, bringing between one-tenth to half an inch of rain in most areas.

Snow could fall as low as 1,500 feet, and there was high potential for icy roadways, including Interstate 5 from the Grapevine to the Santa Clarita Valley, according to the National Weather Service.

Highway 14 through Soledad Canyon and Antelope Valley, Highway 33 in the Ventura mountains and Highway 138 through the Antelope Valley might also be difficult to pass, according to the National Weather Service.

For roads entering the Angeles National Forest, the L.A. County Public Works Department said it would begin closures at 3 a.m. Tuesday. The closures will affect the Angeles Forest Highway from Aliso Canyon Road to Angeles Crest Highway, Big Tujunga Canyon Road from Angeles Forest Highway to Vogel Flats and Upper Big Tujunga Canyon Road from Angeles Forest Highway to Angeles Crest Highway

Once the roads are closed, county officials warn, local access will not be permitted. The closures are to remain in effect until the storm system has passed and the roads have been inspected.

More information and updates can be found on the county’s website.

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