Remote Surveillance Trailer in Palmdale, CA

State Senator Suzette Martinez Valladares (R–Santa Clarita) is partnering with the American Red Cross to host three community blood drives across Senate District 23 on Friday, September 4, 2026, in Santa Clarita, Antelope Valley, and Victor Valley, as California continues to face an ongoing blood shortage crisis.

"Roll up your sleeve, save a life," Sen. Valladares said. "Your donation can help save lives across Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties, and I'm proud to bring this effort to communities throughout our district."

Senator Valladares is encouraging residents across Santa Clarita Valley, Antelope Valley, and Victor Valley to support their neighbors in need by donating blood at any of the following locations:

Santa Clarita Valley Community Blood Drive

Santa Clarita City Hall, Carl Boyer Room

23920 Valencia Blvd., Santa Clarita, CA

Friday, September 4 | 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

RSVP: Sign Up to Donate Blood in Santa Clarita

For more information, contact the Santa Clarita Office: (661) 257-1204.

Antelope Valley Community Blood Drive

American Red Cross Palmdale Office

2715 E. Avenue P, Palmdale, CA 93550

Friday, September 4 | 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

To sign up or for more information, call the Antelope Valley office: (661) 729-6232.

Victor Valley Community Blood Drive

Hesperia Library, Community Room

9650 Seventh Ave, Hesperia, CA 92345

Friday, September 4 | 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

RSVP: Sign Up to Donate Blood in Victor Valley

For more information, call the Adelanto Office 760-246-2911.

"California's blood shortage affects real patients in real hospitals across Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties," Senator Valladares said. "Whether you're in Santa Clarita, the Antelope Valley, or the Victor Valley, I hope you'll join me and roll up your sleeve for someone in need."

For more information on any of these events, residents can call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit RedCrossBlood.org.

A striking lunar eclipse is happening tonight, August 27, and much of Southern California will have a chance to see it. The Moon will move deep into Earth’s shadow, with about 96% of it covered at the peak, giving it a noticeably reddish, coppery appearance.

In Los Angeles, the Moon rises at around 7:17 p.m., the partial eclipse begins at 7:33 p.m., and the eclipse reaches its maximum at 9:12 p.m. The main phase ends at around 10:51 p.m. That gives you plenty of time to find somewhere with a clear view of the east-southeast sky. And while familiar spots like Griffith Observatory will be popular, there are plenty of other options worth considering.

These are some of the best places around L.A. to catch tonight’s lunar eclipse!

Palmdale

If you want open skies, head north toward Palmdale and the Antelope Valley. The wider landscape is useful tonight because the Moon will be low when the partial eclipse begins. The timing is almost identical to Los Angeles, with maximum eclipse around 9:12 p.m. The local school district is actually hosting a public viewing at the SAGE Planetarium. The evening starts with a short eclipse presentation at 7 p.m., followed by telescope viewing outside from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

Big Bear Lake

Big Bear Lake makes a good choice for anyone willing to turn the eclipse into a mountain escape. The higher elevation and darker surroundings can make the reddish Moon stand out more, while the surrounding landscape gives photographers plenty of options. Just make sure your chosen spot has a clear eastern view. The mountains and trees can block the Moon early in the evening.

Los Angeles State Historic Park

If you want to stay in Los Angeles without heading up into the hills, Los Angeles State Historic Park offers one of the more open urban settings for watching the lunar eclipse. The 32-acre park sits on the edge of Chinatown, with broad lawns and long sightlines that feel surprisingly spacious for a location so close to Downtown. It’s especially useful tonight because the Moon will be rising low in the eastern sky, so having a wider view can make the beginning of the eclipse easier to follow.

The setting also gives you a very L.A. way to experience the event: instead of a mountain overlook or a dedicated observatory, you’ll have the Downtown skyline around you as the Moon gradually moves deeper into Earth’s shadow

Joshua Tree National Park

For some of the best dark-sky viewing near Los Angeles, Joshua Tree is the standout. The park is an International Dark Sky Park, so you’ll have much less artificial light competing with the eclipsed Moon. The desert landscape also makes for a particularly good setting for eclipse photography. The National Park Service recommends established stargazing locations including Quail Springs, Hidden Valley and Cap Rock, although you should check current access and conditions before heading out.

Borrego Springs

For a longer desert trip, Borrego Springs is another strong option. The community is recognized as an International Dark Sky Community, making it one of Southern California’s better destinations for stargazing. It’s farther from L.A. than Joshua Tree, so this makes more sense as an overnight plan. This is less of a spontaneous L.A. evening and more of a road-trip option, but that’s part of the appeal.

Lastly, for the classic Los Angeles eclipse experience, Griffith Observatory is hosting public viewing from 7:25 p.m. to 11 p.m. The Observatory says the eclipse should become visible from its lawn at around 8:15 p.m.

Firefighters assumed defensive positions on Saturday morning after overnight conditions created opportunities for crews battling a massive wildfire in Southern California's Antelope Valley, according to authorities.

The blaze, dubbed the Summit Fire, began on Friday near Jesus Canyon Road and E. Avenue Z in Llano. Crews responded at 1:12 p.m. to a then-8-acre fire.

As of Saturday evening, the acreage has ballooned to 2,690, according to Cal Fire. Containment had climbed to 8% as firefighters continued to gain the upper hand.

That figure is about what it was on Friday night. The Angeles National Forest said on X that ideal overnight conditions allowed crews to assume a defensive position overnight, reducing the fire's ability to spread.

"Overnight weather conditions created tactical opportunities allowing crews to create defensive positions to reduce the fire's ability to spread," the post reads. "Firefighters will continue to fight active fire sources while providing structure defense for residences in the affected areas."

Still, favorable weather conditions for fire on Saturday could leave crews with a challenge. Temperatures are expected to approach 100 degrees, combined with 25-mile-per-hour wind gusts and low humidity.

"The current state of the weather and vegetation create the potential for rapid fire growth and significant fire behavior," Angeles NF said.

Evacuations

As of Saturday morning, evacuation orders and warnings remain in place.

Evacuation orders issued for the following zones:

Evacuation warnings issued for the following zones:

Evacuees can go to the Antelope Valley Family YMCA at 43001 10th St W, Lancaster, CA 93534. Small pets are allowed at the shelter.

The Los Angeles County Animal Care Center in Palmdale said evacuees can bring their small animals to their location at 38550 Sierra Highway, Palmdale, CA 93550.

Air Quality

The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued a wildfire smoke advisory for the Summit Fire.

Monitors said the smoke from the wildfire is being pushed south towards the San Gabriel Mountains and the San Bernardino area. AQMD added that smoke levels may rise if the fire spreads further south.

Residents in the San Gabriel Mountains, Big Bear Lake, Lake Arrowhead and other communities in the San Bernardino Mountains may reach an unhealthy level for sensitive groups by Friday night.

The advisory will last until at least 5 p.m. Saturday. By that time, the wind should push the smoke north and away from the San Gabriel and San Bernardino mountains.

AQMD urged residents in the affected area to stay indoors and keep their doors and windows closed. They recommended that residents run their air conditioners or air purifiers.

Officials recommended that anyone going outside should wear an N95 or P100 respirator.