The Western population of the monarch butterfly hit a near-record low with fewer than 10,000 found living in California this winter, a foreboding sign.

This winter’s count is only a few thousand above the species’ all-time low of less than 2,000 in 2020. The count was conducted across 257 sites west of the Rocky Mountains, said Isis Howard, endangered species conservation biologist for Xerces Society.

Western Monarch Count observed a peak population of 9,119 Monarch butterflies in California this winter, marking a sharp decline in the last few years. The count, administered by

Jan. 22, 10:30 a.m. PST Cal Fire data marked the Palisades Fire at 68% containment and the Eaton Fire at 91% containment, listing no other active fires in Los Angeles as a red flag warning is in effect for much the region until Friday evening.

All wildfires burning in Southern California were largely contained as of Thursday morning, even after a new fire ignited in San Luis Obispo County on Wednesday afternoon. Multiple wildfires continue to burn in Southern California amid unnaturally dry conditions,

It has burned 23,448 acres after being active for 23 days. A crew of 800 firefighters has been working on site and they managed to contain 98% of the fire by Thursday evening. The