Gopher Fire fully contained after burning nearly 70 acres in Riverside County

dried grass on fire

Riverside County firefighters have fully contained the Gopher Fire, which broke out in southern Riverside County on Saturday afternoon and temporarily forced evacuation orders for some residents.  The blaze, which was reported at around 2:40 p.m. near Highway 79 and Sage Road in the Aguanga area, burned just about 67 acres before Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department crews reported 100% containment on Sunday night.  Evacuation orders were briefly issued for some residents living in the surrounding area. All residents have since been allowed to return home.  The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Source: Gopher Fire fully contained after burning nearly 70 acres in Riverside County – CBS Los Angeles

Most assuredly, I say to you, he who receives whomever I send receives Me; and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.
John 13:20

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Massive bear terrorizes Los Angeles neighborhood

a black bear walking on a field

A bear sighting in Shadow Hills left neighbors buzzing on Saturday night. Residents were on alert as the bear chased chickens and knocked over trash cans.

Source: Bear frightens neighborhood

If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!
Luke 11:13

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Massive bear terrorizes Los Angeles neighborhood

a black bear walking on a field

A massive bear sighting prompted a huge police response in a Sunland neighborhood Saturday. According to the Los Angeles Police Department, the animal was first seen near Wheatland Avenue before later appearing around Dale Avenue.

Source: Massive bear terrorizes Los Angeles neighborhood

For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Matthew 6:14

A study of the Mesha Stele

The Mesha Stele, also famously known as the Moabite Stone, is a 3-foot-tall black basalt monument dating back to circa 840 BCE. It is one of the most vital…

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“Bordeaux” the sea lion rescued from Google campus in Sunnyvale released back into ocean

close up of seal

While Irving the sea lion stole the spotlight earlier this month after he was found wandering the streets of San Francisco’s Sunset District, he wasn’t the only pup on the loose. Bordaeux was found on the Google campus in Sunnyvale last month and was just released into his natural habitat. This sea lion pup was found on the Google Campus in Sunnyvale, located on Bordeaux Drive. Hence his name, Bordeaux. Officers Joseph Bowles and Community Service Officer Robert Kerr were instrumental in guiding Bordeaux to safety after getting the initial call of a sea lion on the loose.

“I must say it was interesting listening to the dispatch because he was very vocal in the background,” Officer Bowles said. “As we were going to the scene, you can hear the officer putting out radio traffic saying they’re building a barrier for the sea lion to stay inside of and all you can hear is him talking.” This little guy was eventually picked up by the Marine Mammal Center, where he was treated for malnutrition, but getting him there was a challenge. “Our hope was that Bordeaux would stay in place in our little enclosure until the Marine Mammal Center could get there to safely take him into their protection,” Officer Bowles said. “Unfortunately, he had other plans and climbed over the structure we had built around him and he escaped the area.”

Source: “Bordeaux” the sea lion rescued from Google campus in Sunnyvale released back into ocean – CBS San Francisco

As for the Almighty, we cannot find Him; He is excellent in power, In judgment and abundant justice; He does not oppress.
Job 37:23

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Rescued sea lion pup found on Sunnyvale street released back into wild

portrait of a young sea lion lying on a beach

After a period of intensive care and quarantine, along with some abnormal behavior that was later resolved, the sea lion began eating well with pen mates in a rehabilitation pool, the center said. Bordeaux was released back into the wild on Wednesday at Chimney Rock in Point Reyes National Seashore, according to the center. Young seals and sea lions that are separated from their mother too early face challenges in finding food due to underdeveloped foraging skills, which also can make them susceptible to additional health issues, the center said. “We’re thankful to the Sunnyvale DPS for their partnership in the rescue of Bordeaux and helping give him a second chance,” said Marine Mammal Center associate veterinarian Dr. Dane Whitaker in a prepared statement. “After receiving over a month of specialized rehabilitative care and responding well to treatment, we’re excited that Bordeaux is back in his ocean home!” The Marine Mammal Center reminded the public that if they see a marine mammal in distress to not intervene, keep a distance of at least 150 feet, and call the center’s at 415-289-SEAL (7325)

Source: Rescued sea lion pup found on Sunnyvale street released back into wild – CBS San Francisco

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Hebrews 11:6

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Mountain lion spotted near Downieville courthouse, officials urge residents to stay alert

cougar animal

A mountain lion was spotted near the Downieville courthouse on Wednesday, prompting officials to urge residents to remain alert in the town. The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office said a county worker saw the mountain lion around 5:30 a.m. near the courthouse. When the mountain lion saw the worker, it took off running toward the medical clinic. The sheriff’s office is asking people in the area to be alert and to report any sightings in or around the town. 

Downieville, founded during the gold rush era, is located in the Sierra Nevada foothills about 100 miles northeast of Sacramento. It’s most known for its mountain biking and other outdoor activities.   Officials say that mountain lion sightings in Sierra County are not uncommon, but activity within town limits increases the likelihood of human-wildlife encounters.  People are encouraged not to walk alone during dawn and dusk, keep children close, always supervise pets when they’re outdoors and leash dogs, and not to run away. People should make themselves appear larger and back away slowly. 

Source: Mountain lion spotted near Downieville courthouse, officials urge residents to stay alert – CBS Sacramento

And so it was, because the midwives feared God, that He provided households for them.
Exodus 1:21

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Portion of Huntington Beach ocean closed until Friday, 3 shark sightings over past week

giant shark sculpture on rooftop in fuerteventura

A portion of the ocean in Huntington Beach will remain closed until Friday morning, after a shark was spotted feeding on a sea lion carcass at Sunset Beach yesterday. It was the third shark sighting in the area within one week. Trevor McDonald, Huntington Beach Fire Department Marine Safety chief, said safety is a priority and “Our coastlines are monitored every day.” Last week, a 24-hour ocean closure was in place near lifeguard Tower 3 after a shark exhibited aggressive behavior toward a human.

On Wednesday, there were two more shark sightings, according to McDonald. A juvenile great white shark was seen swimming off Goldenwest Street just outside the break, prompting signs to be posted for four hours. Then, around 10 a.m., a 10-foot great white shark was spotted actively feeding on a sea lion carcass at Sunset Beach. “When a shark has a large food source, they have the potential to be defensive of their food source,” McDonald said.  “They don’t want that going away; they don’t want to share with anybody or another animal. So that’s another reason why we don’t want surfers or swimmers in or around a feeding event like this one we observed.” Ocean experts say to expect more shark sightings through the summer. “It is gearing up to be a sharky summer,” said Chris Lowe, the director of the Shark Lab at California State University, Long Beach.  In March, Lowe explained the water is unusually warm for the time of year, forming a “marine heat wave.”

Source: Portion of Huntington Beach ocean closed until Friday, 3 shark sightings over past week – CBS Los Angeles

You shall walk in all the ways which the LORD your God has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess.
Deuteronomy 5:33

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Video shows bear cub trapped inside a Southern California storm drain, another stuck in tree

mother black bear and cub in alaska forest

Video shows a mother bear looking up at a tree in Monrovia, where her two cubs are playing around in the branches. Before they made it up the tree, one of them had been stuck up in front of someone’s house for three days and the other little one fell into a storm drain earlier and needed help crawling back out.  Anna Howie and her dog Loki have been checking in on the bear family for days.

She says the mother bear has been going up in the tree to nurse the cub that won’t come down.  “This is the way we like to see it done where they just monitor the situation because eventually that baby will come down,” Howie said.  Howie says the cub stuck in the tree has been crying and making “horrible noises.” “She just scaled that tree, sat up there and nursed her baby and then the other one saw what was going on and went up and started nursing as well,” Howie said. Cort Klopping, a spokesperson for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, says the mother bear is working to get her cubs together.

The CDFW says their biologists are in the neighborhood monitoring the situation and they’re hoping the cub will eventually learn their mother’s lesson and climb down with her. “Our biologists might need to capture and relocate the bears together to a nearby suitable habitat within their home range so they’re familiar with the habitat and know where to forage,” Klopping said. That’s comforting news to neighbors. Many are still upset about a different Monrovia mother bear named Blondie, who was recently euthanized after the CDFW linked her to two human encounters where she reportedly swatted at people. Her cubs were relocated to the San Diego Humane Society. 

Source: Video shows bear cub trapped inside a Southern California storm drain, another stuck in tree – CBS Los Angeles

That I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you.
Romans 15:32

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