Fires' aftermath affecting ocean 

By Heather McRea

This week in Coast Lines: Health officials are warning the public to stay clear of the ocean near fire-torn areas of Los Angeles.

Plus, power is being restored to some homes in Rancho Palos Verdes and the restored Seal Beach Bay Theatre is reopening with, what else, a surf film.

Here’s what’s happening along the Southern California coast.

Fire concerns

As firefighters continue to battle the deadly and destructive blazes across Los Angeles County, including oceanfront in the Pacific Palisades, warnings have been raised about the potential effects on the environment.

The public has been warned to stay out of the ocean in the Los Angeles area because of the runoff from the fire operations.

The public health department advises beach users to avoid all water contact, especially near discharging storm drains, creeks and rivers “due to potential debris from fires and contamination.” 

See more.

Power restoration

As giant cracks tore throughout Rancho Palos Verdes, power was shut off to more than 200 homes last year.

Now after months without utilities, Southern California Edison has been able to restore juice to about 80 homes. 

The land movement that has led to the red-tagging of several homes is starting to slow, the city’s geologist has said in recent reports.

Read the story.

The projector is on

For the first time in years, the iconic Bay Theatre in Seal Beach will be open to the public, showing movies and planning entertainment on its stage.

The Bay Theatre will reopen with a fitting film that pays tribute to Rich Harbour, a surfboard builder who opened a shop at age 18 in 1962, just across Main Street, that was a staple in the community.

Though it is 80 this year and restored with much of its early-era decor, the movie house has all the modern bells and whistles, its developer said.

Read the story.

What else?

The mayor has offered a “first look” at Long Beach’s new amphitheater. 
Read the story.

The ocean off Laguna Beach has been closed from Treasure Island to Table Rock Beach because of a sewage spill.

Read the story.

The Palos Verdes Estates Foundation wants to bring one of the city’s iconic features back to its full glory — the Neptune Fountain. But it is going to take fundraising.

Read the story.

In the water

Have you met our On the Water columnist in Long Beach? This week Jo Murray tells you about a regatta in the harbor, an anniversary cruise of “The Love Boat” and more planning for water sports in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. 

Read the story.

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