Incarcerated Women Say Officers Used Unprecedented Force In August Attack

Here are the morning’s top stories on Thursday, September 12, 2024…

• The California Department of Corrections is investigating after more than 100 women incarcerated in a Central Valley prison were allegedly pepper sprayed and tear gassed by staff for more than an hour. This happened at the Central California Women’s Facility in Chowchilla in early August.
• Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency to support the ongoing response to the massive fires burning in Southern California. The largest of those fires is the Bridge Fire burning in the Angeles National Forest. That fire has burned more than 51,000 acres.
• Crews fighting the Airport Fire in Orange and Riverside counties are asking people living nearby the blaze to stay vigilant and be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice. The fire has burned more than 23,000 acres. 
• In San Bernardino County, crews continue to get better containment on the Line Fire, which is now 18% contained.

‘Like a War Zone’: Prison Officers Used Unprecedented Force in August Attack, Incarcerated Women Say

Incarcerated women at the Central California Women’s facility in Chowchilla say correctional officers used pepper spray, tear gas and rubber bullets on them after forcing them into a cafeteria with no food, water or medication for more than four hours.

Four women told KQED they were left injured, had difficulty breathing and were traumatized by the incident that occurred last month on Aug. 2.

Three incarcerated people had difficulty breathing and were transported to an offsite medical facility, according to an emailed statement from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

In its statement, CDCR said officials have “identified concerning information about the handling of the Aug. 2 incident at the Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) and are taking swift action.” The statement adds that a fight between two inmates prompted the incident and that approximately 100 others became “disruptive,” requiring staff to “quell the incident.”

Governor Declares State Of Emergency As Southern CA Wildfires Burn More Than 100,000 Acres

California Governor Gavin Newsom has issued a state of emergency for much of Southern California, where three large wildfires have torn through the region this week.

The Bridge Fire, now the largest wildfire in Southern California, ignited on Sunday afternoon in the Angeles National Forest and has burned 51,000 acres as of Thursday morning. Fire officials say that 20 homes were destroyed in Mount Baldy, 13 homes in Wrightwood and 5 cabins in wilderness areas.

The Airport Fire burning in Orange and Riverside counties has burned more than 23,000 acres. It’s 5% contained. Officials have confirmed that homes have been destroyed along Ortega Highway, but won’t know the full scope of the damage until assessment teams are deployed.

In San Bernardino County, crews continue to get a better handle on the Line Fire, which is now 18% contained. That fire has burned more than 37,000 acres.