Standing behind a lectern emblazoned with the words “Cutting Utility Bills,” Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law last month a package of energy bills that he said “reduces the burden on ratepayers.”
Tucked into one of those bills: a paragraph that could allow Southern California Edison to shift billions of dollars of Eaton fire damage costs to its customers.
Among other things, the bill allows Edison to start charging customers for any Eaton fire costs exceeding the state’s $21-billion wildfire fund.
“I was shocked to see that,” said April Maurath Sommer, executive director of the Wild Tree Foundation, which tracks state government actions on utility-sparked fires. “It’s effectively a bailout.”
Other amendments in the 231-page bill known as SB 254 helped not just Edison, but all three of the state’s biggest for-profit utilities, further limiting the costs that they and their shareholders would face if the companies’ equipment ignited a catastrophic wildfire.
Previous legislation championed by Newsom, a 2019 bill known as AB 1054, already had sharply limited the utilities’ liabilities for wildfires they cause.
Staff in the governor’s office declined a request for an interview. In a statement, Daniel Villasenor, a spokesman for Newsom, called SB 254 “smart public policy, not a giveaway.”
Newsom’s staff noted that the state Public Utilities Commission would later review Eaton fire costs, determining if they were “just and reasonable.” If some costs billed to customers were rejected in that review, Edison shareholders would have to reimburse them for those amounts, the governor’s office said.
According to the legislation, that review of costs isn’t required until all Eaton claims are settled, leaving the possibility that customers would have to cover even costs found to be unreasonable for years.
“That will be expensive news to a lot of people,” said Michael Boccadoro, executive director of the Agricultural Energy Consumers Assn. “It is unfortunately what happens when major policies are done in the final hours of the Legislature with little transparency.”
Damages for the Eaton fire have been estimated to be as high as $45 billion — which could greatly exceed the $21-billion fund.
Homes in Altadena lay in ruins after the Eaton fire.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
Sheri Scott, an actuary at Milliman, told state officials in July that insured losses alone range from $13.7 billion to $22.8 billion. That estimate doesn’t include payments to families who were uninsured or underinsured, or compensation for pain and suffering.
The bill allows Edison to issue bonds secured by new payments from its electric customers for Eaton fire costs that can’t be covered by the $21-billion fund.
Kathleen Dunleavy, an Edison spokeswoman, said the company supported the bill’s language because the bonds secured by customer payments provide a lower cost of borrowing than if the company used traditional financing. “Every dollar counts for our customers,” Dunleavy said.
“There are a lot of variables here,” Dunleavy added. “The investigation is ongoing and there is not an estimate of the total cost of the Eaton fire.”
Newsom’s office noted that under the amendments the utilities won’t get to earn a profit on $6 billion of wildfire prevention expenditures. Customers will still have to pay for the costs, but they won’t be charged extra for shareholders’ profit.
Since early this year, Edison, Pacific Gas & Electric and San Diego Gas & Electric had been lobbying Newsom and state legislative leaders, urging them to bolster the $21-billion fund because of concerns it could be exhausted by the Eaton fire’s extraordinary cost.
Videos captured the Jan. 7 inferno igniting under a century-old transmission line that Edison had not used for 50 years. The wildfire swept through Altadena, destroying 9,400 homes and other structures and killing at least 19 people.
Edison now faces hundreds of lawsuits filed by victims. The suits accuse Edison of negligence, claiming it failed to safely maintain its equipment and left in place the unused transmission line, which lawyers say Edison knew posed a fire risk.
“We’ll respond to the allegations in the litigation,” Dunleavy said, adding that the company inspects and maintains idle lines in the same way as its energized lines.
Even though the government’s investigation into the cause has not been released, Edison announced in July that it was starting a program to directly pay victims for damages.
The company has also begun settling with insurance companies that paid out claims for properties they insured in Altadena that were destroyed or damaged.
Limiting Edison’s liability for Eaton fire
The utility is expecting to be reimbursed for most or all of the settlements and the costs of the fire by the $21-billion wildfire fund that Newsom and lawmakers created through the 2019 legislation, according to a July update Edison gave to its investors.
The first $1 billion of damages is covered by an insurance policy paid by its customers.
After state officials warned that the Eaton fire could deplete the state fund, Newsom said in July he was working on a plan to create an additional fund of $18 billion.
Two days before the Legislature was scheduled to recess for the year, three lawmakers added complex language to SB 254 to create what Newsom called the new $18-billion wildfire “continuation account.” Before the bill was amended, consumer groups had been supporting it because it aimed to save electric customers money.
The late amendments required the Legislature to extend its session by a day to meet a state constitutional rule that says proposed legislation must be public for 72 hours before a final vote.
“It’s impossible to believe that legislators could have understood all of this in 72 hours,” Maurath Sommer said. She noted that Newsom’s 2019 law, AB 1054, was introduced and quickly passed in a similar manner. “And it is clear now how poorly that effort fared in achieving the claimed objective of protecting public safety.”
Boccadoro said he believed the amendments were added to a bill favored by consumer groups to give it “some political cover.”
Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Irvine), one of bill’s authors, said she believed utilities needed protection from wildfire liabilities because of a legal doctrine in California known as inverse condemnation, which makes them responsible for damages even if they weren’t negligent in starting it.
“This is the best possible deal for ratepayers as we navigate the truly devastating impacts of the climate crisis,” Petrie-Norris said of the legislation. The other two authors — state Sens. Josh Becker (D-Menlo Park) and Aisha Wahab (D-Hayward) — did not respond to requests for interviews.
After the bill passed, both Edison and PG&E praised its provisions in presentations for investors.
Edison called the bill “a key action” that demonstrated lawmakers’ support of its “financial stability.”
The amendments added to the protections that utilities gained in 2019 through Newsom’s AB 1054. At that time, PG&E was in bankruptcy proceedings. It had filed for protection after its transmission line was found to have ignited the 2018 Camp fire, which killed 85 people and destroyed most of the town of Paradise.
PG&E explained in a September presentation that before Newsom and lawmakers changed the law in 2019, utilities that wanted to pass fire damage costs to customers “bore the burden of proving” that their conduct related to the blaze was reasonable and prudent.
Newsom’s 2019 law changed that standard, PG&E said, so that the utility’s conduct was automatically deemed reasonable if state regulators had granted the company what the law called a safety certificate.
Since 2019, the state has regularly issued the companies these certificates — even when regulators find maintenance and safety problems.
Edison received a safety certificate less than a month before the Eaton fire, even though it had thousands of open work orders, including some on the transmission lines in the canyon where the fire started.
To get a certificate, the utilities must submit a plan to state regulators for preventing their equipment from sparking fires. They also must tie executive pay to the company’s safety performance, with bonuses expected to take a hit when more fires are sparked or people are killed.
Even though Edison failed at key safety measures last year, The Times found that cash bonuses for four of its top five executives rose. The company said that was because of their performance on responsibilities beyond safety.
With a safety certificate in hand, Edison told investors in July that the maximum it would pay for the Eaton fire under the law’s limit was $3.9 billion, a fraction of the expected costs. The utility said the wildfire fund would reimburse it for all the costs, unless an outside party can raise “serious doubt” that it had not acted reasonably before the fire.
The SB 254 amendments also clarified key language in the 2019 law — clarifications that Edison told investors in September were “constructive for potential Eaton fire losses.”
That language allows utilities that cause repeated major wildfires within a period of three years to reduce what they must pay back to the fund for a second fire if they are found to have acted imprudently.
“This certainly does not seem to encourage utilities to stop causing fires,” Maurath Sommer said of the provision.
Edison’s Dunleavy dismissed concern about the provision. “Safety remains our top priority,” she said.
Campaign contributions to Newsom
The three utilities have long been generous political donors to both Democrats and Republicans in California, including to Newsom and current legislative leaders in Sacramento.
Edison, for example, gave $100,000 to Newsom’s campaign last year to pass the mental health initiative known as Proposition 1.
This summer Edison gave $190,000 to the state Democratic Party, which is helping Newsom campaign for Proposition 50, which would redraw congressional districts.
Newsom’s staff didn’t respond to questions about the contributions.
Dunleavy said that the company’s political donations are not charged to customers. She said Edison gives contributions to politicians who share its commitment to “safely serve our customers.”
Newsom said in 2019 that the bill capping utilities’ fire liabilities would “move our state toward a safer, affordable and reliable energy future.”
He and lawmakers said the law would make the public safer by requiring the utilities to do more to prevent fires, including aggressive tree trimming and the installation of more insulated wires.
Even though the utilities have raised electric rates to charge customers for billions of dollars of fire prevention work, their electrical equipment continues to spark blazes.
According to Cal Fire statistics, if the Eaton fire is confirmed to have been ignited by Edison’s transmission line, at least seven of the state’s 20 most destructive wildfires would have been caused by the three utilities’ power lines. Two of those utility-sparked fires happened after the 2019 law passed.
Edison’s lines ignited 178 fires last year — 45% more compared with 2019. The company attributed last year’s increase to weather conditions that created more dry vegetation.
The governor’s staff said they disagreed with claims that the legislation reduced utilities’ accountability. They pointed to a measure in the 2019 law that requires a utility to reimburse the wildfire fund for all damages from a fire if its actions are found to constitute “conscious or willful disregard of the rights and safety of others.”
Advocates for utility customers have repeatedly said they believe that standard is too high to keep California utilities from causing more fires.
“Instances of utility mismanagement could easily fall short of the ‘conscious or willful disregard’ standard yet nonetheless cause a series of catastrophic wildfire events,” wrote the commission’s Public Advocates Office in a filing soon after the 2019 law passed.
SACRAMENTO — Amid concerns that refinery closures could send gas prices soaring, California legislative leaders Wednesday introduced a last-minute deal aimed at increasing oil production to shore up the struggling fossil-fuel industry while further restricting offshore drilling.
The compromise, brokered by Gov. Gavin Newsom, Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas and Senate Pro Tem Mike McGuire, would streamline environmental approvals for new wells in oil-rich Kern County and increase oil production. The bill also would make offshore drilling more difficult by tightening the safety and regulatory requirements for pipelines.
With support from Rivas and McGuire, Senate Bill 237 is expected to pass as part of a flurry of last-minute activity during the Legislature’s final week. Newsom’s office said the governor “looks forward to signing it when it reaches his desk.”
The late introduction of the measure may force the Legislature to extend its 2025 session, set to end Friday, by another day because bills must be in print for 72 hours before they can be voted on.
The bill was introduced Wednesday as part of a package of energy policies that aims to address growing concerns about affordability and the closure of California oil refineries.
Valero and Phillips 66 plan to close plants in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles County’s South Bay, which would reduce California’s in-state oil refining capacity by an estimated 20%. Industry experts warn that losing refining capacity could lead to more volatile gas prices.
The closures have become a sore spot for Newsom and for state Democrats, pitting their longtime clean-energy goals against concerns about the rising cost of living — a major political liability.
The package tries to strike a balance between the oil industry and climate activists, but neither side seemed particularly pleased: Environmental groups panned the agreements, and industry groups said they were still reviewing the bill.
“I don’t think what’s in that legislation is going to keep refineries open,” said Michael Wara, the director of Stanford University’s Climate and Energy Policy Program.
Crude oil produced in California makes up a fraction of what refineries turn into gasoline, he said, so although increasing production may help stabilize the decline of local oil companies, it won’t benefit the refineries.
The bill would grant statutory approval for up to 2,000 new wells per year in the oil fields of Kern County, the heart of California oil country, which produce about three-fourths of the state’s crude oil. That legislative fix, effective through 2036, would in effect circumvent years of legal challenges by environmental groups seeking to stymie drilling.
The state, which has championed and pioneered progressive environmental policies to slash carbon emissions, also is home to a billion-dollar oil industry that helps power its economy and has significant political sway in Sacramento. Despite steady declines in production, California remains the eighth-largest crude oil producing state in the nation, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Hollin Kretzmann, an attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity’s Climate Law Institute, said the legislation “acknowledges the harms of oil drilling yet takes radical steps to boost it.”
“Removing environmental safeguards won’t reverse the terminal decline of California oil production but it will allow the industry to do more damage on its way out the door,” Kretzmann said, adding that it will have “no impact on refinery closures or gas prices.”
Ted Cordova, a vice president of E&B Natural Resources, an oil and natural gas company with operations in Kern County, told reporters earlier this week that California needs to reverse falling oil production to keep refineries operating. He said his firm gets emails from pipeline companies saying they are operating “at dangerously low levels, can you send us more?”
The bill also has the potential to create new hurdles for Sable Offshore Corp., the Texas oil firm that is moving toward restarting offshore drilling along Santa Barbara County’s coast, depending on when the company navigates through a litany of ongoing litigation and necessary state approvals.
The bill, which would take effect in January, reasserts the authority of the commission to oversee pipeline repair projects and requires the “best available technology” for any pipe transporting petroleum from offshore. That could add lengthy governmental reviews for Sable if the operation isn’t running by January.
Representatives from Sable did not respond to questions Wednesday.
Mary Nichols, an attorney at UCLA Law’s Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, said the bill probably wouldn’t affect the ongoing project off Santa Barbara County’s coast — which remains tied up in litigation — but makes clear that there’s no easy path for any other company looking to take advantage of offshore oil in federal waters under the oil-friendly Trump administration.
“This was designed to send a message to anybody else who might be thinking about doing the same thing,” said Nichols, a former chair of the California Air Resources Board.
Lawmakers also introduced a tentative deal on cap-and-trade, an ambitious climate program that has raised roughly $31 billion since its inception 11 years ago. The revised language would extend the program from its current 2030 deadline until 2045.
The program, last renewed in 2017, requires major polluters such as power plants and oil refineries to purchase credits for each ton of carbon dioxide they emit, and allows those companies buy or sell their unused credits at quarterly auctions.
Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City), one of the authors of SB 237, said she was glad to make progress on the push and pull between the state’s fuel needs and its commitment to green energy. She said she understands there are environmental concerns, but “at the end of the day, our purpose was an issue of petroleum supply.”
“We all don’t want an import model,” she said.
Times staff writers Melody Gutierrez and Hayley Smith contributed to this report.
CHELSEA are interested in signing Sporting Lisbon striker Conrad Harder, according to reports.
The Blues could re-enter the transfer market for a forward following the injury suffered by Liam Delap against Fulham on Saturday.
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Conrad Harder is attracting interest from ChelseaCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
Enzo Maresca’s side were on the brink of loaning Nicolas Jackson to Bayern Munich, having deemed the 24-year-old to be surplus to requirements.
Jackson was allowed to travel to Germany for a medical yesterday, only for Chelsea to pull the plug on the deal upon Delap’s injury.
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TRANSFER NEWS LIVE – KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST FROM A BUSY SUMMER WINDOW
A three-day weekend is approaching, and you’d like to escape to the mountains. But you didn’t plan ahead. What’s an L.A. outdoorsy resident to do?
Don’t fret, my dear Wilder, for there are about 30 first-come, first-served campgrounds around L.A. County, and I’m here to suggest a few where I think even the worst of planners could snag a spot this weekend.
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Let’s start with the popular first-come, first-served spots near L.A.
Chilao’s Little Pines loop is aptly named, as it features several sizes of pine trees that provide nice shade and good smells.
(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)
If you leave right now, meaning Thursday late morning when this newsletter publishes, you might get lucky enough to snag a spot at Buckhorn, a 38-site first-come, first-served campground in Angeles National Forest. This pine-dappled paradise is just over an hour’s drive from L.A. and sits at around 6,500 feet elevation, offering a cool reprieve from your steamy apartment. (That window unit can only do so much!)
Or you could try Chilao, an 84-site campground about 10 miles southwest of Buckhorn. It is also first-come, first-served. My wife and I once snagged the last campsite available on a Memorial Day weekend trip (in which we undoubtedly set up our tent in the dark).
The view from a campsite in Chilao campground in Angeles National Forest.
(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)
Buckhorn is very popular and fills up quickly. Chilao is also popular but larger, so again, perhaps you’d get lucky! Make sure to check both the Manzanita and Little Pines loops for spots. If you left Friday morning, I think you’d snag a spot at Chilao.
Crystal Lake — not to be confused with Crystal Cove — is a 120-site campground north of Azusa in Angeles National Forest. If you forget anything, the charming Crystal Lake Cafe is on-site, selling burgers, sandwiches and an array of camping supplies and treats. It is also a popular spot, but given its size, hopefully you could find a spot on Friday.
Coldbrook Creek at Coldbrook Campground.
(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)
On your way to Crystal Lake, you’d pass Coldbrook Campground, which has 22 sites, including some spots next to the creek where the campground gets its name. If it were me and I had enough time, I’d swing by Coldbrook on Friday morning to see whether any spots were still open before heading up to Crystal Lake. That said, Crystal Lake provides stunning views of the night sky. My friends recently camped there around the peak of the Perseid meteor shower and saw shooting stars.
I am too nervous to try this, but resort Mountain High manages five campgrounds near Wrightwood, and some sites are first-come, first-served. Wrightwood is a charming mountain town, and hikes in the surrounding area offer stunning panoramic views. That said, the campgrounds are popular too, so I wouldn’t leave late Friday evening expecting to find a spot.
Several of the sites at Coldbrook Campground sit at the creek the campground was named after. The campground is also nestled among the San Gabriel Mountains and provides great views of nearby peaks.
(Jaclyn Cosgrove / Los Angeles Times)
For those of you who are stuck at work until 5 p.m. Friday, I want to provide options for you too.
Here are some less popular but still great spots to consider.
Horse Flat: A 26-site campground in Angeles National Forest shaded by tall pine trees and near the scenic Silver Moccasin Trail. No potable water available.
Mt. Pacifico: Ten tent-only sites; no potable water; reached by driving a narrow dirt road for about 4.4 miles — an experience that gave me the vapors because of its steep drop-offs — and then another mile on a rougher road recommended only for high-clearance vehicles. It can also be reached by backpacking.
Sawmill: A remote eight-site campground with striking views of the Antelope Valley and more that’s about a two-hour drive from L.A. There is no potable water, but thanks to recent renovations funded by federal Great American Outdoors money, the campground has bear boxes and campfire rings. The Pacific Crest Trail is nearby and great for day hikes! You must travel a steep dirt road to reach the campground, so consider a vehicle with good clearance.
Lastly, if you have gear handy, you could consider a quick backpacking trip. I wrote this guide on backpacking near L.A., highlighting great spots to check out. I’m personally itching to get back to Valley Forge.
Regardless of where you end up for Labor Day weekend, I hope you have a safe and serene time in our public lands. Feel free to let me know how it goes! I love hearing about your adventures in the wild.
3 things to do
Hikers trek in the Turtle Rock area in Irvine.
(William Vazquez)
1. Clean up a trail with new pals in Irvine We Explore Earth will host a hike and trail cleanup as well as post-hike yoga and a journaling session from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday in Irvine. Participants will meet at the Turtle Rock trailhead, hiking 1.7 miles round-trip and picking up trash along the way. Afterward, the group will be led in yoga and nature journaling. Register at eventbrite.com.
2.Gaze at the stars in Silver Lake The Los Angeles Astronomical Society will host a star party from 8 to 10:30 p.m. Thursday at Sunset Triangle Plaza (3700 Sunset Blvd.). Participants are encouraged to have dinner at nearby local restaurants while they look at the cosmos through provided telescopes. Learn more at nightsky.jpl.nasa.gov.
3. Learn about queer ecology in L.A. Local naturalist Jason Wise and biological anthropologist Natalia Reagan will host a queer ecology-focused walk at 6 p.m. next Thursday near the Elysian Park Arboretum. Participants will learn about native Californian animals that scientists have documented engaging in homosexual behavior. Tickets on a sliding scale from free to $33.85. Register at eventbrite.com.
The must-read
(Maggie Chiang / For The Times)
Any hiker knows that going outside is restorative, but I was intrigued to learn in my conversation with environmental neuroscientist Marc G. Berman that a person benefits from being in nature even if they don’t enjoy it. I recently spoke to Berman about his new book, “Nature and the Mind: The Science of How Nature Improves Cognitive, Physical, and Social Well-Being.” Berman told me scientists believe nature can restore our attention spans in part because it is “softly fascinating,” like when we gaze at a waterfall. “The kind of stimulation that gives you this restful, restorative experience has to be softly fascinating and not harshly fascinating,” Berman said. The thing that will stay with me most, though, is what Berman told me about the humanizing effects nature can have on our psyche — a crucial bit of data in the midst of so much dehumanizing rhetoric in the news.
Happy adventuring,
P.S.
Back in June, USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins rescinded the 2001 “Roadless Rule,” a landmark environmental law that established significant protections — namely from road construction and logging — for 58.5 million acres of national forestland, including 4.4 million acres in California. The Trump administration says the rule must be revoked to decrease wildfire risk, a claim that environmental advocates found dubious, arguing this is yet another public land grab. Friends of the Inyo recently flagged that the public comment period, which is part of the formal rulemaking process, is expected to start soon on what should be done next regarding the Roadless Rule. You should be able to check this U.S. Forest Service page to stay apprised of the process. I will also keep you posted!
For more insider tips on Southern California’s beaches, trails and parks, check out past editions of The Wild. And to view this newsletter in your browser, click here.
Jasmine Harman, the co-presenter of the Channel 4 series A Place in the Sun: Home or Away? alongside Jonnie Irwin, has shared her top tips for last-minute summer getaways
Jasmine Harman has some top tips for last minute holiday bookers
With the UK already basking in a record-breaking heatwave – the hottest June on record – and the majority of schools breaking up for summer next week, families across the country are gearing up for a much-needed escape here in the UK and broad.
But if you haven’t booked anything yet, don’t panic – you’re in good company.
According to a YouGov survey, 15% of Brits book their summer holidays within the month before travelling. And, I’ll be honest, I’m one of them! I’ve always been a bit of a last-minute planner! Life gets busy, and sometimes you just have to grab the moment.
Clearly, I’m not alone. Enterprise Mobility’s new research shows that 78% of people in the UK are planning at least one overnight trip this summer, with August shaping up to be the peak month for getaways.
So, whether you’re planning a family escape to Cornwall, a scenic drive through Scotland, or even heading abroad to explore the South of France or the Spanish coast, here are my top holiday hacks for a stress-free, last-minute escape.
The Place in the Sun presenter is used to booking breaks last minute
1. Don’t over-plan – always leave room for discovery
If you’re heading to the coast, countryside, or hopping across to Europe, don’t feel like you need a minute-by-minute itinerary. Some of the best holiday moments come from spontaneous decisions – a pop-up market, a quiet beach cove, or a quirky museum you spot on the way. Leave space to wander, take detours, and see where the day takes you.
2. Rent a car for flexibility (and space!)
If your usual car feels cramped or isn’t up to a long journey, hiring a car can make all the difference – especially when you’ve got kids, beach gear, or grandparents in tow. I’ve used Enterprise Rent-A-Car for years because it’s quick, convenient, and reliable. If like me, you’re usually in charge of making sure everything runs smoothly on your breaks, you know the value of stress-free excellent service. That’s why I love the flexibility of renting a car – it just gives you options. And on a last-minute trip, that’s gold.
3. Pack like a pro – even if you’re in a rush
Don’t waste precious time hunting for suncream or headphones at the airport or petrol station. A bit of prep goes a long way. I always pack reusable water bottles, bin bags for sandy shoes, a portable phone charger, and plenty of snacks. For any last-minute panic-ers, keep a list of everything you need and tick off the items as they go in your case. And when you’re at the end of your holiday, it’s a great way to check nothing gets left behind.
If we’re driving, a great playlist is essential – but even on flights or trains, don’t underestimate the power of noise-cancelling headphones and a downloaded movie!
4. Be a last-minute legend – spontaneous adventures are the best
You don’t need to book six months in advance to have an amazing time. In fact, some of the best getaways I’ve had were planned just days before. With so many travel tools and booking apps now, it’s easier than ever to be spontaneous. I know that this comes easier to some of us than others.
So, if you’re usually planned, booked and packed well ahead of time – why not take a last-minute trip this summer with the only thing on your itinerary being to explore somewhere new?
5. School holiday survival tip: travel smart, not stressed
If you’re travelling with children, the trick is to move when it’s quiet – early mornings or after dinner are often calmer. And always come prepared: audiobooks, travel games, and a “surprise bag” of little treats can work wonders to keep kids entertained.
A happy journey makes all the difference when you’re starting a holiday, especially if you’re setting off at the crack of dawn.
The rivalry between the old-school Galaxy and its upstart neighbor LAFC was once the best in MLS. The Galaxy traces its roots to the inception of the league while LAFC helped define its modern era, setting up a turf war so good, so competitive and so emotional, it had its own nickname.
Much of that drama had faded from El Tráfico in recent matches. But that changed Saturday when Maya Yoshida scored on the last touch of the game to give the Galaxy a 3-3 draw before a packed house of 22,301 at BMO Stadium.
And the teams didn’t limit their fight to the scoreboard. A tense shoving match broke out seconds into stoppage time, leading referee Guido Gonzalez Jr. to send off LAFC’s Eddie Segura with a red card while handing two yellow cards to the Galaxy and one to LAFC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
Galaxy and LAFC players get into a on-field scuffle during Saturday’s 3-3 draw at BMO Stadium.
(Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times)
The most devastating punch, however, came from Yoshida, who was in the center of the shoving match. Minutes later his header off a cross from Mauricio Cuevas — his first goal and just his second shot on target of the season — capped a Galaxy comeback from a late 3-1 deficit.
The draw gave the Galaxy (3-14-7) points in five of their last seven games, the team’s best stretch of the season. LAFC (10-5-6) is unbeaten in four straight and has lost just once in 14 league games since April 5. But the two points it lost on Yoshida’s goal dropped it to fifth in the Western Conference standings.
Bouanga’s fifth goal in six games gave LAFC the early lead in the 26th minute and, significantly, it was the first goal in that span that didn’t come from the penalty spot. It also gave him a goal in his last six games against the Galaxy.
LAFC star Denis Bouanga celebrates after scoring in the first half against the Galaxy on Saturday.
(Luke Johnson / Los Angeles Times)
Dilrosun doubled the lead with his second MLS goal on a counterattack five minutes later.
Pec halved the deficit for the Galaxy on a penalty kick less than 10 minutes before the intermission. That goal, set up by a Ryan Hollingshead hand ball in the box, snapped a 375-minute scoreless streak for LAFC.
Bouanga extended the LAFC lead on another counterattack set up by a Galaxy mistake in the 67th minute. Afterward, as the teams walked back to the center circle, Pec and Galaxy defender Emiro Garces, who was out of position on the breakaway, engaged in a heated argument.
Pec calmed down enough to get his fifth goal of the season, on a cross from Marco Reus, to pull his team closer in the 79th minute. The Galaxy then appeared to tie the score just before stoppage time, but Lloris made a spectacular kick save on Christian Ramirez while lying on his back on the goal line.
That set the stage for Yoshida, however, with the Galaxy captain slipping in front of Nkosi Tafari to redirect a glancing header inside the far post, earning the Galaxy a league result at BMO Stadium for the first time since August 2021, a game that also ended in a 3-3 draw.
If you’re happy to stay in the UK and show your loved ones the beauty of the Isles, hostelling is a great way to do so on a budget. Here are our pick of the bunch from across the UK
Bunkorama is a haven for walkers and cyclists alike
Parents looking for cheap places to take their kids this summer holiday need to search no further.
As the school holidays begin, the big questions are where to go and how much it’ll cost. If you’re happy to stay in the UK and show your loved ones the beauty of the Isles, hostelling is a great way to do so on a budget.
As I wrote earlier this year, there are many misconceptions about hostelling – chiefly that it’s for youth only, but also that you have to sleep in a dorm. There are loads of beautiful hostels that are really family friendly and provide cheap private rooms.
The Mirror has worked with Independent Hostels to find some of the prettiest and cheapest hostels that have free beds over the coming summer holidays.
Wharfeside House, in Kettlewell in the Yorkshire Dales, provides affordable self-catering, hostel accommodation for groups of up to 32
Snowdonia
Perched above Cardigan Bay with stunning views of Cader Idris, Bunkorama offers self-catering accommodation ideal for walkers, cyclists, climbers, and families. This converted stone stable sleeps up to 10 and is perfectly located near top routes like the Wales Coast Path, Cambrian Way, and Cycle Route 8.
Barmouth’s beach, shops, and pubs are just a mile away, and outdoor adventures like climbing, mountain biking, and paddleboarding are right on your doorstep. From solo travellers to group getaways, Bunkorama offers great value – just £92 per night for a family room or £184 for exclusive use. A separate camping pod adds extra flexibility. Dogs welcome with group bookings.
Best price: £92 per dorm
Lake District
Elterwater Hostel is located in the peaceful village of Elterwater, in the Langdale valley, 15 minutes drive from Ambleside. The area has many walks for people of all abilities, from gentle riverside meanders to the challenge presented by the Langdale Pikes, Bowfell and Scafell.
Pubs, shops and other amenities are available nearby. The area is also a favourite for both on and off-road cycling, rock climbing and many other outdoor activities. An established overnight stop on the Cumbria way. The hostel is also ideal for individuals, families, outdoor groups, schools and college trips.
Best price: £25 per person
Deepdale rooms and camping has a range of rooms with en suite facilities alongside friendly staff
Scotland
Located in the heart of the coastal village of Findhorn in northeast Scotland, this self-catering hostel sits near the Moray Firth, offering easy access to the beach, Findhorn Bay, and Culbin Forest, all rich in wildlife like ospreys, seals, and dolphins.
Just a short drive from the Speyside whisky region and the Cairngorm Mountains, it’s an ideal base for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Housed in a converted village school, the hostel welcomes both groups and individuals, featuring a well-equipped kitchen, lounge with Netflix, Freeview TV, WiFi, central heating, and optional conference rooms.
Accommodation includes two 10-bed dormitories, a private double room (“The Mates Cabin”), a four-person family room with en suite (“The Captains Suite”), and a modern studio flat sleeping up to six.
Best prices: Dorms from £25pp, mates’ cabin £50. Discount for groups.
West Wales
Escape to the wild and beautiful Pembrokeshire Coast National Park with a stay at the Old School Hostel in Trefin, a charming village just quarter of a mile from the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. The area offers circular walks to beaches and harbour villages, and it’s just a 20-minute drive to St Davids and Whitesands Bay.
This 4-star hostel is full of character and offers private double, twin, and rare single rooms and family/friends rooms with en suite showers. A light breakfast is also included, and it’s dog-friendly.
Best price: Single occupancy from £45.
The newly-renovated Findhorn Village Hostel is found on the beautiful Moray Coast in Scotland
Yorkshire
Wharfeside House is a self-catering group hostel in the heart of the unspoilt village of Kettlewell, within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Ideal for youth groups, families, and adult groups, it sleeps 10 to 32 people and is popular with walkers, cyclists, bird watchers, climbers, artists, and team-building retreats.
Opened in 1969 by the Huddersfield Wharfeside Youth Trust, it offers warm, comfortable accommodation with a fully equipped kitchen, communal lounge with open fire, dining/conference room, conservatory, and a drying/boot room. Outdoors, there’s a large garden with stunning views and parking for four vehicles. The village shop is nearby, and several pubs serve home-cooked food.
Best price: The whole hostel can be rented out for £220, with a 300% reduction for midweek bookings.
Cornwall
Located in the centre of St Ives, Cohort is stylish and comfortable. Specialising in educational trips, Cohort offers catering for groups and support with all aspects of trip planning, including assistance with developing enriching itineraries. It is open to the general public at Easter and during the Summer holidays.
Fantastic facilities include a hot, outdoor shower, laundry and dry room, big guest kitchen, super fast WiFi, a TV room & pod beds – all with USB ports, lights, curtains & under-bed storage. afés, bars, galleries, Tate St Ives, and four spectacular beaches are within a 10-minute walk.
Best price: From £26 per person
Norfolk
Deepdale Rooms offers comfortable private self-catering accommodation in the scenic village of Burnham Deepdale on the North Norfolk Coast, within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Guests can choose from a variety of room types—double, twin, triple, quad, family, and group rooms—most with en suite bathrooms, underfloor heating, and access to shared facilities including a well-equipped kitchen, dining area, lounge with TV, and free WiFi.
Bedding is provided; guests just need to bring towels. The Deepdale Visitor Information Centre serves as reception and offers local guidance. Passionate staff celebrate the area’s seasonal beauty—coastal walks, birdwatching, and starry skies—and invite visitors to discover it for themselves. Large groups are welcome by arrangement, and there’s an adjoining campsite for those who prefer to stay outdoors.
Best price: From £42 for a private room
Lochness
A multi-award-winning hostel with a range of rooms to meet all needs and budgets in the bustling village of Fort Augustus on the banks of Loch Ness. The perfect base to explore the Loch Ness area and an ideal stop off on the Great Glen Way.
Surrounded by stunning mountain scenery and set in wooded grounds, this is the perfect budget accommodation option in the Hub of the Highlands! A variety of room types include dorms, doubles, twins and family rooms; 24 hour self-catering facilitates, excellent home-made meal options, a rustic bar stocked with a great selection of local beers and malts, a beer garden, free WiFi, activity booking service, ample car parking, an awesome team to look after you, plus a whole lot more. 4 Star VisitScotland. GOLD Green Tourism Award.
Best prices: From £27pp in dorm beds, doubles/twins from £33pp and family rooms from £86.
Portugal, France and Spain all suffered through temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, but for many Brits looking to abroad, that feels preferable to staying put
15:53, 01 Jul 2025Updated 15:58, 01 Jul 2025
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(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Brits are ignoring ‘red alert’ health warnings and heading to the Continent en masse.
Thousands of Brits have booked holidays in the past 48 hours, with many boarding flights in the next seven days as part of last-minute deals, swapping the uncomfortable British heat for Europe’s scorching sun.
In arguably classic British fashion, a huge number of holidaymakers are ditching the mere 34C temperatures of the UK for something a little more sizzling on the Continent. According to On the Beach, in the past 48 hours, bookings to Europe increased 23% and there was a whopping 47% increase in bookings leaving in the next week.
Portugal, France and Spain all suffered through temperatures of up to 40 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, but for many Brits looking to be abroad, that feels preferable to staying put.
A red alert has been issued in parts of France(Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)
This is despite the serious danger to life that is posed by the temperatures in parts of Europe right now. A record number of heat alerts are in place across France as the country and other parts of southern and eastern Europe remain in the grip of soaring temperatures.
Sixteen French regions, including Paris, have been placed on red alert for Tuesday, the country’s highest, while 68 others are on orange alert. Heat warnings are also in place for parts of Spain, Portugal, Italy, Germany, and Balkan countries, including Croatia.
In Barcelona, a woman has lost her life, allegedly after spending a gruelling shift cleaning the streets of the Spanish city. According to the newspaper El País, the cleaner was working in the Raval neighborhood of Ciutat Vella during the heat of the day. She spent eight hours outside, enduring temperatures above 30°C, according to Aemet.
So far this year, 2,168 people have died from causes attributable to the heat in Spain alone. Last year, 3,521 deaths were linked to extreme temperatures in the country, CLM24 reports.
Despite the clear risk of heatwaves as intense as the one scorching Europe right now, clearly many Brits feel things could be a little hotter. Bookings to Amsterdam and Paris reached record highs this Monday, with On the Beach recording a 178% increase in bookings to Paris year on year.
Perhaps they are attracted to the quality of heat, as opposed to the quantity of Celsius. The UK heat is famously muggy, sticky, and airless, with little breeze and minimal chance of proper cooling off at night. Homes aren’t designed for heat, and air conditioning is rare, leaving people tossing and turning through humid, sleepless nights.
In contrast, much of southern Europe is built for the heat. Even at 35 or 40 degrees, there’s often dry, baking sunshine rather than the suffocating humidity Brits face at home.
Zoe Harris, chief customer officer at On the Beach, said: “It’s official, Europe is roasting and Brits can’t get enough of it. Let’s be honest, 35 degrees in Spain feels like a glorious bake in the sun, while 28 in the UK feels like trying to sleep in a damp greenhouse. As soon as Brits see Europe heating up, they book their almost immediate escape, because roasting under a Spanish sun is paradise compared to stewing in the UK’s clammy heat.”
“City break bookings have jumped by 32% in the past 24 hours as Brits rush to make the most of Europe’s scorching heatwave. It’s not just the beaches calling this time, urban getaways are booming too. After all, cities offer shady streets for exploring, cool museums and cafes to duck into, and air conditioning in abundance, making even the hottest days easy to enjoy.”
