This is an LA Times Studios podcast.

Hi, I'm Angelica Coronado at LA Times Studios.

Here are some of today's headlines from the Los Angeles Times.

Flames will light up Pacific Palisades again this week, but this time it's a controlled

burn. Richard Winton reports federal investigators are setting fires along Temescal Ridge Trail

to help pinpoint the cause of January's deadly inferno. The Palisades fire killed 12 people,

destroyed thousands of homes, and may be the costliest

disaster in LA history.

Investigators are focusing on whether fireworks from a smaller fire a week earlier, reignited

during a massive windstorm.

The testing starts tonight and runs through Thursday, with safety crews standing by. What they find could have big consequences,

with billions of dollars, lawsuits,

and political fallout all on the line.

Tens of thousands of LA County workers are on strike.

Rebecca Ellis reports the two-day strike

that kicked off last night will impact public services across health care, libraries, parks, and social work.

Union leaders with SEIU Local 721 say the push started after the county failed to negotiate a fair contract and racked up 44 possible labor law violations. The county denies the

allegations and says it can't afford big raises right now, blaming wildfire

costs and a massive sex abuse settlement. It's the first time all members of the

union have walked off the job. The strike will hit almost every county department.

Some libraries and health clinics will close, but hospitals will stay open.

The strike is expected to last until 7 p.m. this Wednesday.

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