🌱 Fire Threatens 500 Iconic Sequoias+ Win Donuts + Fire Cadet Program

Hello, Orange County friends. Paula Constance here with your fresh copy of the Orange County Daily, filled with all the local information you need to know right now. Let's do this.

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First, today's weather:

Foggy start, then sun today. High: 80 Low: 63.

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Here are the 3 top stories in Orange County today:

1. A fire in Yosemite Park is growing as firefighters battle the blaze in difficult terrain to protect 500 iconic sequoia trees. The fire, in one of California's most storied national parks, doubled to 2.5 square miles and is threatening the largest grove of giant sequoias in Yosemite National Park and a small mountain town. Campers and residents were evacuated, but the rest of the park remained open, although smoke "created unhealthy air quality." On Sunday, Nancy Phillipe, a Yosemite fire information spokesperson, said, "Today it's actually the smokiest that we've seen." (O.C. Register)
2. Tomorrow is opening day for the new Randy's Donuts location in O.C.! The popular doughnut shop announced they are opening a new location in Costa Mesa on Tuesday, July 12. To celebrate, they partnered with Living Mi Vida Loca to offer one lucky visitor two dozen donuts, and two tickets to the O.C. Fair, they said in an Instagram post. (Orange County Guide OC events via Instagram)
3. Do you want to be an Orange County Fire Cadet? Yesterday, the crew from Engine 222 had a Fire Cadet ride along on the fire truck for the day. The Orange County Fire Authority is accepting applications for its Fire Cadet Trainee Academy. Fire Cadets participate in non-hazardous roles, which may include pre-fire planning, hydrant maintenance, assisting with crowd and traffic control, participating in public information programs, and more. Fire Cadets are approved once they have successfully completed the training program. Young men and women ages 14-21 are encouraged to apply@ If you're interested, visit ocfa.org for more information and to apply." (Orange County Fire Authority via Facebook)

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Today in Orange County:

• Creativity Corner In-Person - Huntington Beach Public Library. (1 p.m.)
• Bilingual Family Storytime! at Central Library. (4 p.m.)
• FREE: Live Music on the Porch at The Ranch. (4 p.m.)
• FREE: Live Music at The Cliff - Arts and Culture Events in Orange County. (6 p.m.)

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From my notebook:

• OC Parks: "July is National Park and Recreation month – the perfect excuse to celebrate the great outdoors at OC Parks!" (OC Parks via Instagram)
• German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County: "Did you know that Dogma Pet Portraits has a special offer in July?" (German Shepherd Rescue of Orange County via Facebook)
• Orange County Register: "A woman was critically injured when she was hit by a crossover SUV in Laguna Niguel early Saturday morning and sheriff's officials are asking for the public's help in locating the SUV and its driver, authorities said." (Orange County Register via Facebook)

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Events:

• MenAlive Orange County Gay Men's Chorus presents I Am America (July 16)
• 21 Lives - Uvalde - A Benefit Concert (July 16)
• WOW! Fabulous Outdoor Theater in Irvine! (July 16)
• MenAlive Orange County Gay Men's Chorus presents I Am America (July 16)
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• BECOME A VOLUNTEER - NFT Expoverse Los Angeles (Details)
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• OPEN AUDITIONS: West Side Story (Details)
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• Furnished Studio in Temecula (Details)
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Job listings:

• Ceramic Painter / Decorator (Details)
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Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll be in your inbox tomorrow morning with a new update!

— Paula Constance

About me: Paula is a freelance writer, author, and award-winning media producer. She is committed to media projects that empower, engage, and help make the world a better place. You can find her on Instagram and Twitter.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Orange County Daily? Contact me at orangecounty@patch.com