Three things for September 8
1. Gender reveal in California causes wildfire
On Saturday, a wildfire was sparked in California after a ruined gender reveal party in El Ranch Dorado Park.
The device used to disclose the gender of the child was fired in a field and “quickly ignited 4-foot grasses,” according to Captain Bennet Milloy of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Milloy said footage from the scene showed the couple trying to extinguish the growing flames with water bottles before realizing it was ineffective.
“You can’t fight a fire like this with a water bottle,” Milloy said. “They had no chance after it started.”
AP News reported the couple could be criminally charged with a misdemeanor or felony.
2. Tennessee Volunteers players test positive for COVID-19
The Tennessee Volunteers football team has 44 players out of practice after “seven or eight” team members tested positive for the virus.
According to Knox News, two dozen of the 44 players are unavailable due to contact-tracing protocols, while the remainder are out because of injury.
“It’s definitely been challenging,” Pruitt said. "We’ve got to continue to improve as a football team and just figure out the circumstances and figure out a way to be productive.”
SEC rules state that anyone in prolonged close contact with someone infected is to be considered a high-risk contact and are required to quarantine for a minimum of 14 days.
3. ‘World’s loneliest elephant’ to be transferred to better conditions
The ‘world’s loneliest elephant’ is being transferred from a Pakistani zoo to a new place with “better conditions.” The elephant, named Kaavan, was held in captivity at the zoo for more than 35 years.
The decision to transfer Kaavan came after the zoo was inspected and instructed to close after negligent conditions.
Martin Bauer, a spokesman for animal welfare group Four Paws, said Kaavan will be monitored in solitary until he is strong enough to be moved to a sanctuary.
“Following the checks, which confirmed Kaavan is strong enough, steps will now be taken to finalize his relocation to an animal sanctuary potentially in Cambodia,” Bauer said.
