Cecilia Lei

Avalanches are extremely deadly, but Wright told us there are some steps you can take in the event you're caught in one or in an area that experiences avalanches.

First, coming prepared with avalanche equipment, things like probes that can ping your location, and simple shovels can make a big difference.

If an avalanche is coming your way, here are some recommended maneuvers.

Wright also said skiers need to check and then check again the forecasts before heading out.

Yesterday, Sheriff Wu warned people to avoid the Sierras and mountain travel for the time being.

It's been described as an ecological crisis of historic proportion, and now it's become a toxic political dispute, too.

Hundreds of millions of gallons of wastewater has now spewed into the Potomac River.

About a month ago, a 60-year-old sewage line broke in Maryland, near the D.C.

area.

It's become one of the worst spills in U.S.

history, sending E. coli levels in the water to dangerously high levels.

Yesterday, the D.C.

Mayor, Muriel Bowser, declared a public emergency and asked for federal assistance.

Dana Hedgepeth has been following the story for The Washington Post.

While officials were able to stop the flow into the river within a week, DC Water, the utility that owns and operates the pipeline, said that repairs could take more than a month.

President Trump has said the disaster relief agency FEMA will be dispatched, but he's at odds with Maryland Governor Wes Moore over who's really responsible.

Trump has also pointed fingers at other local and state officials in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia for the spill.

Moore, a frequent critic of the president, says Trump's blame of Maryland is politically motivated.

While the pipe broke in Maryland, it's federally regulated and under the oversight of the EPA.

D.C.