In California: Dodgers' win marred by COVID. And are you hoarding groceries again?

I'm Winston Gieseke, philanthropy and special sections editor for The Desert Sun in Palm Springs with some of today's biggest headlines in California.

In California brings you top Golden State stories and commentary from across the USA TODAY Network and beyond. Get it free, straight to your inbox.

Dodgers win World Series!

First up, a big congratulations to the Los Angeles Dodgers for winning the World Series for the first time in 32 years. It could have been the team's greatest night of the year. But then ...

MLB: Justin Turner 'emphatically refused to comply' after COVID-19 diagnosis

Major League Baseball was just two innings shy of safely completing its 2020 season in the middle of a global pandemic, proudly proving to the world that it was indeed possible to safely return to work — providing that health and safety protocols were followed.

But then Commissioner Rob Manfred received a call saying that Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner had tested positive for COVID-19. Turner was removed from the field as quickly as possible and ordered to stay in isolation in a room outside the clubhouse.

However, when the World Series trophy celebration began, Turner returned and joined the party, where he posed for pictures holding the trophy, hugged teammates and made his way into the front row of the team picture — sans mask — where he sat next to manager Dave Roberts, a cancer survivor.

MLB officials were livid and issued a strong, powerful statement condemning Turner’s actions. "Following the Dodgers' victory, it is clear that Turner chose to disregard the agreed-upon joint protocols and the instructions he was given regarding the safety and protection of others," MLB said in a statement released Wednesday.

The Dodgers, who had planned to return to Los Angeles on Wednesday morning, remain in Texas, awaiting test results to determine if any other players, staff members or family members tested positive. It is unknown how Turner contracted the virus.

Blue Ridge Fire has burned more than 14,000 acres

The wind-driven Blue Ridge Fire in Yorba Linda that has charred 14,334 acres, destroyed one structure and damaged seven others was 16% contained Wednesday. Despite reports Tuesday that 15,200 acres had burned, that estimate was reduced Tuesday night. About 9,000 homes were evacuated — but those orders were lifted late Wednesday afternoon.

Travis Wylie, a captain with Cal Fire, said the fire was “very active” and that crews started to get a handle on flames around 3 a.m., when the Santa Ana winds began to die down. “With the fuel moistures and everything, it’s kind of burning erratic. The fuel moistures are really low.”

Approximately 150 animals from the Orange County Zoo were relocated to the Santa Ana Zoo to keep them safe. As of Wednesday, there was still no word on the cause of the fire.

Silverado Fire 25% contained; some residents return

In other fire news, thousands of Irvine residents who left their homes to escape the Silverado Fire returned home Wednesday morning as firefighters worked to contain the blaze, which has blackened 13,354 acres and injured five of their own.

Authorities said Wednesday that containment had increased from 5% to 25%. And while more than 69,000 buildings have been threatened by the blaze, none were destroyed.

The repopulation was a “testament to the hard work of all firefighters on the ground and in the air that have worked hard the past two days to protect life and property,” said Orange County Fire Authority’s Steve Concialdi.

Residents in affected areas have been advised by the Orange County Health Care Agency to stay indoors, limit outdoor activity, keep windows and doors closed and run air conditioners to filter the air.

Full containment isn’t expected until Nov. 10.

Also, if you're in the area, beware: Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes warned locals that if they receive a call from someone purporting to represent police and fire asking for donations, they should hang up. According to Barnes, police and fire agencies will never call for donations.

And before we exit the fire milieu, a scary statistic: Between the Silverado and Blue Ridge wildfires currently threatening SoCal, a report in The Orange County Register alerts to a staggering figure: $142 billion worth of housing is at “elevated risk” of wildfire damage, according to a new study.

Alameda County allows middle and high schools to reopen

In coronavirus news, Alameda County health officials said Wednesday that middle schools and high schools can reopen beginning Nov. 9 if they can submit a health and safety plan that's approved by county education and health officials, reports the San Francisco Chronicle.

However, this dictum does not require schools to open as some may not have the resources necessary. "Some schools will need more time and should open classrooms only when they and their school communities are prepared to do so,” said Nicholas Moss, interim county health officer.

Elementary schools in Alameda County have already been approved for reopening, and so far 58 schools have either opened or submitted the required health plan.

Stockpiling of groceries expected to flare up again

During the first wave of the coronavirus pandemic, consumers flocked to their local grocery stores to load up on toilet paper and long-storable items like canned goods, pasta and rice.

According to a report in the Orange County Register, with COVID-19 cases climbing again and big holiday meals in the foreseeable future, another round of stockpiling has begun: "Demand for items like baking goods spiked 3,400% from a year earlier in the three weeks through Oct. 13, according to Centricity Inc., a platform that tracks online activity like searches and e-commerce." While Mike Brackett, Centricity’s chief executive officer, said that number is less than the 6,000% jump that occurred during the pandemic's first wave, he expects this one to hit a wider range of products.

“There is definitely a lot of hoarding that’s being anticipated that’s already causing a little strain,” said Paul Gianetto, senior vice president of sales and merchandising for Raley’s, a West Sacramento-based grocer with nearly 130 locations. “The real thick of it is going to be those 10 to 14 days prior to Thanksgiving.”

The good news is that, unlike in March, manufacturers say they're ready. General Mills has already increased output of its offerings by adding 45 external production lines and Campbell Soup has spent $40 million to keep up with the demand for Goldfish crackers.

That's all for now. I'll be back Friday with more California news.

In California is a roundup of news from across USA Today network newsrooms. Also contributing: The Orange County Register, San Francisco Chronicle.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dodgers at possible risk for COVID, and wildfires rage on