Catch Latest L.A. Fire Footage on YouTube

As fires continue to spread through the hills of Los Angeles and thousands are forced to evacuate the area, citizens are turning to YouTube to post footage of the blaze. For example, in this video, you can clearly see the flames over San Gabriel, while this one uses a time-lapse technique to show just how much smoke is being emitted into the air:



To support his footage, YouTube user cagwa writes in his video description: "Getting very hard to breathe already and it's going to be 104[F] today. The burning smell is extremely strong. Had to close all the windows at 7 a.m."

Other users are capturing the work of firefighters who are valiantly trying to put out the flames. This footage shows a Los Angeles Fire Department helicopter refilling in the Verdugo mountains while fighting the fire in La Canada:



More content is being uploaded every hour -- we'll compile it and keep you posted on our CitizenTube channel.

Ramya Raghavan, News & Politics, is currently watching "Fire in La Crescenta."

More about → Catch Latest L.A. Fire Footage on YouTube

Share Your American Journey, Win a Travel Assignment

Have you gone road tripping to find the world's best BBQ? Does your Aunt Mindy have an awesome collection of outdoor gnomes? Is there a must-see monument in your own backyard? Visit My Journey and share your memorable American journey in three minutes or less. Let the Lonely Planet team and the YouTube community decide whether you're worthy of a professional seven-day assignment in San Francisco, to be featured on LonelyPlanet's website and YouTube channel.



In addition to the trip, the winner filmmaker will receive video equipment and advice from the Lonely Planet team on how to take your reporting skills to the next level. You have until October 28 to submit your entry, and there are five contest categories covering everything from the great outdoors to big city life so you don't have to reach the Grand Canyon to make your mark. (Sorry, all entries must reflect American journeys and only American users can enter this contest.)

Need some inspiration to get started? Check out these sample videos that transport you to Los Angeles, Cape Cod and New Orleans. You're always showing us new ways to look at the world, and we can't wait to see your proudest American journeys. Enter your videos here. My Journey is presented by The T-Mobile® myTouch™ 3G.

Sadia Harper, YouTube Travel, recently watched "NYC night Skate - My Journey Contest Video."

More about → Share Your American Journey, Win a Travel Assignment

Vote on the No. 1 Video Vaccine

A month ago, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Katherine Sebelius put out a call asking you to raise awareness about how citizens can steel themselves against the H1N1 (aka, "swine flu") virus. Today, the HHS announced the 10 best citizen-created PSAs -- and you get to vote on the winner.

Take a look at the finalists' videos on the HHS YouTube channel or spin through this playlist:



Have your say about which ad you think is most effective in increasing knowledge and prevention of H1N1. The winner will receive $2500 and have his/her PSA aired on live television. Voting ends at midnight on September 8.

Ramya Raghavan, YouTube News & Politics, recently watched "Ask the Chairman: A Virtual Townhall."

More about → Vote on the No. 1 Video Vaccine

Live from the Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival!

We're pleased to present YouTube's first live-streamed concert, featuring selected performances from the Outside Lands Music & Arts festival happening this weekend in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. Beginning at 2pm today and running through 10pm on Sunday, tune in to www.youtube.com/outsidelands for the chance to experience a summer music festival without getting tussled by crowds or waiting on line for the Port-O-Potty:



Expect to see live performances from a variety of acts, ranging from the jam rock of Dave Matthews Band to Bettye Lavette's classic soul, from the emerging punk funk of Cage the Elephant to the scuzzed-up blues rock of the Dead Weather, Jack White's latest project. (Sorry, this content is only viewable in the U.S.) We'll be featuring the choicest moments from the event on our homepage starting on Saturday at 2pm and Tweeting from the festival, too (so follow us on Twitter if you don't already: http://twitter.com/youtube).

In the meantime, check YouTube's Outside Lands channel for the most up-to-date schedule of performances, playlists of bands playing on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and a neat-o Twitter gadget that displays a real-time feed of what people are saying about the festival.

This special event was created by Superfly Marketing Group in partnership with YouTube and T-Mobile® myTouch™ 3G.

Michele Flannery, Music Manager, recently watched "The Dodos Take Away Show."

More about → Live from the Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival!