Author Archives: Kate Cimini

Kate Cimini is a reporter with the Salinas Californian and CalMatters' California Divide project. She covers economic inequality, agriculture, and housing. Previously, she covered national security, natural disasters, and sports. Her work has appeared in the Houston Chronicle, USA Today, VICE, The Athletic, Sports Illustrated online, and others.

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Wind and flames leap high in the air as firefighters attempt to put out the Creek Fire off of Camp Sierra Road and Reddin Road Northeast of Shaver Lake in Fresno County. As of 8:00 p.m. the fire has consumed over 73,000 acres and is at 0% containment. More than 800 firefighters are at the scene, and more are on the way to Fresno County on Sunday, Sep. 6, 2020. Photo by David Rodriguez, The Salinas Californian

Man who claims he lit Dolan Fire to hide murders undergoing mental health evaluation

by Kate Cimini September 18, 2020September 22, 2020

Firefighters relentlessly combat the Creek Fire as they protect homes on Crystal Creek Lane, near Shaver Lake, by clearing debris and extinguishing flames with a hose to prevent the wildfire from escalating on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020. Photo by David Rodriguez, The Salinas Californian

When will California’s air quality improve?

by Kate Cimini September 16, 2020September 22, 2020

Smoke from the Dolan Fire billows skyward along Highway 1 less than a quarter mile south of the entrance to Julia Pfeiffer Burns. Aug. 22, 2020. Photo by Kate Cimini, The Salinas Californian

Big Sur Dolan Fire slows, containment grows over weekend

by Kate Cimini September 14, 2020September 22, 2020

CalMatters investigation, COVID cases spur bill requiring employers disclose workplace outbreaks

by Kate Cimini September 12, 2020September 14, 2020

A pedestrian walks around Lake Merritt on Sept. 9, 2020, in Oakland. Smoke from multiple fires in California has filled the Bay Area sky. Photo by Aric Crabb, Bay Area News Group

Wildfires, smoke and ash cause ‘apocalyptic’ sky over California

by Kate Cimini September 10, 2020September 22, 2020

Dolan Fire jumps to over 90,000 acres; injured firefighters recovering

by Kate Cimini September 9, 2020September 23, 2020

A home that has just been destroyed by the Carmel Fire continues to burn on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020.Photo by David Rodriguez, The Salinas Californian

California residents didn’t want controlled burns near their homes. Some of those homes then burned in a wildfire.

by Kate Cimini August 29, 2020September 22, 2020

Farmworkers go through fields along Pine Canyon Road as the hillsides behind them burn steadily through the afternoon on Aug. 19, 2020. Photo by Ayrton Ostly/The Californian

Smoke, ash from River Fire raises questions about produce, farmworker safety

by Kate Cimini August 27, 2020September 2, 2020

Trabajadores agrícolas cosechan fresas en Watsonville, California, el miércoles 29 de julio de 2020. Foto de David Rodríguez, The Salinas Californian.

Investigación: COVID irrumpe en las habitaciones de moteles de los trabajadores huéspedes que cosechan los vegetales de la nación

by Jackie Botts and Kate Cimini August 17, 2020September 4, 2020

Investigation: COVID rips through motel rooms of guest workers who pick nation’s produce

by Jackie Botts and Kate Cimini August 17, 2020September 4, 2020