Environment

Firefighters in bright yellow jackets sprays water onto smoldering debris at the site of a fire. Thick smoke rises into the air, partially obscuring the charred remains of a building’s framework in the background. The scene is surrounded by rubble and burned structures.

Housing

New fire maps put nearly 4 million Californians in hazardous zones. What does that mean for the people who live there?

CalFire released its fourth and final round of color-coded hazard maps. Different colors come with different rules.

By Ben Christopher • March 24, 2025

An industrial facility with a metal-sided warehouse is shown, featuring large exhaust stacks supported by cables. Refrigerated truck trailers are parked near loading docks, while a yellow forklift sits nearby. In the foreground, black flatbed trailers are lined up. To the right, a tall, aging conveyor structure extends upward, supported by a network of metal beams and ladders. Power lines crisscross the sky, and palm trees are visible in the distance under a clear blue sky.

Environment

‘We should be in crisis mode’: Toxic fumigant could be seeping into these communities

Long Beach residents near companies that use methyl bromide are angry that air quality officials didn’t notify them for years and haven’t assessed their health risks. Now officials say more facilities are operating in San Pedro and Compton.

By Alejandra Reyes-Velarde • March 21, 2025

A busy shipping port with large, blue gantry cranes labeled 'YTI' towering over stacks of colorful shipping containers. The cranes are equipped with yellow lifting mechanisms used for moving cargo. The sky is clear blue with a few wispy clouds. Rows of containers in shades of red, pink, blue, and brown are stacked neatly along the port, some marked with shipping company names such as 'ONE' and 'CAI.'

Environment

‘Herculean effort’: These port communities have waited decades for clean air. Why a new plan may fall short

The ports of LA and Long Beach are the biggest sources of air pollution in the LA basin. Air quality officials have drafted new rules to help electrify the ports. But community groups representing 400,000 residents say they don't go far enough or fast enough to clean up their dirty air.

By Alejandra Reyes-Velarde • March 20, 2025

A bird's eye view of a person snorkeling on the surface of a lake while holding an ipad on their right hand. Rocks in various sizes can be seen through the light blue and clear water.

Environment

The high cost of fixing Lake Tahoe: Famed alpine lake still murky after decades of efforts

Billions of state and federal dollars are spent on Lake Tahoe. But is all this attention actually protecting this unique treasure? Pollutants pour in, while development continues. Funding has shifted in focus to tourism and traffic projects, while money spent directly on fixing the lake has declined.

By Julie Cart and Natasha Uzcátegui-Liggett • March 19, 2025

An aerial view shows a winding mountain road lined with vehicles, stretching through a landscape of burned and partially regrown forest. Scattered evergreen trees stand among barren, charred trunks, remnants of a past wildfire. A smaller dirt road branches off from the main highway, curving through the rugged terrain. The contrast between the burned trees and areas of surviving greenery highlights the ongoing recovery of the landscape.

California Wildfires

‘It will not be survivable’: Lake Tahoe region could be a deathtrap during major wildfires

Evacuating the Tahoe basin in summer could take 14 hours, and 99% of properties are at risk — yet new resorts are being built in high-danger fire areas.

By Julie Cart • March 19, 2025

A cascading waterfall flows through a moss-covered forest, tumbling over rugged rocks into a clear pool below. The surrounding landscape is lush with greenery, including ferns and trees draped in vibrant moss. Dappled sunlight filters through the canopy, casting soft light on the damp forest floor. The scene exudes a sense of tranquility, with the rushing water providing a natural contrast to the stillness of the woodland.

Environment

‘Puddles and ditches’: California considers protecting wetlands from Trump order

President Trump — once again — will rein in the nation's 53-year-old law protecting waterways. At stake are seasonal streams, pools and ponds. The move is welcomed by farmers and builders.

By Alastair Bland • March 14, 2025

An aerial view of a yellow construction truck as it drives through piles of trash on a plot of dirt in a landfill.

Politics

A burning California landfill has made neighbors miserable for 3 years. Can lawmakers help?

A smoldering reaction under the Chiquita Canyon Landfill in Southern California has made its neighbors' lives miserable for almost three years. A bill that seeks to compensate them faces uncertainty amid state budget challenges and bigger LA County wildfires.

By Ryan Sabalow • March 14, 2025

An aerial view of a rural town situated along a winding river, with a mix of residential homes, mobile homes, and agricultural fields. A large industrial building with a curved roof is positioned near the riverbank, alongside a smaller, older structure. A two-lane road follows the river's edge, connecting the area to the surrounding farmland and distant horizon. The landscape features green fields, trees, and patches of bare land, with a clear blue sky above.

Water

‘This will make our town uninhabitable’: The long-awaited Delta tunnel strikes fear in locals

The governor’s planned $20 billion tunnel to divert more water south and bypass the Delta would bring years of construction noise, pollution and traffic. Residents worry their rural farm towns will never be the same.

By Alastair Bland • March 13, 2025

An aerial view of two yellow and black bulldozers as they roam near the shore of a light blue lake

Environment

The Salton Sea is California’s most imperiled lake. Can a new conservancy turn back the tide?

A new conservancy will oversee work to improve vegetation, water quality and natural habitat in the Salton Sea. Will nearly half a billion dollars in projects be enough?

By Deborah Brennan • March 12, 2025

A massive wildfire engulfs dry vegetation, with towering flames consuming trees and brush. Firefighters and emergency personnel are seen on a narrow road, standing near fire trucks and white utility vehicles as they assess the situation. Thick smoke fills the sky, casting an orange glow over the scene. The intensity of the fire contrasts with the scorched earth and smoldering remains in the foreground.

Digital Democracy

An audit found California was unprepared to help vulnerable people in a fire. Five years later, lawmakers finally talk about it

Local governments failed to communicate properly but the Governor's Office of Emergency Services also failed to help counties plan ahead.

By Sameea Kamal • March 7, 2025