California California Wildfires

Economy

How much could PG&E’s rates rise? What you need to know

In the past decade, PG&E rates have gone up 31% — faster than inflation — though not as much as San Diego Gas & Electric's.

By

Judy Lin

• August 22, 2019

A fire crowning two hills, with black trees silhouetted against the orange glow.

California Wildfires

Worried about wildfires, Californians ready to spend, vote to fight climate change

Californians want the state to lead the world in fighting climate change, according to a new poll — and many are ready to tackle the problem on the road, at the ballot box, and even with their pocketbooks.

By

Rachel Becker

• July 29, 2019

The deadly 2018 Camp Fire burns around PG&E transmission towers east of Pulga, near the source of the first report of the fire.

California Wildfires

California’s new wildfire plan: 5 things to know

Is this a utilities bailout? Will it help prevent future fires? How will all this work? Here's a breakdown of the new plan California lawmakers are putting in place.

By

Julie Cart

• July 12, 2019

Power poles and equipment. California utilities are undertaking extensive upgrades to their equipment in an effort to prevent sparking wildfires. Photo via Pixabayare undergoing extensive upgrades as California utilities seek to prevent wildfires.

California Wildfires

Scant details: Are California utilities doing enough to fireproof their equipment?

The state-approved plans utilities have submitted outlining how they will prevent their equipment from sparking wildfires provide few details—and little evidence to support the companies’ claims that indiscriminately clear-cutting millions of trees and replacing hundreds of thousands of wooden utility poles with steel ones will actually reduce the risk of wildfires.

By

Julie Cart

• June 27, 2019

Photo by Naveen Nkadalaveni, Wikimedia Commons

California Wildfires

Newsom’s new proposals on wildfire costs walk a political tightrope

Officials had to slap utilities for starting blazes—but not inflict undue financial damage or bail them out—and avoid punishing fire victims or further burdening electricity customers.

By

Julie Cart

• June 21, 2019

California Wildfires

Newsom team calls for less utility liability on wildfire—and ignites ‘a hornet’s nest’

Gov. Gavin Newsom's strike team offered a provocative–and politically challenging–idea for easing utility wildfire liability that has already prompted PG&E to file for bankruptcy.

By

Judy Lin

• April 12, 2019

Environment

Here’s what it will take to protect California from fires

After years of catastrophic wildfires, California lawmakers and taxpayers are eager to protect the state—but it won't be easy. It's expensive. It will take time. And Californians will have to think of fire not just as a destroyer, but also as a tool.

By

Byrhonda Lyons

• March 31, 2019

Signs of regrowth in Malibu Creek State Park, February 2019. Photo by Julie Cart/CALmatters

Environment

California blooms again after last year’s fires—but it’s not all good

Malibu's sprouting hills show how fresh growth can renew wildfire danger.

By

Julie Cart

• February 28, 2019

Sen. Bill Dodd (D-Napa), Aug. 9, 2018. Photo by Robbie Short for CALmatters

California Wildfires

Sen. Bill Dodd proposes California wildfire warning center

Sen. Bill Dodd wants to establish a California wildfire warning center that would allow officials to turn off power and better position firefighting crews during extreme heat and high winds.

By

Judy Lin

• February 4, 2019

Explainers

Tracking California’s deadly wildfires

We track key data on California wildfires: land consumed, lives lost, growing firefighting costs.

By

Julie Cart

• October 17, 2018