California Wildfires

CalMatters photographers captured the devastation as fierce Santa Ana winds and bone-dry conditions propelled multiple wildfires across Los Angeles County.

Gov. Gavin Newsom's invitation to the president-elect says Californians deserve to see them work together to address the devastation of the Los Angeles fires. Donald Trump has threatened to block disaster relief to California, and he soon will have the power to at least slow-walk aid.

State prisoners have long been a part of California's firefighting force. Hundreds of them now are deployed in Los Angeles County.

The federal government typically covers 75% of rebuilding costs after a major disaster. President-elect Trump has threatened to withhold firefighting money from California.

President-elect Donald Trump faulted California water policies for the devastating wildfires that are burning in Los Angeles County. The fires started because of fierce winds and extremely dry conditions.

As climate change warms the planet, wildfires have become so unpredictable and extreme that new words were invented: firenado, gigafire, fire siege — even fire pandemic. California has 78 more annual “fire days” — when conditions are ripe for fires to spark — than 50 years ago. When is California’s wildfire season? With recurring droughts, […]

After utility equipment sparked tragic wildfires, PG&E, SCE and SDG&E received state approval to collect $27 billion from ratepayers. As California electric bills soar, questions have emerged about oversight and costs.

In addition to wildfires, the residents and property owners in the Inland Empire face another crisis, the departure of companies willing to insure homes against catastrophes.

So many intense wildfires all at once require an intricate chess game for maneuvering firefighters and equipment around the U.S.

People trigger thousands of wildfires in California every year with unfortunate choices and sometimes reckless behavior. The 2024 Airport Fire, caused by an Orange County crew trying ro prevent wildfires, was one. The Park Fire, ignited by a man pushing a burning car, was another.