Environment

Firefighters stand watch by a fire line along Mayacama Club Drive as the Kincade Fire burns in the outskirts of Santa Rosa on Oct. 28, 2019. Photo by Dai Sugano, Bay Area News Group

Explainers

California’s on fire, unplugged and out of easy answers. So why don’t we…?

Only hard options remain for dealing with California’s wildfire crisis. From controlled burns to burying power lines to breaking up PG&E, what are the odds?

By

Julie Cart

and

Judy Lin

• October 30, 2019

A firefighter can be seen running and using a hose to help contain a fire in front of him that is devouring nearby buildings and structures.

Explainers

California’s worsening wildfires explained

In California, wildfire season is nearly year-round. CalMatters explores why, and what could help fireproof the state.

By

Julie Cart

• October 25, 2019

Environment

Trump plan could bring growers more water. But will it harm California’s rare salmon?

The Trump administration this week declared that pumping more water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta to supply farms will not jeopardize the endangered salmon and smelt that live in the estuary. This clears the way for the federal government to deliver more water, possibly as soon as next year. The decision is a big and […]

By

Alastair Bland

• October 25, 2019

Environment

Will fed’s lawsuit targeting California’s key climate change policy cost polluters and taxpayers?

Trade groups representing manufacturers and oil companies raise alarm at the latest federal attack on California's climate policies.

By

Rachel Becker

• October 25, 2019

California Divide

Central Coast project would raise water bills, endanger aquifer, opponents say

Activists and local government officials across Monterey County have banded together to fight a proposed desalination plant that could double the cost of water for some residents and endanger an aquifer that serves low-income communities. Opponents say the plant could cause saltwater to seep into the Salinas Valley Groundwater Basin, the aquifer that provides freshwater […]

By

Kate Cimini

• October 24, 2019

California wildfire utility blackouts PG&E and SDG&E

California Wildfires

Is it fair to blast PG&E for not managing blackouts like SDG&E?

As Pacific Gas & Electric cuts power to thousands to avoid igniting wildfires, policymakers are comparing it unfavorably with San Diego Gas & Electric, a veteran of preemptive blackouts. Local critics say California shouldn't be so quick to put SDG&E on a pedestal.

By

Claire Trageser, KPBS

• October 23, 2019

Los Angeles fire official Michael Flynn demonstrates advanced information equipment in a command vehicle, part of a California pilot program. Photo by Nancy Pastor for CalMatters

Environment

California pursues a holy grail: high-tech data to predict how wildfire will spread

Real-time data from whiz-bang cameras and supercomputers has potential downsides: too many alarm bells, more blackouts and less boots-on-the-ground input.

By

Julie Cart

• October 23, 2019

Smog over Los Angeles | Photo by Steven Buss via Flickr

Environment

Nasty letters. Funding threats. Here’s why California’s clean air fight with the feds matters

California's latest clean air fight with Trump's EPA is about more than backlogged paperwork - but likely won't hurt federal transportation funding anytime soon.

By

Rachel Becker

• October 21, 2019

Reader Reactions

Madison Square Garden

Re: “Elbows fly in the Capitol over Steve Ballmer’s plan for a Clippers arena in Inglewood,” WhatMatters, Oct. 17. The item positions valid environmental and other concerns about the proposed arena as being born from out of concerns surrounding competition. We’d like to clarify our position. The Forum is acting on behalf of thousands of […]

By

Guest Commentary

• October 17, 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

Are power outages the new normal? A chat about PG&E, California fires and the future of electricity

CalMatters' reporters Judy Lin, Julie Cart and Dan Morain discuss California's recent blackout and what that means for the future of fires, utilities and politics.

By

CalMatters Staff

• October 14, 2019