California California Wildfires

In this aerial photo, a burned neighborhood is seen in Paradise, California on November 15, 2018. - The toll in the deadliest wildfires in recent California history climbed to 59 on November 14, 2018, as authorities released a list of 130 people still missing. Photo by JOSH EDELSON, AFP via Getty Images

Environment

See how wildfires endanger older Californians — and it’s getting worse

| See how wildfires endanger older Californians — and it’s getting worse Climate change and COVID-19 are disasters. Long-term care homes and seniors may not be ready. By Lo Bénichou; Molly Peterson; Lisa Pickoff-White August 10, 2020 California is aging faster than the rest of the country. In 10 years, the state projects the number […]

By

Lo Bénichou

,

Molly Peterson

and

Lisa Pickoff-White

• August 10, 2020

A line of firefighters wearing helmets and headlamps walk along a dirt road at night beside a blazing wildfire. The flames and smoke cast an orange glow as the crew moves forward carrying tools and gear.

Environment

As wildfire season looms, California adds 900 firefighters to its crews

Fewer inmates are available for hand crews so the state is filling the gap. So far, slightly more acreage has burned this year than last year.

By

Rachel Becker

• July 9, 2020

The Pine Grove fire camp is the last juvenile fire camp in California. Image courtesy of Fireboys documentary

Justice

Is California’s last youth fire camp worth saving?

California's last juvenile fire camp could close due to state budget cuts. Though critics question putting young inmates in danger for as little as $1 an hour, supporters say it's one of the few proven models for rehabilitation.

By

Elizabeth Castillo

• June 8, 2020

Oil money is flowing to many California Democrats this election season. Pumpjacks photo by John Ciccarelli, Bureau of Land Management.

Environment

New state park? Climate catalyst fund? On hold in Newsom’s coronavirus-afflicted budget

State officials said that California isn’t backing away from prioritizing environmental protections, but that the harsh realities of the economic meltdown require difficult compromises.

By

Julie Cart

,

Rachel Becker

and

Rebecca Sohn

• May 14, 2020

Firefighters burn tall grass on a strip near San Diego extending 8.5 miles from Julian to Cuyamaca State Park to protect nearby communities from wildfires originating in the desert to the east. Photo courtesy of CAL FIRE

Environment

Virus will not extinguish wildfire protection, Newsom says

Despite a projected $54 billion budget shortfall, California officials vow to continue funding for wildfire-related projects.

By

Julie Cart

• May 13, 2020

PG&E employees work overnight to replace a nearly 100-year-old pole in Berkeley on December 12, 2019. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

California Wildfires

Newsom and PG&E strike deal to end company’s bankruptcy

The utility agreed not to pay shareholder dividends for three years — a $4 billion forfeiture. And it will get more state oversight.

By

Judy Lin

• March 20, 2020

A police vehicle patrols a dark street after PG&E shut off power in Oakland, California, last year. Photo by Jane Tyska, Bay Area News Group

Environment

To help Californians endure fire-related power cutoffs, state ponders new rules for utilities

Authorities may ask utility companies to provide real-time outage updates, help create community centers where vulnerable people can seek refuge and practice better notification procedures.

By

Julie Cart

• March 5, 2020

Politics

What happens if California takes over PG&E?

One by one, wildfire victims, bondholders and insurers have signed onto PG&E's plan for emerging from bankruptcy reorganization. Only Newsom now stands in the company's way — and he has threatened a public takeover if big changes aren't made at California's largest investor-owned utility.

By

Judy Lin

• February 5, 2020

Students return to class at Paradise High School nine months after the Camp Fire ravaged the community

California Wildfires

Make up school time lost to climate disasters, fire country lawmaker says

California state Sen. Bill Dodd has introduced legislation to help schools make up instructional time and state dollars lost to closures for climate-driven emergencies such as wildfires. The increasingly pressing issue was the topic of a CalMatters series last year.

By

Ricardo Cano

• January 23, 2020

Environment

California’s renewable energy targets slashed carbon pollution — now there’s a proposal to pause them

It’s not about cap and trade. A non-partisan report says California's renewable energy mandate is the star of the state's greenhouse gas goals, just as some propose to stop it.

By

Rachel Becker

• January 8, 2020