California Wildfires

An aerial view of the top of snow-capped trees as a thick layer of snow blankets the ground.

Sparse snowpack in California fuels concern over fast-approaching fire season

With reservoirs brimming — but snowpack abysmal — experts warn of a potentially early fire season.

By

Rachel Becker

• April 1, 2026

Firefighters use a hose to put out a fire near the structural remains of a building along the coast. Giant smoke clouds rise from the rubble near the edge of the street.

Environment

2025 in review: Devastating fires, federal pushback, and contentious climate compromises

In 2025, devastating California wildfires in LA became the state's most destructive. Climate goals faced federal opposition as Trump blocked clean-car mandates. Refineries closed, water conflicts intensified, and legislators passed compromises.

By

Alejandra Reyes-Velarde

• December 30, 2025

A firefighter in protective gear pulls a hose toward a massive structure fire at night, directing a stream of water toward towering flames that engulf a building and fill the air with smoke and orange light.

Environment

The hydrants will run dry: Trump’s LA fire claims missed the mark, study shows

Echoing state and local officials, a new analysis agrees: hydrant failures in the Palisades fire were ‘the rule rather than the exception.’

By

Rachel Becker

• December 15, 2025

Students, some sitting and some standing, write on individual pieces of paper while they work on an assignment inside a classroom. The room is decorates with hand-drawn paper butterflies and multi-colored round laterns.

K-12 Education

Seven years after California’s deadliest fire, schools — and kids — are still recovering

One of the deadliest wildfires in U.S. history, the Camp Fire is among the many natural disasters that have upended student learning over the past decade.

By

Carolyn Jones

,

Megan Tagami

and

Sharon Lurye

• September 10, 2025

A view of electrical towers and power lines as clouds of smoke rise from nearby mountains and cover the sky.

California Wildfires

Feds say Southern California Edison started Eaton fire, sue for damages

Federal prosecutors say faulty Edison equipment sparked the January wildfire that burned 8,000 acres. The company had already been investigating that possibility.

By

Malena Carollo

• September 5, 2025

A wide view of dark and gray thunder clouds as lightning strikes over a mountainside with Joshua trees, rocks, and boulders around the frame.

California Wildfires

Dozens of lightning strike fires are burning across California. A warming climate could bring more, according to new study

When lightning strikes are abundant, so are wildfires – some in remote places across the state. Scientists warn there may be more in the future.

By

Rachel Becker

• September 4, 2025

Flames and smoke can be seen coming out of a building as businesses in the Altadena area burn due to the Eaton Fire. Nearby, a person rides their bike as burnt debris float in the sky as smoke fills the atmosphere.

California Wildfires

Southern California Edison says it will create an Eaton Fire ‘compensation program.’ Survivors are skeptical

The Eaton Fire’s cause is still under investigation, but Southern California Edison is planning to launch a fund to compensate those affected. Survivors say the utility is trying to “buy us off.”

By

Malena Carollo

• July 24, 2025

An eye-level view of green Douglas fir trees during a sunny afternoon.

Environment

These 4 million acres of California forests could lose protection. Here’s what Trump’s ‘roadless rule’ repeal could do

The land at stake ranges from dense, remote coastal forests in the far north, to alpine conifer forests in the Sierra Nevada, to Southern California’s great expanses of brush. Experts dispute whether revoking the two-decade-old rule would help prevent wildfires.

By

Rachel Becker

• June 25, 2025

A construction site for a segment of the high speed rail in Fresno on Oct. 20, 2023. Construction has started a 171-mile starter segment connecting Central Valley’s Bakersfield and Merced. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Climate Change

Should California’s climate budget pay for high speed rail and firefighters? Newsom’s new plan triggers fiery debate

Gov. Gavin Newsom wants to extend California's landmark cap and trade program through 2045. But earmarking half of this year's funds to the beleaguered rail project and Cal Fire would leave too little for other climate projects, critics say.

By

Alejandro Lazo

• May 19, 2025

A charred, partially collapsed building with exposed columns and archways stands in ruins after a fire. Debris is scattered across the ground, and the roof is entirely missing. Only portions of the scorched walls and a staircase remain intact. A palm tree and other tall trees are visible in the background under a clear blue sky.

Economy

State Farm wins first-ever emergency rate hike in California

Unprecedented approval for State Farm after L.A. fires means it can raise premiums in California next month.

By

Levi Sumagaysay

• May 13, 2025