Cal Fire - CalMatters

The California Firefighters Memorial on the state Capitol grounds on March 4, 2022. Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

Inside the Newsroom

CalMatters journalists win awards for ‘compelling’ and ‘high quality’ environmental coverage

by Sonya Quick January 10, 2023December 30, 2022

The Northern California chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists honored CalMatters’ work.

CalFire firefighter Bo Santiago lights a backfire as the Rocky fire burns near Clearlake in 2015. Photo by Josh Edelson, AP Photo

California firefighters get shorter workweeks — but not for 2 years

by Julie Cart December 16, 2022December 15, 2022

Firefighters walk past backfire — flames lit by firefighters to burn off vegetation — while battling the Mosquito Fire in El Dorado County on Sept. 9, 2022. Photo by Noah Berger, AP Photo

By the numbers: California’s mild 2022 wildfire season

by Julie Cart December 1, 2022November 30, 2022

As wildfires intensify, thousands of overworked California firefighters carry a heavy load of trauma, pain and grief. Here, firefighter Jose Corona sprays water as flames from the Camp Fire consume a home in Magalia on Nov. 9, 2018. Photo by Noah Berger, AP Photo

Overworked California firefighters struggle with PTSD, suicide, fatigue, intensifying wildfires

by Julie Cart June 13, 2022June 13, 2022

Ryan Mitchell fought fires for Cal Fire for 12 years, rising to the rank of captain, before shocking everyone by jumping off a bridge in a remote part of San Diego County. Illustration by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters; iStock

Ryan’s story: A hard-charging California firefighter loses his last battle to suicide

by Julie Cart June 13, 2022June 12, 2022

Noelle BahnmilleCal Fire Battalion Chief Noelle Bahnmiller, shown at n Bradley on March 9, 2022. Photo by Martin do Nascimento, CalMatters

Back from the brink: A fire captain’s journey from terror to trauma to recovery — and more terror

by Julie Cart June 13, 2022June 12, 2022

CalFire Battalion Chief Brad Niven at his home in Sonora on June 8, 2022. Photo by Julie Hotz for CalMatters

Slow burn: Cal Fire has failed to fight PTSD, heavy workloads

by Julie Cart June 13, 2022June 13, 2022

As wildfires intensify, thousands of overworked California firefighters carry a heavy load of trauma, pain and grief. Here, firefighter Jose Corona sprays water as flames from the Camp Fire consume a home in Magalia on Nov. 9, 2018. Photo by Noah Berger, AP Photo

Inside Cal Fire’s mental health epidemic

by Emily Hoeven June 13, 2022June 13, 2022

Gov. Gavin Newsom talks to media after touring the North Complex Fire zone in Butte County on Sep 11, 2020 outside of Oroville. Newsom has declared a statewide emergency due to the widespread fires and extreme weather conditions, and secured a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration to bolster the state’s emergency response to the Northern California wildfires. Paul Kitagaki Jr./The Sacramento Bee, Pool

Californians deserve the truth about wildfire prevention efforts

by Guest Commentary September 1, 2021August 31, 2021

controlled burn

Commentary, Environment, Wildfires

To achieve forest health, we need to change our relationship with fire

by Guest Commentary May 19, 2021May 18, 2021