Cal Fire

California Wildfires

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

Why can’t California utilize prescribed burns that everyone knows are key to restoring biodiversity and resilience?

By Guest Commentary • May 19, 2021

WhatMatters

How California makes millions off child support

Good morning, California. It’s Monday, May 3. Repaying public aid $18.4 billion. That’s how much California parents owe in overdue child support payments, but a staggering $6.8 billion of that debt is due to the government, not families — the result of the Golden State keeping an unusually large portion of payments for itself. No […]

By Emily Hoeven • May 3, 2021

California Divide

Illegal pot grow? Antifa? Rumors swirl about Creek Fire cause, but officials’ lips sealed

By Manuela Tobias • February 16, 2021

California Wildfires

Whack and stack: PG&E’s toppling of trees creates new hazards

In an attempt to prevent wildfires, the utility is removing vegetation from around power lines. But it’s leaving downed trees on people’s property that are “little fire bombs waiting to ignite,” one expert says.

By Julie Cart • December 18, 2020

WhatMatters

A close race for Prop. 15

Good morning, California. It’s Thursday, October 22. Affirmative action unlikely to pass Will Californians decide to raise taxes on commercial properties — approving the biggest change to the state’s property tax structure in more than 40 years — or won’t they? With less than two weeks before the election, the Prop. 15 race is shaping […]

By Emily Hoeven • October 22, 2020

Higher Education

Is your college in a severe wildfire zone?

Of California’s nearly 150 public colleges and universities, 18 are within areas Cal Fire deems at high risk from wildfires. In addition to evacuation plans, colleges have different fire mitigation tactics they can employ to minimize risk.

By Mikhail Zinshteyn and Erica Yee • October 15, 2020

WhatMatters

Fast winds incoming: PG&E power shutoffs could last 3 days

Tens of thousands of Californians may be forced to spend the next few days without power while dry, powerful winds slam the northern part of the state. PG&E said Tuesday it will likely cut power to about 54,000 customers in portions of 24 counties through Friday while much of Northern California remains under a red-flag […]

By Emily Hoeven • October 14, 2020

WhatMatters

PG&E under investigation for deadly Shasta County fire

Another fire season, another investigation into whether PG&E equipment may have sparked a deadly blaze. This time, it’s the Zogg Fire in Shasta County, which has so far killed four people and destroyed more than 200 structures. Cal Fire, the state firefighting agency, took possession of PG&E equipment as part of its investigation into the […]

By Emily Hoeven • October 12, 2020

WhatMatters

Another record: Fires burn more than 4 million acres

California surpassed a staggering milestone Sunday: More than 4 million acres have now burned in a record-defying fire season still far from over. That’s four Rhode Islands, three-and-a-half Grand Canyon National Parks, and a little more than one Connecticut. It’s also more than double the 1.98 million acres burned in 2018, California’s previous modern-day record. […]

By Emily Hoeven • October 5, 2020

WhatMatters

What will become of Wine Country?

California’s Wine Country, one of the most famed and iconic tourist destinations in the state, is at a tipping point. Gone is the three-Michelin-starred Restaurant at Meadowood, home to the region’s most celebrated fine dining. Gone are sections of well-known wineries, including Chateau Boswell, Castello di Amorosa, Hourglass Winery and Spring Mountain Vineyard. Gone are […]

By Emily Hoeven • September 30, 2020