Cal Fire

A small bear statue still stands in front of a burned cabin in the Camp Silver Fir area on the north of Huntington Lake on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020. Fire officials said a fire tornado blew through the area at some point last week burning cabins and knocking down many trees. Photo by Craig Kohlruss, The Fresno Bee

California Divide

Creek Fire threatens to knock Fresno-area TV, radio stations off the air

By

Manuela Tobias

• September 7, 2020

A home that has just been destroyed by the Carmel Fire continues to burn on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2020.Photo by David Rodriguez, The Salinas Californian

California Wildfires

California residents didn’t want controlled burns near their homes. Some of those homes then burned in a wildfire.

By

Kate Cimini

• August 29, 2020

Jesse Katz joins the firefighting effort as a civilian volunteer battling the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire on Aug. 21, 2020, in Bonny Doon. Photo by Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP Photo

WhatMatters

Amid lack of firefighters, residents step up

Brigades and beer As fires continue to rage across the state, stretching understaffed firefighting crews to the limit, some Californians are taking matters into their own hands and forming makeshift brigades to protect their communities. In the face of limited help from fire agencies, about 50 Bonny Doon residents defied evacuation orders to defend their […]

By

Emily Hoeven

• August 26, 2020

Firefighters attempt to stop a grass fire from jumping a road in Vacaville on Aug. 19, 2020. Firefighters across the state continue to battle against 560 fires, which have burned an area equivalent to the state of Rhode Island. Photo by Karl Mondon, Bay Area News Group

Politics

Amid raging fires and pandemic, Newsom calls relationship with Trump ‘very effective’

Despite some political bickering, Gov. Gavin Newsom vowed there will be “no politics in this space” as he thanked the Trump administration for emergency assistance.

By

Laurel Rosenhall

• August 21, 2020

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

CalMatters en Español

A medida que se acerca la temporada de incendios forestales, California agrega 900 bomberos

Hay menos reclusos disponibles para los equipos de labores, así que el estado busca llenar ese vacío. Hasta ahora, se ha incendiado un poco más de superficie este año que el pasado.

By

Rachel Becker

• July 9, 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

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

A fire rages in the state of Western Australia. Photo by Raymond Fruseth Gangstad via Flickr

Environment

When it comes to wildfires, should California be more like Australia?

The system Down Under fosters self-reliance, giving homeowners tools to protect themselves when expecting firefighters’ help is not realistic.

By

Julie Cart

• November 26, 2019