wildfires

Scorched wheelchairs rest outside Cypress Meadows Post-Acute, a nursing home leveled by the Camp Fire in Paradise on Dec. 4, 2018. Photo by Noah Berger, AP Photo

Environment

How we analyzed where older Californians are at increased risk for wildfire

The average age of those who died in the 2018 Camp Fire was 72. The average age of those who died in the fires that burned across Sonoma and Napa a year before: 73. As wildfires grow more devastating in California, some of the most vulnerable are older people who live independently and who live […]

By

Lo Bénichou

,

Molly Peterson

and

Lisa Pickoff-White

• August 10, 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

Federal officers form a line facing west outside the Justice Center after protesters removed fencing around the front entrance of the federal courthouse in Portland, Ore., on July 20, 2020. Photo by Alex Milan Tracy, Sipa USA/Sipa via AP Images

WhatMatters

Will Trump send federal police to Oakland?

Good morning, California. It’s Tuesday, July 21. Top California lawmakers push back Gov. Gavin Newsom and Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf lambasted President Donald Trump Monday for suggesting he might send federal agents into Oakland to quell civil unrest, ratcheting up tensions between California and the federal government. Trump on Monday threatened to send federal law […]

By

Emily Hoeven

• July 21, 2020

California Wildfires

California’s looming wildfire threat requires a cleaner, more resilient electrical grid

California’s electrical grid is getting cleaner, but it is still not well positioned to deal with a changing climate with its web of decades-old poles and wires.

By

Guest Commentary

• July 19, 2020

A nursing student does patient check-in and hands out requisition forms allowing patients to get their COVID-19 test results online at Cal Expo in Sacramento. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters

WhatMatters

Testing re-emerges as major challenge

Good morning, California. It’s Friday, July 10. Shut-down sites, supply shortages So you want a coronavirus test? Well, it may not be that simple. This week, San Bernardino County canceled hundreds of appointments due to a shortage of materials. Five testing sites were shut down in Sacramento because UC Davis Health, which processes the tests, […]

By

Emily Hoeven

• July 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

California Wildfires

Improving forest health would create jobs, improve economies in rural California

Policymakers could put Californians to work on improving the health of the state’s forests, which would aid in economic recovery and reduce wildfire risk.

By

Guest Commentary

• July 2, 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