Wildfires

Climate Change

My turn: Newsom must prepare for the worst. Here’s a roadmap

The historical record no longer brackets what we can expect in intensity or duration from drought, flood, or wildfire. So we cannot move quickly enough to cut emissions from our millions of tailpipes in California, and we must change state governance, funding, and planning as necessary—no matter how difficult—to get ready for the worst.

By Guest Commentary • December 6, 2018

Newsletters

Newsom gets climate advice, Atkins offers ‘Trump insurance’

Gavin Newsom gets expert environmental advice, the feds estimate California wildfires' carbon footprint, Toni Atkins introduces some 'Trump insurance, wrecking levees to avert floods, a possible Newsom advisor, and a California air filter trend.

By Dan Morain • December 5, 2018

Newsletters

California’s next Legislature takes shape

California's 2019 legislative session commences, lobbyists crowd a lobby after a swearing in, a sign of the stakes, McKesson leaves, and a Hall of Famer.

By Dan Morain • December 4, 2018

Capitol

On Day One, hints of California’s Democratic agenda to come

California's Democratic-dominated Legislature, which convened Monday, hinted at its coming agenda with first-day bills on issues from housing to wildfire.

By Laurel Rosenhall • December 3, 2018

Newsletters

A new Legislature, a new session

A new Leglslature arrives, Jerry Brown and Tom Steyer both move on water, California opioid deaths, Pasadena's Al Lowe passes, and wildfire recovery.

By Dan Morain • December 3, 2018

Newsletters

Bauman’s exit, PG&E’s finances and fires give way to mudslides

How to think about Eric Bauman's resignation, wildfires give way to mudslides and floods across California, what happens if PG&E goes bankrupt, how blue this state is, Paul Ryan vs. Alex Padilla on California elections and the CALmatters quiz.

By Dan Morain • November 30, 2018

Environment

What happens if PG&E goes bankrupt?

What could happen if PG&E, which provides natural gas and electricity to 16 million people in northern and central California, goes bankrupt in the aftermath of the deadliest blaze in state history.

By Judy Lin • November 29, 2018

Newsletters

Fire lines, women in office and families

Wildfire helpers, Paradise Thanksgiving, Camp Fire forensics, a record election for women, California family leave law, Brown's clemency, the Tigar family.

By Dan Morain • November 21, 2018

Newsletters

The future of wildfires and the CA GOP

California confronts climate driven wildfires, what to do about rebuilding in fire zones, and the future of the California Republican Party.

By Dan Morain • November 20, 2018

Environment

California isn’t built for 21st century wildfires—here’s what the state could do about that

As California grapples with an increasing possibility that once-in-a-century wildfires are becoming once-a-year occurrences, larger swaths of the state’s population will find themselves living in the crimson high-risk regions of state maps now being revised. Which presents lawmakers with a dilemma: impose costly and politically unpalatable regulations on homeowners and rip up existing infrastructure—or simply accept the risk.

By Ben Christopher • November 19, 2018