Stalled U.S. Forest Service project could have protected California town from Caldor Fire destruction August 16, 2022 | Scott Rodd Two decades ago, the U.S. Forest Service warned that a wildfire mirroring the Caldor Fire’s progression could easily wipe Grizzly Flats off the map. The Forest Service took steps to prevent such a catastrophe, but we found the plan fell short. Listen / download audio Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Environment How massive wildfires create their own weather August 5, 2022 | Manola Secaira From pyrocumulous clouds to fire tornadoes, Californians have witnessed the intense impacts of massive blazes. Scientists hope understanding these phenomena will help prepare firefighters.
Environment Two Yosemite area wildfires have residents on edge. Here’s what they went through this week. July 29, 2022 | Manola Secaira The Washburn and Oak fires forced thousands to evacuate and destroyed more than 100 homes. Both blazes sparked in a matter of weeks. It has residents and business owners concerned about the future of the Yosemite community. Listen / Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Environment Yosemite’s Washburn Fire won't be the last time wildfires threaten California’s giant sequoias July 14, 2022 | Manola Secaira While officials say that the giant sequoias in Yosemite National Park will likely survive this fire, experts warn more must be done to protect these trees’ future. Listen / Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Federal firefighters are waiting for pay raises they hope will help fill their ranks June 11, 2022 While they face longer and hotter wildfire seasons, federal firefighters are also battling staffing shortages in six of the nine regions across the country.
Environment California wants to force insurers to reward homeowners for fireproofing homes May 26, 2022 New rules proposed by California’s Department of Insurance would require insurers to take homeowners’ efforts to reduce wildfire risk into account when setting premiums. But they would still allow non-renewals.
State Government Newsom hailed this 'critical' wildfire-prevention program. Two years on, it hasn't completed a single project April 12, 2022 | Scott Rodd In late 2019, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a new program to dramatically speed up the state’s wildfire prevention work. But an investigation from CapRadio and The California Newsroom found the program hasn’t resulted in a single completed project. Listen / Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Environment Earliest spring red flag warning issued for Sacramento Valley this weekend April 8, 2022 | Mike Hagerty Unusually high temperatures, an extremely dry start to the year and strong winds will lead to high fire danger this weekend and the first red flag warning in April for the region. The warning runs from 5 a.m. Saturday through 5 p.m. Sunday.
Environment Indigenous activists protest plans to log redwoods in a Northern California forest April 1, 2022 | Manola Secaira Protesters have called for more protections for redwoods in Jackson Demonstration State Forest, a site that’s located within the bounds of ancestral Pomo lands.
State Government Audit: California utilities aren’t doing enough to reduce wildfire threats March 24, 2022 Regulators approved “seriously deficient” fire prevention plans, including from PG&E, which sparked California’s deadliest wildfire, state auditor says.
