Stalled U.S. Forest Service project could have protected California town from Caldor Fire destructionAugust 16, 2022 | Scott RoddTwo 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.
EnvironmentHow massive wildfires create their own weatherAugust 5, 2022 | Manola SecairaFrom pyrocumulous clouds to fire tornadoes, Californians have witnessed the intense impacts of massive blazes. Scientists hope understanding these phenomena will help prepare firefighters.
EnvironmentTwo Yosemite area wildfires have residents on edge. Here’s what they went through this week.July 29, 2022 | Manola SecairaThe 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.
EnvironmentYosemite’s Washburn Fire won't be the last time wildfires threaten California’s giant sequoiasJuly 14, 2022 | Manola SecairaWhile 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 ranksJune 11, 2022While they face longer and hotter wildfire seasons, federal firefighters are also battling staffing shortages in six of the nine regions across the country.
EnvironmentCalifornia wants to force insurers to reward homeowners for fireproofing homesMay 26, 2022New 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 GovernmentNewsom hailed this 'critical' wildfire-prevention program. Two years on, it hasn't completed a single projectApril 12, 2022 | Scott RoddIn 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.
EnvironmentEarliest spring red flag warning issued for Sacramento Valley this weekendApril 8, 2022 | Mike HagertyUnusually 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.
EnvironmentIndigenous activists protest plans to log redwoods in a Northern California forestApril 1, 2022 | Manola SecairaProtesters 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 GovernmentAudit: California utilities aren’t doing enough to reduce wildfire threatsMarch 24, 2022Regulators approved “seriously deficient” fire prevention plans, including from PG&E, which sparked California’s deadliest wildfire, state auditor says.