Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

signal status listen live donate
listen live donate signal status
listen live donate signal status
  • News
    • topics
    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • genres
    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic
    • Daily Playlist
  • Programs + Podcasts
    • news
    • Morning Edition
    • All Things Considered
    • Marketplace
    • Insight With Vicki Gonzalez
    • music
    • Acid Jazz
    • At the Opera
    • Classical Music
    • Connections
    • Excellence in Jazz
    • Hey, Listen!
    • K-ZAP on CapRadio
    • Mick Martin's Blues Party
    • Programs A-Z
    • Podcast Directory
  • Schedules
    • News
    • Music
    • ClassicalStream
    • JazzStream
    • Weekly Schedule
    • Daily Playlist
  • Community
    • Events Calendar
    • CapRadio Garden
    • CapRadio Reads
    • Ticket Giveaways
  • Support
    • Evergreen Gift
    • One-Time Gift
    • Corporate Support
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Gift
    • Legacy Gift
    • Endowment Gift
    • Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • e‑Newsletter
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
  • State Government
  •  

Climate Change And COVID-19 Pose Double Threat This Wildfire Season in California

  •  Ezra David Romero 
Wednesday, May 13, 2020 | Sacramento, CA
Noah Berger / AP Photo

Cal Fire Division Chief Mark Higgins directs helicopters dropping water as the River Fire burns in Lakeport, Calif., Tuesday, July 31, 2018.

Noah Berger / AP Photo

The number of wildfires in California is up roughly 60% so far this year, according to Gov. Gavin Newsom — and now the state has to prepare for not just climate change's effect on the fire season, but also COVID-19.

“The hots are getting hotter, the driers are getting drier, the wets are getting wetter,” the governor said during his regular coronavirus briefing on Wednesday. He called this the situation “a new reality.”

Speaking in front of a fire truck in El Dorado County, Newsom said even with a projected $54 billion deficit, the state is stepping up efforts around wildfire prevention, holding utilities accountable, evacuating people during a fire amid the pandemic and protecting people from earthquakes. 

The exact amount the state will allot to fighting and suppressing wildfires will be announced in the governor’s revised budget on Thursday. 

Newsom did say that, in order to invest in wildfire preparedness, there will be cuts in other fire and safety agency areas. “We've got to mitigate and suppress these fires as we move into wildfire season,” he said. “This is a top priority of the state Legislature and our administration.”

Over the last year, California has worked on 35 wildfire mitigation projects to help protect around 200 vulnerable communities. Newsom said all but one are finished. 

This year, he says 450,000 acres will be treated in the form of prescribed burns, thinning or reforestation. 

“It's still not where we need to go as a state, the size and scope of the state,” he said. “There is no substitute for the work the federal government can be providing and advancing in this space.”

California is purchasing 12 Black Hawk helicopters to aid in the fire fight, according to Newsom. The state is down 44 inmate crews, and Newsom said he’s proposed an additional $85.7 million in enhancements for Cal Fire to hire some 600 workers in advance of fire season.

When it comes to evacuations during a wildfire, the state is considering a variety of options. Mark Ghilarducci, director of the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, says evacuation centers may need to be separated by individuals with or without COVID-19 symptoms.

“[We’re] looking at possibly using hotel solutions, where we have the opportunity to put evacuees in hotels, single rooms, versus congregating in a large dormitory or gymnasium,” he said.

When it comes to holding utilities like PG&E accountable,  Newsom said the California Public Utilities Commission is hiring more than 100 people to create a wildfire division that will monitor utilities 24-seven. 

PG&E is facing a $1.9 billion penalty for its role in igniting some of the worst blazes in the state's history between 2017 and 2018, which destroyed thousands of homes and killed more than 100 people. The utility has until June 30 to come out of bankruptcy. 

The governor will propose $50 million in the budget for “grants for local counties to help in their efforts around [power shutoffs].”

The governor also announced he’s renewing his desire to protect Californians from earthquakes. 

“There's $17.3 million in this budget for our early warning system,” he said.

He’s recommending $2.2 billion in spending to transition the state’s seismic safety committee to the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services.

“Being a born-and-bred, five-generation Bay Area resident, San Francisco resident, earthquakes continue to be top of my mind,” he said.


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

    More about Coronavirus

  • NIAID-RML via AP

    Coronavirus In California: Latest Updates And Resources

    The coronavirus has impacted nearly every aspect of life in California and around the world. Here are resources and all our coverage at CapRadio and NPR.

 Coronavirus

Ezra David Romero

Former Environment Reporter

Ezra David Romero is a former Environment Reporter at CapRadio.  Read Full Bio 

Coronavirus Newsletter

Get answers to your questions, the latest updates and easy access to the resources you need, delivered to your inbox.

 

Want to know what to expect? Here's a recent newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

We'll send you weekly emails so you can stay informed about the coronavirus in California.

Browse all newsletters

More State Government Stories

Illustration by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters; iStock

The Great Culling: Which California bills did legislators kill?

May 20, 2022

California 2022 primary voter FAQ

May 19, 2022

Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

Top California Democrats in a stalemate over gas rebates

May 19, 2022

Most Viewed

'SNL' sends off longtime cast members

1 killed, 8 wounded in shooting at Southern California party

Dear Life Kit: Is a recital really more important than my wedding?

Top California Democrats in a stalemate over gas rebates

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla will appear on California’s June primary ballot twice. Here’s why.

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

'SNL' sends off longtime cast members

1 killed, 8 wounded in shooting at Southern California party

Dear Life Kit: Is a recital really more important than my wedding?

Top California Democrats in a stalemate over gas rebates

U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla will appear on California’s June primary ballot twice. Here’s why.

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    • (916) 278-8900
    • Toll-free (877) 480-5900
    • Email Us
    • Submit a News Tip
  • Contact Us

  • About Us

    • Contact Us / Feedback
    • Coverage
    • Directions
    • Careers & Internships
    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Press
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile App
    • On Air Schedules
    • Smart Speakers
    • Playlist
    • Podcasts
    • RSS
  • Connect With Us

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2022, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.