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Wildfires

Gov. Newsom Inks Bill Adding Half A Billion Dollars To Wildfire Prevention
- April 13
- By Erik Anderson
California's governor signs a legislative package that directs more than half a billion dollars to wildfire prevention efforts.

California Plans $536 Million For Forests Before Fire Season
- April 8
- By Associated Press
California plans to authorize $536 million for wildfire mitigation and forest management projects before the worst of the fire season strikes later this year.

California To Add Nearly 1,400 Firefighters Amid Dry Weather
- March 31
- By Associated Press
Following a dry winter that is stoking fears of another devastating wildfire season, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state will hire nearly 1,400 more firefighters.

US Departments Urged To Become Year-Round Wildfire Agencies
- March 30
- By Associated Press
California’s U.S. senators and 21 representatives asked the departments of Agriculture and Interior to transition their agencies to a year-round wildland workforce because conflagrations are no longer limited to traditional fire seasons.

Property Tax Postponement Deadline Extended For Wildfire-Affected Counties
- Feb. 23
- By City News Service
Residents of 31 counties in governor-declared disaster areas — including San Diego, Los Angeles and San Bernardino — now have a deadline of June 1 to apply for 2020-21 PTP.

Few Fire Insurance Options Left For San Diego County Farmers
- Feb. 15
- By Camille von Kaenel / inewsource
Our partners at inewsource say an Alpine chicken rancher got a denial last year from California’s last-resort fire insurance plan. It was a surprise that launched a statewide push to change the law.

California Winds Easing After Sparking Fires, Power Outages
- Jan. 21
- By Associated Press
A windstorm that fanned brushfires, toppled trees and left thousands of Californians without power focused its remaining energy Wednesday on the southern end of the state, where forecasters warned of the additional threat of heavy rain and flash flooding.

Live Updates: Evacuations Lifted In Carlsbad Brush Fire
- Jan. 20
- By KPBS Staff
This is a breaking news blog for all of the latest developments about the brush fire. Check back for frequent updates.

Santa Ana Winds, High Temperatures Stoke Wildfire Fears
- Jan. 15
- By Erik Anderson
Wildfire fears come in the midst of a planetary hot spell — 2020 was one of the hottest years on record.

Evacuation Warning Lifted In San Marcos Wildfire
- Jan. 14
- By KPBS Staff
Authorities in San Marcos have lifted an evacuation warning for residents after a wildfire, named Comet Fire, broke out Thursday near Palomar College.

Study: Wildfires Produced Up To Half Of Pollution In US West
- Jan. 11
- Matthew Brown / Associated Press
Even as pollution emissions declined from other sources including vehicle exhaust and power plants, the amount from fires increased sharply, said researchers at Stanford University and the University of California, San Diego.

Wildfire Evacuations Amid COVID-19 Restrictions Proved Challenging Last Year
- Jan. 11
- By Camille von Kaenel / inewsource
Our partners at inewsource say an after-action report on the Valley Fire shows how COVID-19 complicated the disaster response. An evacuation any larger would have required calling in more workers to staff multiple group shelters.

Live Updates: Firefighters Continue To Battle Creek Fire In Fallbrook
- Dec. 26, 2020
- By City News Service, Jacob Aere
A wind-driven brush fire erupted near Fallbrook Thursday morning, prompting mandatory evacuations and road closures.

Santa Ana Winds Set To Return; Red Flag Warnings Called
- Dec. 22, 2020
- By City News Service
Santa Ana winds will make a return to the region Wednesday, combining with low humidity levels to create dangerous fire conditions that are expected to continue into Thursday and bring the potential for power shutoffs.

Santee Brush Fire Spread Halted, Evacuation Notice Lifted
- Dec. 16, 2020
- By KPBS News
An evacuation notice was issued in Santee due to a brush fire named the Chaparral Fire. Firefighters have halted the spread of the fire.