Wildfires

Watchdog: FEMA Wrongly Released Personal Data Of California Wildfire Victims

March 22: By Associated Press

The Federal Emergency Management Agency wrongly released to a contractor the personal information of 2.3 million survivors of devastating 2017 hurricanes and wildfires, potentially exposing the victims to identity fraud and theft, a government watchdog reported Friday.

National Guard To Help Protect California Towns From Fires

March 20: By Associated Press

California is calling in the National Guard for the first time next month to help protect communities from devastating fires like the one that largely destroyed the city of Paradise last fall.

PG&E To Reshape Board In Aftermath Of Wildfires

Feb. 11: By Associated Press

Half of the board at PG&E is unlikely to stand for re-election at the besieged utility company that is reeling in the aftermath of last year's deadly California wildfires.

Utility Seeks Bankruptcy Protection Over California Fires

Jan. 14: By Associated Press

The nation's largest utility said Monday it is filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy because it faces at least $30 billion in potential damages from lawsuits over the catastrophic wildfires in California in 2017 and 2018 that killed scores of people and destroyed thousands of homes.

Trump Blames California Wildfires On Forest Mismanagement

Jan. 9: By Associated Press

President Donald Trump is threatening to withhold Federal Emergency Management Agency money to help California cope with wildfires if the state doesn't improve its forest management practices.

Pets Impacted By Camp Fire, Surrendered By Owners, Arrive In San Diego

Dec. 19, 2018: By City News Service

Eight dogs and three cats surrendered by their owners after their homes were devastated by the Camp Fire in Butte County arrived in San Diego Wednesday night.

Report: More Than 88,000 Buildings In San Diego Face Highest Risk Of Wildfire

Dec. 19, 2018: By Marissa Cabrera, Maureen Cavanaugh

A Los Angeles Times analysis found that San Diego has the second largest concentration in the state of buildings in areas at the highest risk for wildfire.

Official: California Must Mull Home Ban In Fire-Prone Areas

Dec. 12, 2018: By Associated Press

California's increasingly deadly and destructive wildfires have become so unpredictable that government officials should consider banning home construction in vulnerable areas, the state's top firefighter says.

Julian Residents Force Vote For Volunteer Fire Department

Dec. 11, 2018: By Priya Sridhar

A special election on the fate of the volunteer Julian-Cuyamaca Fire Prevention District will be held in March 2019.

What Does It Take To Defend Your Home Against A Mega Wildfire Like The Camp Fire? Here’s How One Couple Survived

Dec. 11, 2018: Ezra David Romero/Capital Public Radio

The Camp Fire killed 85 people. But at least one family didn’t evacuate and they survived.

Lilac Fire Ravaged San Diego's North County A Year Ago

Dec. 7, 2018: By Erik Anderson

North San Diego County endured a December Santa Ana wind event that fueled a wildfire that destroyed more than 100 homes last year.

Community Devastated By Lilac Fire Nearly Back To Normal One Year Later

Dec. 7, 2018: By Matt Hoffman

The Lilac Fire destroyed more than 70 mobile homes at the Rancho Monserate Country Club in Fallbrook. One year later, all the ruble is cleared and nearly all the homes have been replaced.

Residents Head Back Into California Town Leveled By Wildfire

Dec. 5, 2018: By Associated Press

Some residents of a Northern California town devastated by a catastrophic wildfire nearly a month ago were finally allowed to return home Wednesday to sift through the charred remains in search of precious family heirlooms, photos and other possessions that may have survived.

Roundtable: Uncertainty For Asylum Seekers

Nov. 30, 2018: By Bennett Lacy, Mark Sauer

Tijuana struggles with an influx of asylum seekers, SDG&E continues its legal fight to pass 2007 wildfire costs to ratepayers, and older homeowners targeted by high-pressure sales and loans.

Zinke Says Northern California Fire Costs Likely In Billions

Nov. 27, 2018: By Associated Press

Costs associated with a deadly Northern California wildfire will likely be in the billions, U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said Monday as he returned to the town of Paradise, saying he has never witnessed such devastation.

Lessons Learned From May Wildfires