photo of a house being framed

California May Boost Rules for Homes at High Wildfire Risk

SACRAMENTO — Years of increasingly deadly California wildfires spurred lawmakers to consider regulations Tuesday that would toughen local governments' requirements for approving housing developments in high-risk areas. A state Senate committee voted 8-3 Mon...
Photo of Gavin Newsom

Newsom Won’t Block Building in High-Fire Areas

SACRAMENTO — A desire to live near nature is embedded in California's ethos, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday as he explained why he doesn't want to block home building near forested areas at high risk for wildfir...
Photo of firefighter Jose Corona spraying water at flames

California Eyes Risk Pool as It Struggles with Costly Fires

SACRAMENTO — Officials were struggling Wednesday to find ways for homeowners to afford insurance in fire-prone areas of California and for utilities to survive liability from devastating wildfires that threaten to worsen with climate change. California's re...
Photo of Donald Trump and Brock Long

FEMA Head Brock Long, Investigated Over Vehicle Use, Resigns

WASHINGTON — The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency resigned Wednesday after a two-year tenure in which he managed the response to historic wildfires and major hurricanes but was dogged by questions over his use of government vehicles. "I appre...
Photo of CalFire Director Thom Porter

California Wants Faster Way to Cut Wildfire Risk

SACRAMENTO — California wildland managers said Tuesday that they want to speed up logging and prescribed burns designed to slow wildfires that have devastated communities in recent years. After the deadliest and most destructive blazes in state history, off...