A photo of a senior center sign surrounded by searing flames and smoke at Lake Berryessa defines 2020 California for many. It's nearly all there in that single photo: COVID-19, climate change, uncontrolled wildfires, economic devastation. Only the Black Lives Matter protests are missing. The sign welcomes visitors while reflecting...
Weather, Reinforcements Helping in California Wildfire Fight
VACAVILLE — Firefighters hard-pressed by some of the largest wildfires in California history scrambled Wednesday to take advantage of cooler weather and an influx of aid as they carved and burned containment lines around the flames to prevent more land from burning. “Every percent of containment is hours and hours...
Crews Keep Working to Pen in Huge California Wildfires
SCOTTS VALLEY — Aided by weather and reinforcements, firefighters were cautiously optimistic Tuesday about their progress to pen in California wildfires that have killed at least seven people and burned more than 1,200 homes and other buildings. A warning about dry lightning and strong winds that could spark more fires...
Worry Grows as Looters Target California Wildfire Evacuees
SANTA CRUZ — Thousands have been driven from their homes by the wildfire burning in the Santa Cruz Mountains south of San Francisco and authorities say criminals are taking advantage by burglarizing vacant homes. At least 13 people have been arrested on suspicion of looting or planning to loot neighborhoods...
Big California Wildfires Burn on as Death Toll Reaches 7
SCOTTS VALLEY — Firefighters battling three massive wildfires in Northern California got a break from the weather early Monday as humidity rose and there was no return of the onslaught of lightning strikes that ignited the infernos a week earlier. Fire officials are cautiously optimistic after dodging a major lightning...
Firefighting Crews Make Slow Progress With California Fires
SAN FRANCISCO — Fire crews made slow progress Saturday battling some of the largest wildfires in California history — thanks to improved weather conditions and additional resources coming from others states. But danger loomed with the threat of thunderstorms and lightning forecast for Sunday that could spark new fires and...
Reinforcements Arriving to Help in Deadly California Fires
SAN FRANCISCO — Firefighters and aircraft from 10 states began arriving in California Friday to help weary crews battling some of the largest blazes in state history as weekend weather threatened to renew the advance of flames that have killed six people and incinerated hundreds of homes. Some 560 wildfires...
What’s in That Wildfire Smoke, and Why Is It So Bad for Your Lungs?
If I dare to give the coronavirus credit for anything, I would say it has made people more conscious of the air they breathe. A friend texted me this week after going for a jog in the foothills near Boise, Idaho, writing: “My lungs are burning … explain what’s happening!!!”...
Collision of Crises: Central Valley’s Searing Heat, Smoke, Virus Hot Spots
As ash drifted down from the fires burning through Solano County, a woman sweating under the smoke-reddened sun dug through her car, searching for an adapter for her husband’s oxygen machine. The couple had fought traffic on Wednesday to reach the evacuation shelter at Vacaville’s Ulatis Cultural Center — but,...
Pilot Killed Fighting Coalinga Wildfire Leaves Grieving Family
The helicopter pilot who died fighting one of the hundreds of wildfires raging across California was making water drops over hilly, rugged terrain when his aircraft suddenly plunged to the ground, leaving behind a grieving family as authorities begin a painstaking effort to try to determine what caused the tragedy....