SANTA CRUZ — Sky-darkening wildfires that took at least six lives and forced tens of thousands of people from their homes blazed throughout California on Friday as firefighting resources strained under the vastness of the infernos authorities were trying to control. Three major complexes encompassing dozens of fires chewed through...
Northern California Wildfires Threatening Thousands of Homes
VACAVILLE — Wildfires raged through Northern California on Thursday, threatening thousands of homes and blackening the skies near San Francisco as crews struggled to surround them despite steep terrain and blistering heat. The fires, many caused by lightning and sometimes pushed by strong winds, had burned hundreds of thousands of...
Helicopter Pilot Dies in Crash While Fighting Wildfire Near Coalinga
A pilot battling the Hills Fire about nine miles south of Coalinga died when a helicopter crashed Wednesday morning. The Bell UH-1H helicopter was on a water-dropping mission on the Hills Fire, Cal Fire officials said. The pilot was the only one on board. A pilot has died after his...
Heatwave, Rabid Bats, COVID, Smoky Air, Flex Alert. What’s Next for Fresno?
Today defines what it means to be Fresno Strong. The heatwave continues, electricity conservation is a must, the air is smoky, and there's a rabid bat warning amid the coronavirus pandemic. Wednesday's high temperature is expected to be 107 degrees, and an Excessive Heat Warning remains in effect. Though the...
San Francisco Blanketed in Smoke as California Fires Rage
SAN FRANCISCO — Thousands of people were under orders to evacuate in regions surrounding the San Francisco Bay Area Wednesday as nearly 40 wildfires blazed across the state amid a blistering heat wave now in its second week. Smoke blanketed the city of San Francisco. Police and firefighters went door-to-door...
Newsom Declares Emergency Over Wildfires
SAN FRANCISCO — Gov. Gavin Newsom declared an emergency Tuesday over wildfires burning throughout California as the state’s power grid operator pleaded with residents and businesses to continue conserving energy to avoid rolling blackouts. Steve Berberich, president and CEO of the California Independent System Operator, praised customers for astonishing conservation...
Wildfire Victims Fear They'll Be the Last Ones Paid by PG&E
SAN FRANCISCO — A $13.5 billion settlement between victims of California's catastrophic wildfires and the utility blamed for causing them was supposed to bring some peace and hope to people still reeling from the devastation. Instead, the deal has sparked confusion, resentment, suspicion and despair as the victims, government agencies,...
Gov. Gavin Newsom Wants to Grill PG&E About Financing Plan
SAN FRANCISCO — Pacific Gas & Electric's plan to emerge from bankruptcy faced another threat from California Gov. Gavin Newsom during a Tuesday court hearing that set the stage for a potentially dramatic showdown later this month. Newsom's lawyers told U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Dennis Montali they want to grill PG&E...
Death Toll in Camp Fire Likely Includes 50 More People
PARADISE — Doctors and other experts say at least 50 more people, many of them elderly or ill, likely died as a result of the 2018 wildfire that devastated the town of Paradise, California, but were not counted in the official death toll, an investigation by the Chico Enterprise-Record found. Authorities have...
What Happens If California Takes Over PG&E?
Calling the bankruptcy of California’s largest investor-owned utility a “godsend,” Gov. Gavin Newsom has threatened a public takeover of Pacific Gas & Electric unless it can transform into a provider of affordable, reliable, clean and — above all — safe energy. That means no more ferocious wildfires sparked by PG&E...