Wildfires

The federal government will not test soil in the fire zones, so USC researchers are doing it for them. For earth scientist Josh West, the work is close to home.

Dina Ament spent about four years remodeling her historic Tudor-style cottage.

LA Fire HEALTH is a research consortium with experts from multiple universities.

Monique King mourns the loss of Fox's, a family restaurant in Altadena, while trying to support her staff.

Instrumentalist and audio engineer Daniel Ramirez lost his family’s rental home in the Eaton Fire.

Investigators are looking into whether one of SoCal Edison’s idle power lines may have become re-energized and caused the Eaton Fire. The utility already faces over 40 lawsuits.

Jarvis Cocker, Nick Cave, Primal Scream and other artists have produced new music compilations , including “ Los Angeles Rising ,” to help survivors of the recent LA fires.

Scientists are worried about chemicals from burned materials (heavy metals, plastics, fire retardants) polluting the ocean.

After the 2018 Woolsey Fire destroyed Gary Scott’s Malibou Lake home, he rebuilt a smaller and more fireproof house on the same land.

Randy Clement, who owns Good Neighbor Bar, used wine delivery software to canvas Altadena, informing neighbors whether or not their homes had survived.

Eat out to support restaurants that lost business due to the Palisades Fire. Here are recommendations for west side eateries participating in DineLA, which is happening now.

We must rethink city planning and development following the LA fires, says UCLA Professor Alex Hall, who advises building homes away from wildlands.

The EPA designated two sorting and processing locations for hazardous debris from the Palisades and Eaton Fires. Residents in both areas are concerned.

Architectural historian Erik Ghenoiu and his architect wife made their home more fire-resistant, and they were active in community fire mitigation efforts.

The LA County supervisor addresses residents' criticisms of officials' initial response to the Palisades Fire. She also discusses fire department investments, cleanup, and rebuilding.

The mental health effects of battling wildfires are enormous. But firefighters aren’t always willing to ask for help.

A spreadsheet allows families to describe stuffed animals they lost in the LA fires, and connect with volunteers who’ll try to replace them.

The CA Environmental Protection Agency secretary explains the cleanup phases for LA’s wildfires, and expects no complications from the Trump administration.

Chef Travis Hayden lost his home in the Palisades Fire but is finding time to feed first responders and other fire victims.

Julia Van Soelen Kim shares advice for gardeners concerned about how ash from the Palisades and Eaton fires might impact their crops.

From what to do if your home burned, to what to expect on your next insurance bill even if it didn’t, a consumer advocate answers urgent coverage questions.

Monica Motta runs a small house cleaning business and has lost her clients in Pacific Palisades, an area that accounted for two-thirds of her income.

LA County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger responds to reports of residents not receiving text evacuation alerts, and shares updates on rebuilding efforts.

Only by patronizing neighborhood restaurants can we keep them afloat and our communities vibrant. Here are some eateries located in neighborhoods adjacent to the Eaton Fire.

Will Rogers State Park was beloved by Angelenos, especially Palisades residents.

Residents in western Altadena experienced a delay in getting evacuation notices as the Eaton Fire raged, according to an LA Times investigation.

A sculptor/printmaker and the J. Paul Getty Trust president share how the recent fires devastated LA’s artist community.

As the Palisades and Eaton Fires get under control, one community remains particularly affected: music industry folks.

Dina Samson offers perspective on how the fires are impacting LA's already struggling hospitality industry.

Teddy and Andy Leonard look back on their Malibu restaurant, which succumbed to fire after 36 years of selling seafood on the Pacific Coast Highway.

Christine Moore, owner of Little Flower in Pasadena, fought flames in her neighborhood and is now feeding the community while navigating her own displacement.

Wendy Escobedo of World Central Kitchen explains how the organization mobilizes — with a little help from chefs and restaurateurs like Roy, Choi, Kim Prince, and Greg Dulan — to feed…

LA City Councilmember Traci Park represents Pacific Palisades and has introduced a suite of legislation to respond to last week’s devastating wildfires and protect affected residents.

A senior from Palisades Charter High and a coordinator at the Westside Waldorf School share how students and staff are faring amid the wildfires.

LA’s cooks, restaurateurs, caterers, small grocers, etc. went from (barely) making profits to donating meals to wildfire victims. They still need to be paid, so please eat out.

There has been so much misinformation, and even outright conspiracy theories, circulating since the wildfires broke out last week. Press Play debunks some of the more egregious claims.

As thousands of fire victims flood LA’s tight rental market, prices rise and some consider whether they can stay in LA.

National and international firefighters have been coming to SoCal to help fight the Palisades, Eaton, and other fires devastating the region.

Was the Palisades Fire caused by embers left over from another extinguished fire? Was Eaton the fault of power lines? It may take months before investigators know.

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara addresses challenges facing homeowners affected by the wildfires, the FAIR Plan, and future of insurance.

FEMA provides assistance to individuals, local aid organizations, and state and local agencies before, during, and after disasters. What kind of help is available?

LA faces ongoing fire danger with strong winds expected. Water officials advise against drinking tap water in some areas, and air quality remains a concern.

Mayor Karen Bass has faced political blowback for being in Ghana as devastating wildfires broke out all across Los Angeles.

A trauma studies professor offers guidance on alleviating your own grief, talking to someone who’s lost everything, and preparing for the long recovery.

A Palisades community leader and a co-owner of an Altadena restaurant both describe the destruction of their areas as apocalyptic. Still, they have plans to rebuild.

The Eaton Fire in Altadena has killed at least two people and burned more than 10,000 acres, as of Wednesday noon.

The Palisades Fire has burned nearly 16,000 acres as of Wednesday 2 p.m. Residents of Palisades, Malibu, and Topanga share how they got out and the devastation they’ve seen.

KQED’s Saul Gonzalez provides an update on the Palisades and Eaton Fires, and describes the situation for Eaton Fire evacuees at the Pasadena Convention Center.

Severe winds and dry conditions fueled fast-moving wildfires in LA County, prompting evacuations. A shift in weather is expected to bring relief soon.

At least two wildfires — in Pacific Palisades and West Hollywood — have started as the worst windstorm in more than a decade blasts SoCal.

The Franklin Fire has caused thousands of residents to evacuate Malibu. The volunteer Community Brigade is working alongside firefighters to save homes.

A woman searches for her cat. A small business owner serves free coffee to firefighters. Hear two stories from Wrightwood residents enduring the Bridge Fire.

SoCal is facing three big wildfires amid a blistering heat wave, including the Line Fire, which has burned more than 26,000 acres. How are firefighters coping?

Five years after the Camp Fire destroyed Paradise, CA, about a third of the town has been repopulated, consisting of fire survivors and new residents.

Smoke from wildfires has led to the wine industry losing billions of dollars. Researchers are trying to help vintners adapt.

Pollution from wildfire smoke has stalled, in some cases reversed, air-quality improvements in most states. That’s according to Stanford researchers.

Ford brought back the Bronco in 2021, and now the SUV could be the future of the federal government’s efforts to fight wildfires.

Preparing for natural disasters goes beyond stocking extra food and water. Secure your important financial documents and insurance plans too.

Southern Californians have donated lots of supplies to help those displaced by the Lahaina fire. Shipping containers are full, but there are other ways to help.

Goats are being used more often to clear vegetation and prevent wildfires. But some say the immigrant workers who manage them 24/7 aren’t getting a fair deal.

Hundreds of wildfires are raging across Canada. Will California face a similar fate — after a very wet winter that left lots of wildfire fuel?

California scientists are looking to beavers to help mitigate fire damage through a new program called the beaver restoration unit. Why are these animals so necessary?

California is loaning ​​PG&E more than $1 billion to keep the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant running. The utility company’s equipment sparked the 2018 Camp Fire.

The U.S. Forest Service knows it needs to set prescribed burns on thousands of acres in Big Bear every year. This year, it's only burned 20.

New research looks to save vineyard grapes that escaped wildfires but whose skin can be permeated by smoke.

Yosemite’s Washburn Fire has scorched 3,000 acres. To stave off the worst damage, should California focus on putting out current fires or preventing them in the first place?

For formerly incarcerated people seeking firefighting jobs in the private sector, they can get help from the Forestry and Fire Recruitment Program.

The state committed $1.5 billion for wildfire prevention and forest health in 2021. The California Newsroom investigated how Cal Fire has been spending that money.

Cal Fire’s workforce endures PTSD, suicidal ideation, and endless work rotations. CalMatters has chronicled the agency’s mental health crisis.

Paradise, CA, now has an inventory of new real estate after the 2018 Camp Fire devastated the town. People are moving back — or moving there for the first time.

Wildfire-prone communities can earn better insurance coverage and discounts if they work to prevent wildfires. But it takes time and money that some poorer places don’t have.

The U.S. Forest Service is struggling to hire enough firefighters to handle what’s expected to be a brutal wildfire season.

Nearly half of the 25 most polluted U.S. cities are in California, according to the American Lung Association What’s causing the poor air quality?

LA Fire Department Deputy Chief Kristin Crowley has been tapped to become the next fire chief, which would make her the first woman to ever lead the LAFD.

The federal government is giving California $600 million for forest restoration work, post-fire cleanup, and the removal of so-called hazard trees.

This model relies on training volunteers and coordinating with local agencies.

When his Malibu neighbors pack up and evacuate an approaching wildfire, Kirby Kotler stays. Even if it means dousing flames with his own firehose.

"I wear the same stuff firefighters wear. So yellow Nomex suit, helmet, goggles, boots, gloves, fire shelter. I drive a four-wheel drive vehicle. I bring a chainsaw.

This year is on track to be California’s worst wildfire season. With more wildfires comes more smoke and more health problems.

Four national forests in Southern California open back up on Thursday: Los Padres, Angeles, San Bernardino and Cleveland.

The KNP Complex Fire continues to burn out of control in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park in Central California.

Fires are raging in two of California’s national parks right now — Kings Canyon and Sequoia.

Wildfires are often sparked by residents struggling with homelessness. LA County recently banned encampments in some of the highest fire risk areas.

Anthony Bracy wants to dispel the myth that formerly incarcerated firefighters can’t find jobs in the industry. He’s walking proof that it’s possible.

“What we're realizing with every passing day is how expensive it is to not act on the climate crisis,” says Leah Stokes, energy policy researcher at UC Santa Barbara.

"There's already a kind of a burnout factor. I mean, six of the seven largest fires in California history have all burned within the last 11 months.

The Caldor Fire reached the Lake Tahoe Basin on Thursday night, threatening thousands of homes and businesses in the area. A mandatory evacuation order is now in place.

The Caldor Fire in El Dorado County has already burned more than 125,000 acres. CAL FIRE is calling it the “number one priority in the nation” for firefighters.

Someone was setting fires across California during the 1980s and early 1990s, evading law enforcement, and leaving a trail of destroyed buildings and lives in their wake.

“The department has been historically plagued by issues regarding race and gender.

California’s 2021 wildfire season is here and already shaping up to be the worst in state history (as measured by the number of acres burned).

The Northern California-based Dixie Fire became the second largest wildfire in state history over the weekend.

So far this summer, Southern California has gotten off easy when it comes to wildfires. But it’s not a question of if the region will burn, it’s a question of when.

This year is expected to be California’s worst wildfire season. That’s after 2020 was the largest wildfire season ever, and before that, it was 2018.

Nearly a third of the crews fighting wildfires in California are serving time in jails and prisons.

As California continues to grapple with a mega-drought and wildfires, we’re trying to do whatever we can to help our parched landscapes and abate that wildfire threat.

Power lines can pose a big problem when it comes to wildfires. The northern California town of Paradise was obliterated in 2018 by a fire sparked by a power line.

As the West Coast drought worsens, water is becoming a scarce and valuable resource, as well as a tempting target for thieves , especially those running illegal marijuana farms.

About 80 wildfires are currently burning in western states, including the Bootleg Fire in southern Oregon, and smoke is traveling 3000 miles east, giving New York City some of the…

Many people who lost their homes to wildfires years ago still haven’t rebuilt, or have chosen not to, after discovering how difficult and long the process can be.

An explosion rocked a South LA residential neighborhood on Wednesday when the LA Police Department tried to detonate a cache of illegal fireworks they seized earlier in the day.

Three major fires are now roaring in the Inland Empire, Central Valley, and California-Oregon border.

A team of 42 students from The Archer School for Girls in Los Angeles have been working on a solution to a real-life problem: how to prevent wildfires from destroying homes.

This year is expected to be one of the driest years ever recorded in the West and California.