California fires

Extreme fire warnings keep LA residents on high alert

5:00am January 14, 2025

Much of southwest California is under a red flag warning, with winds expected to peak Wednesday. Authorities are urging residents to heed evacuation orders and prepare for power outages.

Lawsuits allege power company involvement in LA wildfires

11:28pm January 13, 2025

Lawsuits allege the Eaton Fire was sparked by a SoCal Edison transmission tower. The company says they have not had a chance to inspect the scene yet. The ATF has only just begun the federal investigation into the fire's cause.

National

Why right-wing influencers are blaming the California wildfires on diversity efforts

4:38pm January 10, 2025

by Lisa Hagen

Prominent right-wing influencers are claiming that the response to the Los Angeles wildfires was hampered by workplace diversity policies. It's part of a wider strategy to discredit those policies.

Queue Listen Now

What is the flame retardant that planes are dropping on the LA fires?

12:08pm January 10, 2025

As fire crews and air tankers work to block the wildfires' explosive growth, images of red clouds of fire retardant falling onto trees are common. What is it — and what's in it?

'Like a bomb was dropped': Authorities warn of extensive damage as LA fires rage

5:12am January 09, 2025

The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner said that it has received notification of 10 fire-related deaths as firefighters battle multiple blazes for a third consecutive night.

Flames consume buildings as the Dixie Fire tears through the Greenville community of Plumas County, Calif., on Aug. 4, 2021.

National

Dixie Fire Stirs Anxiety In The California Town Decimated In 2018 By The Camp Fire

5:12pm August 05, 2021

by Kirk Siegler

The massive Dixie Fire ignited close to where the deadly Camp Fire started, and some residents of nearby Paradise are reliving the trauma all over again.

A firefighter carries a hose while battling the Glass Fire in a Calistoga, Calif., vineyard, Oct. 1

National

Experts To Western States: Time To Finally Fight Wildfires With More Fire

5:00am October 27, 2020

by Eric Westervelt

Experts warn that Western states and the federal government need to radically increase the number and size of controlled burns to help reduce the ongoing risks of more catastrophic wildfire seasons.

A firefighter battles the Glass Fire in Napa Valley, Calif., on Thursday.

California Wildfires Near Tragic Milestone: 4 Million Acres Burned

3:21pm October 02, 2020

by Marisa Peñaloza

The unprecedented fire season has already killed 30 people, and burned down thousands of buildings and homes, forcing over 96,000 residents to evacuate.

Cal Fire Battalion Chief Craig Newell carries hose while battling the North Complex Fire in Plumas National Forest, Calif., on Monday.

West Coast Fires: Climate, Forest Management, Lax Rules, Plenty Of Blame To Go Around

3:15pm September 15, 2020

by Kirk Siegler

The alarming wildfires on the West Coast are again putting the spotlight on climate change. But it's not the only reason why we're seeing so much destruction and lives lost.

The Creek Fire burns in the Sierra National Forest on Sunday.

National

Record Heat Wave Creates 'Kiln-Like' Conditions In California

8:17pm September 07, 2020

by Matthew S. Schwartz

One part of Los Angeles County hit 121 degrees this weekend, a county all-time record. Firefighters are battling many blazes, one of which was sparked by a pyrotechnic device at a gender reveal party.