California wildfires News

California Utility Sued by Insurers Over Wildfire Damages

Several insurance companies have filed lawsuits blaming Pacific Gas & Electric Co. for a deadly California wildfire that destroyed 14,000 homes and triggered billions of dollars in insurance claims. The lawsuits filed by Allstate, State Farm, USAA and their subsidiaries …

Wildfire Recovery Contractor Fired by California Utility

A Northern California utility on Monday said it terminated one of its contractors helping with wildfire recovery after three workers posted on social media insensitive photos and comments poking fun at victims and the region. Pacific Gas & Electric said …

Report Says 2016 California Wildfire Fight too Costly

When a wildfire burned across Big Sur two years ago and threatened hundreds of homes scattered on the scenic hills, thousands of firefighters responded with overwhelming force, attacking flames from the air and ground. In the first week, the blaze …

California Will Set New Blackout Rules to Prevent Deadly Fires

California regulators have decided they need to step in and help determine when power blackouts are appropriate to prevent wildfires after a series of deadly blazes linked to electrical equipment. Utilities PG&E Corp., Edison International and Sempra Energy have been …

Cleanup for Last Month’s Wildfires in California Could Top $3B

Insurance claims and cleanup costs associated with California wildfires last month are expected to exceed the record-breaking amounts paid out last year after blazes ripped through Northern California wine country. The insurance industry is bracing for payouts exceeding last year’s …

California Firefighter Says State Should Consider Home Ban in Fire-Prone Areas

California’s increasingly deadly and destructive wildfires have become so unpredictable that government officials should consider banning home construction in vulnerable areas, the state’s top firefighter says. Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Director Ken Pimlott will leave his job Friday …

About $9B in Insured Losses After Three California Wildfires

Three of last month’s California wildfires will cost insurers about $9.05 billion, according to preliminary information from state regulators. That figure is based on initial claims that insurers have received from the Camp, Woolsey and Hill fires, California Insurance Commissioner …

Los Angeles-Area Development Approved in Wildfire-Prone Zone

The conflict between the need for more housing in California and the danger of building in fire-prone mountains was decided in favor of homes Tuesday as Los Angeles County supervisors approved a massive rural housing development. The supervisors voted 4-1 …

Study Examines Deadly California ‘Firenado’

A rare fire tornado that raged during this summer’s deadly Carr Fire in Northern California was created by a combination of scorching weather, erratic winds and an ice-topped cloud that towered miles into the atmosphere, according to a study released …

PG&E Faces Lawsuits, Coverage Questions After More California Wildfires

Homeowners living in Paradise, Calif., are just now returning home after a devastating wildfire caused up to $10 billion in damage, according to RMS estimates. The Woolsey Fire, which overlapped the Camp Fire, has a damage price tag of about …