Department of Forestry and Fire Protection News

Progress Made on California Fire That Displaced Thousands

REDDING, Calif. (AP) — Firefighters were gaining the upper hand Sunday on a forest fire that displaced thousands of people and destroyed more than 100 buildings near Shasta Lake in Northern California. Lighter winds and cooler temperatures slowed the Fawn …

Calmer California Winds Help Firefighters Beat Back 2 Blazes

LOS ANGELES — Calmer weather on Wednesday allowed firefighters to beat back twin blazes that drove nearly 100,000 Southern California residents from their homes amid fierce winds and extremely dry conditions. Authorities lifted some evacuation orders Tuesday as winds began …

Firefighter Killed at Scene of Wildfire in California Forest

SAN FRANCISCO — A firefighter was killed and another injured Monday battling a wildfire in the Northern California forest, authorities said. The firefighter was killed in Mendocino National Forest north of San Francisco, where a wildfire that started on Aug. …

Weather, Reinforcements Helping in California Wildfire Fight

VACAVILLE, Calif. — 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 …

California ‘Dream House,’ Decades in the Making, is in Ashes

VACAVILLE, Calif. — When he closes his eyes at night, Hank Hanson hears sirens in his dreams — a byproduct of living nearly 30 years in the wildfire-prone wilderness of Northern California between San Francisco and Sacramento. But at about …

Most Evacuations Lifted Near Huge Southern California Fire

BANNING, Calif. — Authorities on Tuesday lifted most evacuation orders as firefighters made slow progress against a huge blaze in the Southern California mountains that forced thousands of people from their homes. The wildfire straddling Riverside and San Bernardino counties …

Vehicle Malfunction Sparked Southern California Wildfire

BANNING, Calif. — A wildfire in mountains east of Los Angeles that has forced thousands of people from their homes was sparked by a malfunctioning diesel vehicle, fire officials said Monday. The vehicle spewed burning carbon from its exhaust system, …

Wildfire in Northeastern Calif. Contained, New Blaze on Southern Coast Investigated

While firefighters gained control of a wildfire in California’s rural northeast, investigators searched for the cause of a new blaze down south. The 34-square-mile (88.3-square-kilometer) Gold Fire in northern Lassen County was 60% contained Monday night after a few thunderstorms …

One Wildfire Metric Threatens to Upend PG&E’s Restructuring Plan

PG&E Corp. investors looking to learn their fate may not get the answer from the bankrupt power company. Instead, the key data point could pop up within days on the website of California’s forestry service. That’s where firefighters are tracking …