Crews battle wildfires across the Bay Area, fire season gets underway

Several wildfires are being reported across the Bay Area this weekend, including at Lake Cunningham in San Jose and the Snell Fire in Napa County. Brush fires have also been reported in Watsonville and Sonoma County east of Cloverdale. 

Fire crews battle 400-acre wildfire in Fresno County

Cal Fire is responding to a wildfire on South Colusa and West Floral Avenues in San Joaquin Sunday afternoon, according to their social media posts. 

Crews continue to work 103-acre wildfire burning in Napa County

Cal Fire is responding to a vegetation fire near the 1100 block of Snell Valley Road in Pope Valley, according to the fire service's social media posts.  

Santa Rosa officially declares fire season is here, begins weed control inspections

Santa Rosa firefighters have started weed abatement inspections following the city officially marking June 5 as the start to wildfire season. Failure to maintain properties could be costly.

PG&E's and its various types of meteorologists

Even as the climate changes as the wet season becomes wetter and the dry season becomes drier, PG&E has to evaluate its territories for the harsher impacts of extreme weather events. They use a different type of meteorologist each time they predict what Mother Nature has in store during severe weather.

Pollution lawsuit could curb use of aerial fire retardant

A legal dispute in Montana could drastically curb the government’s use of aerial fire retardant to combat wildfires after environmentalists raised concerns about waterways that are being polluted with the potentially toxic red slurry that’s dropped from aircraft.

Wet winter may actually worsen California wildfires

There is a chance that this winter's heavy rainfall could make the wildfire season worse because there may be an abundance of growth in trees, grasses and other vegetation that could dry out and easily combust in the summer and fall.

More rain needed in the Bay Area to put a damper on fire season

It was a wet weekend across the Bay Area and the rain brought some much-needed relief following a brutal heat wave.

Downed power line starts brush fire in Novato, causes panic at RV park

Marion Coleman said he was heating up a plate of spaghetti in his RV at the Novato RV Park on Armstrong Avenue when the power went out and he saw people running. 

Thunderstorms possible in parts of Bay Area Tuesday night into Wednesday

The National Weather Service on Tuesday said there will be enough moisture and lift in the air above the Bay Area late in the night and into early Wednesday for a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. 

Firefighters respond to fast-spreading vegetation fire near Castro Valley

A vegetation fire broke out Monday afternoon east of Castro Valley near westbound Interstate Highway 580, Alameda County fire officials said. Firefighters have stopped forward progress of the fire. 

Firefighters protect buildings briefly threatened by Martinez brush fire

Firefighters managed to successfully protect buildings that were briefly threatened in a residential area of Martinez when a wildfire broke out Thursday afternoon.

Fairfield brush fire breaks out

Firefighters were responding to a wildfire burning brush in Fairfield on Thursday as rising temperatures began gripping inland parts of the Bay Area.

Westbound Hwy 12 in Fairfield reopens, other closures remain in effect after grass fire

Westbound state Highway 12 in Fairfield has reopened, but the eastbound lanes remain closed after a grass fire prompted the shutdown of the highway and nearby roads on Tuesday afternoon, police said.

Herds of goats helping firefighters prevent wildfires in East Bay hills

At Lake Chabot Regional Park, 600 goats are grazing to create fire breaks and assist the East Bay Regional Parks District and its firefighters in reducing fire fuels and hazards.