Wildfires

A woman accused of starting a California wildfire that destroyed more than 100 homes was deemed incompetent to stand trial after she was evaluated by two court-appointed psychologists. 

Monday marked the third anniversary of the Camp Fire, not just the state's deadliest and costliest wildfire, but a defining moment for the climate change argument, the state's limited resources, and the fate of PG&E.

Pacific Gas & Electric has reached a $125 million settlement agreement with California regulators over the destructive Kincade fire, which was ignited in 2019 by the utility's equipment in a remote area of Sonoma County.

Santa Rosa, which has been devastated by wildfires over the last few years, received some welcome news on Monday. Fire officials announced an end to the 2021 wildfire season.

New technology is changing how crews respond to wildfires in California. A network of cameras around the state allow first responders to identify new incidents faster, and an evacuation tool that shows real-time data to help get people out of harms way.

One of the positive side effects of this weekend's torrential rain, is the lifting of a ban on burning in both San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties. 

Santa Cruz County officials issued evacuation warnings for 21 zones due to concerns that burnt trees and debris stretching across swaths of the region from last year's CZU wildfire could give way during Sunday's big rainstorm to mudslides, debris flows and toppled trees.

To look at the East Bay hills now, it's hard to imagine the devastation that ripped through the area 30 years ago.

Cal Fire has been holding its collective breath for months over concerns about wildfires in the Bay Area. With rain in the immediate forecast, firefighters may finally be able to exhale.

Officially known as the Tunnel Fire, the blaze that broke out near the Caldecott tunnel, was one of the most devastating fires in the nation.

The Estrada Fire, which sparked in south Santa Cruz County when a prescribed burn jumped its containment lines Friday, is now 25 percent contained and has burned 83 acres, Cal Fire said Saturday afternoon.

A wildfire that quickly spread to 150 acres forcing evacuations near Morgan Hill Friday evening is the result of a prescribed burn, Cal Fire officials say. 

The Alisal Fire in the Santa Ynez Mountains west of Santa Barbara grew only slightly since Thursday morning to 26.4 square miles and containment of the blaze jumped to 41%, up from 5% 24 hours earlier.

Napa County Sheriff Oscar Ortiz told KTVU that deputies arriving at the scene found a stolen car burning and detained a 26-year-old man who was nearby and had burn injuries.

Forecasters issued a red flag warning for Sunday night into Tuesday evening, when gusty north winds and dry conditions are in store for the Bay Area.

Four firefighters were hospitalized after being struck by a falling tree in Sequoia National Park.