Weather improves, thousands of evacuated Californians return home after wildfires

Weather improves, thousands of evacuated Californians return home after wildfires

In the past two days, evacuation orders were lifted for at least 50,000 people in the San Francisco Bay Area and wine country, officials with the state fire agency, Cal Fire, said Thursday evening. At their peak, some 170,000 people were under evacuation orders.

In the past two days, evacuation orders were lifted for at least 50,000 people in the San Francisco Bay Area and wine country, officials with the state fire agency, Cal Fire, said Thursday evening. At their peak, some 170,000 people were under evacuation orders.

Setback battling CZU Lightning Fire as flames moved underground

Setback battling CZU Lightning Fire as flames moved underground

Experts said extremely dry conditions below the surface allowed the fire to spread 1,000 acres along the only escape route available.

Experts said extremely dry conditions below the surface allowed the fire to spread 1,000 acres along the only escape route available.

Some Californians didn’t get evacuation alerts in wildfires

Some Californians didn’t get evacuation alerts in wildfires

“They alert us about all kinds of crap, but this was life-threatening,” she said, adding that she got an alert in April about a bear sighting 15 miles away. “If fire’s going to be a way of life for California, we at least have to have an alert system.”

“They alert us about all kinds of crap, but this was life-threatening,” she said, adding that she got an alert in April about a bear sighting 15 miles away. “If fire’s going to be a way of life for California, we at least have to have an alert system.”

Fate of California condors unknown after sanctuary burns

Fate of California condors unknown after sanctuary burns

A blaze began last Wednesday in Los Padres National Forest northwest of Los Angeles. By Friday, it had destroyed the 80-acre sanctuary in Big Sur that since 1997 has been used to release captive-bred condors into the wild.

A blaze began last Wednesday in Los Padres National Forest northwest of Los Angeles. By Friday, it had destroyed the 80-acre sanctuary in Big Sur that since 1997 has been used to release captive-bred condors into the wild.

Three missing men found in Santa Cruz County

Three missing men found in Santa Cruz County

Authorities asked anyone with information of their whereabouts to call the sheriff’s office at 831-471-1121. 

Authorities asked anyone with information of their whereabouts to call the sheriff’s office at 831-471-1121. 

Community rallies around special education teacher who lost his home to wildfire

Community rallies around special education teacher who lost his home to wildfire

A school community in San Jose is rallying around a special education teacher who lost his fiancé in April and now lost his home to the wildfire in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

A school community in San Jose is rallying around a special education teacher who lost his fiancé in April and now lost his home to the wildfire in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

California's two largest fires are nearly neck-and-neck in size

California's two largest fires are nearly neck-and-neck in size

Cal Fire said the LNU fires had scorched about 366,800 acres of land compared to the SCU fires, which had scorched 368,670 acres. Crews had contained 35% of the LNU fires and 33% of the SCU fires.

Cal Fire said the LNU fires had scorched about 366,800 acres of land compared to the SCU fires, which had scorched 368,670 acres. Crews had contained 35% of the LNU fires and 33% of the SCU fires.

After more than a week of evacuations, some Solano County residents may move back home

After more than a week of evacuations, some Solano County residents may move back home

The first phase will include residents who live in the areas west of Interstate 80 from Lyon Road to Vaca Valley Road , including Vaca Valley Road. Gates Canyon Road will remain closed.

The first phase will include residents who live in the areas west of Interstate 80 from Lyon Road to Vaca Valley Road , including Vaca Valley Road. Gates Canyon Road will remain closed.

'Sickening': Firefighter has wallet stolen, bank account drained during Santa Cruz fire fight

'Sickening': Firefighter has wallet stolen, bank account drained during Santa Cruz fire fight

Cal Fire Operations Chief Mark Brunton called the act "saddening" and said it's the last thing crews should have to experience while they're battling out of control fires with limited resources. 

Cal Fire Operations Chief Mark Brunton called the act "saddening" and said it's the last thing crews should have to experience while they're battling out of control fires with limited resources. 

Neighbors with hoses target fires as crews urge them to stop

Neighbors with hoses target fires as crews urge them to stop

“People are frustrated with the lack of resources available. People are always going to try to sneak back in, but it sounds like this is growing to a new level,” said Ken Pimlott, who retired as director of the Cal Fire in 2018. “I haven’t seen people re-engage to this scale, particularly with the level of organization.”

“People are frustrated with the lack of resources available. People are always going to try to sneak back in, but it sounds like this is growing to a new level,” said Ken Pimlott, who retired as director of the Cal Fire in 2018. “I haven’t seen people re-engage to this scale, particularly with the level of organization.”