Report: Feds to bill fire victims if Pacific Gas & Electric doesn't pay $4B

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has asked for reimbursement from PG&E to cover costs from the government’s response to destructive fires in 2015, 2017 and 2018.

Kincade Fire, power shutoffs cost Sonoma County $725M, report finds

The Kincade Fire and evacuations and four PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoffs last fall cost Sonoma County $725 million in economic losses, according to a report to the county's Board of Supervisors.

Feds to bill fire victims if utility doesn’t pay $4B: report

Federal officials are prepared to bill wildfire victims for a portion of the nearly $4 billion the government says it’s owed by Pacific Gas & Electric Co., if the debt isn’t resolved as part of the utility’s bankruptcy case, according to a newspaper report Sunday.

PG&E could receive tax break for settling with wildfire victims

Some lawmakers argue it's allowing the utility to benefit from what should be a penalty, but because the settlement is not technically a fine, PG&E says it can deduct the money from its federal and state taxes. 

California budget plan aids teachers, firefighters, those in US illegally

The Democratic governor is proposing a continued progressive agenda as he defended California's progress against criticism from national naysayers.

US firefighters greeted with cheers, applause as they arrive in Australia 

Another round of U.S. firefighters arrived in Australia this week with their gear in tow to help battle wildfires that have killed 25 people and destroyed thousands of homes. 

California could mandate backup power at cell phone towers

Data from the Federal Communications Commission shows 874 cellphone towers were offline during an Oct. 27 power shutoff that affected millions of people. That included more than half of the cell towers in Marin County alone.

Australian family rescues multiple koalas from wildfires

A family in Australia rescued at least seven koalas on their property as wildfires ravaged the area.

Australia to pay 'whatever it takes' to fight wildfires

Australia’s government said Monday it was willing to pay “whatever it takes” to help communities recover from deadly wildfires that have ravaged the country.

California eyes climate bond to prepare for disasters

Lawmakers in the Democratic-dominated state Legislature return to work Monday for the second year of a two-year session.

US sends veteran firefighters to battle Australia wildfires

The crew of federal firefighters based in the Angeles National Forest north of Los Angeles will depart on Monday, said Carrie Bilbao, a spokeswoman with the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho, which is mobilizing U.S. resources in response to Australia's requests for international firefighting aide.

Concerns over PG&E's $13.5 billion settlement to wildfire survivors

The utility agreed to pay $13.5 billion to fire victims and others. Some of the money is earmarked to repay government agencies that paid for rescue and recovery efforts. 

PG&E power shutoffs will continue for five years, customers' bills could increase

Bill Johnson testified Thursday before the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in Washington D.C. He was asked about tools to prevent wildfires, including the power shutoffs.