Wildfires

After utility equipment sparked tragic wildfires, PG&E, SCE and SDG&E received state approval to collect $27 billion from ratepayers. As California electric bills soar, questions have emerged about oversight and costs.

CalMatters and The Markup reported on how residents in each of California’s 58 counties can sign up for local emergency alerts, and found a few surprises along the way. Here’s how you can build the same guide in your state.

At a CalMatters event, California’s insurance commissioner says the changes he’s making will help homeowners and business owners. One idea: A state grant for those who spend money to protect their property from wildfires.

A bill on the governor's desk would acknowledge tribal sovereignty over cultural burning for the first time in California history. As state embraces prescribed burns to help reduce wildfire risk, Native American tribes still face legal barriers to performing a cherished cultural practice.

In addition to wildfires, the residents and property owners in the Inland Empire face another crisis, the departure of companies willing to insure homes against catastrophes.

Early warning systems save lives during disasters, but a recent FEMA survey found that only a third of people are signed up. Use this resource to find your county’s emergency alert sign-up page.

Recent wildfires are causing a shrinking home insurance market in California. Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara is trying to solve it but faces criticism.

The state’s landlords see rising insurance costs, so they say they’re going to have to raise rents. But they complain about laws that limit how much they can do so.

So many intense wildfires all at once require an intricate chess game for maneuvering firefighters and equipment around the U.S.

Californians trigger thousands of wildfires every year with unfortunate choices and sometimes reckless behavior. The Airport Fire, caused by an Orange County crew trying ro prevent wildfires, was one. The Park Fire, ignited by a man pushing a burning car, was another.