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Dixie Fire: SPECIAL COVERAGE (9/2)

Firefighters light a backfire to stop the Dixie Fire from spreading near Prattville in Plumas County.
Noah Berger
/
AP Photo
Firefighters light a backfire to stop the Dixie Fire from spreading near Prattville in Plumas County.

The Dixie Fire has been burning for nearly two months, and it continues to prompt evacuation orders for communities in its path.

As of Wednesday morning, the Dixie Fire is threatening nearly 13,000 structures. Smoke from the fire and others burning in the North State has also caused hazardous air quality, putting residents at risk of respiratory illness, including COVID-19.

More dry and warm weather is forecast through Labor Day weekend, but incident meteorologist Derek Williams said Wednesday there is a slight possibility of some relief next week.

In this half-hour, we explore poor air quality caused by wildfires with Vicki Gonzalez, host of Cap Radio's Insight and Pulmonary and Critical Care Physician Dr. Vanessa Walker.

Also, NSPR's Andre Byik explores what PG&E is saying about its equipment's possible role in starting the fire. Plus, the host of Blue Dot, Dave Schlom speaks with Chad Hanson, the Director and Principal Ecologist for The John Muir Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to federal public forestlands.

If you have any thoughts for us, leave them on our message line at 530-433-9216. Let us know if we can use your comments on the air.

Adia White is a broadcast journalist and producer with nearly 10 years of experience. Her work has appeared on WNYC, This American Life, Capital Public Radio and other local and national programs. She started at North State Public Radio as a freelance reporter in 2017 before leaving for a stint at Northern California Public Media in Santa Rosa.
Sarah has worked at North State Public Radio since 2015 and is currently the station’s Director of Operations. She’s responsible for the sound of the station and works to create the richest public radio experience possible for NSPR listeners.
A graduate of California State University, Chico, Andre Byik is an award-winning journalist who has reported in Northern California since 2012. He joined North State Public Radio in 2020, following roles at the Chico Enterprise-Record and Chico News & Review.
Matt Fidler is a producer and sound designer with over 15 years’ experience producing nationally distributed public radio programs. He has worked for shows such as Freakonomics Radio, Selected Shorts, Studio 360, The New Yorker Radio Hour and The Takeaway. In 2017, Matt launched the language podcast Very Bad Words, hitting the #28 spot in the iTunes podcast charts.
Ken came to NSPR through the back door as a volunteer, doing all the things that volunteers do. Almost nothing – nothing -- in his previous work experience suggests that he would ever be on public radio.
Alec Stutson grew up in Colorado and graduated from the University of Missouri with degrees in Radio Journalism, 20th/21st Century Literature, and a minor in Film Studies. He is a huge podcast junkie, as well as a movie nerd and musician.
Angel Huracha has been a part of the journalism field since 2006 and has covered a range of topics. He is a graduate of Chico State with a Bachelor's degree in news-editorial and public relations with a minor in English.