CAL Fire

A Butte County ordinance that allows Bear Fire survivors to camp on their properties expires at the end of the year leaving some living in RVs on their land worried they’ll be evicted soon. Also, the Chico City Council is sick of abandoned shopping carts so they’ve proposed a new city ordinance declaring them a nuisance, and COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are increasing in Butte and Shasta counties.

Butte County officials recently voiced skepticism on a project that would bring more than 70 early warning sirens to the county. Also, California State University students could see yearly tuition increases of 6% for the next five years, and artificial intelligence is being used to spot fire ignitions.

After several years of devastating wildfires, California lawmakers want to give hefty raises to Cal Fire firefighters. The deal could tie the governor’s hands in contracts.

Butte County’s annual budget hearing is scheduled to take place today; libraries and Cal Fire stations in Berry Creek, Stirling City and Jarbo Gap could take a hit. Also, officials say time is running out to prepare for wildfire, and Lassen Volcanic National Park may be open for the Fourth of July weekend.

Cal Fire investigators have determined the cause of the deadly Mill Fire. Also, the City of Chico has announced a controlled burn in Bidwell Park, and two bills hope to reform the state's mental healthcare system.

A new channel has been dug off the Sacramento River south of Redding to create a year-round spawning habitat for critically endangered chinook salmon. Also, State Farm has announced it will no longer accept new applications for home insurance in California due to wildfires, and Cal Fire will perform prescribed burns in Oroville and Thermalito as early as this week.

Stations affected are Harts Mill Fire Station 62 in Berry Creek, Stirling City Fire Station 13, and Jarbo Gap Fire Station 36.

Butte County is exploring the viability of outdoor warning sirens to notify foothill communities of wildfire danger. Also, survivors of the Mill Fire have reached a settlement agreement with the company that’s been connected to the fire, and Cal Fire is seeking public comment on a new Fire Hazard Severity Zones map.

Cal Fire has released its damage assessment map showing buildings destroyed in the Mill and the Mountain fires burning in Siskiyou County. Also, overnight temperatures have remained high during this week’s heat wave, and ecologists say extreme heat can accelerate tree death.

Favorable weather has helped firefighters battling the deadly McKinney Fire in Siskiyou County. Also, tips on how to protect yourself from wildfire smoke, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom declares a state of emergency in response to the monkeypox outbreak.