Pets

The coalition hopes to raise enough funds to continue helping the local felines for another year. It is now planning its annual Moonlight Meows online auction.

Butte Humane Society is now offering to microchip residents’ pets for free to help owners and pets be reunited during disasters.

An assistance center for survivors of the Park Fire is opening in Chico today. It’s located in the North Valley Plaza in the building that was formerly the 99 Cents Only store. Those affected by the fire can find resources at the center and talk to county and state officials. Also, the Park Fire has now reached more than 400,000 acres in size, and Cal Fire says the damage assessment for the fire is 100% complete.

The City of Chico has a prescribed burning plan that includes parts of Bidwell Park. Some question whether the Park Fire might not have grown so intense or spread as far if there’d been a prescribed burn near the gully where it started. Also, evacuees have been telling NSPR about their experiences leaving and what they returned home to in the wake of the fire. And a changing weather pattern near the fire is concerning officials. As dry winds and triple digits return to the North State, experts are cautioning the region to be prepared for new growth.

Firefighters are working to mop up hotspots in communities, but Butte County’s fire chief says they don’t always get them all. He’s warning residents to be cautious when repopulating areas the fire burned through. Also, Tehama County’s sheriff says he’s taking a ‘no nonsense stance’ on anyone going behind fire lines, and when a wildfire superheats PVC pipes they can release the carcinogenic chemical benzine into the water supply. Following the Park Fire, many in Forest Ranch have had their water disconnected so officials can test the water for the chemical.

Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara announced insurance protections for those impacted by the Park Fire. He also reminded residents about common aid available through their insurance policies. Also, we get an update on Forest Ranch where residents have been returning home after being evacuated, and officials say they’re opening a local assistance center next week for those impacted by the fire.

One North State organization working to evacuate animals from the Thompson Fire shares advice for residents preparing for wildfire.

Families of people killed by police in Butte County memorialize their loved ones. Also, pet owners should consider getting their pets microchipped as part of their wildfire preparedness plan, and growth slows on the destructive Oak Fire near Yosemite National Park.

Mark Cushing on his latest book Pet Nation and the evolution of America's relationships with pets. He describes the current situation of pet ownership in America.

We’ve been following the stories of how animals were rescued from Camp Fire and today we’ll hear from a place that was critical to that endeavor. Valley…