Wildfires

California is in a drought — and not just a drought of water, but also a drought of fire. But how is that possible when the state has been experiencing more large and destructive fires than ever in recent years? Well, many fire experts say these extreme fires are largely due to a lack of fire, through a century of wildfire suppression and not getting enough deliberate or “good” fire on the ground.

The Estes fire that sparked during critical fire weather conditions Monday is now 80% contained and around 5 acres. Also, Assemblymember Robert Rivas announced that he secured enough votes to become the next speaker of the California Assembly, and a new bill intended to keep pedestrians safe is advancing in the California state Legislature.

A wrongful death lawsuit filed against the city on behalf of a man fatally shot by Chico police and a security guard can proceed toward trial. Also, community members will soon have a chance to give input on how the state plans to use grant funding to aid recovery efforts from 2020 wildfires, and a law requiring corporations to include a certain number of women on their boards has been ruled unconstitutional by a California judge.

Cal Fire has been facing staffing shortages for years. While most municipal fire stations have three firefighters per engine, Cal Fire has an average of 2.7, requiring employees to work forced overtime and causing severe mental health issues.

Damage to roads and road infrastructure associated with the 2020 North Complex Fire in Butte County is estimated at $75 million.

Host Dave Schlom welcomes back California State University at Chico Pyrogeographer Don Hankins.

The Butte County Board of Supervisors will consider ending the COVID-19 emergency proclamation on Tuesday. Also, more low-income California residents could soon be eligible to attend community college tuition-free and a Lassen County woman was found safe last week after being lost in a remote area of Lassen County for six days.

Low snowpack levels at the Klamath National Forest could affect nearby communities. Also, the Plumas County Library in Greenville aims to help with Dixie Fire recovery, and lawmakers in the Sacramento area want to speed up homeless encampment removals.

California’s wildfire season has been growing longer, deadlier and more destructive every year. As residents worry about their area being hit next, there are steps that they can take to help protect themselves and their property when wildfire strikes.

For some survivors of destructive wildfires in the North State, recovery is just beginning. Also, a highly contagious COVID-19 subvariant is detected in Shasta County, and an investigative reporter explores how climate change is taught in schools.