North Coast Congressmember Jared Huffman questioned the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency about inadequacies built into the disaster relief program Sept. 19, specifically citing the recovery struggles in Rio Dell as an example of how the system is failing smaller, rural communities in the wake of natural disasters. While thanking FEMA Administrator Deanne […]
wildfires
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CA Officials Respond to Tropical Storm Hilary, Ojai quake and Wildfires with the Possibility of More Lightning in the Forecast
California received a one-two punch from Mother Nature as Tropical Storm Hilary unleashed torrential record rains and flooding across Southern California, and an earthquake struck near Ojai — all during what has historically been the state’s wildfire season. The wild weekend prompted Gov. Gavin Newsom to head south, declaring a storm state of emergency even […]
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Four Things California Can Do as Home Insurers Retreat
After State Farm declared in late May that it wouldn’t sell any new home insurance policies in California, people shopping around for new insurance had one fewer option. When days later it was revealed that Allstate had quietly made the same decision last year, Californians are now left wondering: How bad is this? And how […]
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NCJ Preview: CPH’s Fire Fight, Police Shooting, Spiked Drinks and Oyster Fest Beer
This week’s cover story dives into the tug of war over wildfire training degrees and whether Cal Poly Humboldt has the right to call dibs on them. We’re updating on the police shooting in Eureka stemming from an alleged armed robbery and assault, and a high-speed chase, as well. We’ve got what you need to […]
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By the Numbers: California’s Mild 2022 Wildfire Season
As California emerges from its “peak” wildfire season, the state has managed to avoid its recent plague of catastrophic wildfires. So far in 2022, the fewest acres have burned since 2019. State Emergency Services Director Mark Ghilarducci said California had “a bit of luck” with weather this summer. Although enduring yet another drought year, much […]
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Looking Back: A Surreal Day Two Years Ago (Slideshow)
On this date, two years ago, Humboldt County residents awoke to the apocalyptic glow of an eerie orange sky created by heavy haze in the air from surrounding wildfires, some of which had already been burning for weeks. For weeks, residents across wide swaths of the region would face choking smoke, a series of evacuation […]
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NCJ Preview: A Japanese Festival, Wildfire Helpers and Bagel News
This week we’re looking at how Humboldt Asians and Pacific Islanders in Solidarity (HAPI) brought the county’s first Obon festival, a Japanese Buddhist tradition with dancing, drumming and honoring ancestors. Also, if you’re looking for help in the midst of the Six Rivers fires, or looking to help those in need, we’ve got resources to […]
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NCJ Preview: Firefighter PTSD, Auditor-Controller Deal, Boozy Summer Pie
The wildfires aren’t just devastating our landscapes, they’re taking a massive toll on the people who fight them. This week we’re talking about the rising PTSD crisis among Cal Fire firefighters and what’s being done to combat it. And the county has struck a deal to shorten Auditor-Controller Karen Paz Dominguez’ lame duck time. We’ll […]
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Karuk Tribe Official Brings Traditional Knowledge to Federal Wildfire Commission
The director of the Karuk Tribe’s Natural Resources Department was named July 7 to the Biden-Harris administration’s Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission, which is tasked with recommending policies and strategies to better prevent, mitigate, manage and recover from wildfire to Congress. Bill Tripp, a Karuk Tribal member, brings with him traditional knowledge passed down […]
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Audit: California Utilities Aren’t Doing Enough to Reduce Wildfire Threats
As record-breaking drought fuels another potentially dangerous wildfire season, the state auditor reported today that state officials are failing to hold California’s electric utilities accountable for preventing fires caused by their equipment. The report to the California Legislature found that the new Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety approved utility companies’ wildfire prevention plans even when […]
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Ag Producers Urged to Apply Now for Emergency Access Passes
With the need to prepare for wildfires before winter even draws to a close becoming more critical as megablazes move into year-round threats — with each new fire season surpassing the last — Humboldt agricultural producers are being encouraged to apply now for a Restricted Area Access Pass. Having the annually issued pass is a […]
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How Much Do Wildfires Really Cost California’s Economy?
Not a single structure burned down in the city of South Lake Tahoe. And yet, the threat of the fast approaching Caldor Fire cost surrounding El Dorado County tens of millions of dollars, if not more. In South Lake Tahoe, Domi Chavarria, co-owner of Verde Mexican Rotisserie, felt the devastation of the Caldor Fire even […]