The Soquel Creek Water District and the Santa Cruz Children’s Museum of Discovery (MOD) have partnered to create an “Eco Home,” an interactive learning exhibit to inspire and challenge kids and families about water sustainability and how to use water wisely. Check the MOD website at www.sccmod.org for open hours.
Environment
Caldor fire burns more than 440 homes as Lake Tahoe air quality ranks among worst in U.S.
More than 17,000 structures remain under threat from the blaze, which was just 5% contained as of Monday. Strong winds helped the fire grow to more than 100,000 acres over the weekend as it pushed closer to South Lake Tahoe.
Wildfire smoke: An emerging threat to West Coast wines
As climate change brings longer, more destructive fire seasons, the wine industry scrambles to protect vineyards from the dreaded taint of smoke. “The pandemic was an enormous challenge,” one insider says. “But now, without question, I think the threat of wildfire in many different ways is the greatest challenge of the day for the industry.”
How should California confront the rising sea? These lawmakers have some bold ideas
California lawmakers introduced more than a dozen sea level rise bills this year — a political awakening experts say came not a moment too soon.
California builds a ‘Noah’s Ark’ to protect wildlife from extinction by fire and heat
As the Earth warms and the drought deepens, a network of biologists and conservationists are racing to rescue California’s most threatened species. “I can’t think of a single terrestrial ecosystem that’s not being stressed to the limits of its physiological tolerance right now,” one biologist says.
‘How much more of this can we take?’ Wildfires prompt air quality advisories in Northern California
Officials from Lake Tahoe to San Francisco have issued air quality alerts warning of hazardous conditions that could last into the weekend. The Santa Cruz area has seen its share of haze in recent days, but some clearing is expected Friday and into the weekend.
7-year-old California boy dies after being infected with brain-eating amoeba
The child was infected after swimming in a freshwater lake in Tehama County, although public health officials have not disclosed which lake.
PG&E threatens power shutoffs as Dixie fire rages in Northern California
Strong winds are expected to plague the Dixie fire burn area, which has exploded to nearly 570,000 acres in Northern California. PG&E has said its equipment might have sparked the Dixie blaze, which is the second-largest fire in state history.
Storms threaten to grow monstrous Dixie fire: ‘Everything is ready to burn’
Gusts of up to 40 mph could carry burning embers, while lightning strikes could further ignite parched wildlands, swelling the already massive Dixie fire. Firefighters could get a break overnight, forecasters said, but adverse weather conditions are likely to return Friday.

