Greenville, a Gold Rush town dating to the 19th century, rebuilt after an 1881 fire. Now it has been destroyed by the Dixie fire, California’s largest this year.
Environment
Posted inEnvironment
Amid worsening drought, Lake Oroville’s record-low water level forces shutdown of hydroelectric power plant
California water officials have shut down of a major hydroelectric powerplant at Lake Oroville in Northern California, citing the lowest-ever recorded water level.
Posted inEnvironment
Firefighters face unprecedented conditions as they try to save towns from Dixie fire
Officials say a perfect storm of conditions — the heat, the dry fuels, the drought, the wind, the slope — has driven the Dixie fire’s rapid spread. “There were places where we couldn’t even get a hose because we couldn’t get an engine anywhere near where the fire was,” one said, “so it was all hand tools and that kind of stuff.”
Posted inEnvironment
Fierce winds threatening to make things worse on surging Dixie fire
Personnel attacking the Dixie fire — including firefighters from Santa Cruz County departments — were bracing for strong winds expected to arrive Wednesday afternoon that could make difficult conditions worse. The fire stood at 274,139 acres and 35% containment.
Posted inEnvironment
The fight to clean up the recycling maze: ‘Americans find it more confusing than building IKEA furniture’
At least 85% of single-use plastic items don’t get recycled, even if they carry the familiar triangular symbol. A California bill would restrict which plastics can bear the mark. As Sen. Ben Allen puts it: “Americans find recycling… more confusing than building IKEA furniture, doing their taxes, playing the stock market or understanding their spouse.”
Posted inEnvironment
Sewage line break along East Cliff causes contamination of Schwan Lake, other waterways
A temporary health advisory was also issued at Cowell Beach late last week due to elevated levels of bacteria, probably unrelated to the East Cliff situation. Swimming and wading should be avoided while the advisory is in effect.
Posted inEnvironment
Newsom asks Biden to ensure Pentagon OKs use of satellite data for wildfire program
California Gov. Gavin Newsom wants President Joe Biden to urge the Pentagon to continue providing sensitive satellite information to firefighters so they can spot and track wildfires — and Biden pledged to take up the issue.
Posted inEnvironment
Land Trust of Santa Cruz County hires new executive director
With former executive director Stephen Slade retiring, Felton resident Sarah Newkirk will assume the role for the Land Trust of Santa Cruz County.
Posted inEnvironment
Dixie fire scorches nearly 200,000 acres, doubling in size in days
Gusty winds and thunderstorms could exacerbate the conditions that are fueling the Dixie and Tamarack fires in Northern California. More than 5,400 personnel — including crews from Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley and Cal Fire’s local CZU unit, among others — are attacking the blaze around the clock.
Posted inEnvironment
Good luck getting a state rebate on your new electric car
California’s electric car rebate program is designed to steer consumers toward clean, environmentally friendly vehicles. Unfortunately for buyers, it’s confusing, unpredictable and underfunded.
