Nate Armstrong has gotten got a big increase in funding to prepare for what’s ahead. But with an unending fire season — and the logistical challenges and stresses — the head of the Cal Fire unit covering Santa Cruz County sees more questions than answers about the severity of the year ahead.
Climate
Posted inBusiness & Technology
Left out to dry: Sprinkler requirements the next hurdle for beleaguered CZU rebuilders
As more families in the Santa Cruz Mountains begin the rebuilding process nearly two years after losing their homes in the CZU Lightning Complex fire, another issue has become evident: a fire sprinkler requirement, and a lack of adequate water pressure for all affected families. Some say this could hinder their ability to get home more so than before: “What can I do, just move in and face possible red-tagging?”
Posted inEnvironment
California farms and Bay Area cities ordered to stop diverting water from rivers
California officials have ordered new water curtailments due to drought, barring certain cities and farms from diverting river water.
Posted inEnvironment
California bans watering ‘non-functional’ grass in some areas, strengthening drought rules
California water regulators have banned the watering of decorative “non-functional” grass at commercial, industrial and institutional properties.
Posted inEnvironment
California properties at risk of wildfire expected to see sixfold increase in 30 years
The number of California properties facing severe wildfire risk is expected to grow sixfold over the next 30 years, according to new research.
Posted inEnvironment
Five things to know about nuclear power in California
Gov. Gavin Newsom is considering seeking federal funds to keep Diablo Canyon open as California transitions away from fossil fuels. But there are many complications to keeping nuclear power in California.
Posted inEnvironment
California Coastal Commission rejects plan for Huntington Beach desalination plant
After hours of intense debate Thursday, coastal regulators rejected Poseidon Water’s proposal to build a desalination plant in Huntington Beach.
Posted inEnvironment
How bad is water use in California? March is the worst so far, up 19%
Ignoring urgent pleas from water officials, Californians used substantially more water after a record-dry three months gripped the state.
Posted inEnvironment
It’s not even summer, and California’s two largest reservoirs are at ‘critically low’ levels
Shasta Lake is at less than half of normal levels. Lake Oroville, the largest reservoir in the State Water Project, is at 55% of total capacity.
Posted inEnvironment
With water running out, California sees no relief from drought thanks to La Niña
La Niña was expected to dissipate, but it could linger through the summer. That’s bad news for drought- and wildfire-prone California.