USFS: Forests Might Not Recover From Butte Fire October 15, 2015 | Lesley McClurg Much of the Butte Fire burn area is completely devoid of life. The trees are blackened sticks. Large areas suffered "high severity" burns, which means no vegetation survived the extremely hot flames. Listen / Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Environment Forecast: Strong El Niño Will Improve California Drought October 15, 2015 | Ed Joyce The latest forecast from NOAA's Climate Prediction Center shows El Niño will help improve the drought in parts of California by the end of January. Listen / Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Butte Fire Officials: Crews Faced Erratic Flames, Many Did Not Follow Evacuation Orders October 15, 2015 | Alan Ray Two weeks after the Butte Fire in Amador and Calaveras counties was contained, fire managers are assessing the blaze and the effort to fight it.
Environment Fire Restrictions Reinstated At Eldorado National Forest October 15, 2015 | Bob Moffitt The U.S. Forest Service will reinstate fire restrictions for the Eldorado National Forest Saturday less than two weeks after lifting them.
Insight With Vicki Gonzalez Feds Tour Area Affected By Butte Fire October 15, 2015 On Insight, we’ll speak with USDA Undersecretary Robert Bonnie about his visit to the northern California burn area Wednesday and some of the challenges in funding fire-fighting. Listen / download audio Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
AP: California May Allow Inmate Firefighters With Violent Pasts October 12, 2015 UPDATE: (AP) - California officials are considering allowing inmates with violent backgrounds to work outside prison walls fighting wildfires, and the idea is generating concerns about public safety.
Environment El Niño Brings Risk Of Flash Flooding, Debris Flows Near Wildfire Scars October 12, 2015 | Ed Joyce A strong El Niño is forecast to bring above-average precipitation this winter. But, it also creates dangerous flooding potential too, especially in areas recently scarred by wildfires. Listen / Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Environment Rain No Help For California Reservoirs October 8, 2015 | Ed Joyce Despite a potential strong El Niño, the drought in most of California is forecast to continue into a fifth year. Listen / Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
Environment Valley Fire Fully Contained October 7, 2015 Almost a month after it scorched 76,067 acres of Lake County, the Valley Fire is officially 100 percent contained.
Environment Melting Plastic Cases Delayed Firefighters Entry Into Shelters October 6, 2015 | Bob Moffitt Cal Fire expects to have the Valley Fire fully contained Tuesday evening but is giving no time frame for the investigation into the circumstances under which four firefighters were burned Sept. 12. Listen / Update RequiredTo play audio, update browser or Flash plugin.
