Latest news with #ParkFire
USA Today
29-05-2025
- Climate
- USA Today
From cool to cruel summer? California wildfire risk may rise even closer to coast
From cool to cruel summer? California wildfire risk may rise even closer to coast The National Interagency Fire Center foresees an elevated chance of blazes igniting across much of California from June through August, Show Caption Hide Caption Explaining health risks that wildfire smoke can cause Find out how you can protect yourself from the dangers of wildfire smoke in California and across the country. SAN FRANCISCO – The major heat wave expected in California's Central Valley this weekend will bring triple-digit temperatures and increased fire risk, a harbinger for what figures to be another scorching summer. And this year the typically cool coastal areas may not be spared, raising the possibility of even more widely spread wildfires for a state long beleaguered by them. The summer wildfire outlook by the National Interagency Fire Center foresees an elevated chance of blazes igniting across much of California from June through August, when vegetation has dried after several weeks broiling under the sun with negligible rainfall. Average temperatures in parts of the Golden State are predicted to climb above historical norms for the summer, which is not surprising as the planet continues to warm. But a more unusual phenomenon may be developing. UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain said in a recent online presentation that weather models are pointing out a notable difference between the upcoming months and recent summers, when the state's hot spots have been mostly centered on inland areas. Higher temperatures even on the coast 'Once we get past May gray and June gloom season,'' he said, 'the rest of the summer and the fall could be quite a bit warmer along the California coast than the last few years have been, while inland areas once again are fairly likely to experience a near-record warm summer in many cases.'' That's a worrisome prospect after a fire season that included the fourth-largest blaze in state history – the Park Fire outside Chico burned nearly 430,000 acres – and the devastating Los Angeles infernos in January, well past the season's typical end point. Over the weekend, temperatures in Central Valley cities such as Sacramento, Fresno and Bakersfield are expected to climb above 100 degrees. The National Weather Service office in Sacramento has already issued an extreme heat watch from early May 30 through late June 1, warning of the dangers of heat-related injuries. AccuWeather senior meteorologist Scott Homan said the chances of wildfires will also be heightened, especially in Southern California after it received below-average precipitation in the winter and early spring. Most of the region is in a drought, and significant parts are in extreme drought. Increased fire risk this weekend and beyond 'With the occasional offshore breezy conditions, it will further dry out any fuels, and then we'll see an uptick in potential grass fires later this week in the valley areas,'' he said. The National Interagency Fire Center noted the snowpack has been melting faster than usual amid warm weather in the West and will dissipate by late June even in mountain areas that had large accumulations, removing a barrier to wildfire spread over the summer. 'In general, we'll continue to see drier weather,'' Homan said. 'Fire risk will increase, especially in areas that are currently in a moderate drought or at least in a dry pattern from the Central Valley on southward.''
San Francisco Chronicle
15-05-2025
- Climate
- San Francisco Chronicle
‘This is a big problem': Two California weather offices no longer provide 24/7 warnings
Two California National Weather Service offices will no longer operate 24 hours per day, the Chronicle confirmed Thursday, curtailing the output of an agency that issues extreme weather warnings for more than 7 million Californians in the Central Valley. The moves come amid a broader upheaval of weather service operations touched off by federal budget cuts. Collectively, the Sacramento and Hanford (Kings County) offices provide forecasts from Redding to Bakersfield, including Lassen, Yosemite, Kings and Sequoia National Parks. Officials have previously said the two weather service offices were enduring 'critically reduced staffing' levels after early-career meteorologists were fired in February and two separate rounds of retirement offers. Staffing shortages and budget cuts have crippled the weather service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in recent months as President Donald Trump's administration rapidly scales back federal science departments that have historically been funded by bi-partisen support. The interruption to continuous weather coverage is 'the biggest deal we've seen so far,' said Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at UCLA and UC Agriculture and Natural Resources. A spokesperson for the National Weather Service confirmed the offices were not operating around-the-clock. Hanford's office is down roughly 40% of its typical staffing levels and Sacramento's office has around a 30% vacancy rate, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The person was granted anonymity in accordance with the Chronicle's sourcing policies. The vacancy rates were unprecedented for the weather service, the person said. In addition to producing daily weather forecasts, local weather service offices provide warnings for life-threatening weather events such as flash floods, wildfires and blizzards. Last summer, the Park Fire erupted in Sacramento's service area and became California's fourth-largest blaze in history. In 2021, the KNP Complex fire threatened massive trees in Sequoia National Park in Hanford's service area. 'These are offices that have both dealt with major wildfire episodes most of the past 10 years and we are now entering fire season,' Swain said. 'That's a big, big problem.' Sacramento's office announced in April that fire weather forecasts would only be published once per day, rather than twice per day, due to staffing shortages. The Central Valley offices are among dozens of understaffed weather service offices around the country. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration sent a message to employees this week asking for voluntary reassignments to 'non-competitively fill vacancies in critically understaffed operational locations across the National Weather Service,' according to a document reviewed by House science committee Democratic staff. 'NOAA is now facing the dire consequences of their illegal employee firings and coercions to quit and now are frantically trying to fill in the gaps by sending NOAA employees to (the weather service) before lives are lost due to degraded services,' said science committee Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren, D-San Jose. Sacramento's office is recruiting two meteorologists to relocate and Hanford is searching for four meteorologists. Among the vacancies, each office is searching for a 'lead meteorologist,' the head forecaster on a shift, who also oversees the issuance of extreme weather warnings. Across the U.S. and Guam, NOAA is attempting to reassign 76 meteorologists, 16 hydrologists and dozens of physical scientists, electronic technicians and IT specialists. 'Work is underway to restore services at local forecast offices around the country,' a spokesperson for the National Weather Service Public Affairs told the Chronicle. 'We are striving to mitigate impacts through the temporary assignment of meteorologists, by advertising positions open for permanent assignment, and with nearby offices providing support.' Sacramento's warning coordination meteorologist, Courtney Carpenter, told the Chronicle on April 16 that the office would continue to have 24/7 coverage. Since then, more meteorologists have left the weather service following another round of early retirement offers. Among those to take the early retirement offer were the warning coordination meteorologists in Los Angeles and San Diego. San Diego's warning coordination meteorologist, Alex Tardy, retired on May 3 after 32 years at the National Weather Service. Tardy expressed concern about the recent changes to the agency. 'If the public doesn't know about these impacts, there's going to be be even less support than there already is for slowing it down or stopping it,' Tardy told the Chronicle on Thursday. 'It feels like the agency is scrambling as many federal agencies are.'
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
A California family is suing insurers over denied wildfire claim. Here's how to deal with an insurance dispute
Anne Yates and Patrick Proctor's 13-acre property in Butte County, California survived the devastating Park Fire, which scorched parts of Butte and Tehama counties in July 2024. But when the couple returned to their Cohasset Road home, they realized their house didn't emerge completely unscathed. Ash, smoke and soot had seeped inside the house, leaving behind what Yates and Proctor's lawsuit alleges are toxic residues. Despite the structure still standing, the couple says their home is uninhabitable and their insurer refuses to pay for professional remediation, reports CBS News. I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how "The FAIR Plan simply did not conduct an adequate investigation and told them that they should clean the home themselves and move back in," said Dylan Schaffer, the couple's attorney with Kerley Schaffer, LLP. 'And that advice is not only contrary to California law, it's dangerous.' With their insurance claims rejected, Yates and Proctor are now suing the California FAIR Plan Association and the insurance companies that fund it. The FAIR Plan, which stands for Fair Access to Insurance Requirements, is California's fire insurance backstop — designed for homeowners and businesses in high-risk areas that can't get traditional insurance coverage. It's made up of multiple insurers who are legally required to participate and offer minimal coverage for fire-related damage. According to the couple's lawsuit, the FAIR Plan denied the couple's smoke damage claim on the basis that their home wasn't 'damaged' but simply 'dirty.' That's been a long-standing point of contention in wildfire insurance cases across the state. 'The problem with the FAIR Plan,' Schaffer told CBS reporters, 'is that their view — since 2012 and across thousands of wildfire claims — is that these houses are not damaged. They're dirty. And because insurance policies cover damage, not dirt, they don't want to pay to fix them.' Yates and Proctor are asking for reimbursement for smoke remediation and reconstruction work they say is necessary to make the home safe again, potentially starting from the studs. The California Department of Insurance declined to comment on the lawsuit specifically but said it expects insurers to stand by their policyholders. The FAIR Plan has come under scrutiny in recent years as wildfires grow more intense and widespread. While it serves as a last resort for many homeowners in fire-prone areas, critics say the coverage is often too limited, and the plan is even at risk of running out of money. Read more: The US stock market's 'fear gauge' has exploded — but this 1 'shockproof' asset is up 14% and helping American retirees stay calm. Here's how to own it ASAP Wildfires, hurricanes and floods can leave lasting damage to your home, even when the walls are still standing. If your insurer denies a claim after such an event, don't assume the story ends there. Here are some steps homeowners can take to protect themselves before and after a natural disaster. Before disaster strikes, review your homeowner's insurance policy closely. Make sure it includes coverage for fire, smoke and additional living expenses if your home becomes uninhabitable. In high-risk areas, supplemental policies may be needed to cover losses not included in basic plans, such as fire and flooding. As soon as it's safe to return, take photos and videos of everything — inside and out — and keep records of any professional assessments, such as air quality tests or contractor quotes, that show the extent of the damage. Public adjusters work on your behalf (not the insurance company's) to assess damage and negotiate claims. They charge a fee — often a percentage of your settlement — but can help maximize your payout. If you believe your claim has been unfairly denied, an attorney with experience in insurance disputes can advise you on next steps. In California, insurers are required by law to act in good faith and handle claims fairly. Denying a legitimate claim without a proper investigation may be grounds for legal action. As climate change increases the frequency and intensity of natural disasters, having the right insurance coverage isn't optional — it's essential. If you live in a high-risk area, talk with your agent about specific protections for wildfires, floods, earthquakes and temporary housing. The right type of coverage could make all the difference when facing the aftermath of a natural disaster. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
CBS News
03-04-2025
- General
- CBS News
Park Fire victims sue insurance companies, FAIR Plan over denied smoke damage claims
BUTTE COUNTY -- A Butte County family is suing the California FAIR Plan and the underlining carriers after smoke damage claims made as a result of the Park Fire were denied. Anne Yates and Patrick Proctor's nearly 13-acre property on Cohasset Road survived the Park Fire, which burned in Butte and Tehama counties in July 2024. Their home was still standing when they returned and appeared to be mostly unscathed. When they went inside they realized something wasn't right. Smoke, ash, and soot left behind toxins, their lawsuit alleges, that have made it unsafe to move back in to their home. "The Fair Plan simply did not conduct an adequate investigation and told them that they should clean the home themselves and move back in. And that advice is not only contrary to California law, it's dangerous," said Dylan Schaffer, the family's attorney with Kerley Schaffer, LLP. Schaffer said to safely move back in to the home requires more than a "mop and a sponge", but rather, professional remediation and and extensive rebuild, nearly starting from the studs. The home is covered by the California FAIR Plan. The plan is an insurance option that provides basic fire coverage for homeowners and businesses in high-risk areas who cannot obtain insurance through traditional carriers. The plan is made up of multiple insurers, all who are able to write property policies in the state. When Yates and Proctor realized their home was damaged by smoke, they filed a claim with the FAIR Plan, and say it was denied. "So, the problem with California FAIR Plan, is that their view — and this has been true since 2012, and it's true across thousands and thousands of wildfire claims — is that these houses are not damaged," Schaffer said. "They're dirty, and because insurance policies cover damage — not dirt — they don't want to pay to fix them, and those fixes can be quite expensive. And really, what this is about is their desire to save money in paying out insurance claims." A spokesperson for the California Department of Insurance said they cannot comment on specific litigation but that the department expects it to stand by its customers. In a bulletin released in March, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara said: Homeowners statewide have shared with CBS that their smoke damage claims have been denied or partially denied by the FAIR Plan. In recent reporting, CBS News Los Angeles reported that a FAIR Plan spokesperson said they approve all covered claims, including smoke claims, consistent with California law. However, they clarified that the FAIR Plan requires direct physical loss for there to be coverage.
CBS News
08-03-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Major U.S. partnership aims to use fuel-break network to protect California forests from fires
SACRAMENTO — If you've ever flown over California's forests, you may have noticed long, cleared strips of land cutting through the trees. These are fuel breaks, which are strategically cleared areas to help slow the spread of wildfires. Now, a new partnership between private and federal landowners aims to connect these fuel breaks into one unified defense system. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Forest Service are joining forces with Sierra Pacific Industries, a major lumber company, in a $75 million partnership to build and maintain fuel breaks throughout California and Oregon. Right now, fuel breaks are scattered and disconnected. This agreement will connect them across private land owned by Sierra Pacific and public land creating a unified front to help protect communities and forests historically known to be at high risk for wildfires. "When suppression efforts are launched, we have a better chance to combat these wildfires which we all know are a tremendous problem in California," said Matt Dias of the California Forestry Association. It will take 23 projects over the next three years to add about 400 miles of new fuel breaks to the existing 2,200-mile network. "When you have firefighting in addition to a fuel break, they stop fires 68% of the time," said Mark Emmerson, CEO of Sierra Pacific. Emmerson knows the benefits of these fuel breaks first-hand, noting the communities of Butte Meadows and Forest Ranch were protected in last year's Park Fire due to the Highway 32 fuel break. "These fuel breaks save properties, infrastructure, resources and lives," he said. This partnership is driven and united by one goal: to build a stronger defense against wildfires. "That's the vision, is having the industry the forest private sector as a whole stand up and stand tall to help the forest service get this done for the protection of resources in California.," Dias said.
