Tag
119 storiesnewest firstlatest September 9, 2026page 2 of 6
Los Angeles Fire Department fought a brush fire on the 405 near Getty Center Drive on September 9, issuing evacuations as the blaze threatened the highway and surrounding area, a common risk in the dry-season Sepulveda Pass.
California has stopped its disaster case‑management program for Eaton and Palisades wildfire survivors because FEMA has not released promised federal assistance funds. The move shifts survivors to local resources while the state seeks alternative funding.
Firefighters stopped the forward spread of the Hilary brush fire, which burned 74 acres near 40th Street and Barrel Springs Road in Palmdale, after evacuation warnings were issued on September 1, 2026.
The California Assembly declined to advance a bill intended to speed wildfire victim compensation, citing utility companies' concerns over insufficient financial safeguards, leaving the existing payout system unchanged.
California lawmakers and Governor Gavin Newsom approved science‑based testing and remediation standards for homes damaged by smoke, a response to the widespread smoke damage from last year’s Los Angeles County wildfires.
Los Angeles County has sued State Farm, alleging unfair practices and claim mishandling after the January 2025 wildfires that devastated Altadena and Pacific Palisades, leaving many homeowners unable to return home.
Facing a severe wildfire season in summer 2026, France is seeking California’s fire‑management expertise to improve its own firefighting and prevention strategies.
California Democratic lawmakers approved a limited wildfire bill on August 30, 2026, scaling back Governor Newsom's broader utility cost‑relief plan amid lawsuits and financial strain on utilities after recent fires.
A winery gardener has been charged with starting a 2025 Napa County wildfire that caused millions in damage and tens of millions in agricultural losses, primarily destroying vineyards.
California lawmakers voted to reject major parts of Gov. Newsom’s wildfire plan that would have cut survivor payouts and limited utility liability, maintaining current compensation levels for fire victims.
Wildfire survivors convened in Sacramento to urge lawmakers to reject a bill that would cap utility payments for catastrophic fires, arguing it would limit compensation for victims. Lawmakers are weighing the proposal, which aims to reduce utility liability, amid ongoing debate over accountability and public safety.
A wildfire in Perris on August 25, 2026 led Riverside County officials to order evacuations and issue warnings for nearby residents, with fire crews working to contain the blaze and authorities monitoring the situation.
Southern California Edison is weighing public safety power shutoffs for about 4,000 Los Angeles County customers due to extreme heat and wind that could spark wildfires. The utility will issue notices and monitor conditions before any shutdown is implemented.
Los Angeles County Fire Department is adding staff and pre‑positioning resources to ensure rapid wildfire response during a forecasted week of extreme heat, a condition that typically raises fire risk in the area.
U.S. officials are evaluating a return to the historic "10 a.m. rule," which required all wildfires to be extinguished by 10 a.m., a practice that guided fire management for roughly a hundred years.
California firefighters introduced the Zone Zero rule, mandating homeowners in Southern California to create and maintain defensible space around their properties as part of the state's toughest fire‑safety standards.
The Hawk fire has burned over 15,000 acres near Reno, prompting a state of emergency, evacuating thousands, injuring six, and remaining at zero percent containment due to strong winds.
Caltrans started lane closures on the Pacific Coast Highway and Topanga Canyon Boulevard on August 23, 2026, to repair damage from the Palisades Fire. Drivers are urged to use alternate routes as work begins on the affected sections.
The California Board of Forestry approved the ‘Zone Zero’ fire‑safe yard regulations on August 19, 2026, setting planting, building and storage standards for residents in high‑hazard areas to reduce wildfire risk for millions of Californians.
Toxic runoff from the Lineage fire entered the Los Angeles River on August 17, 2026, while Long Beach beaches stayed open, as a regulatory gap delayed testing and limited rapid response. City officials are monitoring water quality amid concerns about safety.
