Climate & Environment

Cal Fire rolled out an AI chatbot. Don’t ask it about evacuation orders

California pushes AI in government, but the wildfire chatbot falls short.

Firefighters use tools to dig near flames from a wildfire that burns through a wooded area.

Congress is killing clean energy tax credits. Here’s how to use them before they disappear

Just a few weeks remain to tap federal programs that make purchasing an EV, heat pump or solar panels more affordable.

A couple stands arm in arm, looking at their home’s rooftop solar panels.

LA County renters without AC swelter in heat waves with little recourse, study finds. That might change

There are no state or local protections for tenants without cooling. That could soon change.

An apartment building has multiple stories and ornate mouldings around openings to a fire escape.

California could flood like Texas. But thunderstorms likely won’t be to blame

Deadly floods like those in Texas are rare in California, but climate change-fueled storms could make them more likely, climate scientists say.

A rescue worker stands among storm debris and uprooted trees, with his hand covering his face during a search effort.

Photos: Sea lions are released after toxic algae bloom in Southern California

Marine mammal researchers are investigating how sea lions were affected by the longest toxic algal bloom on record off the coast of Southern California. Some sea lions are being released back into the wild.

Patchouli is one of the last sea lions released from the Marine Mammal Care Center after a toxic algae bloom in Southern California.

4 things to know about SoCal’s flood systems in the wake of the Texas tragedy

In the wake of the tragedy in Texas, LAist set out to get answers about the flood situation here.

On the left of a frame a black asphalt bike path where a woman wearing a gray sweater and beanie rides her bike. Next to her is the LA River where a man sits on the slopping concrete that leads to the water. He wears a flannel shirt and white beanie as he looks out at the water. The river flows downstream and there are multiple trees in the middle of the brown, rushing water. The skies are gloomy.

Need an A/C unit? LADWP customers can get rebates through this program

The L.A. Department of Water and Power's "Cool L.A." initiative could help you save.

A whole lot of fireworks and a whole lot of fires: SoCal firefighters had a busy July Fourth

One Southern California fire department was "double-digit busier" on Independence Day compared with a typical day.

A pulled back view from the backside of a family of three as stand at a window to purchase fireworks. The stand is full of fireworks signs saying things like "buy one get one free" and "TNT fireworks."

Jackie and Shadow spotted in Big Bear after 4th of July fireworks

Eagle lovers breathe a sigh of relief after contentious fireworks display went on.

A camera image shows two bald eagles perched on a pine tree branch.

Rancho Fire in Laguna Beach burns near hillside homes

People living on some streets in the Bluebird Canyon area were told to evacuate because of Monday's brush fire.

A satellite image is overlaid with a fire perimeter and a label "Rancho."

SoCal to bake under brief heat wave this week

Triple digit temperatures are expected Wednesday and Thursday.

The sun sets over the ocean and people stand in the water.

Cleaning up smog is suddenly much harder. Reined in by Trump, what will California do next?

With seven of its ambitious rules for cars, trucks and trains repealed, California officials must find new ways to clean up the nation’s worst air pollution.

An orange tinted skyline in downtown, with buildings partially obscured by smog and a light aircraft flying through the polluted air.

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