Climate & Environment

‘Literally off the charts’: LA’s critically dry conditions stun scientists

A recent swing from wet to dry is among the most extreme on record, priming much of Southern California for wind-whipped fires.

Black smoke and an orange cast sky can be seen in the distance behind a hillside dotted with homes

Many in Pacific Palisades were not wealthy. After the fire, can they rebuild?

Pacific Palisades is known for many of it's famous and wealthy residents, but many of the families who’ve lost their homes are not fabulously wealthy.

Two women are seen from behind, both wearing light colored sweatshirts with their arms around each other. They are standing in front of the burned out ruins of a home

Newsom's order aims to help Angelenos, but is rebuilding in the same areas a good idea?

California Gov. Gavin Newsom's executive order waives environmental laws for people whose homes burned down so they can rebuild as quickly as possible in exactly the same place.

A man walks by the rubble of a house burned down and people wearing yellow safety uniforms clean up the site.

Why are evacuated residents not allowed back into their homes?

What to do if you’re waiting to return to your home or are in your home in an evacuated area.

You might see injured wild animals in fire areas. Here's what to do

Basically, don’t feed wild animals, call an expert for help

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Two women are bent over a peacock covered with a white sheet with a bandage on its leg

Wondering where the extreme winds are? Here's how wind predictions and warnings are made

Maybe it isn't windy where you are right now, but some areas of Southern California are experiencing strong gusts like those that drove the growth of L.A.'s recent deadly wildfires. This is how the National Weather Service makes its forecasts and decides when to issue warnings.

Four palm trees sway in the wind. The sky is dark and cloudy.

How climate change is reshaping home insurance in California — and the rest of the US

Worsening wildfires are hiking up home insurance rates in California, the biggest market in the U.S. And as climate disasters increase across the country, other states are feeling the pressure too.

Sewage spill forces beach closures in Orange County

Beaches are closed from Laguna Beach to Aliso Viejo.

A map of South O.C.'s coastline showing beach closures.

FEMA says ‘carefully consider’ GoFundMe campaign phrasing because it can affect disaster aid

GoFundMe and other crowdfunding sites have become a quick source for help from the community, but during a disaster, they can impact federal assistance.

A wide view of a dozens of people sitting outside in chairs at different stations to speak with FEMA officials about asssitance. In the background are FEMA trucks and trees, while a disaster assistance sign sits nearest to the camera.

California withdraws diesel truck ban and other clean-air rules ahead of Trump taking office

California regulators say the Trump administration is unlikely to approve the rules and that they have no choice but to abandon groundbreaking regulations for zero-emission trucks and cleaner locomotives.

Two large diesel trucks drive on a road with shipping containers and large cranes visible in the background.

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