April 12 Digest: This Week in Wildfire Recovery News
This is a digest of selected news and media that emerged over the last week related to wildfire emergencies, recovery efforts, and resilience building efforts in the American West.
PG&E settles Kincade, Dixie fire cases without admitting to crimes(opens in new tab)
From ABC10, by Brandon Rittiman, Associated Presse | April 11, 2022
In a pair of settlements unveiled Monday, prosecutors will allow PG&E to pay more than $55 million to avoid facing criminal charges for two of the three major wildfires started by its power lines since 2019.
Family Denied Loan to Rebuild After the Marshall Fire(opens in new tab)
From 9 News, by Kelly Reinke | April 4, 2022
The Wyss family said they closed on an SBA loan in January, and then months later the agency told them they didn't qualify anymore
Volunteers Build Sheds for 2020 Santiam Canyon Wildfire Victims(opens in new tab)
From Statesman Journal, by Whitney Woodworth | April 10, 2022
Santiam Canyon residents who lost their homes in the 2020 wildfires are still waiting to rebuild their lives, but local volunteers and members of the Associated General Contractors Oregon-Columbia chapter help bring comfort
San Lorenzo Valley Water Districts Move Closer to Consolidation With Fire-Damaged Systems(opens in new tab)
From Santa Cruz Sentinel, by Hannah Hagemann | April 8, 2022
San Lorenzo Valley Water District Board of Directors accepts a legal document during a meeting that further solidifies a consolidation between the purveyor and two small community water systems that suffered serious fire damage
Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team Earns Wildfire Mitigation Award(opens in new tab)
From Tahoe Daily Tribune | April 8, 2022
The Tahoe Fire and Fuels Team in March received a National Wildfire Mitigation Award for innovation and leadership in wildfire mitigation, officials announced on Friday.
'Urgency Change' Will Allow More Water to be Stored in Lake Oroville and Shasta Lake(opens in new tab)
From Action News Now, by Kelli Saam | April 7, 2022
Federal and state water agencies have issued an urgency change to conserve more water in Lake Oroville and Shasta Lake.
Two Prescribed Fires in New Mexico Escape and Become Wildfires(opens in new tab)
From Wildfire Today, by Bill Gabbert | April 9, 2022
Information released from the Incident Management Team for the Hermits Peak Fire stated that voluntary evacuations are in effect for three communities
Storms Batter Against Power Grids as Climate Disaster Spreads(opens in new tab)
From AP News, by Matthew Brown, Camille Fasset, Patrick Whittle, Janet Mcconnaughy, and Jason Lo | April 5, 2022
According to analysis of government data, power outages from severe weather have doubled over the past two decades across the U.S., while warming climate stirs destructive storms that cripple broad segments of the nation’s aging electrical grid
California Legislature Advised to Prepare for Sweeping Effects of Climate Change(opens in new tab)
From Times of San Diego, by CalMatters | April 10, 2022
California Legislature’s advisors released a series of reports this month that lay out in stark terms the impacts of climate change across the state.
Paradise Council May Approve Change to Clearance Ordinance(opens in new tab)
From Enterprise-Record, by Rick Silva | April 9, 2022
The Paradise Town Council on Tuesday night will be asked to make a change to the Paradise Municipal Code governing defensible space and hazardous fuel management within the town limits.
Congressman Neguse to Welcome Secretaries Haaland and Vilsack to Boulder County to Discuss Colorado Wildfires(opens in new tab)
From neguse.house.gov | April 8, 2022
Secretaries Will Highlight Historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Investments to Combat Wildfire Crisis, Build Resilience in Rural Communities