Water Scarcity Is Baking Cropland, Ramping Up Wildfire Risk from California to Texas

A rusted cast iron water main cover in the desert

Normally at this time of year, Katy Kemp’s 80 head of cattle would be grazing on her family’s ranch in Staples, Texas. Instead, the herd is living off dwindling hay stores as drought dries up grassland and chokes off crops. Parts of Texas are so starved for water that ranchers are trucking feed 1,000 miles… Continue reading Water Scarcity Is Baking Cropland, Ramping Up Wildfire Risk from California to Texas

California’s Largest Utilities to Spend About $13B to Reduce Risk of Wildfires

Natural disasters and homeowners insurance

California’s largest utilities said Friday that they will spend about $13 billion to reduce the risk of wildfires following the worst fire season in modern state history and a string of blazes that were blamed on their equipment. Pacific Gas & Electric, Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas & Electric and some smaller utilities filed… Continue reading California’s Largest Utilities to Spend About $13B to Reduce Risk of Wildfires

California Winds Bring Wildfires, Power Outages to Thousands

Ice storm power outage

A windstorm that fanned brushfires, toppled trees and left thousands of Californians without power focused its remaining energy Wednesday on the southern end of the state, where forecasters warned of the additional threat of heavy rain and flash flooding. Strong winds were forecast through the day before tapering off. A low-pressure system moving across northern… Continue reading California Winds Bring Wildfires, Power Outages to Thousands

California Police Adopt WingtraOne Drone for Wildfire Damage Assessment

wildfires and smoke

The Lafayette City Police Department and an interagency task force joined a survey firm to deal with extensive damage caused by California wildfires that were raging in August and September. One of these, “the CZU lightning complex fire” caused a massive evacuation before destroying 86,509 acres (35,009 ha) and nearly 1500 structures across four communities… Continue reading California Police Adopt WingtraOne Drone for Wildfire Damage Assessment

CA Insurance Commissioner Urges Insurers to Cover Wildfire Property Losses without Requiring a Home Inventory

two silhouette on housefire background

In response to California’s latest destructive fires, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara is requesting that insurance companies help wildfire survivors who are overwhelmed with the task of navigating the claims process by providing up to 100 percent of personal property coverage limits without a detailed inventory to those who suffered a total loss of their home,… Continue reading CA Insurance Commissioner Urges Insurers to Cover Wildfire Property Losses without Requiring a Home Inventory