blog post How California’s Wildfires Are Changing By Henry McCann Sep 21, 2020 This year’s fire season has already set records in number of acres burned, with months left to go. We asked fire scientist Crystal Kolden of UC Merced how California’s “firescape” is changing, and what can be done about it.
blog post COVID-19’s Toll on Mental Health By Daniel Tan Sep 11, 2020 The ongoing pandemic poses a number of mental health challenges, with more Californians reporting anxiety, worry, and other symptoms in recent months.
blog post Grappling with the Statewide “Wildfire Siege” By Henry McCann Aug 20, 2020 California is in the midst of a statewide wildfire siege that is severely challenging fire suppression. How prepared are we?
blog post When a Lack of Air Conditioning is a Public Health Threat By Lori Pottinger Aug 17, 2020 California is getting hotter, which is leading to public health inequities caused by a lack of air conditioning. We talked to Kelly Sanders of the University of Southern California about addressing “air conditioning deserts."
blog post Commentary: Improving Forest Health Can Build Jobs, Economies in Rural California By Henry McCann, Van Butsic Jul 6, 2020 Putting Californians to work improving the health of the state’s headwater forests would boost economic recovery and reduce wildfire risk.
blog post Growing Damages from Wildfires Burn the Insurance Industry By Lori Pottinger Jun 29, 2020 Devastating fires in recent years have roiled the insurance industry. We talked to Rex Frazier of the Personal Insurance Federation of California about how the industry is addressing growing wildfire risk.
blog post Video: The Benefits of Headwater Forest Management By Lori Pottinger May 4, 2020 California’s headwater forests are increasingly vulnerable to major wildfires and droughts that threaten the many benefits they provide. An expert panel discussed how improved management can reduce risks of major wildfires and bring other benefits.
event The Benefits of Headwater Forest Management Apr 30, 2020 COVID-19 has upended many governmental functions and collective efforts, including hands-on forest management to reduce wildfire risks. California’s headwater forests have experienced their own health crisis in recent years, which has left them increasingly vulnerable to major wildfires and droughts that threaten the benefits they provide. Improved management can make these forests more resilient and avoid major wildfire-related disasters. But this will require a substantial lift from an array of private and public entities.
blog post How Is the Pandemic Affecting Wildfire Preparedness? By Henry McCann, Van Butsic Apr 27, 2020 Catastrophic wildfires in recent years set off a wave of efforts to reduce this risk across the state. The COVID-19 pandemic could complicate this work.
Report The Benefits of Headwater Forest Management By Henry McCann, Van Butsic, Yufang Jin, Scott Stephens ... Apr 24, 2020 California’s headwater forests have become more vulnerable to drought and wildfire—risks that are increasing with climate change. Increased forest management on a large scale can improve the region’s resilience to these risks, and bring widely shared benefits in air quality, water quality and supply, rural economies, and carbon sequestration. This report assesses the benefits and beneficiaries of improved forest management. This information is key to crafting the financial tools, policies, and other governance solutions needed for long-term stewardship of the state’s headwater forests.
