blog post California’s 2022 Fire Season: “A Remarkably Different Year” By Sarah Bardeen Dec 12, 2022 This year’s fire season was relatively quiet—a welcome change of pace for fire-weary Californians. But what does it mean in the larger scheme of things? We asked UC Berkeley professor Scott Stephens for insights.
blog post Video: Preparing for the Next Wildfire Season By Mary Severance May 27, 2021 Insurance commissioner Ricardo Lara and an expert panel discuss how California can best prepare for wildfires and address the threat they pose to communities across the state.
blog post The State of Wildfire Risk Reduction in California By Lori Pottinger Jul 22, 2019 The state is trying to reduce future wildfire risks with new programs, policies, and increased funding. We talked to Van Butsic of UC Berkeley about these efforts.
blog post How Unhealthy Forests Affect Water Supply By Lori Pottinger May 30, 2017 California’s forested watersheds are feeling the effects of drought and fire suppression practices that encourage overly dense stands of trees.
blog post A Look Back at the Year in Water Policy By Ellen Hanak Jan 9, 2018 California’s year of extremes demonstrated the impact of our variable climate on water management. The PPIC Water Policy Center responded.
blog post Water in 2021: Looking Back on a Year of Extremes By Ellen Hanak Jan 3, 2022 In California, 2021 was the year that climate change hit home. We look back at this year of extremes—and examine how our nonpartisan data and analysis informed conversations about how to address the tough water issues facing the state.
blog post What’s Worse Than a Flood? A Debris Flow By Sarah Bardeen Mar 18, 2024 Move over, floods—there’s a new natural disaster in town: debris flows. We know that debris flows can be even more destructive than floods, but what are they and why do they happen? We speak with expert Jimmy Guilinger to learn more.
event Improving the Health of California’s Headwater Forests Sep 20, 2017 California’s headwater forests are at risk. Years of fire suppression, emphasis on short-term management priorities, weather extremes, and climate change have set the stage for a steep decline in forest resilience. The result is lost timber production, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities, and threats to our water supply. A panel of experts will explore management and regulatory reforms that can revitalize these forests and prepare them for a changing climate.
