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As fires rage, California refines an important skill: Evacuating

Heather Kelly Scott Wilson Joy Lanzendorfer

October 28, 2019 |

The Washington Post |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Santa Rosa, California

With wildfires becoming more and more common, Californians have become improved their evacuation procedures. Alerting residents earlier via cellphone and then ongoing door-to-door notices have made a difference, along with residents trusting the evacuation calls more than before. Notable improvements have been made in hospitals, with staff making arrangements with other hospitals as soon as they receive the evacuation notice.

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Sonoma and Butte counties see natural lessons in wake of megafires

Stephen Nett

October 25, 2019 |

The Press Democrat |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Sonoma, California

California’s Sonoma and Butte counties have been taking new approaches to wildfires – rather than preventing them, they’re hoping to support the ecosystem to withstand them and bounce back. This resilience-centered approach includes controlled burns, fuel breaks, cross-organizational collaboration, and educating the public – especially homeowners – about how they can help.

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Grenfell Tower fire - Inequality, racism & the fight for justice

Tom Llewellyn

October 16, 2019 |

Shareable |

Podcast |

Over 15 Minutes

Response Location: United Kingdom, Kensington, Greater London

After a devastating fire in London that took the lives of more than 70 people, the community it impacted most joined together to work through their trauma and raise awareness about economic injustice. From community gardening to organizing events to advocate for justice, many have joined forces to heal from the fire.

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Do California Power Shutoffs Work? Hard to Know, Experts Say

Jonathan J. Cooper Jocelyn Gecker

October 14, 2019 |

Associated Press |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, San Francisco, California

As a proactive effort, California’s Pacific Gas & Electric Co. cut power in the hopes it would prevent wildfires that are often caused by power lines. It took a page from San Diego Gas & Electric who has been doing so for five years, along with increased spending on its weather predicting equipment. While the preventative measures are seemingly impactful, with a lacking comparative alternative, experts question its impact.

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When Arizona catches fire, prisoners step up

Maya L. Kapoor

August 05, 2019 |

High Country News |

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Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Arizona

As the cost of fighting wildfires rises and the number of firefighters declines, Arizona found a solution: paying incarcerated men and women to do the same job for just five percent of the standard rate for firefighting. Arizona’s Inmate Wildfire Program, while fundamentally exploitative, is seemingly more complex. Those that go through the program find a sense of meaning and are given the opportunity to learn leadership and teamwork skills – things they can translate in life upon release.

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Living with Fire Part 3: Private-sector approaches to a public problem

Amanda Eggert

July 11, 2019 |

Montana Free Press |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Bozeman, Montana

Wildfire Defense Systems is hired by insurance companies to send firefighting crews throughout 20 states to protect insured property at risk from wildfires. The company justifies its services as a needed supplement to overworked, publicly funded wildfire-fighting crews. Critics say it gives rich homeowners an unfair advantage. Since its founding in 2008, it has responded to nearly 600 fires, protecting millions of properties and saving insurance companies more than $750 million in potential claims.

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How Sonoma's Vineyards Survived a Siege of Fire, Smoke and Ash

Michele Bigley

July 03, 2019 |

The New York Times |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Sonoma, California

Through collective action and informed practices, such as promoting grazing in vineyards, residents in fire-ravaged communities build a more resilient future. Across California’s wine region, locals have begun to reorient their way of life to mitigate the effects of future wildfires. The Good Fire Alliance, nonprofit group of organizations, focuses on promoting community resilience to wildfires, educating about safe burning practices, grazing, and encouraging general fire-ecology awareness.

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Can ‘Big Data' Help Fight Big Fires? Firefighters Are Betting on It

Jose A. Del Real

June 24, 2019 |

The New York Times |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Los Angeles, California

FireMap is a new program that uses real-time data to predict the direction of wildfires. In Southern California, where the tool is being tested, there is a huge potential for positive impact - fires in California swept across about 1.7 million acres in 2018. FireMap is built off an older technology, but this one is faster, more accurate, and has greater potential to scale.

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The rise of wildfire-resilient communities

Liz Weber

June 17, 2019 |

High Country News |

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Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, Sisters, Oregon

Coordination and planning can prove to be the best defensive measures against wildfires. Funded by the US Forest Service, the Community Planning Assistance for Wild Program (CPAW) promotes community fire adaptation, including measures like prescribed burns. Policymakers and city planners enrolled in CPAW benefit from teaming up with foresters, economists, and other experts to model risk and mitigate the impact of fires.

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This California Neighborhood Was Built to Survive a Wildfire. And It Worked

Lauren Sommer

June 03, 2019 |

KQED |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, San Diego, California

In the Rancho Santa Fe neighborhood of California, one neighborhood was designed and built to protect homes from wildfires. Included in the design were certain regulations, like regulating weeds, brush, and mulch, and installing noncombustible siding and roofs. Because of climate change, the strength and frequency of wildfires have increased across the state, prompting residents, firefighting professionals, and legislators to become more resilience- and prevention-oriented.

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