More Evacuations Ordered as Crews Battle Challenging Conditions in Fighting Dixie Fire

KQED's The California Report

In Plumas County, thousands of residents have been ordered from their homes as the Dixie Fire continues to spread. Officials sent out notice Tuesday afternoon as high winds have made it tougher for firefighters trying to contain the fire’s spread.

Reporter: Dan Brekke, KQED

We’ve heard a lot about controlled burning recently –- carefully lit intentional fires that have benefits for wildfire risk and the environment. But lighting them –- like fighting fires –- takes a lot of work.

Guest: Hannah Hagemann, Reporter with the Santa Cruz Sentinel

Governor Gavin Newsom’s signature wildfire prevention measure has been 35 “priority projects” aimed at protecting the state’s most vulnerable communities. In June, one was put to the test during the Lava Fire --one of the first large fires this season. As it threatened the town of Lake Shastina near the Oregon border, one of those priority fuel breaks didn’t contain the fire, leaving evacuees stuck in dangerous traffic.

Reporter: Scott Rodd, CapRadio

During a wildfire, it’s often not flames or heat that ignite a home, but embers. Wind can carry these small pieces of smoldering material for miles, but there are ways to protect your home.

Reporter: Sarah Bohannon, North State Public Radio

A COVID-19 outbreak at a Northern California state prison has infected more than 100 incarcerated people in the last two weeks. It appears the cases spread at the Sierra Conservation Center in Tuolumne County after a prison employee came to work with the virus.

Reporter: Ted Goldberg, KQED

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