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Environment

California Burning

The Climate Crisis is Setting the State on Fire

Yes, California always had wildfires, but no one was prepared for them to get this big, this soon. What do we do now?

6 stories published since 2020

California’s Forever Fire

by Elizabeth Weil, ProPublica, photography by Meridith Kohut for The New York Times Magazine,

New Maps Show How Climate Change is Making California’s “Fire Weather” Worse

by Al Shaw and Elizabeth Weil,

California Will Keep Burning. But Housing Policy Is Making It Worse.

by Elizabeth Weil and Mollie Simon,

What the Photos of Wildfires and Smoke Don’t Show You

by Elizabeth Weil and Lisa Larson-Walker,

The Climate Crisis Is Happening Right Now. Just Look at California’s Weekend.

by Elizabeth Weil,

A Cal Fire firefighter standing with his back to the camera facing a forest fire.

They Know How to Prevent Megafires. Why Won’t Anybody Listen?

by Elizabeth Weil,

What We’re Watching

During Donald Trump’s second presidency, ProPublica will focus on the areas most in need of scrutiny. Here are some of the issues our reporters will be watching — and how to get in touch with them securely.

Learn more about our reporting team. We will continue to share our areas of interest as the news develops.

Photo of Sharon Lerner
Sharon Lerner

I cover health and the environment and the agencies that govern them, including the Environmental Protection Agency.

Photo of Andy Kroll
Andy Kroll

I cover justice and the rule of law, including the Justice Department, U.S. attorneys and the courts.

Photo of Melissa Sanchez
Melissa Sanchez

I report on immigration and labor, and I am based in Chicago.

Photo of Jesse Coburn
Jesse Coburn

I cover housing and transportation, including the companies working in those fields and the regulators overseeing them.

If you don’t have a specific tip or story in mind, we could still use your help. Sign up to be a member of our federal worker source network to stay in touch.

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