wildfire crisis Archives - Local News Matters

A scorched forest landscape with charred tree trunks and a few standing green trees under a clear blue sky, with distant mountains in the background.

Crews begin standing down as Lucas Fire 84% contained

by Pete Young, Bay City News September 18, 2026September 18, 2026

Cal Fire crews are beginning to stand down after a wildfire that grew to 4,128 acres on Mendocino County’s border with Lake County reached 84% containment. Crews assigned to the Lucas Fire near the rural Mendocino County community of Potter Valley, about 18 miles north-northeast of Ukiah, were focusing on restoring environmentally impacted areas, Cal […]

Wildfire grows to 4,008 acres near Potter Valley

by Pete Young, Bay City News September 12, 2026September 12, 2026

A fiery wildfire rages across mountain slopes at night, casting an orange glow over the darkened landscape.

Containment of Plaskett Fire, state’s largest, rises to 23%

by Pete Young, Bay City News September 5, 2026September 4, 2026

A fiery wildfire rages up a hillside at night, casting an orange glow over the dark sky and illuminating a winding road below.

Plaskett Fire update: Area west of Fort Hunter Liggett ordered to evacuate

by Alise Maripuu, Bay City News August 29, 2026August 29, 2026

A wildfire engulfs a hillside, sending thick smoke into the sky as flames spread across the terrain near a roadside.

Nearly 6,000 acres, Plaskett Fire remains at zero containment Friday night

by Katy St. Clair, Bay City News August 29, 2026August 29, 2026

A wildfire rages across a forested hillside, sending thick plumes of smoke into the sky.

Plaskett Fire swells to over 5,400 acres Friday evening

by Katy St. Clair, Bay City News August 28, 2026August 28, 2026

A wildfire billows thick smoke across a mountainous landscape.

Timber Fire surges to 8,665 acres with fewer firefighters

by Pete Young, Bay City News August 22, 2026August 22, 2026

A wildfire burns through a forested hillside, with orange flames visible through thick, smoky skies.

More firefighters added as Timber Fire containment grows in Monterey County

by Pete Young, Bay City News August 15, 2026August 15, 2026

A scorched coastal cliffside with charred trees overlooks the turquoise ocean under a clear blue sky.

Air quality advisory lifted as crews gain containment on Sonoma, Santa Clara county fires

by Thomas Hughes, Bay City News August 1, 2026August 1, 2026

A large plume of smoke rises from a wildfire burning through hillsides under a clear blue sky, with a road and vehicles visible in the foreground.

Evacuations grow as Feliz Fire surges to 501 acres in Mendocino County, closes U.S. 101

by Pete Young, Bay City News August 1, 2026August 1, 2026

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