Convenience Big Store: The Dixie Fire now third-largest in California history

Size of Dixie Fire explodes, growing over 100k acres in one day – The Dixie Fire remained active overnight due to strong winds and warm temperatures, jumping in size over 100,000 acres from the previous day. Continuously destroying homes and businesses, the wildfire burning in Butte, Plumas, Lassen and Tehama counties has burned a total of 432,813 acres and sits at only 35% containment. With its increase in size, the fire is now the third-largest in California history, and the largest currently burning in the U.S. The Bootleg Fire in Oregon had previously been the nation’s largest active wildfire, at 413,765 acres. The Bootleg Fire, which was sparked July 6, is 87% contained. Thousands of firefighters are battling the blaze, which has destroyed an area larger than the city of Los Angeles. However, no deaths or injuries have been reported. (Associated Press & Simone Soublet, ABC10)

ABC10 investigation finds Gov. Newsom’s office ‘micromanaged’ PG&E’s independent state regulators – Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office exerted control over a powerful state agency that is supposed to operate independently, “micromanaging” decisions big and small at the California Public Utilities Commission according to its former executive director. Internal CPUC documents obtained by ABC10 reveal the agency took direction from Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office and even submitted its work to the governor’s staff for multiple levels of “approval.” The records show that on at least one occasion, the need to secure approval from Newsom’s office delayed CPUC business for a matter of days, frustrating the agency’s employees. The documents were obtained as part of ABC10’s FIRE - POWER - MONEY investigation, which will examine how the state government under Gov. Newsom responded to PG&E’s crimes by offering the company financial protection. A new three-part investigation airs Aug 10, 11, and 12 at 6:30pm on ABC10. (Brandon Rittiman, ABC10)

Oscar-nominated filmmaker captures horrors of California wildfires – Lucy Walker, an Emmy Award-winning and Oscar-nominated British film director created a character-driven, verité documentary that captures the horror and heroism of the deadliest week of wildfires in California history and explores the causes and solutions of a global crisis that is quite literally burning our world to the ground. In her new documentary, Walker captures the heroism and horror of that unfathomable disaster. Her character-driven exposé, “Bring Your Own Brigade”, also answers a question humanity can no longer afford to ignore: Why are catastrophic wildfires increasing in number and severity around the world, and can anything be done to lessen the staggering death and destruction they cause? (Keristen Holmes, Tegna)

TIP OF THE DAY

Breathing safely during wildfires... According to Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District, if you see or smell smoke, minimize outdoor activities to protect your health. It is advised that children and the elderly as well as those with respiratory and heart conditions be particularly careful to avoid exposure. (Ashton Byers, ABC10)

SMILE

Finally home after a year away... Two dogs lost during evacuations from the 2020 North Complex Fire in Butte County have been reunited with their owners. Max and Lucy were cared for by an animal shelter and foster programs until the family was settled in their new home. (Matthew Nuttle, ABC10)