Skip to main content

LIVE TV

© 2026 WGCU News

News for all of Southwest Florida

LIVE TV

Donate

Play Live Radio

Next Up:

0:00

0:00

0:00 0:00

Available On Air Stations

Why This Month's California Forest Fires Are Just The Beginning

NPR

Published August 9, 2016 at 1:06 PM EDT

A firefighter battles a wildfire near Placerita Canyon Road in Santa Clarita, California, Sunday, July 24, 2016. (Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP)

A fast-moving fire in San Bernardino, California has now engulfed more than 6,000 acres, as two fires in Northern California continue to burn.

Here & Now‘s Jeremy Hobson speaks with UCLA professor Glen MacDonald about how these fires started and what it means for the rest of 2016.

Guest

Glen MacDonald, John Muir Memorial chair of geography at UCLA and director of the White Mountain Research Center.

Copyright 2020 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

More from WGCU

Government & Politics

DeSantis unveils property tax cut plan, calls special session; could eliminate property taxes for some

Jim Turner/News Service of Florida

Many Florida homeowners would see their property tax bills eliminated or severely cut under a plan released Wednesday by Gov. Ron DeSantis. DeSantis is calling for the Legislature to convene Monday to consider his proposal, which if they approve it would appear on the November ballot. At least 60 percent of voters would need to support the measure for it to take effect.
Government & Politics

McCollum Hall concept gets nod, includes restaurant, music venue business center

Sheldon Zoldan/Special to WGCU

The newest plans to revive historic McCollum Hall near downtown Fort Myers include a restaurant, music venue and business center. Community Redevelopment Agency commissioners approved the concept during its Wednesday meeting. Jeffrey Mudgett, one of the partners of Parker Mudgett Smith Architects, presented the plan to the mayor and city council members acting as CRA commissioners.
Weather

Property insurance experts cautiously optimistic ahead of 2026 Atlantic hurricane season

Jim Turner/News Service of Florida

A “below-normal” year for storms could further a positive trend for Florida's insurance market, industry experts contend. But because of Florida’s location between the Atlantic and Gulf, homeowners will always be at risk, which will temper any potential reductions to premiums.