We've updated our map of California FAIR Plan premiums with the insurer's latest data. As of Sept. 2025, the cost of fire insurance for FAIR Plan homeowners ranged from just $92 a year to just under $32,000. Check your own ZIP code at @sfchronicle.com: www.sfchronicle.com/home-insuran...

Gold (Regional/Local) goes to @sfchronicle.com for highlighting the systemic use of a flawed insurance estimator tool From the judges: “5 states announced an unprecedented probe into underinsurance following wildfires – a direct result of this stellar reporting” www.sfchronicle.com/projects/202...

apnews.com/article/muds... trap drivers, bury roads and damage homes in Southern California

The requirement, which went into effect this summer, is meant to push homeowners to make their properties more fire-resistant.

In a pre-print study, air quality researchers found the carcinogen hexavalent chromium in the air near wildfire debris sites, possibly from fire suppressant. They're cautioning residents to use PPE until further testing confirms whether levels have gone down. www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...

For the first time ever, the California FAIR Plan is disclosing how much homeowners in every ZIP code pay to be insured by the state's insurer of last resort. @sfchronicle.com has it mapped here: www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...

Over a year after I published an investigation into employee concerns about animal welfare and worker safety at SF Zoo, the director has given notice. www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/z...

Beryllium has been used to craft nuclear weapons and shield astronauts from the heat of reentry. It's also known to cause cancer or chronic respiratory disease. This is the first time anyone's ever found it in a home after a wildfire. W/ @susien.bsky.social! www.sfchronicle.com/california-w...

Ticks that cause a bizarre allergy to meat in people are advancing across a warming US, experts warn. Lone star ticks are aggressive, too. “They will hunt you, they are like a cross between a lentil and a velociraptor,” one alpha gal sufferer told me. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

As summer approaches and Napa Valley’s vineyards grow lush, the specter of wildfire looms. So the community, particularly its vintners, have taken matters into their own hands.

California’s Zone Zero regulations are expected to ban grass and wood fencing within 5 feet of homes. Here's what else is included and excluded in the rules.

The CA Board of Equalization's two hour hearing into the role of algorithms in underinsuring wildfire victims, inspired by a Chronicle investigation, is about to kick off. Tune in: youtu.be/sApQ5mANgBU Public comment: www.boe.ca.gov/app/public-c...

Fought for months to get this footage of Palisades Fire. Exclusive for @sfchronicle.com www.sfchronicle.com/california-w...

Another entry in the breaking State Farm saga: A new filing submitted this afternoon reveals State Farm is pursuing its original 30% rate hike request at the full rate hearing slated for this fall. That would cumulatively be an 11% increase on top of the emergency 17% they were granted last week.

Some of the most wildfire-prone parts of California will no longer have 24/7 eyes on them headed into traditional wildfire season because of NWS staffing shortages:

Update: Commissioner Lara announced just now he's adopted the judge's decision. But he reiterates he expects State Farm to pay wildfire survivors fairly: "nothing is off the table.” A full and final rate hearing will happen sometime this fall.

Breaking: Judge has approved State Farm's emergency rate hike request for 17% for homeowners, 15% for condos + renters, 38% for rental dwellings starting June 1. The final word goes to Commissioner Lara and is expected later today. www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...

It's been a month since the hearing into State Farm's emergency rate hike request wrapped up, but Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara says a judge still hasn't made a decision about whether to approve the request: www.sfchronicle.com/california-w...

A critical U.S. database that tracks extreme weather damage no longer exists. "In alignment with evolving priorities, statutory mandates, and staffing changes, NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information will no longer be updating the Billion Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters product."

Deeply grateful for the recognition from the @pulitzerprizes.bsky.social for @jennifergollan.bsky.social's and my investigation into deadly, reckless police pursuits. And especially grateful to the families who shared their stories w/ us.

ANd even those with replacement cost ... www.sfchronicle.com/projects/202...

Commercial salmon fishing in California will be banned for the third year in a row, a closure unprecedented in state history. The rationale is that the forecast for the number of chinook salmon in the Pacific Ocean is even worse than it was this time last year. From @taraduggan.bsky.social

My colleague @meganmunce.bsky.social and I will be on @kqedforum.bsky.social tomorrow to discuss our investigation into widespread underinsurance among California homeowners. Tune in! www.kqed.org/forum/201010...

I'm here in Oakland watching State Farm General's rate hearing for its 22% homeowners rate hike. Here's our preview of what to expect, follow along at @sfchronicle.com for more updates! www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...

The @sfchronicle.com has also produced a short documentary, available on YouTube youtu.be/kh5HW42fEII?...

Just out: State Farm can jack up rates for customers starting this summer. But first regulators want it to: 1) stop dropping customers 2) seek funds from its national parent company 3) justify its need for a rate hike at a formal rate hearing in April www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...

@sfchronicle.com is tracking NOAA layoffs and affects on California offices and staff. If you are at NOAA/NWS and have any information on cuts, I'd appreciate any information you can share. You can reach me on Signal at edwardsanthonyb.81. I can keep you anonymous. Thank you.

On Wednesday, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara met with the CEO of State Farm General. And now we have the transcript of what they talked about. Here's the five most important questions Lara asked, and how State Farm answered: www.sfchronicle.com/california/a...

State Farm releases the largest LA wildfires loss estimate of any insurer so far -- $7.6 billion for just one company. For context, in 2017 and 2018 (Tubbs, Camp, etc.) insurers as a whole paid about $12 billion each year in wildfire claims. www.sfchronicle.com/california-w...

California fire officials released long-awaited maps showing fire risk in cities across the Bay Area and along the northern coast of the state. They will guide where stricter fire-resistant building and landscape rules apply, and are an update to fire risk maps issued more than a decade ago.

@sfchronicle.com is tracking news regarding NOAA and NWS layoffs and how this will affect California offices and staff. If you are at NOAA/NWS and have any information on cuts, I'd appreciate any information you can share. You can reach me on Signal at edwardsanthonyb.81. I can keep you anonymous.

Breaking: Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara will not grant State Farm's request for an emergency rate hike, which the company had said was necessary to prevent "a dire situation" in the CA insurance market. Lara said he wants more proof the company needs it. www.sfchronicle.com/california-w...

Moving my insurance posting over to here! Starting with this update: Insurers, including the FAIR Plan, have paid $6.9 billion so far to LA wildfire victims. Insurers paid about $12 billion a year for the 2017 and 2018 wildfires. Modelers believe LA will easily surpass that.