Author of LAFD Palisades fire report declined to endorse final version, called it ‘highly unprofessional’ www.latimes.com/california/s...

"When deciding whether to write or renew insurance, only two insurers out of hundreds in California account for mitigation in the risk-score models they use to decide whether to write or renew insurance." - Dave Jones, former CA insurance commissioner yalelawjournal.org/essay/the-un...

The best story you'll read all day www.nytimes.com/2025/12/21/u... [gift link]

The efforts of a community can implement Vision Zero -- no traffic-caused fatalities -- fueled by tenacity and love. Well done! bsky.app/profile/geor...

If pedestrian deaths can be eliminated on the previously deadly International Boulevard, we should be able to eliminate them on every other street. We just need the will to do it, especially from policymakers and Caltrans. Thanks @tvrr.bsky.social for tireless advocacy to achieve this huge win!

International Blvd is Now Much Safer www.oakrapidresponse.org/posts/intern...

Strava locks “Year in Sport” behind subscription, sparking user backlash (by @cfarivar.bsky.social ) arstechnica.com/culture/2025...

Oh cool, so we're doing the plot of FOR ALL MANKIND now! arstechnica.com/space/2025/1...

With AI systems deployed at schools misidentifying a bag of Doritos and a clarinet for weapons in recent months, I'm resharing my library Against School Surveillance Technologies in case anybody is looking for news stories, peer-reviewed articles, reports, and other media to teach.

It me, the epitome of cool. www.theguardian.com/fashion/2025...

This is both long overdue and fantastic. Next step: don’t kill firefighters. They are incredibly talented, hard working Americans, not cannon fodder.

NWS in Boulder, CO has just issued a rare "Particularly Dangerous Situation" (PDS) Red Flag Warning for extreme fire weather risk on Friday. Historically, PDS RFW issuances (including in California) have pinpointed days on which the most dangerous wildfires have occurred. #COwx

This seems, uh, quite bad. Much love to my friends in Colorado. ❤️ bsky.app/profile/bian...

Are you a free Strava user that is grumpy you're not getting your "Year in Sport" this year? Are you a premium user slightly ashamed to share yours? I want to hear from you for a story for Ars Technica! Text me 341-758-0888 or email [email protected]

Are you a free Strava user that is grumpy you're not getting your "Year in Sport" this year? Are you a premium user slightly ashamed to share yours? I want to hear from you for a story for Ars Technica! Text me 341-758-0888 or email [email protected]

My early 2026 work calendar is starting to fill up! But I'm available for: - freelance journalism / editing - comms work (with specialties in tech, wildfire, bikes!) - policy analysis - maybe even appearing as Santa? Book an initial appointment with me: calendly.com/cfarivar-cfa...

I wanted to share a few National Weather Service graphics regarding the looming Northern California storms. Here's how I foresee the Northern California risk level for the next week: Thursday-Saturday: Minor impact Sunday-Tuesday: Moderate impact Wednesday-Thursday: Major impact #CAwx

“The fire was able to get started, get a foothold, and then the wind came in and pushed it really, really hard. This is really as bad as it can get.” – Ellie Graeden, co-chief executive of RedZone Analytics, on how Santa Ana winds influenced the LA wildfires. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

"Levi was 13 when he joined, Instagram’s minimum age, and had been on the app less than 48 hours when he was targeted for blackmail and died, his mother said" www.nbcnews.com/tech/social-... via @davidingram.bsky.social

Not long ago, I bought a pair of these jeans that have a right-thigh pocket that perfectly fits my phone. But now I keep expecting my other older pants to also have this pocket and am miffed when I realize that they do not. Genuinely, well done, Dearborn Denim. dearborndenim.us/products/tai...

Hey #wildfire fam! Need a book to read over the winter holidays? Here's my ever-expanding reading list. I most recently read @riverselby.bsky.social 's book, which I very much enjoyed! docs.google.com/spreadsheets...

This week marks a decade since the greatest piece of Christmas music journalism was ever written. Thank you, @aragusea.bsky.social . slate.com/culture/2015...

And down goes another one. Rad Power bikes filed for Chapter 11 on Monday and is looking to sell the business. techcrunch.com/2025/12/17/r...

"The mountaineers are entirely right in stating that the material, which accumulates on the ground where the land is not burned, makes a very hot fire, and that the danger would be lessened if there were areas where there is no inflammable material." - Henry S. Graves, Supt., USDA (Nov 1899)

When I worked at the NCAR weather & climate research data archive, my largest data user by volume was the chief meteorologist for an Agricultural juggernaut. Other frequent users were looking for areas with wind and solar potential when load needs were highest & transmission to meet load. 🔌💡

Nearly all weather, climate, & natural hazard research involves NCAR in some way-either directly (as is the case with countless affiliated scientists at universities or elsewhere) or indirectly (through use of NCAR's irreplaceable community datasets, predictive models, or its computing facilities).

I'm not sure most folks are aware of the immense magnitude of loss this would entail for the global weather and climate community, and beyond. NCAR has played a greater cumulative role in advancing weather prediction and atmospheric modeling than perhaps any other single entity in the world.

Unbelievable. This would be a terrible blow to American science, writ large. It would decimate not only climate research, but also the kind of weather, wildfire, and disaster research that has underpinned half a century of progress in prediction, early warning, and increased resilience.

Twitter comeback bid draws lawsuit from Elon Musk’s X Corp (by @cfarivar.bsky.social ) arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...

Fun fact: X Corp's complaint cites an Ars Technica story about the dispute by @cfarivar.bsky.social. I'm quoted in that story.

This week marks a decade since the greatest piece of Christmas music journalism was ever written. Thank you, @aragusea.bsky.social . slate.com/culture/2015...

The Palisades fire killed the local newspaper. Ugh. www.latimes.com/california/s... via @haileybranson.bsky.social

I'm considering starting a wildfire / wildfire tech email newsletter. If you're interested, please respond to the poll as below! If you're already inundated with newsletters and/or think this is a terrible idea -- tell me why! www.linkedin.com/posts/cfariv...

Gas explosion in San Francisco Bay Area damages homes, 6 taken to hospitals www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...

"Tomorrow will be easier, because you have these notes and lists, and can begin as we began today—Stop not writing. (This is the biggest step.)" substack.com/@annelamott/...

Terrorism professor by day, legal reporter by night, @seamushughes.bsky.social is the journalist America needs right now depthperceptionbyll.substack.com/p/seamus-hug...

Study: firefighters recognize long-term health risks, but have questions about possible wildland respirator www.boisestatepublicradio.org/health/2025-...

New images, texts from firefighters reveal new insights into Lachman Fire abc7.com/post/7-side-...

I'm considering starting a wildfire / wildfire tech email newsletter. If you're interested, please respond to the poll as below! If you're already inundated with newsletters and/or think this is a terrible idea -- tell me why! www.linkedin.com/posts/cfariv...

Contrary to Trump’s claims about crime in Oakland, the city saw a drop in violent crime www.sfchronicle.com/crime/articl...

"In other words: Unless my neighbors also gird their homes, we’re all going to burn." - @toddwoody.bsky.social bsky.app/profile/todd...

New: My essay on living in the beautiful but sure-to-burn Berkeley Hills and how denial in the face of certain catastrophe remains deeply embedded in the California psyche. But the LA fires are forcing a reckoning over how we pursue the California Dream. Free link. www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...

New: Pregnant immigrant women are showing up to deliver their babies w/ surveillance smart watches on their wrists as part of an ICE monitoring program. They’re too afraid of being detained to have the watch cut off even when it’s medically necessary. www.theguardian.com/technology/2...

It's truly amazing that the human species has perpetuated itself for -- *checks notes* HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF YEARS -- prior to the arrival of ChatGPT. bsky.app/profile/more...

Important new report from @ibhs.org on the LA Wildfires. Continuing to provide evidence on the importance of mitigation within the entire community. What helps homes avoid damage?structure separation, reduced connective fuels, and the use of resilient building materials. ibhs.org/lawildfires/

Climate risk assessments are not great if your home has a bad score, and you’re trying to sell it. Recently, under pressure from real estate groups, Zillow stopped including them. But climate risks, of course, haven’t gone away. @umairfan.bsky.social for @vox.com: www.vox.com/climate/4717...

Climate migration is difficult to study, and even harder to predict, because a complex constellation of factors guides the decision to pick up and move. But some experts say a historic population shift has already begun, and Western Washington should start preparing now to become a “climate haven.”

Early adopters of ‘zone zero’ fared better in L.A. County fires, insurance-backed investigation finds www.latimes.com/environment/...

Would love to see a collabo between @ellecordova.bsky.social and @davejorgenson.bsky.social on this ridiculous story. bsky.app/profile/cfar...