losses News

Father in Gender-Reveal That Sparked Fatal 2020 California Wildfire Pleads Guilty

A man whose family’s gender reveal photo shoot sparked a Southern California wildfire that killed a firefighter in 2020 has pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, prosecutors said. The El Dorado Fire erupted on Sept. 5, 2020, when Refugio Jimenez Jr. …

West Coast Insurers Warned of Billions in Losses Over Climate-Linked Investments

A new report warns insurance companies could face billions of dollars in losses if they stay on the current course of investments that contribute to climate change, at “a scale exceeding some of the worst wildfires in California’s history.” The …

Inpatient Hospitalizations in California Workers’ Comp Declined 51%, Study Shows

The number of inpatient hospitalizations in the California workers’ compensation system declined 51.1% between 2012 and 2022, a new report shows. The trend was driven by declining claim volume, technological advances and changes in Medicare rules that allow more outpatient …

Alaska Charter Company Paying $900K for Wildfire From Campfire

An Alaska fishing guide company has paid $900,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by the U.S. government alleging one of its guides started a wildfire in 2019, the U.S. attorney’s office for Alaska said in a statement. Court documents said …

Avian Flu Is Devastating Farms in California’s ‘Egg Basket’

Last month, Mike Weber got the news every poultry farmer fears: His chickens tested positive for avian flu. Following government rules, Weber’s company, Sunrise Farms, had to slaughter its entire flock of egg-laying hens — 550,000 birds — to prevent …

California to Get Drenched From Fast-Moving Atmospheric River

A fast-moving atmospheric river coming off the Pacific Ocean will drench northern and central California on Wednesday and then head for the the southern half of the state. Northwest California will likely get the worst of the storm, with as …

Startup AiDash Raises $50M for Tech Using AI, Satellites to Spot Wildfire Risk

A California startup using artificial intelligence (AI) and satellites to spot fire and weather risks on power lines, AiDash, reported it had raised $50 million in new funding, reflecting Silicon Valley efforts to create products that help energy companies adapt …

The Hartford to Discontinue Writing New Homeowners Policies in California

The Hartford confirmed this week it will discontinue writing new homeowners policies in California. The carrier reportedly has less than 1% of the state’s homeowners market. The Hartford issued the following statement following a request for comment for this article: …

Power Line Falls on Car During Oregon Ice Storm, Killing 3

A power line fell on a parked car in northeast Portland, Oregon, killing three people and injuring a baby during an ice storm that turned roads and mountain highways treacherous in the Pacific Northwest. Shortly before noon on Wednesday, dispatchers …

Wildfire Prevention, Helping Maui Recover Top Agenda for Hawaii Lawmakers

Hawaii lawmakers convened this week for the first time since the burning of historic Lahaina awakened the state to the deadly and costly threat posed by wildfires in an age of climate change. The tragedy refocused the attention of lawmakers. …