Anukool Lakhina of San Jose, CEO of Burnbot, is one of dozens of high-tech entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley who are trying to use new forms of technology to solve the problem of mega-wildfires in the age of climate change.
The state’s landlords see rising insurance costs, so they say they’re going to have to raise rents. But they complain about laws that limit how much they can do so.
Californians trigger thousands of wildfires every year with poor choices and reckless behavior: The devastating Park Fire was ignited by a man pushing a burning car.
Gov. Gavin Newsom last week signed a budget that slashed $107.8 million in funding for programs and projects that address extreme heat, and shifted $55.7 million across different programs.
A Red Flag Warning about potential wildfires also is in effect through at least Wednesday, because of soaring temperatures, gusty winds and low humidity.
A proposal to fix California’s insurance crisis would require the insurance department to process requests from insurers more quickly. But that could end with a lot of rate increases for consumers.
Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara unveiled a plan to shore up the California insurance market for homeowners, in which insurers would return to wildfire zones, but would have an easier path to rate increases.
The alerts, which include a ban on burning wood or other solid fuels in the Bay Area, were also in effect for today because of the smoke coming from several massive wildfires in Northern California and Southern Oregon.