Yolo County Local News: Public Safety


All Local Public Safety News articles contributed by our local media allies and other local newsrooms.

Image caption: Many of Robert Kerbeck’s neighbors in Malibu Park lost their homes in the 2018 Woolsey Fire, which left behind lots where only chimneys still stood.
Give Your Home a Fighting Chance in a Wildfire

California wildfires are becoming larger, more frequent and more ferocious. ‘Malibu Burning’ author Robert Kerbeck shares simple steps you can take to protect your home.

Image caption: Yolo County faces significant flooding risk, particularly the city of West Sacramento, located at the confluence of the Sacramento and American rivers.
Disaster Prep: Alerts, Maps and Apps

When disaster strikes, you’ll need to have these information resources available on your smartphone.

Image caption: With CERT training, volunteers can learn firefighting skills.
Emergency Teamwork

Fires, floods, earthquakes—California’s got it all. And CERT volunteers are ready to step in.

Image caption: Thousands of homeowners have been kicked off their fire insurance policies.
California Fire Insurance Crisis: How the State Helps Homeowners

As California insurance companies have revoked the fire policies of thousands of homeowners, the state has taken steps to get them covered again.

Image caption: Though it’s the most famous, the San Andreas Fault is just one of more than 500 active faults in California.
Battening Down for the Big One

Making it through the earthquake is the easy part. The hard part is surviving in the chaos that follows.

Image caption: Supercell storms are just one of many weather phenomena in the era of climate change.
The New Vocabulary of the Climate Change Era

The climate change era has created a whole new set of terms for a wide variety of storms and other weather phenomena. Here are some of the most important.

Image caption:
How Not to Feel the Burn

California residents can turn to these public and private entities to help prepare for wildfires and protect their property.

Image caption: There are more than 300 community service districts in California.
Community Services Districts, Explained

Community service districts can do most anything a city government can do. Here’s how they work and how to start one.

Image caption: Mosquitos kill about 725,000 people every year, worldwide.
Taking a Bite Out of the Mosquito Population

The pesky mosquito can be deadly as well as annoying. Here’s how local governments in California have been waging war on mosquitoes for more than a century.

Image caption: California will soon be getting a new hotline number as an alternative to 911 for mental health crises.
988, the New Mental Health Emergency Number, Explained

California will soon add a new emergency hotline service with the number 988. Here’s the story behind that new service, and the original 911 number.

Image caption: States have expansive powers to protect the health of the general public.
The State’s Broad Power to Protect Public Health, Explained

Since long before the COVID-19 pandemic, states have possessed broad authority to protect public health, even to suspend laws and commandeer private property. Here’s why, and how it works.

Image caption: A Pyrocumulus cloud generated by the Dixie Fire in July, 2021.
What is Fire 'Containment?' That and Other Terms, Explained

What does it mean when firefighters call a fire "contained?" Here's a brief guide to commonly used fire prevention terminology.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

07/25/2024
After years of delay, a new California regulation to protect indoor workers from extreme heat is now in effect.

California Local Pin Marker From Winters Express...

07/18/2024
A town hall meeting on July 12 was hosted by the Winters Fire Department to discuss Proposition 218 on the November ballot.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

07/03/2024
Assemblymember James Gallagher speaks during the floor session at the state Capitol in Sacramento on June 13, 2024. Photo by Cristian Gonzalez for CalMatters

California Local Pin Marker From CapPublicRadio...

06/28/2024
It's mosquito season, and West Nile virus has been detected in Yolo, Sacramento and San Joaquin Counties. CapRadio presents a guide to staying safe.

California Local Pin Marker From Daily Democrat...

06/28/2024
On June 10, the Yolo County Department of Community Services’ Environmental Health Division held a food safety forum to share updates on local programs and the food safety placard system.

California Local Pin Marker From The Sacramento Bee...

06/27/2024
On June 26, the Yolo County Mosquito Vector Control District reported mosquitos sampled from Dunnigan tested positive for the West Nile virus.

West Sacramento Sun logo From West Sacramento Sun...

06/25/2024
Image for display with article titled West Nile Virus Activity Detected in Yolo County

The Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito & Vector Control District, in partnership with Yolo County, announced June 13 that the first signs of West Nile virus (WNV) activity have been detected in Yolo County.

California Local Pin Marker From CalMatters...

06/25/2024
Almost 400 suppliers, two-thirds in communities of color, don’t meet safety and reliability standards. Fixing them would cost billions.

California Local Pin Marker From CapPublicRadio...

06/24/2024
As COVID infections increase, CapRadio provides answers to frequently asked questions.

California Local Pin Marker From Los Angeles Times...

06/21/2024
Before the first official day of summer, almost 90,000 acres have been burned in California wildfires.

California Local Pin Marker From Los Angeles Times...

06/17/2024
With multiple fires already burning in the state, forecasters predict the coming fire season will be "very active."

West Sacramento News Ledger logo From West Sacramento News Ledger...

06/11/2024
Image for display with article titled Birds and Mosquito Test Positive for West Nile Virus

On June 10, the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District confirmed that the first mosquito sample of the season has tested positive for West Nile virus.

California Local Pin Marker From Daily Democrat...

06/08/2024
Ham emergency radio communications clubs will be converging on the Yolo County Fairgrounds on June 22 starting at 11:00AM to participate in the annual Field Day national exercise.

California Local Pin Marker From CapPublicRadio...

05/15/2024
In its May 14 meeting, the Sacramento City Council unanimously approved a plan to encourage residents and businesses to replace gas appliances with electric.

California Local Pin Marker From The California Aggie...

04/30/2024
The Police Accountability Commission for the City of Davis considered use of facial recognition software by the Davis Police Department, noting concerns about reliability and potential harm to the community.

California Local Pin Marker From Daily Democrat...

04/24/2024
The Yolo County Administrator's office announced strategic appointments to enhance operations in several areas including climate action and sustainability and emergency services.

California Local Pin Marker From California Local...

04/11/2024
Image for display with article titled Backers of California Homeless Camp Ban Cite ‘Successful’ San Diego Law. But Is It?

A new bill would make it illegal for homeless residents to camp in certain places, such as near schools, throughout California. Its authors say such a ban has had great success in San Diego. But a closer look at that city paints a more nuanced picture.

California Local Pin Marker From Daily Democrat...

04/11/2024
The City of Woodland is increasing fines for possession or use of illegal fireworks to $1,000 per device.

West Sacramento News Ledger logo From West Sacramento News Ledger...

04/09/2024
Image for display with article titled Congresswoman Makes Annual Visit to West Sacramento

Congresswoman Doris Matsui made her annual visit to West Sacramento, focusing on flood control, transportation, and fire safety, on March 28.

California Local Pin Marker From Daily Democrat...

03/21/2024
Woodland resident and Red Cross volunteer member of the local disaster action team acceptted the proclamation at the council meeting.
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