After an 8.9 earthquake in Japan caused a tsunami to reached the California coast, Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency. "Gov. Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency for Del Norte, Humboldt, San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties, saying 'conditions of extreme peril to the safety of persons and property exist due to the tsunami and water surge' there," reports the Chronicle. more ›

Citing "significant rainfall, high winds, deaths and injuries, snow and mudslides," acting Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency in the city and county of San Francisco, as well as three other counties, Appeal reports. more ›

After Saturday's 6.5 earthquake rattled northern California, Governor Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in Humboldt County. The governor announced yesterday that since the quake had "disrupted utilities and caused damage to at least 175 structures," a state of emergency was necessary. the governor went on to point out that that damage in the area is expected to exceed $28 million. more ›

What with the swine flu breaking out in Sacramento, Marin County, and "the possibility that a California man may have died from the disease" (which, actually, wasn't the case) California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency today. According to Sacto Bee, "Schwarzenegger ordered state agencies to work together in their responses, allowed some departments to enter into contracts for services and materials and waived some certification requirements at public health labs to expand California's ability to test for the virus." ABC News goes on to report that the U.S. should expect more people in different states to be affected by the swine flu outbreak. more ›

Dozens and dozens of mansions in Montecito & Santa Barbara went up in flames last night. There is no ETA for containment of the massive fire, which started a little before 6 p.m. lat night. It has since spread to about 2,500 acres (i.e., around four miles) by early Friday morning. Christopher Lloyd's home has been torched to the ground. But Oprah Winfrey's home remains untouched. We repeat: Oprah Winfrey's home is still standing. You can breathe now. (CBS 5) more ›

Today, the California Department of Food and Agriculture announced plans to stop light brown apple moth spraying altogether. While the spray was temporarily halted in April, it now looks like the use of the pesticide is officially off. Yay! The light brown apple moth, which feasts on crops, and the people of Santa Cruz county will no longer have to fear the toxic spray. more ›

Just letting you know that the fire -- which as of late this afternoon has consumed thousands of acres since it started at around 5:30 a.m. this morning -- is "completely out of control" as of 4:30 p.m. San Francisco firefighters have been deployed to the scene. What with the serious winds blowing in the area, no one knows just when the fire will start to die down. Wineries have been lost, homes and school evacuated, and Arnold has declared a state emergency. more ›

The Apple Moth vs. San Francisco... more ›