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The CZU Lightning Complex fires grew to more than 80,000 acres by Wednesday morning in the thick forests of the Santa Cruz Mountains as Cal Fire officials reported 'significant progress' in slowing the advance of the flames that have destroyed at least 538 homes and structures in Santa Cruz County.
Reinforcements were on the way for exhausted firefighters in the Bay Area, just as an already devastating wildfire season threatens to get even worse.
Fire officials in Monterey County finally had good news to report Tuesday morning as containment on the River, Carmel and Dolan Fires continued to increase.
While a small army of firefighters braced for a shift in wind direction earlier Tuesday, crews continued to make progress battling the massive CZU Lightning Complex fires, limiting the growth of the destructive blazes stretching across two counties.
The SCU Lightning Complex fires burning in several East Bay and Central Valley counties is now the second-largest fire in state history at 363,772 acres burned, moving ahead of the LNU Lightning Complex fires burning in the North Bay, according to Cal Fire.
The SCU Lightning Complex started on Aug. 16 with multiple fires within the complex. These fires have since merged into two major fires and are broken into three zones: Canyon, Calaveras and Deer.
The CZU August Lightning Complex fires began August 16 in southern San Mateo County and northern Santa Cruz County. Currently, most of the San Mateo County evacuation orders and warnings have been lifted.
The LNU Lightning Complex is a series of lightning-caused fires that began August 17 and are spread across five counties.
On Monday afternoon, KPIX 5 cameras got a first-hand look at some of the homes that have been turned to rubble by the Walbridge Fire along Mill Creek Road near Healdsburg.
A 70-year-old man found dead near the coastal community of Davenport likely was killed while trying to escape the advancing CZU Complex fire, while six others were rescued after they became trapped by flames while trying to return to their evacuated homes, officials said Monday during an update on the battle with the massive wildfire.
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office announced Sunday that a person has died in the CZU Lightning Complex Fire that had grown to 74,000 acres and has forced 77,000 local residents from their homes.
The CZU and SCU Lightning Complex fires have burned a combined 425,000 acres across seven Bay Area counties as of Monday afternoon, Aug. 24.
The LNU Lightning Complex in the North Bay has burned more than 352,000 acres as of Aug. 25.
Up and down the west side of Highway 101, Saturday was another day for residents to follow the expanding evacuation zones as shifting winds pushed the Walbridge Fire toward Healdsburg and Geyserville.
As the destruction spreads across the Bay Area some crews in the fire zone are encountering a new danger -- residents refusing to leave.
In Sonoma County, Cal Fire says the Walbridge Fire is the top priority in the LNU Lightning Complex Fire because it has the potential to roar right into the city of Healdsburg.
Cal Fire issued an evacuation warning Friday afternoon for the Carmel Valley and Laureles Grade areas of Monterey County based on forecasted winds and dry thunderstorms that could impact the River and Carmel Fires.
Wildfires that took at least six lives and forced tens of thousands of people from their homes blazed throughout California on Friday.
Wildfires that blackened skies, took at least five lives and forced tens of thousands of people from their homes blazed across California on Thursday and early Friday.
Felton was among the many communities evacuated on Thursday as the CZU August Lightning Complex Fire exploded with zero containment Thursday.
Overwhelmed and understaffed, fire officials admit they are struggling to keep up with the dozens of fires burning statewide.
Evacuations have been ordered as crews are battling another fast-growing blaze that sparked in Tuolumne County on Thursday.
A series of lightning-caused fires involving several Bay Area counties grew to 35,000 acres Tuesday night and forced more mandatory evacuation orders at the Santa Clara County line, according to fire authorities.
Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a statewide emergency Tuesday as wildfires raged across the San Francisco Bay Area, charring thousands of acres and forcing dozens from their homes from Wine Country to the South Bay.
Sunday's surprising thunderstorm lit up the foothills beneath Mount Diablo in Contra Costa County and with it came the fires. One family had a front-row seat -- close enough to hear and feel the lightning.
A construction controversy is building over the massive Sites Reservoir that could help solve California's water-storage problem.
Kittle tore his Achilles during the second quarter of the NFC Wild Card game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. He became the latest Niners star to have a season-ending injury.
A man was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and acquitted of murder in the 2021 killing of Vicha Ratanapakdee, an 84-year-old San Francisco man killed in an unprovoked attack that helped galvanize a national anti-Asian hate movement.
The new name will apply to Music Concourse Drive between JFK Promenade and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, directly adjacent to the Academy of Sciences, where Claude welcomed millions of guests during his 17 years at the museum.
Seahawks QB Sam Darnold injured his left oblique during Thursday's practice and was listed as questionable for Saturday's NFC divisional playoff game against the 49ers, but he said he's confident he'll play.
Kittle tore his Achilles during the second quarter of the NFC Wild Card game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. He became the latest Niners star to have a season-ending injury.
A man was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and acquitted of murder in the 2021 killing of Vicha Ratanapakdee, an 84-year-old San Francisco man killed in an unprovoked attack that helped galvanize a national anti-Asian hate movement.
The new name will apply to Music Concourse Drive between JFK Promenade and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, directly adjacent to the Academy of Sciences, where Claude welcomed millions of guests during his 17 years at the museum.
San Francisco's star linebacker Fred Warner is out for the 49ers' playoff game against Seattle.
A wayward sea lion pup is now in the care of the Marine Mammal Center after it wandered into Mountain View last week.
A man was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and acquitted of murder in the 2021 killing of Vicha Ratanapakdee, an 84-year-old San Francisco man killed in an unprovoked attack that helped galvanize a national anti-Asian hate movement.
The new name will apply to Music Concourse Drive between JFK Promenade and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, directly adjacent to the Academy of Sciences, where Claude welcomed millions of guests during his 17 years at the museum.
The Bay Area's Spare the Air alert has been extended to at least Saturday as a high-pressure system is expected to hang around and impact air quality.
Protesters gathered outside the Veterans Administration hospital in San Francisco, including health care workers and their veteran patients, protesting a plan to eliminate thousands of unfilled positions in the VA healthcare system.
The JP Morgan Healthcare Conference brings thousands of people to the city, from investors to innovators to executives and more. For many of the attendees, the city is making a good impression, whether it is a first or a new one.
The Bay Area's Spare the Air alert has been extended to at least Saturday as a high-pressure system is expected to hang around and impact air quality.
Oakland's John Waters-hosted music festival has announced its full lineup for its 2026 edition, with a rock legend getting top billing.
Oakland officials said they have been placed at the most dangerous stretches of road in the city.
An East Bay woman has found a way to offer dignity and comfort for some 600 foster children in Contra Costa County.
The Oakland City Council discussed how to keep the city's watch party event safe and how to help out in Santa Clara during the Super Bowl.
A wayward sea lion pup is now in the care of the Marine Mammal Center after it wandered into Mountain View last week.
The Bay Area's Spare the Air alert has been extended to at least Saturday as a high-pressure system is expected to hang around and impact air quality.
Nearly three weeks after severe winds damaged an iconic observatory in the mountains near San Jose, crews are still focused on emergency mitigation efforts.
A small earthquake shook the South Bay area on Thursday morning.
Police said the 15-year-old girl was walking to school when the suspect approached her, pulled her into his vehicle, and sexually battered her.
The Bay Area's Spare the Air alert has been extended to at least Saturday as a high-pressure system is expected to hang around and impact air quality.
A man serving life in prison for a deadly gang shooting in Southern California has died following an altercation with another inmate at a prison in Solano County, officials said.
One Clearlake family said, considering how long it took to stop the leak, they don't have a lot of faith in the district, and that when the cleanup is completed, they will be hiring an independent company to test the neighborhood wells before using the water again.
San Rafael plans to build a shelter for people who are homeless, about 70 small cabins, using a Housing First approach. The model is built on the idea that for people living on the streets and battling addiction, it's hard to get sober without a place to live.
Residents say that what could replace an empty office building, which sits off the 101 Freeway in San Rafael at 700 Irwin Street, will worsen already heavily congested traffic.
Seahawks QB Sam Darnold injured his left oblique during Thursday's practice and was listed as questionable for Saturday's NFC divisional playoff game against the 49ers, but he said he's confident he'll play.
San Francisco's star linebacker Fred Warner is out for the 49ers' playoff game against Seattle.
FIFA says it has received over 500 million ticket requests for 2026 World Cup matches in the U.S., Canada and Mexico— with prices as high as $8,680.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan stated that the goal is for Warner to return "next week," referencing a potential NFC Championship Game if the 49ers were to advance past the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday.
The U.S. Trademark Office is rejecting the A's request to trademark the "Sacramento Athletics" name.
A man was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and acquitted of murder in the 2021 killing of Vicha Ratanapakdee, an 84-year-old San Francisco man killed in an unprovoked attack that helped galvanize a national anti-Asian hate movement.
Oakland officials said they have been placed at the most dangerous stretches of road in the city.
Police said the 15-year-old girl was walking to school when the suspect approached her, pulled her into his vehicle, and sexually battered her.
The Oakland City Council discussed how to keep the city's watch party event safe and how to help out in Santa Clara during the Super Bowl.
Four people suspected in a jewelry store heist in the East Bay city of Fremont last year have been indicted on federal charges, prosecutors said.
Verizon says it's giving a $20 credit to customers affected an outage that disrupted service across the U.S.
Grok faces mounting scrutiny from government officials and advocacy groups after people used the AI chatbot to create sexualized images of minors and women.
Mother of Colorado man who committed suicide in 2025 alleges that OpenAI's AI chatbot told him death was a "beautiful place."
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth says the Pentagon will start using Elon Musk's AI chatbot Grok. The word comes days after Grok drew global outcry for generating highly sexualized deepfake images.
Kaiser Permanente has reached a lawsuit settlement over alleged patient data breaches involving Kaiser websites and mobile applications, with members eligible to receive a payment from a $46 million settlement fund, the health care giant announced.
The Bay Area's Spare the Air alert has been extended to at least Saturday as a high-pressure system is expected to hang around and impact air quality.
Kaiser Permanente has reached a lawsuit settlement over alleged patient data breaches involving Kaiser websites and mobile applications, with members eligible to receive a payment from a $46 million settlement fund, the health care giant announced.
Several East Bay hospitals that serve Alameda County's most vulnerable residents have issued layoff notices to staff, citing major federal cuts to Medicaid that administrators say will significantly affect their finances.
Officials said there were 35 cases of wild mushroom poisoning across California between Nov. 18 and Jan. 4. In an average year, fewer than five cases of wild mushroom poisoning occur statewide, according to Sonoma County health officials.
This week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new vaccination guidelines and now, some western states are telling people they're too dangerous to follow.
A construction controversy is building over the massive Sites Reservoir that could help solve California's water-storage problem.
Protesters gathered outside the Veterans Administration hospital in San Francisco, including health care workers and their veteran patients, protesting a plan to eliminate thousands of unfilled positions in the VA healthcare system.
The Oakland City Council discussed how to keep the city's watch party event safe and how to help out in Santa Clara during the Super Bowl.
The State Department announced it will stop giving out visas to nationals of dozens of countries who are seeking to move to the U.S. permanently.
A panel for the U.S. Central District Court of California ruled Democrats can proceed in using their redrawn congressional maps for the 2026 midterm elections.
The billionaire and philanthropist MacKenzie Scott donated $45 million to The Trevor Project, a nonprofit focused on suicide prevention and advocacy for LGBTQ young people.
Oasis nightclub announced plans to close six months ago. New Year's Eve was slated for the final performance. A last-minute, multi-million dollar donation turned the final curtain call into an encore performance.
A 16-year FBI employee has filed a lawsuit alleging he was fired last month because he had a Pride flag displayed near his desk.
A group of transgender members of the U.S. Air Force and Space Force forced to leave active duty under the Trump administration's policies say their benefits were revoked in a rare move.
California state Sen. Scott Wiener of San Francisco announced Wednesday that he is running for Nancy Pelosi's congressional seat next year.
The livestream unfolded with his team from LaRussell's garage, where he connected with fans through Instagram Live. During the broadcast, one woman shared that she was facing eviction. LaRussell covered the exact amount she needed to remain in her home.
Scott Adams, the cartoonist who created the "Dilbert" comic strip, has died at the age of 68, his first ex-wife revealed on Tuesday.
From historic wins to powerful speeches, here are the highlights and most memorable moments from the 2026 Golden Globes.
Here is everything you need to know about how to watch and stream the 2026 Golden Globes.
The San Francisco Grateful Dead community is coming together after it was announced that one of the founding members, Bob Weir, has died at the age of 78.
Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Oakland Unified School District has seen an alarming spike in the number of unhoused students in the school system who deal with a host of challenges far beyond what most children face.
Meteorologist and CBS News Bay Area's resident pilot Lt. Jessica Burch got a treat during Fleet Week, taking to the skies with one of the Blue Angels.
A Bay Area man discovered his devastating loss left him with a new opportunity to rethink how he lives -- follow his journey in virtual reality, 360-degree video.
A groundbreaking medical study involving the UCSF Medical Center has shown some colorectal cancer patients can safely skip radiation treatment and enjoy a potentially higher quality of life.
Every day, San Francisco bar pilot Captain Zach Kellerman goes through what might just be the world's most dangerous commute.
New details have emerged in the gas explosion in Hayward last month.
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that can be deadly to dogs and, in rare cases, humans.
Kevin Ko reports.
An East Bay special needs teacher's car broke down nearly a year ago, but soon became the victim of a scam that left him without a vehicle.
Here's a look at the weather forecast Thursday evening.
In 2025, KPIX is moving to a new community service award: the CBS News Bay Area Icon Award. Submit nominations for an outstanding community hero at kpix.com/icon.
It's the most wonderful time of the year for a South Bay woman who has played Mrs. Claus for more than 40 years for the children of North San Jose's Alviso District.
For residents of the Oakland Hills, the prospect of another wildfire always remains a concern. This week's Jefferson Awards winner has made it his mission to make the hills and other high-risk areas safer.
In East Palo Alto -- where state education numbers show more than nine in ten public school students are low income and more than half are English learners -- many are finding hope and connection at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula.
This week's Jefferson Award winner is Army veteran who continues to live a life of service into his 80s, by feeding hundreds of San Francisco families a week.
A Bay Area man who overcame tremendous obstacles to excel in school has made it his mission to gear up other students for success in the classroom and in life.
For Students Rising Above scholar Josh Collins it took moving across the country to realize the value of his Bay Area family.
Samir Hooker had to grow up fast after his stepfather was shot dead 12 years ago. Now he is watching over his mom and sister while attending UC Berkeley.
It's hard enough to graduate from one of the most prestigious schools in the country when you're the first in your family to go to college. Imagine doing that while you're also trying to protect your parents from being deported?
Some students who are the first in their families to go to college face the challenge of balancing a rigorous academic load while still working to help support their family back home.