Drought

Lake Shasta, the largest reservoir in California, is experiencing the lowest levels of rainfall since Shasta Dam was constructed in the 1940s. Water allotments to Central Valley fammers, and urban water districts in the Bay Area, have been severely cut back as a result.

East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) happily announced Tuesday that its customers are finally getting the conservation message – and in a big way. When Californians get that there's a real emergency, they usually respond when they're ready.

As calls for water conservation rise amid California's severe drought, KTVU is taking a look at the drought's impact on the Bay Area and exploring how to best conserve water.

The House on Friday approved wide-ranging legislation aimed at helping communities in the West cope with increasingly severe wildfires and drought -- fueled by climate change -- that have caused billions of dollars of damage to homes and businesses in recent years. 

Though the Oak Fire is largely a remote mountain wildfire, we are entering California's worst fire months; August, September and October. We take a look at how things are going so far this fire season.

Illegal fireworks with a street value of $50k to $100k were confiscated by police in San Pablo on Thursday through an anonymous tip.

Mountain View is the latest Bay Area city to approve new water restrictions as California deals with dry conditions for its third consecutive year.

The National Fire Protection Association says fireworks are responsible for more than 8,000 fires. Tuesday was the first day of so-called 'safe and sane' fireworks sales and inventories are already low.

In response to California's third straight year of drought, the Contra Costa Water District board approved a 15 percent drought surcharge Wednesday. 

Firefighters in Brentwood battled a fast-moving brush fire Thursday afternoon where 200 acres burned, officials say. 

Most of the forecasted rain was expected in the North Bay, but the showers were widespread Sunday morning, bringing measurable moisture to the area.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom threatened Monday to impose mandatory water restrictions if residents don’t use less on their own as a drought drags on and the hotter summer months approach.

Californians increased their average water use by 19% during the first threes month 2022, the driest on record.

Water districts say Californians need to do more to conserve water. Statewide, Californians' water use increased by 19% in March compared to March 2020.

Despite the rules, instead of water usage declining for the last year, the Santa Clara Valley Water District reports water usage went up an additional 30 percent.

The East Bay town of Benicia is undergoing a major water shortage because a pipe broke in one of the worst places it could: the water treatment plant.

In a move that seems counter to what other water agencies are doing, the Marin Municipal Water District has ended its emergency water declaration.