California

"Whipping winds look set to hinder a wildfire that forced thousands of people to evacuate their homes on the outskirts of Los Angeles."

"The fire danger in many parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties is 'about as high as it can be,' a meteorologist warned Tuesday."

"Oil and gas companies that are using hydraulic fracturing -- or fracking -- off the Southern California coast must report chemicals discharged into the ocean under new requirements released Thursday by federal environmental regulators."

"The California Coastal Commission has approved development of the first shellfish ranch in federal waters, a 100-acre underwater plot for cultivating and harvesting about 2.6 million pounds of Mediterranean mussels a year."

"SANTA MONICA, Calif. -- From an urban puma's perspective, the news of late from greater Los Angeles has been mixed."

"LOS ANGELES — A swath of California closed out 2013 as the driest year on record, marked by above-normal temperatures and thirsty reservoirs."

"Veteran marijuana farmers say newcomers to Northern California’s pot hotbed use toxic, harmful methods to cash in."

"The driest year on record is turning the golden hills of California to dust, drying up wells, pastures and cash reserves in a season that is traditionally lush and generous."

"The California Public Utilities Commission has called on utilities and private companies to install about $5 billion worth of batteries and other forms of energy storage to help the state power grid cope with the erratic power supplied by wind and solar energy."