It may seem as if California is always either flooding or on fire. But this weather whiplash isn't new. It's been going on for 50 years.

Worsening wildfires in California are part of a long-term trend "toward more wildfires that burn larger areas and cause more damage," says Andrew Plantinga.

"The irony is that by fighting against certain environmental regulations, these folks may be damaging their own earning capacity."

Widespread "perfect droughts" affect southern California water sources about six times a century, according to a study of tree rings going back to 1126.

Climate has been a major driver for wildfire severity in California's Sierra Nevada region, which also means that future climate change will drive

A gel-like fluid could offer a simple, affordable treatment to dramatically cut the number of wildfires that occur each year. It even works when it's wet.

California sea otters are a threatened species, and one of the things that kills them comes from cats on land.

"When the water off the coast of California starts to look like you're in the Caribbean, that's really weird."

"In California, we face the real risk that every fire season will be among the most destructive, or even the most destructive, on record."

"Fire not being influenced by moisture anymore? That is surprising. It's going to be a problem for people, for firefighters, for society."