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Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

Chico State's independent student newspaper

The Orion

All content by Michael Steinberg
Fire surrounds man in ppe spraying water outside in wooded area

El Niño is coming — What this could mean for California’s fire season

Michael Steinberg, Contributor
April 15, 2023

California’s 2022-2023 winter was nothing short of astounding. The Central Sierra Snow Lab recorded its second snowiest season since records began in 1946. Widespread flooding occurred over numerous...

A CHP car stopped for traffic control at Fawndale Road and I5 in Redding, CA. Photo taken March 9, courtesy of Michael Steinberg.

[Photo] Gavin Newsom declares state of emergency for flooding, winter storm

March 9, 2023

A CHP car stopped for traffic control at Fawndale Road and I5 in Redding, CA. Photo taken March 9, courtesy of Michael Steinberg.

Blue car nose down in snow

Live storm updates: large tree down in Chico

Michael Steinberg, Contributor
February 23, 2023

9:48 a.m. Sunday There are new updates regarding PG&E outages in the Butte County area, according to the PG&E outage map: 1,326 customers are without power in the Forest Ranch area, power...

Blizzard on a street with snowplow

Rare winter storm watch issued for Chico, Greater Northern Sacramento Valley

Michael Steinberg, Contributor
February 21, 2023

The National Weather Service Sacramento issued a historically rare winter storm watch Tuesday morning for Chico, along with the Central and Northern Sacramento Valley. The watch will take place from...

Heavy snow falling at Kohm Yah-Mah-Nee Visitor Center, Nov. 7, 2022. Photo by Michael Steinberg.

November snowstorm batters Cascades and Sierras east of Chico

Michael Steinberg, Contributor
November 15, 2022

An early season snowstorm impacted the mountains east of Chico last week, causing several spin outs on HWY 32 the night of Nov. 7. Several feet of snow fell on Mt. Lassen and the surrounding areas, while...

A firefighter suppresses fire near a road sign, 9/7/2022. Photo by Michael Steinberg.

Mosquito fire scorches over 63,000 acres, destroys at least 64 structures

Michael Steinberg, Contributer
September 14, 2022

The Mosquito fire, burning in Placer and El Dorado Counties, has charred over 63,000 acres while exhibiting extreme wildfire behavior. It has forced the entire town of Foresthill, approximately 78 miles...

Photo of the Route fire north of L.A. photo courtesy Alert Wildfire, Aug. 31, 2022

Brush fires destroy homes in Southern Califronia

Michael Steinberg, Contributor
September 2, 2022

Multiple brush fires burned out of control in Southern California Wednesday afternoon and evening. The Route fire spurred a no-diversion status of air tankers due to life safety threats, while the Border...

The Dixie Fire produces a pyrocumulonimbus cloud, July 19, 2021.

Early wildfire season expected to be severe

Michael Steinberg, Contributor
May 5, 2022

An early start for Northern California’s fire season is expected to begin sometime this month. This can be attributed to an early drying season due to our lack of rain, paired with above-average temperatures...

The Dixie fire rages on July 22, 2021.

Senate Bill 1000: a matter of safety, not politics

Michael Steinberg, Contributor
May 1, 2022

A bill that would require law enforcement and police agencies to find other options than encrypting radio channels passed the first round of cuts last week when it was voted to advance to legislation...

A snowplow clears Highway 32 near Butte Meadows, Dec. 15, 2021.

Spring snowstorms slams Sierras, close Interstate 5

Michael Steinberg, Contributor
April 15, 2022

A late-season snowstorm slammed into the Northern California mountains early Monday morning, which dropped between 8-12 inches of snow in various regions in the Sierra Nevada and shut down a major interstate...

A thunderstorm develops northeast of Chico late Monday morning.

A thunderstorm develops northeast of Chico late Monday morning.

A graphic provided by NWS Sacramento

Fire danger remains high in NorCal

Michael Steinberg, Contributor
April 10, 2022

A historical early-season red flag warning remains in effect for most of the Northern Sacramento Valley, and parts of the Bay Area until Sunday afternoon. It comes amid record-shattering high temperatures...

Students walking through campus by the Bell Memorial Union on March 30.

Fire threat increases as heatwave expected to bake NorCal

Michael Steinberg, Contributor
April 2, 2022

A substantial heatwave is forecast to impact the entire West Coast late next week, especially in hard-hit California. Chico will see temperatures above 90 F on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, making April...

The Flanagan Fire erupts north of Redding, March 4, 2022

Early wildfire season looms in California

Michael Steinberg, Contributor
March 22, 2022

It’s safe to say that if you have lived and grown up in California, or any part of the West Coast, you’re all too familiar with wildfires. The Camp Fire that destroyed the town of Paradise, a mere...