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As the Bootleg Fire raced across the Oregon wilderness, the weather system it generated was so violent and turbulent that it churned to life a tornado that ripped massive trees out of the ground and left them piled like used matchsticks.
There was a new challenge Thursday for the small army of firefighters battling the massive Bootleg Fire burning in a remote southern Oregon wilderness just north of the California border -- a COVID-19 outbreak among the crews.
As infernos including the massive Bootleg Fire continue to rage across Oregon, officials say that the state will need "every firefighter on deck" this wildfire season."
Winds gusting up to 30 mph whipped through the Bootleg Fire burn zone Monday, forcing firefighters to retreat to safety as they battled a massive blaze that has grown to more than 343,755 acres in the Fremont-Winema National Forest.
As if the weary army of more than 2,100 firefighters battling the Bootleg Fire didn't need any more challenges from Mother Nature, the National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the burn zone for Saturday afternoon with winds expected to be gusting 30 mph and humidity levels plunging into the single digits.
A massive pyrocumulus cloud towering over the Bootleg Fire sent an avalanche of hot embers and gusty winds raining down on the fire line, helping the blaze grow to 241,407 acres with just 7 percent containment early Friday morning.
The raging Bootleg Fire, fueled by tinder-dry forest land and gusty winds in the Fremont-Winema National Forest, exploded in size overnight to more than 146,000 acres near the California-Oregon border.
With soaring temperatures already pushing California's power grid to the limit, utility officials were keeping a weary eye on the Bootleg Fire that is raging out of control in Southern Oregon and threatening Path 66 -- a vital electric line corridor linking the state with the Oregon power grid.
The intense heat gripping the Pacific Northwest was originally intended for the Bay Area.
A Stockton man was sentenced to a lengthy prison sentence Monday following his conviction on child sex trafficking.
While it was admittedly strange without fans in the stands, Oregon quarterback Tyler Shough and the No. 12 Ducks still found motivation in their season opener.
U.S. authorities on Friday gave wildlife managers in Washington, Oregon and Idaho permission to start killing hundreds of sea lions in the Columbia River basin in hopes of helping struggling salmon and steelhead trout.
California is joining with other western states to request a collective $1 trillion lifeline from the federal government to fund essential first responders, health care needs and educational systems as states grapple with historic budget deficits because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Walnut Creek native Sabrina Ionescu was chosen as the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft Friday night, going to the New York Liberty.
A wolf that wandered from Oregon and became the first wild wolf spotted in California in almost 90 years is believed to be dead, wildlife officials said.
California is sending 500 state-owned ventilators to the Strategic National Stockpile to help New York and other states that are in immediate need for them because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the governor's office.
The body of a Sunnyvale man was found earlier this week at the Mount Hood Meadows ski resort in Oregon, according to the Hood River County Sheriff's Office.
The movement, known as "Move Oregon's Border for a Greater Idaho," is hoping to expand the borders of the Gem State.
Oscar Da Silva had a career-high 27 points and added 15 rebounds, helping the Cardinal rally to beat No. 11 Oregon 70-60 on Saturday.
First, Northern California commercial crab season was delayed for a month to mid-December. Now, Oregon state shellfish managers say the opening of the commercial Dungeness crab season there will be delayed till year end along the entire Oregon coast.
If you had a tough time finding a bargain on a Christmas tree last year, the experts say prepare to work even harder this holiday season.
Oregon overcame an uncharacteristically slow start in a 17-7 victory over Cal on Saturday night.
Justin Herbert threw two of his three touchdown passes to Jacob Breeland and No. 16 Oregon won its Pac-12 opener for the first time since 2014 by beating Stanford 21-6.
An underwater earthquake with an initial 6.3 magnitude has struck off the Oregon coast.
People living in encampments near San Jose waterways are on notice and could be told to pack up and leave immediately with the Santa Clara Valley Water District's new encampment ban going into effect.
Two people died and at least 18 people were injured in a small plane crash in Fullerton Thursday afternoon, authorities said.
Apple surreptitiously activated Siri to record user conversations through iPhones and other devices, court finds.
A baby spider monkey that was seized during a traffic stop along a Central California highway earlier this week is now in the care of the Oakland Zoo.
A 29-year-old pregnant woman died in a crash near Gilroy on Wednesday evening, according to the California Highway Patrol. The collision was reported at 6:37 p.m. on Leavesley Road east of New Avenue.
People living in encampments near San Jose waterways are on notice and could be told to pack up and leave immediately with the Santa Clara Valley Water District's new encampment ban going into effect.
Two people died and at least 18 people were injured in a small plane crash in Fullerton Thursday afternoon, authorities said.
Apple surreptitiously activated Siri to record user conversations through iPhones and other devices, court finds.
A baby spider monkey that was seized during a traffic stop along a Central California highway earlier this week is now in the care of the Oakland Zoo.
A 29-year-old pregnant woman died in a crash near Gilroy on Wednesday evening, according to the California Highway Patrol. The collision was reported at 6:37 p.m. on Leavesley Road east of New Avenue.
Police in San Francisco are investigating a double shooting that happened Thursday morning at a Bryant Street housing facility, according to authorities.
A shooting inside a home in San Francisco Thursday morning left one person dead, another severely injured, and also injured a toddler in what appears to be an attempted murder-suicide.
On Wednesday night at Union Square in San Francisco, many from the Jewish community gathered to celebrate the final night of Hanukkah.
Police in San Francisco have made an arrest after a man was fatally shot in the city's Mission District shortly after the start of the New Year on Wednesday.
The year 2024 was one of the deadliest years on San Francisco's roads over the last twenty years. As of the final evening of the year, there were 41 traffic-related fatalities, including 24 pedestrians.
A crash involving a big-rig on eastbound Interstate Highway 580 through the Altamont Pass in Alameda County Thursday afternoon blocked multiple lanes for hours.
Police work can take a heavy emotional toll and the Richmond Police Department has a new way to help officers cope.
Despite ending 2024 with a decline in homicides, Oakland marked the start of 2025 with a wave of violence, which included multiple deadly shootings on New Year's Eve and early New Year's Day.
On the first day of a new year, Life Time gym in Walnut Creek was full of people imagining new possibilities for themselves.
For 25 years, the church has placed the crosses front and center for all to see, a challenge to those who may want to look away from the tragic realities of the streets.
People living in encampments near San Jose waterways are on notice and could be told to pack up and leave immediately with the Santa Clara Valley Water District's new encampment ban going into effect.
A 29-year-old pregnant woman died in a crash near Gilroy on Wednesday evening, according to the California Highway Patrol. The collision was reported at 6:37 p.m. on Leavesley Road east of New Avenue.
A double stabbing in San Jose left one person dead the day before New Year's Eve. It was the city's 28th homicide of the year.
Officials in Santa Cruz County have activated a disaster fund to help area nonprofit organizations that are assisting those impacted by the closure of the Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf after a portion of the wharf collapsed last week.
A Watsonville man who died after he was trapped by debris washed up by high surf along a Santa Cruz County beach during last week's storm has been identified.
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 4.7 struck Lake County on New Year's Day, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
A burglary suspect was arrested in connection with three break-ins over a span of five days in Solano County, authorities said.
The Bay Area saw a rainy morning, which prompted some flood advisories, but a wind advisory does remain in effect.
Counties across the Bay Area are ramping up outreach efforts to inform the general public about actions they can take to keep themselves safe and prevent the avian flu from becoming something much worse.
Four Bay Area teen girls, one as young as 13-years-old, were arrested after allegedly stealing thousands of dollars in fragrances and cosmetics and attempting to get away in an Uber last week, police said.
Four members of the San Francisco 49ers were selected to represent the team at the 2025 Pro Bowl, the team announced Thursday.
Well-traveled guard Buddy Hield has found a good fit in the Bay Area with the Golden State Warriors shooting alongside Stephen Curry.
Joshua Dobbs will start the season finale at quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers with starter Brock Purdy out with an elbow injury.
"All parties and all agree that it's in the best interest of everybody and public safety that we postpone the game," Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley said Wednesday afternoon.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy appears to have escaped serious injury after being taken out early from Monday night's loss.
Police in San Francisco are investigating a double shooting that happened Thursday morning at a Bryant Street housing facility, according to authorities.
A shooting inside a home in San Francisco Thursday morning left one person dead, another severely injured, and also injured a toddler in what appears to be an attempted murder-suicide.
One day after a man drove a truck into New Year's revelers on Bourbon Street, the FBI says he likely did not have accomplices.
Police work can take a heavy emotional toll and the Richmond Police Department has a new way to help officers cope.
Despite ending 2024 with a decline in homicides, Oakland marked the start of 2025 with a wave of violence, which included multiple deadly shootings on New Year's Eve and early New Year's Day.
Apple surreptitiously activated Siri to record user conversations through iPhones and other devices, court finds.
The Treasury Department says Chinese hackers accessed several department workstations and unclassified documents. China denies any involvement.
The OpenAI issue was caused by an "upstream provider," according to the artificial intelligence organization.
In the face of wide speculation about how artificial intelligence will impact workers in the Bay Area and beyond, a series of billboards plays on those concerns, advertising what appears to be a nightmare scenario where people are entirely replaced by computers.
Elliston Berry's life was turned upside down after a photo she posted on Instagram was digitally altered online to be pornographic.
A billboard campaign along Bay Area freeways is featuring people, as young as one-year-old, who have lost their lives to fentanyl.
On the first day of a new year, Life Time gym in Walnut Creek was full of people imagining new possibilities for themselves.
The H5N1 bird flu virus has been found in samples of Monarch Raw Pet Food, and a cat that ate the food is confirmed to have been infected.
Doctors are encouraging people to make sure they are cognizant of their health as they're getting ready to ring in the new year.
Some 13 oz. bags of Lay's Classic Potato Chips may contain an undeclared allergen, according to the snack company.
The Assistant Director of the FBI's Counterterrorism briefed the committee members and staff in a call on Thursday morning, according to a committee aide.
Amsterdam-style cannabis cafes are being legalized in California, as part of the many new state laws going into effect in 2025. Right now, Sacramento has plenty of dispensaries, but it does not have any lounges where you can smoke inside.
The explosion outside the Trump International Hotel Las Vegas on New Year's Day is being investigated as a possible act of terrorism, sources said.
Hundreds of new California laws have now gone into effect for 2025. Here's what you should know.
Commuters are starting 2025 having to pay more to get around the Bay Area as bridge tolls are increasing by a dollar, while BART and Muni fares are going up as well.
Police in Santa Cruz have arrested a man on suspicion of a hate crime after a LGBTQ+ bar in the city's downtown was vandalized early Tuesday morning.
The building located off Folsom Street will include 42 units for young adults ages 18 to 24.
San Jose State's volleyball team was the subject of a national debate about women in sports.
A look at key dates before and during the San Jose State women's volleyball season marked by multiple forfeits by teams claiming the Spartans have a transgender player.
San Jose State says it's disappointed that Boise State forfeited its semifinal match in the Mountain West women's volleyball tournament but is focused on the future.
Here are the books and characters newly joining the list of works in the public domain in 2025.
A variety of New Year's Eve performers are expected for tonight's Times Square ball drop to ring in 2025.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have reached a divorce settlement, her lawyer says, apparently ending one of the longest and most contentious divorces in Hollywood history.
An Argentine judge has confirmed charges against five people in connection with the death of Liam Payne, a former member of musical group One Direction.
Linda Lavin, a Tony Award-winning stage actress who became a working class icon as a paper-hat wearing waitress on the TV sitcom "Alice," has died. She was 87.
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.
Kenny Choi reports on owners of Oakland nonprofit gym Tuff Love Fitness aiming to raise funds to help the community despite recent flooding issues.
Kara St. Cyr reports on interim chief Jason Ta being made the permanent Vallejo chief of police.
Team coverage of the first California snowpack measurement of the year and what the numbers mean.
Chief meteorologist Paul Heggen the Bay Area will have a wet Friday before dry conditions set in for the region into next week.
Wilson Walker reports on a new Santa Clara Valley Water District encampment ban going into effect.
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.
An Oakland woman has brought the joy of dance and an appreciation for African American culture to performers and audiences for 52 years.
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.