Wednesday is the fire’s 31st anniversary. We produced a podcast looking back at the historic blaze that forever changed how the East Bay looks at wildfires.
Brian Krans
Brian Krans is an award-winning freelance investigative reporter and audio producer who covers public health — from police violence to the COVID-19 vaccine — in the East Bay. The former senior writer at Healthline.com, his reporting has been featured in The Oaklandside, The Appeal, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Los Angeles Times, California Healthline, KQED, The California Report, The East Bay Express and other outlets. He lives with his wife and dog in East Oakland. He is the author of four books and still jumps off things wearing rollerblades like he’s still in ninth grade. Follow him on Twitter: @citizenkrans.
Posted inCity
What you need to know about getting the omicron booster in Alameda County
Experts recommend scheduling an appointment before the fall and winter months.
Posted inCity
Pop-up COVID-testing sites are appearing in Berkeley. Are they legit?
Several new testing sites run by a company called “Stop. Swab. Go.” are getting mixed results, and raising eyebrows.
Posted inCity
Alameda County is facing its largest COVID surge yet
Symptoms among the vaccinated are mostly mild. But hospitalizations are increasing and officials fear hospitals could be stressed in the coming weeks due to omicron.
Posted inCrime & Safety
No, wildfire season in Berkeley isn’t necessarily over yet
This month’s rains helped tamper down fire danger, but experts say the East Bay is not out of the woods yet.
Posted inCrime & Safety
Red Flag and Extreme Fire Weather warnings: What they are and why they matter
Bay Area fire officials and weather experts say getting residents to take the alerts seriously is an ongoing challenge — and has never been so important.
Posted inFire
East Bay’s fire-fighting goats are finishing up their seasonal work
The herds are nearly done with their annual munch-fest, which helps clear dry grass and debris from the East Bay hills.
Posted inCity
East Bay health experts worry about delta variant as the vaccination campaign continues
COVID-19 infections are increasing in Berkeley and Alameda County, including in long-term care facilities.
Posted inCommunity
Don’t toss your masks: How to use N95s and other air filters for fire season
In Berkeley and beyond, it’s not too soon to prepare for unhealthy air days.
Posted inCommunity
Alameda County’s new COVID death toll is 25% lower than thought
County health officials reviewed COVID-19 death records and found 411 cases that were “clearly not” caused by the disease.
Posted inCity
Pfizer’s vaccine is now approved for kids as young as 12. Here’s what you need to know.
The FDA has given Pfizer emergency authorization so preteens can get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Posted inOakland
Oakland Coliseum mass vaccination site will close in May
Getting COVID-19 vaccine shots in arms will now mostly fall to community-based groups.