Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Voice of OC Entry Title: Ongoing Wildfire Risks in Orange County Entry Credit: Nick Gerda, Hosam Elattar, Noah Biesiada Judge Comment: This series of stories did a good job uncovering and illuminating city and county government issues faced during last year's wildfires. Found it interesting,
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: The Sacramento Bee Entry Title: ‘Get! Get! Get!’ How a Camp Fire survivor escaped another California inferno with his family Entry Credit: Jason Pohl Judge Comment: Incredible human-interest story on a family lineage and the ongoing struggles they faced over the years during California's wildfire seasons. Great digital work as well.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Long Beach Post Entry Title: Long Beach escaped flames during historic fire season, but how toxic is all the smoke we’ve had? Entry Credit: Tim Grobaty Judge Comment: Interesting story on the wildfires and the actual damage done to air quality during these episodes. Different take.
Place Name: Fourth Place Contestant Name: The Sacramento Bee Entry Title: Among the devastation in Berry Creek, a firefighter saves his home for his young son Entry Credit: Sam Stanton Judge Comment: Well-done story of a community ravaged by the wildfires. Very descriptive.
Place Name: Fifth Place Contestant Name: The Malibu Times Entry Title: String of Fires Triggers Homeless Camps’ Clearance Entry Credit: Genevieve Finn Judge Comment: Informative piece on the Tuna Canyon, the homeless crisis and how fires play a direct role in the issue. Another voice or two and this could have been bumped up.
