Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Metro Silicon Valley Entry Title: California Gets Devastating Welcome to Era of Megafies Entry Credit: Jennifer Wadsworth Judge Comment: Evocative writing with crackling verbs that transport readers to the wildfires. Focusing on a wildfire victim/resident sucks readers into the story, which also delivers vital facts from officials.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: The Weekly Calistogan Entry Title: Glass Fire claims Calistoga's Fairwinds Estate Winery Entry Credit: Cynthia Sweeney Judge Comment: Telling the story of the fires through one winery, this story shows the impact on owners, employees and firefighters. The writer skillfully deploys telling details, vivid scenes and unique quotes.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: The Almanac Entry Title: 'It's eerie': Behind the lines of the CZU August Lightning fires Entry Credit: Kate Bradshaw, Magali Gauthier Judge Comment: Covering wildfires, access is key. Many residents rely on local papers to find out how their area is faring, and this story delivers, showing and telling readers what it's like behind the fire lines.
Place Name: Fourth Place Contestant Name: Tracy Press Entry Title: Rancher scrambles to protect livestock, support fire crews Entry Credit: Bob Brownne Judge Comment: By focusing on a rancher's effort to battle the fire, this story delivers a narrative that puts them on the ranch and in his shoes, while also reporting vital information from fire officials.
Place Name: Fifth Place Contestant Name: Good Times Entry Title: "Heroes or Hindrance?" Entry Credit: Jacob Pierce Judge Comment: This story did a masterful job of taking readers to their neighborhoods during the fire to show what neighbors were doing to fight back - and what fire officials thought of their efforts. It raised important questions and gave those with different perspectives equal space to weigh in.
