Place Name: First Place Contestant Name: Monterey County Weekly Entry Title: Three fires that started in three days in Monterey County in 2020 Entry Credit: Monterey County Weekly staff Judge Comment: Thorough multimedia coverage, including online updates, newsletters, graphics and photos that kept readers alert and informed. In addition to covering breaking news, the analysis provided context about climate change and suspected arson. A strong overall report that best served readers when they most needed fire reporting.
Place Name: Second Place Contestant Name: Brentwood Press Entry Title: Lightning strikes spark area fires Entry Credit: Tony Kukulich Judge Comment: Vibrant writing with up to date information from reliable sources provided readers with hyper-local information during the fire emergency.
Place Name: Third Place Contestant Name: Metro Silicon Valley Entry Title: South Bay Sees Bizarre ‘Mini Boom’ as Thousands of Fire Evacuees Pour into DTSJ Entry Credit: Janice Bitters Judge Comment: This story deftly addressed two disasters: the wildfires and the economic impact on evacuated families. Shoe leather reporting and photos elevated the voices of residents at a time when they needed to be seen and heard; their plight addressed.
Place Name: Fourth Place Contestant Name: Good Times Entry Title: "Burned After Reading" Entry Credit: Jacob Pierce Judge Comment: A thoughtful take that provided context during the wildfires for local readers.
Place Name: Fifth Place Contestant Name: The Salinas Californian Entry Title: Wildfire coverage Entry Credit: Kate Cimini Judge Comment: None
