EPA Factory Farm Reversal and Napa and Sonoma Wildfire Votes — November 4, 2026

Today's news covers a federal step back on farm air pollution, early election results on wildfire funding in California, and two fights over who pays for utility-linked fires.

EPA ends its effort to monitor factory farm air pollution

The Environmental Protection Agency announced late last week that it would end a 20-plus-year effort to develop methods for monitoring air pollution from factory farms, according to Inside Climate News, as published by Mother Jones. The report says this effectively shuts down the agency's attempts to regulate these facilities under the Clean Air Act. The agency described the move as a long-awaited reprieve for farmers.

Livestock facilities emit fine particulate matter, ammonia, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide and volatile organic compounds. The report cites research linking these operations to nearly 12,700 deaths a year in the United States. Thousands of operations have held safe harbor from legal action for more than 20 years under a deal made with the EPA and the livestock industry.

California voters weigh local money for wildfire work

Early, unofficial returns on Tuesday night favored several local sales taxes that would pay for wildfire work. In Napa County, Measure B had 64% support with 19% of the potential vote counted, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat reports. It needs a simple majority. The half-cent tax would raise an estimated $23 million a year for fire mitigation and for open space and watershed projects.

In Sonoma County, Measure H had 76.75% approval in a first report, above the two-thirds it needs, the Press Democrat also reports. The money would go to parks, trails, wildfire risk reduction and habitat protection. In San Clemente, voters were supporting Measure M in early returns, the Orange County Register reports. That 1% sales tax would split its revenue between beach protection and fire preparedness.

Oregon Supreme Court hears PacifiCorp fire case

The Oregon Supreme Court heard arguments on Tuesday over whether a multibillion-dollar verdict against PacifiCorp should stand, the Salem Statesman Journal reports. A jury found the utility at fault for four of the 2020 Labor Day Fires: Santiam, Echo Mountain, 242 and South Obenchain.

PacifiCorp's lawyer said the 2023 trial had "fundamental flaws." The plaintiffs' lawyer said that what the company really doesn't like was the jury's verdict. It is unclear when the justices will rule. A win for PacifiCorp would likely vacate the verdict and about $1.2 billion awarded so far to 225 fire victims, which would likely mean a new trial.

PG&E seeks a cap on wildfire liability

Pacific Gas & Electric is seeking to cap its financial liability for wildfire damages even when the utility is found negligent, KABC-TV reports, citing the Los Angeles Times. Under the proposal, customers could pay more on their electric bills if a utility acted recklessly and wildfire costs exceeded the cap. Utility companies argue such protections would preserve credit ratings and support continued investment.

Why a gas stove calls for an open window

Experts told HuffPost that you should open a window any time you cook with a gas stove. Burning gas can release nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, small particulates and formaldehyde into the air, and combustion pollutants are released even when you are only boiling water.

A case for spending before the fire

A Los Angeles Times opinion piece argues for shifting wildfire money toward prevention. It points to a study led by UC Davis researchers of nearly 300 wildfires that met U.S. Forest Service fuel treatments across 11 Western states. The study found every $1 spent on work such as prescribed fire and thinning saved about $3.75 in wildfire damages, and the analysis counted the health and productivity costs of smoke.

Sources

• Trump's EPA Will Abandon Efforts to Limit Air Pollution From Factory Farms — Mother Jones
• Napa County voters showing early support for Measure B, latest effort to secure funding for wildfire mitigation, open space work — Santa Rosa Press Democrat
• Sonoma County voters poised to approve sales tax to fund parks, trails and open space — Santa Rosa Press Democrat
• Election results: San Clemente's Measure M decides local sales tax for beach, wildfire protections — Santa Ana Orange County Register
• Oregon Supreme Court hears multibillion PacifiCorp wildfire case — Salem Statesman Journal
• Utility customers in CA could face higher bills under proposed wildfire liability cap — KABC-TV
• Why You Should Always Open Your Window Or Use A Fan When You Cook With A Gas Stove — HuffPost
• Shift the wildfire spending to damage prevention, not just reaction — Los Angeles Times

Canairy aggregates publicly reported air-quality and wildfire news and summarizes it in plain English, with links to the original sources. This is educational information, not medical or emergency advice. In a wildfire or air-quality emergency, follow guidance from local authorities.