Newsletter: Essential California: Despite risks, a devastated Santa Rosa neighborhood was exempt from stringent fire regulations

Good morning, and welcome to the Essential California newsletter. It’s Monday, Oct. 16, and here’s what’s happening across California:

TOP STORIES

Why Santa Rosa burned

Residents of Coffey Park were stunned to see their tree-lined suburban neighborhood burned down by a wildfire. But the destruction of the Santa Rosa district wasn’t a mystery to fire scientists. They view it as a rare but predictable event that has exposed flaws in the way fire risk is measured and mitigated in California. Because it was outside the officially mapped “very severe” hazard zone, more than five miles to the east, Coffey Park was exempt from regulations designed to make buildings fire resistant in high-risk areas. Los Angeles Times

Firefighters’ life-and-death decisions

California fire officials, understaffed and overwhelmed when some of the worst wildfires in the state’s history broke out last weekend, were forced to make heart-wrenching decisions about who and what would be saved. Los Angeles Times

A family of four runs, but only three survive

The Shepherd family tried to escape the sudden wildfire that overtook their Redwood Valley mountain home. For one of them, it was too late. Los Angeles Times

Why are fires in Northern California getting worse?

Until this month’s historic wine country fires, 13 of the 20 most destructive — and 16 of the 20 deadliest — wildfires in modern state history occurred in Southern California. The current fires have shattered many of those records and reflect a growing number of destructive, wind-fueled wildfires in Northern California. Experts are trying to understand why. Los Angeles Times

Plus:

-- Dramatic graphic: Tales of survival and loss on Hemlock Street. Los Angeles Times

-- Progress: Firefighters finally are getting a handle on many of the wine country fires. Los Angeles Times

-- Work continues: At the Napa wineries untouched by the inferno, the grapes must still be picked. Los Angeles Times

-- History: Santa Rosa got a warning 50 years ago. Santa Rosa Press-Democrat

-- The start: The inferno’s first hours. San Francisco Chronicle

-- Idyll: A paradise transformed by flames. Washington Post

L.A. STORIES

Go east, old man: Do L.A.’s insane rents have you down? Columnist Steve Lopez took the advice of some less-than-sympathetic readers and went east. He found a $650, two-bedroom apartment in Yucca Valley. Is this the affordable housing solution everyone is grasping for? Los Angeles Times

Porter Ranch worries: A doctor says his research shows residents were exposed to uranium, lithium and other chemicals from the Aliso Canyon gas leak. L.A. Daily News

Art draw: In the era of Instagram, businesses are using street art to attract customers. Los Angeles Times

Death in the family: Dodger Charlie Culberson is the kind of player October loves, the guy obscured by the stars for six months before he takes a sudden star turn on the postseason stage. Then, tragedy struck. Los Angeles Times

At Dodger Stadium: On the 29th anniversary of Kirk Gibson’s walk-off blast, the Dodgers added another chapter to franchise lore when Justin Turner thundered a game-winning, three-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning to give the Dodgers a 4-1 victory in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series against the Chicago Cubs. Los Angeles Times

GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS

Battle royal: Setting the stage for an epic battle, California Senate leader Kevin de León said he will challenge fellow Democrat Dianne Feinstein for her U.S. Senate seat. The race will play off issues that have long divided California’s powerful Democratic base: liberalism versus moderation, north versus south and the rise of Latino power. Los Angeles Times

Add another? Billionaire activist Tom Steyer says he’s still considering jumping into the U.S. Senate race too, even though De León is a liberal ally. Los Angeles Times

No shoo-in: For De León, it will be an uphill battle … Politico

But: … in liberal, Trump-hating California, who knows? Sacramento Bee

Middle ground: Is this the end of moderation in California politics? Los Angeles Times

THE WEINSTEIN SAGA

Out: Embattled film mogul Harvey Weinstein — a once-dominant force in the Academy Awards who rewrote the rules of Oscar campaigning — has been expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in response to growing allegations of sexual harassment and assault against him. Los Angeles Times

Censored: Erika Rothenberg’s “The Road to Hollywood” ended with a daybed overlooking the Hollywood sign — a daybed that some incorrectly interpreted as a casting couch. Times art critic Christopher Knight calls it a mob mentality that has led to dangerous censorship. Los Angeles Times

Plus: The perils and perks of working for Harvey. Los Angeles Times

And: Well before the Weinstein scandal broke, Rose McGowan was already, in her words, a “feminist whistleblowing badass.” For months, the actress had warned of a powerful Hollywood figure who had allegedly raped her. Back then, no one listened. Los Angeles Times

CALIFORNIA CULTURE

Latin themes: Mayan motifs began popping up in Los Angeles architecture in the 1920s. Frank Lloyd Wright’s Hollyhock House in Barnsdall Art Park (completed in 1921) and the Mayan theater downtown (1927) are early examples of a particular kind of Latin American influence in L.A. Los Angeles Times

Art fight: The battle to save the “Crenshaw Cowboy” and his landmark found-objects art installation. LA Weekly

Heartburn or hungry? Do these fancy Dodgers food entries — just in time for the playoffs — make you hungry or just a little depressed? “People will try anything if it looks good and smells good,” one chef says. Orange County Register

Political ratings: As his show becomes more political, Jimmy Kimmel sees battles that go beyond ratings. New York Times

CALIFORNIA ALMANAC

Los Angeles area: Mostly sunny and 94. San Diego and Sacramento: Mostly sunny and 87. San Francisco area: Mostly sunny and 81. More weather is here.

AND FINALLY

This week’s birthdays for those who made a mark in California:

State Controller Betty Yee (Oct. 19, 1957), L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis (Oct. 20, 1957), Sen. Kamala Harris (Oct. 20, 1964), rapper Snoop Dogg (Oct. 20, 1971) and reality TV star Kim Kardashian (Oct. 21, 1980).

If you have a memory or story about the Golden State, share it with us. Send us an email to let us know what you love or fondly remember about our state. (Please keep your story to 100 words.)

Please let us know what we can do to make this newsletter more useful to you. Send comments, complaints and ideas to Benjamin Oreskes and Shelby Grad. Also follow them on Twitter @boreskes and @shelbygrad.