By Daisy Miao Have a hankering to enjoy the great outdoors? Grab your sunglasses and hiking boots and head to a county park this afternoon. It won't cost a dime.

By Christine Morente BRISBANE -- At the base of many charred shrubs, new life emerges. "They know exactly what to do," said David Schooley, referring to plants and Mother Nature's resilience after a five-alarm fire on San Bruno Mountain's Owl and Buckeye canyons in July.

By Aaron Kinney San Mateo County officials acted to close several trails and parks Wednesday due to a high risk of fire, while at the same time opening cooling centers in the southern half of the county.

By Shaun Bishop Federal authorities Tuesday designated more than 18,000 acres in San Mateo and Santa Clara counties as critical habitat for the threatened Bay checkerspot butterfly. The move by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designates areas where the insect with a 2-inch wingspan can survive.

By Christine Morente BRISBANE -- Claiming it is for the greater good, City Council members have unanimously approved a private developer's proposal to build 71 homes on San Bruno Mountain's butterfly habitat.