The image presents the California state flag with a brown bear in a curled pose on the left side of the white field. The bear displays wide eyes and an open mouth while positioned above a narrow strip of green grass. Flames in red and orange extend from the right edge across much of the white area toward the center.

The lower red stripe remains intact with the words CALIFORNIA REPUBLIC printed in black capital letters across the center. A small red star appears in the upper left corner of the blue section. The overall layout keeps the standard flag proportions but adds the flame elements and alters the bear position.

Wildfires burned across parts of California in the weeks before the July 2022 publication date. The Oak Fire started near Yosemite National Park amid dry conditions and high temperatures. State officials had issued emergency declarations for affected counties as crews worked to contain multiple blazes in the Sierra Nevada region.