All articles tagged with #wildfire
The human-caused Bull Fire in Washoe County is now 40% contained after burning 1,529 acres. Approximately 250 personnel are working to keep the fire north of Verdi, Somersett, and Mogul. Some evacuation warnings have been lifted, and an informational event is scheduled for Sunday at the North Valleys Walmart.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have no immediate plans to sell or rent their $14.5 million Montecito, California mansion after relocating to the UK. A source told Page Six that maintenance crews are still tending to the 18,000-square-foot estate, which includes a tennis court and guest residence. While earlier reports suggested the couple might list the property due to high costs, current indications show they are retaining it. The decision comes as the family adjusts to life in the Cotswolds, with Harry resuming public duties and Meghan attending Pilates classes in Oxfordshire.
Two Fly Precision crew members, Greg King and Ryan Cutter, were killed when their Eurocopter AS32, assisting with Dome Fire suppression near Ostrander Lake in Yosemite Valley, crashed around 2:55 p.m. Sunday while dropping water. The Dome Fire has burned over 3,000 acres, with winds sending embers ahead of the fire and causing spot fires, though fire behavior has been largely reduced in recently burned areas. FAA and Cal Fire were investigating; Fly Precision issued a tribute to the victims.
Colombia declared a public calamity as wildfires burn around the popular town of Villa de Leyva and across the country, scorching about 290 hectares and leaving containment at roughly 50%. Evacuations were ordered, hotels were impacted, and a large firefighting effort — 400+ personnel and four helicopters — is underway. Authorities are probing possible deliberate ignition as El Niño-driven dryness boosts fire risk through the October–April period.
Three more teenagers were arrested in Western Washington in connection with the Chelan Hills Fire, bringing those in custody to four; prosecutors say more arrests are likely as a fifth suspect has an active warrant and a sixth person is being sought. The suspects allegedly fired Roman candles from the bed of a truck during a Fourth of July burn ban, igniting dry grass and a fast-moving wildfire that killed a 69-year-old man, injured six firefighters, and destroyed more than 100 buildings across about 10,000 acres with losses over $6 million.
New video shows 18-year-old Michael Yakimov firing a lit 'Trooper Turret' firework from the back of a moving pickup, which authorities say started the Chelan Hills Fire in Douglas County, amid dry, windy conditions. The 10,000-acre blaze damaged about 100 structures and claimed the life of 69-year-old Robert Lister; six firefighters were treated for injuries. Yakimov was arrested and charged with first-degree manslaughter, first-degree arson, first-degree malicious mischief, and six counts of third-degree assault, jailed on $1 million bail. Prosecutors say others involved are being sought, and Yakimov is due to enter a plea in court.
A wildfire is raging on Brac Island off Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, with authorities issuing an emergency alert as strong winds hinder firefighting near the village of Milna.
A fast-growing Lucas Fire near the Mendocino–Lake County line expanded to roughly 3,476 acres, triggering multiple evacuation orders and moving the Lake County Fairgrounds into a Red Cross shelter in Lakeport; firefighting efforts included four Type 3 airtankers, but containment was only about 5% as inversions and smoky conditions hampered operations, with a Red Flag warning in effect and forest closures in place.
A small Burnett Gulch fire north of Lyons is about 2.8 acres with 20% containment, with air support aiding ground crews. Voluntary evacuations remain in place for residents along Lonestar Road and Stagecoach Trail as firefighters build a handline and monitor for conditions that could prompt a mandatory evacuation.
A cement mixer truck flipped on Highway 140 near Yosemite, spilling fuel that sparked the Colorado Fire in Mariposa County. The fire grew to about 250 acres, triggering evacuations for zones 546, 548 and 549 and warnings for zones 550 and 551, with Highway 140 (Briceburg to the Bug Hostel) and Rancheria Creek Road closed. Ground crews faced steep terrain as aircraft attacked the blaze; the cement truck driver’s fate is unknown, but the tour bus driver was unharmed and aid was rendered to the truck driver as 911 was called.
In an extended-session move, the California Assembly killed a slimmer version of Gov. Newsom’s wildfire liability package (SB 492), effectively punting the issue for a broader, more comprehensive fix after insurers and legislators framed the deal as insufficient. Newsom said the core problem requires a larger solution, and lawmakers pledged to continue work on wildfire liability while the bill’s collapse drew scrutiny and briefly rattled utility stocks.
Gov. Gavin Newsom floated a possible special legislative session to reform wildfire liability for investor‑owned utilities as lawmakers push a bill that would cap certain attorney fees and CEO bonuses but would not limit subrogation; the legislation would take effect immediately with a 2/3 vote by both houses, pressured by falling utility stocks and fears the wildfire fund could be drained while lawmakers rush to respond before the session ends.
California's Assembly declined to vote on Senate Bill 492, killing a compromise to speed wildfire-victim compensation and reduce utility liability; Newsom dropped a plan to shift costs to insurers, utilities warned of higher premiums, and lawmakers plan fall hearings to pursue broader wildfire-cost reforms.
A cement-truck crash on Highway 140 near Yosemite sparked the Colorado Fire, which grew to about 250 acres with zero containment and prompted mandatory evacuations for Rancheria Creek Road, Briceburg (including campsgrounds) and the Octagon area, plus an evacuation warning for Colorado Road to Highway 140. Fire crews are battling the blaze in steep terrain as aircraft support suppression; roughly 45 structures are threatened and road closures include Highway 140 from Briceburg to the Bug Hostel and Rancheria Creek Road.
California's Assembly refused to vote on Gov. Newsom's wildfire-liability plan, effectively killing the compromise after opposition from PG&E and Southern California Edison; the measure would have capped some attorney fees and CEO bonuses but would not limit insurers' subrogation rights, a detail that drew investor relief for the utilities as lawmakers left the issue unresolved and signaled potential future action.