Tag

Wildfire

All articles tagged with #wildfire

environment6 days ago•5 min saved

California's Fire Season Roars Early as Blazes Threaten Homes and Pines

California is already contending with multiple large wildfires in May as hot, windy conditions heighten risk statewide; the Santa Rosa Island Fire in Channel Islands National Park has burned about 16,600 acres and threatens a rare Torrey pine grove, though early assessments suggest the stand remains intact; the Sandy Fire near Simi Valley has scorched around 1,400 acres and is only 5% contained, while the River Fire in Kern County has burned more than 3,500 acres and is 15% contained. About 41,000 acres have burned this season, well above the five-year average of 23,380, signaling a potentially severe year ahead. Record warmth has gutted snowpack—the Sierra Nevada is at about 9% of its normal level—underscoring climate-change as a driver of longer, more intense fires.

via WIRED|

#california #channel-islands #climate-change

local7 days ago•1 min saved

Simi Valley's Sandy Fire Triggers Evacuation Warning as Blaze Expands

Los Angeles firefighters are assisting Ventura County with the Sandy Fire in Simi Valley, a fast-moving brush blaze now estimated at 1,364 acres and moving east. Smoke may drift into the San Fernando Valley, potentially affecting air quality. An evacuation warning is in place for portions of West Hills and Chatsworth. LAFD has deployed strike teams, dozers, a hand crew, and helicopters, with updates at emergency.venturacounty.gov and lafd.org/alerts; sign up for notifications at notifyla.org.

via Los Angeles Fire Department|

#air-quality #evacuation-warning #local

environment7 days ago•1 min saved

DNR probes people of interest as Flanders Fire grows in Crow Wing County

The Minnesota DNR says multiple people of interest have been identified as investigators probe the source of the Flanders Fire in Crow Wing County; the blaze has burned about 1,666 acres (2.6 square miles) and is 60% contained, with no injuries and evacuation orders lifted. The origin is near the north shore of Flanders Lake, between Breezy Point and Highway 6, and authorities are asking for trail camera or home surveillance footage from May 15–17. County Road 11 reopened as crews work to contain the fire. In a separate update, the Stewart Trail Fire near Two Harbors is now 100% contained at just over 350 acres.

via 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS|

#crow-wing-county #dnr #environment

environment7 days ago•4 min saved

Shipwreck Flare Ignites Large Channel Islands Wildfire Threatening Torrey Pines

A shipwrecked sailor on Santa Rosa Island fired distress flares, sparking a wildfire that grew to about 14,600 acres, destroyed three park buildings and forced evacuations as crews battled strong winds to protect the rare Torrey pines; the Coast Guard rescued the 67-year-old man.

via The New York Times|

#channel-islands #coast-guard #environment

environment7 days ago•6 min saved

Largest wildfire on Santa Rosa Island threatens rare Torrey pines and island life

A human-caused wildfire on Santa Rosa Island in Channel Islands National Park has grown to roughly 15,000 acres (about a quarter of the island), marking the island’s largest blaze in modern history and remaining 0% contained as crews fight steep terrain with boats and limited air support; two historic buildings were destroyed, and the blaze threatens rare Torrey pines and other endemic island life, while a mariner rescued after his sailboat crashed signaled for help.

via Los Angeles Times|

#channel-islands-national-park #endemic-species #environment

weather8 days ago•5 min saved

Simi Valley’s Sandy Fire Expands to 836 Acres, Evacuations Under Way

The Sandy Fire in Simi Valley has grown to 836 acres with 0% containment, threatening structures as evacuation warnings and orders cover surrounding zones. About 550 firefighters are on scene with aircraft dropping retardant and water, and winds have shifted 180 degrees. Evacuation points are set at Rancho Santa Susana Community Park and an animal shelter at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, with the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library closed due to road closures. A smaller fire in the Angeles National Forest triggered an evacuation warning nearby.

via ABC7 Los Angeles|

#evacuation-orders #sandy-fire #simi-valley

politics15 days ago•4 min saved

CA lawmaker pushes crackdown on State Farm’s auto policies after wildfire claims probe

After investigators found State Farm may have violated state law hundreds of times in wildfire claims handling, California State Senator Sasha Renée Pérez urged regulators to escalate pressure by restricting the insurer’s auto-insurance business, arguing that’s where it makes most of its money; regulators could fine up to $4 million or bar new policies if violations are willful, while State Farm denies wrongdoing.

via New York Post|

#california #insurance #investigation

environment16 days ago•44 min saved

When a California town burned: a journalist's warning about megafires and rebuilding

CBS News correspondent Jonathan Vigliotti’s book excerpt on the Palisades Fire recounts how Pacific Palisades was overwhelmed by a megafire amid 100 mph winds, slow on-the-ground response, and blocked roads, with officials blaming wind and drought rather than accountability. The piece argues that current building codes and planning are ill-suited for escalating fires and presents the disaster as a warning about a warming world and the urgent need for real, structural change in how communities prepare for and rebuild after megafires.

via Yahoo|

#climate-change #environment #government-response

us29 days ago•14 min saved

Georgia wildfire swells to 31 sq mi, prompting evacuations

A fast-moving wildfire in Brantley County, Georgia nearly doubled overnight to about 31 square miles, triggering the possibility of evacuations as crews battle the blaze.

via AP News|

#brantley-county #evacuations #georgia

us-news1 month ago•35 min saved

Southeast Wildfires Drive Georgia to Record Property Losses

Georgia declared a state of emergency for 91 counties as two major wildfires burn across the drought-stricken Southeast, scorching more than 39,500 acres and destroying at least 122 homes and other structures in Georgia, with containment around 10%. Authorities warn extreme fire conditions will persist and have imposed a 30-day outdoor burning ban in affected areas, while investigators traced the Highway 82 blaze to a balloon ignition and the Pineland Road fire to welding sparks; no casualties were reported in Georgia, though a Florida volunteer firefighter died fighting a brush fire nearby.

via Yahoo|

#drought #emergency-declaration #georgia

us-news1 month ago•2 min saved

Georgia wildfires threaten homes as winds push flames

Two southeastern Georgia wildfires — the Highway 82 Fire near Atkinson (at least 87 homes destroyed) and another blaze in Clinch/Echols counties (over 46.9 sq mi burned, at least 35 homes) — continue threatening residents as strong winds loom. More than 150 related fires across Georgia and Florida have created smoky haze and air‑quality warnings; the Highway 82 Fire is about 10% contained over a 14.8‑square‑mile perimeter, while the Clinch/Echols fire is similarly about 10% contained over more than 46.9 square miles. The fires were sparked by a foil balloon hitting power lines and by welding sparks, with drought, gusty winds, and dead trees from past storms amplifying risk. In Florida, Nassau County volunteer firefighter James “Kevin” Crews died after a medical emergency while fighting a brush fire; no Georgia fire deaths or injuries were reported.

via NBC News|

#air-quality #evacuations #florida

local1 month ago•5 min saved

Flagstaff Power Shutoff Impacts 6,000 Homes to Mitigate Wildfire Risk

APS cut power to about 6,000 Flagstaff-area customers during a red-flag wind event to curb wildfire risk; power was restored to all by about 7 p.m. on April 22, with roughly 150 additional customers north of Flagstaff affected near Grand Canyon. APS called the shutdown a last-resort safety measure and offered programs for medical customers and ice/dry-ice reimbursements for those impacted.

via FOX 10 Phoenix|

#arizona-public-service #flagstaff #local

local1 month ago•2 min saved

Brantley County blaze wipes out 47 structures, Georgia declares emergency

A massive wildfire in Brantley County, Georgia destroyed 47 buildings overnight, prompting evacuations near Highway 82, school closures, and smoke that reached metro Atlanta. Gov. Brian Kemp declared a 30-day state of emergency for 91 southern counties, with the National Guard to assist and a 91-county burn ban in place as dry conditions persist; the fire is about 10% contained and officials expect updates as crews work to contain it.

via FOX 5 Atlanta|

#brantley-county #evacuations #local

health1 month ago•21 min saved

Long-term wildfire smoke tied to higher cancer risk, study finds

Extended exposure to wildfire smoke over the past three years may be linked to higher risk of several cancers (lung, colorectal, breast, bladder, and blood) according to a large US study of more than 91,000 people; the findings were presented at an American Association for Cancer Research meeting and are not yet peer-reviewed. The study shows association, not causation, and further research is needed as wildfire activity rises with climate change.

via The Washington Post|

#cancer-risk #climate-change #health

environment1 month ago•2 min saved

Drought-fueled Georgia wildfires swell to 9,000 acres

A South Georgia wildfire has expanded to about 9,000 acres and is only 10% contained amid a broad drought and a surge of fires statewide; officials say drought and human activity drive blazes, with burn bans in place and concerns that mill closures and storm-damaged forests could leave more flammable fuel on the land.

via WABE|

#burn-bans #drought #environment