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Wildfires

All articles tagged with #wildfires

Historic Snow Drought Tests the West's Water, Power and Fire Season
environment-energy16 days ago

Historic Snow Drought Tests the West's Water, Power and Fire Season

Winter 2026 brought an unprecedented snow drought across the Western U.S., with most basins well below the 1991–2020 median and only a few near or above average. The reduced snowpack tightens water supplies and river flows, signals possible cuts to water rights allocations, and threatens Lake Powell’s hydroelectric power capacity. Warmer temperatures and sparse snow raise concerns about a fiercer fire season, making this drought a high-stakes stress test for the West and a potential glimpse of a warmer climate future.

via The Conversation|
#climate-change#environment-energy#snow-drought
Snow drought reveals West's hidden water and wildfire risks
environment-energy16 days ago

Snow drought reveals West's hidden water and wildfire risks

The 2026 Western snow drought left most basins well below the 1991–2020 median snow water equivalent as unusually warm temperatures turned precipitation into rain, threatening spring runoff, water allocations, and hydroelectric power (notably Lake Powell). The drought also heightens wildfire risk and raises questions about subsurface water stores and future management across the Colorado, Columbia, and Missouri basins in a warming climate.

via The Conversation|
#climate-change#colorado-river-basin#environment-energy
West Faces Water Shortages and Wildfire Risk Amid Historic Snow Drought
environment20 days ago

West Faces Water Shortages and Wildfire Risk Amid Historic Snow Drought

A historic snow drought across the U.S. West is not only shrinking snowpack but threatening spring and summer water supplies for millions, risking shortages in reservoirs like Lake Powell and Mead and potentially extending wildfire season as warmer, drier conditions accelerate snowmelt; the situation is driven by climate-change–linked warming and could affect the Colorado River Basin and Western states into the year.

via CBS News|
#climate-change#colorado-river-basin#environment
Nebraska's 800,000-Acre Wildfires Claim First Life
us-news24 days ago

Nebraska's 800,000-Acre Wildfires Claim First Life

Nebraska’s four major wildfires have scorched nearly 800,000 acres, caused at least one death, and prompted evacuations for hundreds as crews from state and federal agencies fight shifting winds and heat; the largest Morrill Fire has burned hundreds of thousands of acres with limited containment, while officials warn red-flag conditions could return in the coming days.

via NBC News|
#acreage#death#evacuation
Wildfires Burn 150,000+ Acres Across Oklahoma and Kansas, Triggering Emergency Declarations
disaster1 month ago

Wildfires Burn 150,000+ Acres Across Oklahoma and Kansas, Triggering Emergency Declarations

Wildfires in eastern Oklahoma and parts of Kansas have scorched more than 150,000 acres, injuring four firefighters in Beaver County and destroying eight structures in Texas and Woodward Counties. Gov. Kevin Stitt declared a state of emergency for three counties as crews battle wind-driven fires under Red Flag conditions; evacuations occurred in Woodward, and FEMA aid is being sought while authorities warn of rapid spread due to gusty winds and low humidity.

via KOSU|
#disaster#fema#oklahoma
Extreme weather slam: Plains wildfires, dust storms, and a Midwest blizzard collide across the U.S.
science1 month ago

Extreme weather slam: Plains wildfires, dust storms, and a Midwest blizzard collide across the U.S.

A multi-state weather outbreak unleashes dangerous wildfires driven by 60–70 mph winds and dry fuels across the Central and Southern Plains, with blowing dust causing crashes and PSPS power shutoffs, while the Upper Midwest braces for a major blizzard and heavy snow, prompting evacuations, road closures, and widespread travel disruptions.

via FOX Weather|
#blizzard#extreme-weather#plains
Patagonia fires reveal austerity’s toll on park firefighting
world2 months ago

Patagonia fires reveal austerity’s toll on park firefighting

Patagonia’s Los Alerces National Park is battling devastating wildfires driven by drought and climate change, worsened by austerity that slashed funding for Argentina’s fire management and park services, leaving rangers understaffed and underpaid while volunteers and exhausted crews try to hold back the blazes before a belated state-of-emergency declaration.

via Euronews.com|
#argentina#austerity#climate-change
LDS Church Mobilizes Relief Across Southern Chile After Wildfires
world2 months ago

LDS Church Mobilizes Relief Across Southern Chile After Wildfires

After January 2026 wildfires in southern Chile killed at least 20 and displaced tens of thousands, hundreds of volunteers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints turned church buildings in Concepción, Providencia, Los Ángeles and Buin into donation centers to collect and distribute food, hygiene kits and other essentials, coordinating with government authorities and other faith groups. The effort, praised by interfaith partners, reflected resilience and service as church leadership expressed sorrow and solidarity with affected communities.

via Church News|
#chile#interfaith#lds-church
Trump Seizes Permit Power Over California Rebuilds After LA Wildfires
politics2 months ago

Trump Seizes Permit Power Over California Rebuilds After LA Wildfires

President Trump says he will appoint EPA chief Lee Zeldin to take over California’s home-construction permitting, effectively overruling local authorities to speed rebuilding after the Los Angeles-area wildfires. He also ordered FEMA to audit federal funding, setting up a clash with California Democrats who argue the move is an overreach and that federal aid, not permitting control, is needed. LA and state leaders have criticized the effort while thousands of permits remain pending as reconstruction proceeds amid a costly, deadly disaster.

via Al Jazeera|
#california#fema#permitting
Patagonia’s fires reveal climate strain, budget cuts, and pine monoculture
environment2 months ago

Patagonia’s fires reveal climate strain, budget cuts, and pine monoculture

Patagonia and southern Chile are being ravaged by wildfires fueled by hotter, drier conditions and a shift to highly flammable foreign pine monocultures; Argentina’s Milei government has slashed the National Fire Management Service, reducing prevention, aerial support, and firefighters’ pay, prompting communities to form their own brigades. While investigators note accelerants in some blazes, conspiracy theories blaming Mapuche or other actors have circulated; the fires threaten biodiversity and local livelihoods, with long-term damage likely even if some trees survive.

via The Guardian|
#climate-change#environment#fire-service-budget-cuts
Chile hit by deadly wildfires as heat wave sparks mass evacuations
world2 months ago

Chile hit by deadly wildfires as heat wave sparks mass evacuations

Wildfires sweeping central and southern Chile have killed at least 18 people, destroyed hundreds of homes (about 300) and burned some 8,500 hectares, forcing roughly 50,000 people to evacuate. President Boric declared a state of catastrophe in Biobio and Ñuble, authorities battled blazes amid extreme heat and strong winds, and a nighttime curfew was imposed as firefighters fought to contain the fires.

via AP News|
#catastrophe#chile#evacuations