wildfires

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Forest Service Axes 30-Year Ban on Night Flights

Rule blamed in disastrous 2009 Station fire

(Newser) - California's disastrous 2009 Station fire made wildfire authorities rethink their approach to battling blazes at night—and now they're uplifting a longstanding rule. For the first time in about three decades, the US Forest Service will allow night flights to combat flames, the Los Angeles Times reports. "...

Wildfires Raging Through 14 States

And weather conditions not expected to improve soon

(Newser) - Fourteen states west of the Mississippi are burning, with 70 large fires destroying homes and forcing many to evacuate. Hot, dry, windy weather in the western US is fueling the flames and is expected to continue into next week. Details from CNN :
  • The Taylor Bridge Fire in Washington state has
...

Firefighter Killed as Wildfires Tear Through West

59 large fires burning in 10 states

(Newser) - Wildfires are continuing to blaze across the parched, baking western United States. A 20-year-old firefighter was killed as she battled one of a dozen blazes burning in Idaho, reports the AP . Anne Veseth, who was struck by a falling tree while she was trying to contain a blaze in steep...

Woman Fleeing Colorado Wildfire Starts One in Idaho

Krista McCann is fine after car accident

(Newser) - Bad day? Tell it to 19-year-old Krista McCann. She was feeling a little edgy about the wildfire still smoldering near her place in Colorado Springs and decided to pack up the car and head to her dad's home in Oregon. On the way, she clipped another car, went off...

USDA Declares Biggest Disaster Ever

One-third of America's counties now natural-disaster areas

(Newser) - It's a confirmation of just how brutal this season has been: The US Department of Agriculture yesterday declared the biggest disaster in its history, identifying 1,016 counties in 26 states as natural-disaster areas. That covers about a third of America's counties, notes Bloomberg . The apocalyptic-sounding declaration brings...

High Heat, Smoke, Storms Move to East Coast

Winds carry pollutant-filled wildfire smoke across the nation

(Newser) - Storms, high heat, and wildfire smoke are spreading from the Midwest to the East Coast this weekend as extreme weather grips more of the country. MSNBC gives us a weather rundown:
  • New York City, enveloped in muggy heat, is facing a likely thunderstorm this afternoon.
  • Storms are also heading for
...

All Over US, Fireworks Axed Due to Heat

They're banned in scores of communities, particularly in the West

(Newser) - The red glare of rockets will be missing from scores of Independence Day celebrations tonight, Reuters finds. Dry conditions and record-breaking heat have turned much of America into a tinderbox and caused many communities—particularly those in the West—to cancel their annual fireworks displays. "All it would take...

Climate Change Caused Wildfires
 Climate Change 
 Caused Wildfires 
scientists say
Jul 2, 2012 6:33 PM CDT

Climate Change Caused Wildfires

Warmer temperatures leave states susceptible to record fires

(Newser) - Officially, lightning and suspected arson caused Colorado's record wildfires—but scientists say the real culprit is climate change. The science is simple: Warmer temperatures diminish winter snow and kill off spring rain, leaving state land a parched tinder box ready to go up in flames. And Colorado is not...

Air Force Grounds Air Tankers After Fatal Crash

C-130 went down yesterday while fighting South Dakota wildfire

(Newser) - The US Air Force has grounded all C-130 firefighting planes after one crashed while battling a wildfire in South Dakota yesterday, CNN reports. About three dozen of the aircraft are grounded until further notice. "There were lives lost, there were injuries" in yesterday's crash, said North Carolina National...

Air Tanker Crashes While Fighting Wildfire

No word yet on crew's status in South Dakota crash

(Newser) - At least one major blaze is finally coming under control, but wildfires aren't done wreaking havoc across the West : In South Dakota yesterday, a military air tanker crashed while fighting the White Draw Fire, which has burned through 4,200 acres since Friday and is 30% contained, CNN reports....

Summer of Fire Hell: 1K Homes Destroyed

Hot, dry conditions mean blazes will continue

(Newser) - An astonishing 1,000 homes have already been destroyed by wildfires this year, and with continuing hot, dry weather and record-large blazes sweeping through much of the southwest, the destruction will likely get worse, reports the Los Angeles Times . A record-busting Colorado blaze burned down 259 homes in High Park...

Colorado Wildfire Claims 1st Victim

One other resident of home also missing

(Newser) - The Waldo Canyon fire blazing through Colorado Springs has claimed its first victim: Human remains were found in one burned home, police announced last night, and a second person living in the home is missing, the Gazette reports. Ten people in all are still unaccounted for. Nearly 350 homes have...

350 Homes Destroyed in Colorado Wildfire

Mayor of Colorado Springs offers initial estimate

(Newser) - Authorities in Colorado Springs have offered their first assessment of damage from the still-raging Waldo Canyon fire, and it's not a happy one: The mayor says about 350 homes have been destroyed, making it the most destructive fire in state history, reports AP . Other developments:
  • The fire is about
...

Obama to Visit 'Epic' Fire Devastation

Governor declares fire season worst in state history

(Newser) - President Obama plans to jet to Colorado tomorrow to view the devastation of an "epic" rampaging wildfire near Colorado Springs that has gutted hundreds of homes, sent some 35,000 residents fleeing, and destroyed 19,000 acres. Rich Brown, fire chief of Colorado Springs, the state's second largest...

Thousands Must Fight Wildfires Uninsured

...because they're 'temporary workers'

(Newser) - As if fighting an "epic" and "apocalyptic" wildfire doesn't sound bad enough, try doing it without health insurance. That's actually what an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 federal firefighters do, writes Sarah Kliff for the Washington Post . "Of all the jobs where you might...

Tens of Thousands Flee Colorado Fires

Waldo Canyon fire breaches Colorado Springs fire lines

(Newser) - At least 32,000 people have been evacuated from the Colorado Springs area as the monster Waldo Springs wildfire continues to burn out of control. Witnesses described "apocalyptic" scenes as the fire, which has breached fire lines and destroyed an unknown number of homes, unleashed waves of flame and...

Colorado Wildfires Destroy 250 Homes, Ravage Parkland

Worst fire season in decade

(Newser) - More than 11,000 Colorado residents—and tourists—have been ordered to evacuate as eight wildfires burn across the state, destroying homes and threatening popular sightseeing spots. Vacation cabins in Estes Park have already been destroyed and the main entrance of Rocky Mountain National Park has been closed. Smoke threatens...

As Guns Spark Fires, Utah Gov Pleads With Shooters

But Utah, other states banned from emergency gun restrictions

(Newser) - With 20 wildfires around Utah this year believed to be caused by target shooters firing in bone-dry conditions, states are urging gun owners not to shoot in high-risk locations. “Now is not a good time to take your gun outside and start shooting in cheat grass that’s tinder...

Colorado Wildfire Causing Record Damage

High Park fire has destroyed 181 homes

(Newser) - The wildfire that has been raging in Colorado for more than a week has now scorched more than 85 square miles of land and destroyed 181 homes, making it the most destructive wildfire in the state's history. The High Park fire has also been blamed for the death of...

Colorado Fires Claim 1st Victim
 Colorado Fires Claim 1st Victim 
Jun 12, 2012 8:41 AM CDT

Colorado Fires Claim 1st Victim

Fire now 3rd-largest in Colorado history

(Newser) - The northern Colorado wildfires that have been raging through the state have claimed a 62-year-old woman as their first victim, reports the Denver Post . Linda Steadman lived alone and apparently missed two evacuation phone notices on Saturday. A firefighter and a deputy stopped by Steadman's home, but were blocked...

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