The blanket of wildfire smoke that spread across large parts of the U.S. and Canada in 2023 was a wake-up call, showing what climate change could feel like in the near future for millions of people. Apocalyptic orange skies and air pollution levels that force people indoors only tell part of the story, though. As […]
Dec. 29—Wildfire smoke is lowering life expectancy in Spokane and across Washington , according to a new report by the Washington Department of Ecology. Focusing on air pollution of all kinds, the report highlights 16 communities across the state that are “overburdened” by air pollution and have a higher death rate as a result. Using […]
LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — Sharlene Rabang and her calico cat fled the wildfire that destroyed her town on Maui and arrived at a family home on another Hawaii island after a 24-hour odyssey that included sleeping in a car. Dazed, coughing and weak, the frail but feisty 78-year-old headed straight for the bedroom. Her daughter […]
SAN DIEGO — A newly installed water tank at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is aiming to help first responders during wildfires to Escondido and surrounding areas, animal officials said. An 8,500 gallon helicopter water tank, located in a secluded section of the safari park, will provide an additional accessible water reserve to existing […]
A wildfire burning out of control on the outskirts of the Australian west coast city of Perth on Thursday destroyed at least two homes and injured two people, officials said. An emergency warning was issued for the eastern suburb of Parkerville where the fire started on Thursday morning. The alert warned that the fire posed […]
A wildfire burning out of control on the outskirts of the Australian west coast city of Perth on Thursday appeared to have destroyed or damaged a number of homes. An emergency warning was issued for the eastern suburb of Parkerville where the fire started on Thursday morning. The alert warned that the fire posed a […]
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (AP) — More than 300 firefighters were battling a blaze on the slopes of a mountain near Cape Town in South Africa for a second day on Wednesday and residents were evacuated from at least one neighborhood overnight, emergency services said. Five firefighters were injured and two were taken to the […]
Smoke from Canadian wildfires blanketed a large swath of the Midwest and northeastern United States on Monday and Tuesday, casting a thick haze that experts warned was a significant health threat. Air quality alerts were issued in at least eight states, with health officials warning those in sensitive groups, such as children, people with heart […]
Smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to trigger air quality alerts in U.S. states, with health officials warning people, especially children, the elderly or those with respiratory conditions, to limit their time outdoors. The Federal Aviation Administration issued a ground stop Thursday on all flights bound for New York City’s LaGuardia Airport due to poor visibility. […]
Only weeks after Canadian wildfires blanketed the Northeastern United States in thick smoke, the ongoing fires are sending across the Midwest more air deemed unhealthy by the Environmental Protection Agency. Detroit and Cleveland are currently experiencing air considered “very unhealthy,” with Air Quality Index (AQI) readings measuring more than 200. Exposure to wildfire smoke can […]
HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii Gov. Josh Green on Friday said he wants 3,000 condos and homes that are normally rented to Maui tourists converted to long-term housing for displaced wildfire survivors who are now living in hotels. Green said he’s prepared to use the “hammer” of post-fire emergency orders to make sure owners of short-term […]
The heart of Lahaina, the historic town on the Hawaiian island of Maui that burned in a deadly wildfire that killed dozens of people, reopened Monday to residents and business owners holding day passes. The renewed access marks an important emotional milestone for victims of the Aug. 8 fire, but much work remains to be […]