By STEPHEN SIMPSON, The Texas Tribune PAMPA, Texas (AP) — Texas' top emergency manager told a panel of lawmakers that the state should establish its own firefighting aircraft division after a series of wildfires, including the largest in state history, scorched the...
15-Year Plan Calls for Burning 74,000 Acres North of Los Alamos (NM)
Scott Wyland The Santa Fe New Mexican (TNS) Apr. 1—The federal government plans to conduct large-scale tree thinning and prescribed burns northwest of Los Alamos in a 10- to 15-year project intended to enhance forest lands and watersheds while reducing wildfire risks....
VA Firefighter Collapses and Dies While Battling Wildfire
GATE CITY. Va. (AP) — A firefighter collapsed and died while battling a 3-acre wildfire in southwestern Virginia, officials said. Firefighter James C. Ward collapsed Saturday while working with a crew to extinguish the fire that broke out in Scott County, the Virginia...
Wildland Refresher Training: Don’t Just Go Through the Motions
By Todd McNeal I am confident that most of you reading this would agree that we are in an era of fire years, not fire seasons. Wildland fires are now more numerous, destructive, prolonged, and impactful than at any point in our nation’s history. We have a plethora of...
Maui County (HI) Attorneys Request State Subpoenas to Manage Fire Response Probe
Peter Boylan - The Honolulu Star-Advertiser Mar. 25—Maui County attorneys say they have requested subpoenas to work with investigators hired by the state to assess governments' response to the Aug. 8 wildfires, which killed 101 people, because the investigators have...
Forest Fires Burn in Nearly Half of Mexico’s Drought-Stricken States, Fueled by Strong Winds
By FÉLIX MÁRQUEZ Associated Press NOGALES, Mexico (AP) — Forest fires were burning in nearly half of Mexico’s drought-stricken states Monday fueled by strong winds. The National Forestry Commission reported 58 active fires in 15 states, including in protected nature...
Fighting Every Wildfire Ensures the Big Fires Are More Extreme, and May Harm Forests’ Ability to Adapt to Climate Change
(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.) Mark Kreider, University of Montana In the U.S., wildland firefighters are able to stop about 98% of all wildfires before the fires have burned even 100...
State Farm Discontinuing 72,000 Home Policies in CA in Latest Blow to State Insurance Market
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — State Farm will discontinue coverage for 72,000 houses and apartments in California starting this summer, the insurance giant said this week, nine months after announcing it would not issue new home policies in the state The Illinois-based...
Wildland Firefighters Fitted With Apple Watches to Measure the Effect of Smoke on Health
Jim McKay Government Technology (TNS) Mar. 21—Residents living near where a wildland fire is burning or those in the vicinity of the smoke are told to stay indoors or leave the area altogether because of the contaminants the smoke is known to contain. But what about...
Crews Battle Scores of Wildfires in VA, Including a Blaze in Shenandoah National Park
LURAY, Va. (AP) — Crews were battling scores of wildfires around Virginia on Thursday, including a fire affecting hundreds of acres at Shenandoah National Park, amid an elevated fire risk, officials said. More than 100 new fires popped up Wednesday amid gusty winds...
Son of Woman Who Died in TX Panhandle Wildfire Sues Utility Companies As Lawsuits Pile
Lana Ferguson - The Dallas Morning News The son of a woman who died inside her home during the historic Texas Panhandle wildfires last month filed a wrongful death lawsuit Wednesday against the utility companies who say their facilities may have played a role in...
Fire Officials and DNR Encourage WA Residents to Become Wildfire Ready
Roberta Simonson The Spokesman-Review, Spokane, Wash. (TNS) Mar. 19—It's never too early to start thinking about the fire season. In fact, now is the perfect time, fire officials said at a wildfire readiness event in Spokane Valley Tuesday. "I'm encouraging everyone...