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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Report Into Deadly Maui (HI) Wildfire Delayed
By JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER Associated Press HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii’s attorney general on Monday blamed a delay of the release of a key report into a deadly Maui wildfire on county agencies that forced investigators to issue subpoenas. The first phase of an independent...
Officials: Power Lines Ignited Largest Wildfire in TX History
Power lines ignited massive wildfires across the Texas Panhandle that destroyed homes and killed thousands of livestock, officials said Thursday
TX Firefighters Battle Flames Stoked by Strong Winds As Warnings Are Issued Across the Region
By VALERIE GONZALEZ Associated Press McALLEN, Texas (AP) — Strong winds spread flames and prompted at least one evacuation while airplanes dropped fire retardant over the northern Texas Panhandle as firefighters worked to stop the largest wildfire in state history. As...
Warm Weather Brings Fire Danger to Central and Western United States
By MARGERY A. BECK Associated Press OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A warm front swept springlike weather across a large swath of the country Sunday in what is usually one of the coldest months of the year, sending people out of their homes to enjoy the rare winter respite but...
Forest Service Warns of Budget Cuts Ahead of a Risky Wildfire Season – What That Means for Safety
Members of the Snake River Hotshot crew monitor a prescribed fire near Roberts, Idaho. Austin Catlin/BLM Camille Stevens-Rumann, Colorado State University and Jude Bayham, Colorado State University A wet winter and spring followed by a hot, dry summer can be a...
Storms Bring Destructive Winds, Ignite Wildfires in Australia; Five Firefighters Injured
Powerful winds have killed a man and brought widespread destruction across Australia’s second-most populous state, fanning fires that injured five firefighters.