firefighters News

Russia’s Wildfire Death Toll Rises to 21 in Ural Mountains

MOSCOW (AP) – The death toll from wildfires in Russia’s Ural Mountains rose to 21 Tuesday, Russian state news agency Tass reported, citing local emergency service agencies. Wildfires have raged in the Kurgan region of the Urals and in Siberia …

Three NYC Firefighters Critically Hurt in Wind-Swept House Fire

NEW YORK (AP) — Three New York City firefighters were critically injured Friday in what the commissioner said was a “very close call” as wind-swept flames tore through a Staten Island duplex. They are alert and expected to survive, officials …

Man Stayed by Wife’s Side in Missouri House Fire; Both Died

NEW MELLE, Mo. (AP) — An elderly Missouri couple died in a fire when a man refused to leave his wife as their home burned and the floor that was their escape route collapsed, fire officials said. Kenneth and Phyllis …

Western Fires Outpace California Effort to Fill Inmate Crews

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — As wildfires rage across California each year, exhausted firefighters call for reinforcements from wherever they can get them — even as far as Australia. Yet one homegrown resource is rarely used: thousands of experienced firefighters who …

Copter Crashes, Kills 4 During Severe New Mexico Fire Season

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Evidence indicates that a helicopter that crashed in northern New Mexico after helping fight a wildfire over the weekend descended at a fast rate, with the craft ending up mangled and in pieces after first hitting …

Wildfires Scorch Parts of Europe Amid Extreme Heat Wave

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — A spate of wildfires is scorching parts of Europe, with firefighters battling blazes in Portugal, Spain and southern France on Wednesday amid an unusual heat wave that authorities are linking to climate change. In Portugal, Civil …

US Testing New Fire Retardant, Critics Push Other Methods

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — U.S. officials are testing a new wildfire retardant after two decades of buying millions of gallons annually from one supplier, but watchdogs say the expensive strategy is overly fixated on aerial attacks at the expense of …

Omaha Chemical Plant Fire Extinguished; Evacuations End

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A large fire that raged through a Nebraska chemical plant was extinguished by Tuesday morning and nearby residents who were initially evacuated were allowed to return to their homes, authorities said. Thick smoke billowed from the …

Firefighters Rescue ‘Cinder’ the Elk Calf from Fire’s Ashes

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Firefighters have rescued an abandoned newborn elk calf found amid the ashes of the nation’s largest wildfire as calving season approaches its peak in New Mexico and fires rage across the American West. Missoula, Montana-based …

Heat, Wind Hit New Mexico as Crews Battle Blazes

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Warnings that strong winds and hot and dry weather could produce dangerous wildfires blanketed most of New Mexico on Saturday as crews continued to battle at least two blazes that started as prescribed burns but then …