wildfire risk News

Oregon’s Wildfire Risk Map Emerges as New Climate Flashpoint

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A new map in Oregon that rated the wildfire risk of every tax lot in the state — labeling nearly 80,000 structures as high-risk — generated so much pushback from angry homeowners that officials abruptly retracted …

Europe Wildfire Risk Heightened by Early Heat Waves, Drought

MADRID (AP) — Extended drought conditions in several Mediterranean countries, a heat wave last week that reached northern Germany and high fuel costs for aircraft needed to fight wildfires have heightened concerns across Europe this summer. And it’s only June. …

California Utilities to Spend Billions to Cut Wildfire Risk

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — California’s largest utilities said Friday that they will spend about $13 billion to reduce the risk of wildfires following the worst fire season in modern state history and a string of blazes that were blamed on …

Wildfire Expert Warns Against July 3 Mount Rushmore Fireworks Show

A July 3 fireworks display planned at the Mount Rushmore National Memorial would be “ill advised” because of the abnormally dry conditions and risk of summer wildfires, a fire expert said. The event could attract as many as 7,500 people, …

As PG&E Blackouts Ebb, Southern California Wind Risk Surges

As Northern California residents began to get their power back, people in the Southern part of the state were facing some of the strongest winds “in recent memory” and utilities there were cutting service and warning blackouts could spread. PG&E …

Cutting California’s Power Is Job Nobody Wants Ahead of Blackouts

California’s governor is sparring with the state’s largest utility over who decides when to cut the power. It’s a no-win situation: As hot, dry winds sweep across the state, switching off the electricity is seen as a needed measure to …

California Utilities Warn of Power Cuts on Risk of Wildfire

Almost two weeks after California utilities cut electricity to 2.3 million people, two major power providers warned they may have to halt supplies to thousands across California as strong, dry winds raise the wildfire threat across the state. No major …

South Dakota Researcher Developing Fire Risk Estimation Tool

South Dakota’s state fire meteorologist is part of a coalition using satellite technology to notify fire managers when fuels are abnormally dry. Darren Clabo, a research scientist and instructor at the South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, is collaborating …

Half of Colorado Population Faces Wildfire Risk

The number of Coloradans whose homes are at risk from wildfires soared 45 percent in five years, reflecting the state’s booming population and changing uses of agricultural land, state officials said Monday. The Colorado State Forest Service said 2.9 million …

Controlled Burns Seen as the Lesser of Two Evils

About 30 members of the crew stood in the morning still of the Oregon forest as Katie Sauerbrey laid out the plans for the day. Some carried shovels or pickaxes. Others leaned against trucks and peered at maps of the …