damage News

Smoke Lifts over Washington fires, but Potential for Fire Growth Remains

The massive cloud of smoke began to lift over Washington wildfires over the weekend, but as air quality improves the fire’s behavior could become more erratic and intense, fire officials said. “It’s like a flue opening in a fireplace,” said …

11,000 Firefighters on Front Lines in California Blazes

A large blaze burning for nearly three weeks in a recreation area outside Kings Canyon National Park has scorched more than 50 square miles and the flames were moving toward a popular lake, officials said Thursday. More than 1,000 firefighters …

Oregon Crews Continue Fight With Home-Destroying Fire

Crews fighting a wildfire near John Day, Ore., spent Tuesday trying to strengthen control lines to protect further damage to homes. The lightning-sparked blaze on the Malheur National Forest has grown to 63 square miles and ruined at least 26 …

Washington Wildfires Remain Threat in Hot, Dry Weather

Crews continued their battle late Monday with several large fires threatening home in the Chelan area in central Washington. The blazes have destroyed more than 50 structures, forced about 1,500 residents to flee and scorched more than 155 square miles. …

Small Earthquake Jolts Northern California

A short sharp earthquake rattled California’s San Francisco Bay Area, but there are no reports of injuries. The U.S. Geological Survey said the 4.0 magnitude quake struck Monday and was centered just north of Piedmont, near Berkeley. It was felt …

California Mural’s Destruction Prompts Artist to Sue Business Owners

An Oakland, Calif. artist who painted a 98-foot-long mural depicting Lake Merritt on the side of an auto dealership nearly 30 years ago is suing the current and past operators of the building. The Oakland Tribune reported Dan Fontes is …

Utah City’s Basements Flood After Large Reservoir Leak

Residents of Ogden, Utah have been facing flooded basements since June, but the area-irrigation water supplier may have found the problem: a leak in a nearby reservoir. The Standard-Examiner reported that the general manager of Pineview Water Systems says crews …

Second Largest Wildfire Year in History for Alaska

This summer’s fire season has officially become the second biggest on record in Alaska. More than 5,081,000 acres, or 7,940 square miles, have burned this year. That surpasses the nearly 5.05 million acres burned in 1957 for second place on …

Arizona Wildfire That Forced Evacuations Now Partial Contained

A wildfire in Arizona that has grown to more than 6,000 acres and forces hundreds to evacuate is now 40 percent contained, fire officials say. The Willow fire in Mohave Valley is being battled by more than 300 firefighting personnel. …

Evacuations Ordered in Southern California Wildfire

A wildfire in rural Riverside County, Calif. has surged to about 500 acres, forcing evacuations and leaving one person burned and three firefighters with minor injuries. The blaze off State Route 74 near Anza started as a motor home fire …