wildfires News

Wyoming Expecting Average Wildfire Conditions

Average conditions are predicted for the Wyoming wildfire season this year, but officials say they expect the season to be less severe than last year. Wyoming Public Radio reports State Forester Bill Crapser says fire predictions are below average for …

Wood-Panel Producer Norbord Halts Mill Production Following Alberta Wildfires

Norbord Inc said on Tuesday it suspended production at its oriented strand board (OSB) mill in High Level, Alberta, to comply with evacuation orders following nearby wildfires. More than 4,000 people from High Level and the Bushe River First nations …

Washington Official Wants to Raise Insurance Tax to Help Fight Wildfires

With an increasing number of forest fires scorching portions of Washington each year, the Legislature is considering a proposal to create a fund dedicated to preventing and battling wildfires. In March, Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz and state Senate …

Firefighters Gain Upper Hand over New Zealand Wildfires; Evacuees Return Home

About 3,000 people who fled as a wildfire threatened a New Zealand town were allowed to return home Monday [Feb. 11] as firefighting conditions improved. Another 400 residents living in valleys near the fire aren’t yet able to return, although …

Australia Sweltered in January Through Hottest Month on Record

Australia sweltered through its hottest month on record in January and the summer of extremes continued with wildfires razing the drought-parched south and flooding in expanses of the tropical north. Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology confirmed the January record on Friday …

California Governor Proposes $150M in Wildfire Investments, 911 Fee

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has pledged fresh investments to prevent, fight and escape wildfires, including millions to help local governments improve their communication during emergencies and a fee to fund an update for the state’s 911 system.á Newsom outlined $105 …

California Wildfires, Hurricane Michael Top List of 2018’s Costliest Natural Disasters: Munich Re

The costliest natural catastrophes occurred in the United States in 2018 with one of California’s devastating wildfires and Hurricane Michael topping the list, according to Munich Re. A report from Munich Re on last year’s natural disasters pointed to “clear …

Allstate, State Farm, USAA Sue California Utility Over Wildfires

Several insurance companies have filed lawsuits blaming Pacific Gas & Electric Co. for a deadly California wildfire that destroyed 14,000 homes and triggered billions of dollars in insurance claims. The lawsuits filed by Allstate, State Farm, USAA and their subsidiaries …

Sweden’s Wildfires Highlight Cost of Rapidly Changing Climate in Europe

Hannele Arvonen, the owner of one of Sweden’s largest lumber yards, is spending the winter months planning for a new and unexpected threat to her business: regular wildfires raging just south of the Arctic Circle. Her business, Setra Group AB, …

Utah Firefighting Costs This Year a Record $110M

Utah State Forester Brian Cottam says the state’s wildfire season appears to be over and that it is adding up to be Utah’s most expensive ever. KSL-TV reported that Cottam told the Utah Executive Appropriations Committee that firefighting costs this …