Latest Wildfires News

At least 15 dead since July and thousands of hectares scorched as wildfires sweep Peru

Sep. 19, 2024 00:44 AM EDT

LIMA, Peru (AP) — Wildfires in Peru have left at least 15 dead since July and more than 3,000 hectares (7,400 acres) of cultivated land and natural areas scorched, authorities said Monday. Prime Minister Gustavo Adrianzén told reporters that the fires were started by human...

Rising rivers threaten southern Poland as flooding recedes elsewhere in Central Europe

Sep. 18, 2024 23:08 PM EDT

WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Soldiers and volunteers in southwestern Poland laid sandbags Wednesday near swollen rivers around the city of Wroclaw to protect homes and businesses after days of flooding across Central Europe. Poland joins Austria, the Czech Republic and Romania in being...

Portugal declares a state of calamity as wildfires rage out of control

Sep. 18, 2024 22:30 PM EDT

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — More than 100 wildfires stretched thousands of firefighters to the limit in northern Portugal on Wednesday, with seven deaths since the worst spate of fires in recent years spread out of control over the weekend. Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro...

EU warns deadly flooding and wildfires show climate breakdown is fast becoming the norm

Sep. 18, 2024 07:34 AM EDT

BRUSSELS (AP) — Devastating floods through much of Central Europe and deadly wildfires in Portugal are joint proof of a “climate breakdown” that will become the norm unless drastic action is taken, the European Union's head office said Wednesday. “Make no mistake. This...

AP PHOTOS: Hallmarks of climate change seen in floods, fires and drought around the globe

Sep. 17, 2024 18:02 PM EDT

The hallmarks of climate change — extreme heat and drought; larger, more intense wildfires and supercharged hurricanes, typhoons and rainstorms that lead to catastrophic flooding — are being seen and felt around the globe. Drought in Brazil. Wildfires in Portugal, Peru and the...

A Southern California man pleads not guilty to setting a fire that exploded into a massive wildfire

Sep. 17, 2024 17:22 PM EDT

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif. (AP) — A California man has pleaded not guilty to starting a fire that authorities said ballooned into a massive wildfire and forced the evacuation of thousands of homes. Online court records show Justin Wayne Halstenberg, 34, entered the plea from jail in...

PHOTO COLLECTION: Climate Extreme Weather Wildfires

Sep. 17, 2024 15:39 PM EDT
This is a collection of photos chosen by AP photo editors.

Wildfires in Portugal blamed for at least six deaths as Europe sends aircraft to help

Sep. 17, 2024 09:27 AM EDT

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Five thousand firefighters struggled Tuesday to contain multiple wildfires raging across northern Portugal that are blamed for causing at least six deaths including four firefighters and forcing an unknown number of residents to flee their homes. Some 100...

Brush fire leads to evacuations in a north-central Arizona town

Sep. 16, 2024 23:57 PM EDT

YARNELL, Ariz. (AP) — At least 14 homes have been evacuated due to a fast-moving brush fire in the north-central Arizona town of Yarnell, authorities said Monday. Yavapai County Sheriff’s officials said people living in the Yarnell Creek area east of State Route 89 were asked to...

Brazilian firefighters battle national park wildfire that is enveloping Brasilia in smoke

Sep. 16, 2024 18:43 PM EDT

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Firefighters on Monday battled flames spreading through a national park in Brazil that is enveloping Brasilia in smoke. It's the latest wildfire in the country, which is experiencing an historic drought. More than 490 firefighters were trying to extinguish...