Latest Wildfires News

Residents prepare to return to sites of homes demolished in Lahaina wildfire 7 weeks ago

Sep. 24, 2023 09:03 AM EDT

HONOLULU (AP) — From just outside the burn zone in Lahaina, Jes Claydon can see the ruins of the rental home where she lived for 13 years and raised three children. Little remains recognizable beyond the jars of sea glass that stood outside the front door. On Monday, officials will...

The threat of wildfires is rising. So are new artificial intelligence solutions to fight them

Sep. 24, 2023 07:58 AM EDT

LONDON (AP) — Wildfires fueled by climate change have ravaged communities from Maui to the Mediterranean this summer, killing many people, exhausting firefighters and fueling demand for new solutions. Enter artificial intelligence. Firefighters and startups are using AI-enabled...

Six young activists devote years to climate fight with 32 governments. Now comes their day in court

Sep. 23, 2023 23:04 PM EDT

COSTA DA CAPARICA, Portugal (AP) — Sofia Oliveira was 12 years old when catastrophic wildfires in central Portugal killed more than 100 people in 2017. She “felt it was now or never to raise our voices” as her country appeared to be in the grip of deadly human-caused climate change. ...

Lahaina residents brace for what they'll find as they return to devastated properties in burn zone

Sep. 23, 2023 21:44 PM EDT

HONOLULU (AP) — Soon after one of Maui's Japanese Buddhist temples, the Lahaina Hongwanji Mission, burned in the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century, its resident minister was desperate to go back and see what remained. Six weeks later, he's more hesitant. ...

White House preparing for government shutdown as House Republicans lack a viable endgame for funding

Sep. 22, 2023 21:01 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House on Friday directed federal agencies to get ready for a shutdown after House Republicans left town for the weekend with no viable plan to keep the government funded and avert politically and economically costly disruption of federal services. A...

Salt water wedge in the Mississippi River threatens drinking water in Louisiana

Sep. 22, 2023 20:06 PM EDT

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Salt water from the Gulf of Mexico is creeping up the drought-stricken Mississippi River and threatening drinking water supplies in some Louisiana communities, including New Orleans, prompting the state's governor to warn Friday he may request federal help. ...

Hawaii economists say Lahaina locals could be priced out of rebuilt town without zoning changes

Sep. 22, 2023 18:08 PM EDT

HONOLULU (AP) — Residents who survived the wildfire that leveled the Hawaii town of Lahaina might not be able to afford to live there after it is rebuilt unless officials alter the zoning laws and make other changes, economists warned Friday. “The risk is very real,″ Carl...

Things to know about California's new proposed rules for insurance companies

Sep. 22, 2023 17:26 PM EDT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Months after California's home insurance market was rattled by major companies pausing or restricting their coverage, the state's top regulator said Thursday that he would write new rules aimed at persuading insurers to continue doing business in the nation's most...

King Charles III winds up his France state visit in Bordeaux to focus on the climate and sip wine

Sep. 22, 2023 14:02 PM EDT

BORDEAUX, France (AP) — After pageantry and politics in Paris, King Charles III concluded his three-day state visit to France with a trip down south to Bordeaux on Friday to focus on a more personal passion: the environment. As the skies cleared following a morning downpour,...

Wildfire-prone California to consider new rules for property insurance pricing

Sep. 22, 2023 13:15 PM EDT

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California will let insurance companies consider climate change when setting their prices, the state's chief regulator announced Thursday, a move aimed at preventing insurers from fleeing the state over fears of massive losses from wildfires and other natural disasters....