European Commission chief assures Western Balkans of the bloc's enlargement progress

TIRANA, Albania (AP) — European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen began a tour of the Western Balkan countries on Wednesday, assuring them that the enlargement of the trade bloc remained one of its priorities. The Western Balkans countrie s — Albania, Bosnia, Kosovo,...

Calmer weather helps contain Oakland, California, fire that forced evacuations

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Firefighting crews took advantage of calmer weather Sunday to increase containment of a small wildfire in Oakland, California, that burned two homes and forced more than 500 people to evacuate. Most residents were allowed to return home Saturday but a...

Firefighters battle 'diablo wind' to extinguish Oakland fire that burned 2 homes

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Crews continue to battle strong winds while they work to extinguish a brush fire in Oakland that ignited Friday afternoon, burning two homes and forcing 500 evacuations before it was contained. The firefight will continue through the evening and at least Sunday...

Hundreds of Oakland residents ordered to evacuate their homes as a brush fire threatens neighborhood, fire official says

Diablo and Santa Ana winds are to descend on California and raise wildfire risk

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A major "diablo wind" — notorious in autumn for its hot, dry gusts — is expected to whip up across Northern California on Thursday evening, causing humidity levels to drop and raising the risk of wildfires. Forecasters have issued red flag warnings for fire...

Maui wildfire survivors will get an additional year of housing help from FEMA

LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — Survivors of last year's deadly wildfire that decimated a historic Maui town will receive an additional year of housing assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Housing has been a major challenge in recovering from the Aug. 8, 2023, Lahaina...

Wisconsin officials require burning permits in 13 counties as dry conditions continue

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Wisconsin officials are requiring people in 13 counties to obtain burning permits as dry conditions continue. The state Department of Natural Resources announced Monday that permit requirements will go into effect just after midnight Tuesday in areas the...

North Dakota wildfire victim was about to return home to South Africa for the birth of his daughter

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A South African man who died due to a North Dakota wildfire over the weekend was planning to return to his wife within weeks in time for the birth of their first child. Nicolaas van Eeden, 26, died Saturday due to smoke inhalation after he was driving home to...

Critical locked gate overlooked in investigation of Maui fire evacuation

The state attorney general’s latest report on the deadly 2023 Lahaina wildfire flagged various locked gates that blocked people trying to flee as flaws in Maui’s evacuation planning. Yet a padlocked gate where the largest cluster of Lahaina wildfire fatalities occurred was not...

This Montana Senate candidate said his opponent ate 'lobbyist steak.' But he lobbied—with steak

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — During an October debate, Montana GOP Senate candidate Tim Sheehy denounced his Democratic opponent, Sen. Jon Tester, for ” eating lobbyist steak ″ while the Republican fought in Afghanistan. But Sheehy himself had a taste for red meat and lobbying,...