From destruction to deadly heat, Associated Press photographers capture climate change in 2024

After heat records were smashed and a torrent of extreme weather events rocked countless countries in 2023, some climate scientists believed that the waning of the El Nino weather pattern could mean 2024 would be slightly cooler. It didn’t happen that way. This year...

California got millions to train workers in disaster relief, but it’s leaving money on table

In January 2023, and continuing throughout the spring, rain swelled many of California’s reservoirs and creeks, engulfing homes and businesses and killing 21 people. One federal estimate says it cost the state nearly $5 billion. Now, nearly two years later, it’s Alexis...

3,700 people return to Malibu homes as weather conditions improve and help firefighters battle blaze

MALIBU, Calif. (AP) — More than 3,700 residents were allowed to return to their Malibu homes on Thursday after calmer winds and rising humidity in Southern California helped firefighters battle a blaze that had forced thousands, including college students and celebrities, to evacuate earlier this...

Oregon lawmakers approve $218M in emergency wildfire funding in special session

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Oregon lawmakers approved $218 million in emergency wildfire funds during a Thursday special session that was convened to address unpaid bills stemming from the state’s 2024 record wildfire season. As wildfires still rage in California, Oregon is among several...

Fire danger diminishes in Southern California even as crews continue to battle Malibu blaze

MALIBU, Calif. (AP) — As weather improved in Southern California, firefighters found some success Wednesday battling a wind-driven blaze burning in steep, nearly inaccessible areas that forced thousands, including celebrities, from their homes in Malibu, fire officials said. With...

PHOTO COLLECTION: California-Wildfire

Arizona Digest

Here’s a look at how AP’s general news coverage is shaping up for select Arizona stories. For up-to-the minute information on AP’s complete coverage of Arizona and the rest of the world, visit Coverage Plan at newsroom.ap.org Questions about coverage plans are welcome and...

Celebrities and coastal residents flee from wind-driven wildfire in Malibu

MALIBU, Calif. (AP) — Evacuation orders and warnings have gone out to 20,000 Southern California residents Tuesday as firefighters battled a wind-driven wildfire in Malibu that burned near celebrities' seaside mansions, horse farms and Pepperdine University, the sheriff's department said. ...

When fire threatened a California university, the school says it knew what to do

MALIBU, Calif. (AP) — The wildfire alert came in the middle of the night as some college students in Southern California were cramming for final exams and others were woken up in their dorms. But rather than run away from the impending blaze, some 3,000 students at Pepperdine...

Thousands without power as Santa Ana winds bring increased fire risk for Southern California

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Power to tens of thousands of people had been shut off by Monday night as utilities worked to mitigate the impacts of Southern California's notorious Santa Ana winds, whose strong gusts could damage electrical equipment and spark wildfires. The National Weather...