Latest Wildfires News
Improving weather aids fight against Sierra Nevada wildfire
BRIDGEPORT, Calif. (AP) — Improving weather helped firefighters stop the spread of a Sierra Nevada wildfire that forced evacuation of several hundred people from their homes and injured seven firefighters, authorities said Thursday. The Rices Fire did not grow overnight, remaining...
Sierra Nevada wildfire threatens small rural communities
BRIDGEPORT, Calif. (AP) — A Sierra Nevada wildfire destroyed a building and was a threat to more than 250 homes and other structures, California authorities said Wednesday. The Rices Fire grew to 904 acres (366 hectares) along the Yuba River in Nevada County, the California...
Soap Lake wildfire evacuations lifted, 2 firefighters hurt
SOAP LAKE, Wash. (AP) — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office has lifted all evacuations east of Soap Lake, Washington, that had been in effect Tuesday because of a wildfire. Sheriff’s officials said the 50 homes threatened by the fire which started around 11 a.m. were no longer...
Northern California wildfire threatens 500 buildings
BRIDGEPORT, Calif. (AP) — A wildfire that erupted in Northern California forced evacuations as it threatened about 500 homes and other buildings Tuesday, authorities said. The Rices Fire erupted at around 2 p.m. near the Yuba River in Nevada County and had spread to more than 500...
Interstate 84 closed in eastern Oregon due to wildfire smoke
ONTARIO, Ore. (AP) — Transportation officials said Tuesday evening that Interstate 84 is closed near the border of Oregon and Idaho because of wildfire smoke. The Oregon Department of Transportation said the interstate was closed westbound in Ontario and eastbound in Baker City...
WA wildfire prompts evacuations for people in 50 homes
SOAP LAKE, Wash. (AP) — People in about 50 homes near a wildfire in central Washington were told by law enforcement to leave their homes immediately on Tuesday afternoon. The Grant County Sheriff’s Office said at about 2:45 p.m. that people living on certain streets east of Soap...
Some cities nix July 4 fireworks for shortages, fire dangers
PHOENIX (AP) — The skies over a scattering of Western U.S. cities will stay dark for the third consecutive Fourth of July as some major fireworks displays are canceled again this year — some over wildfire concerns amid dry weather and others because of enduring pandemic-related staffing and...
Helicopter pilot helping Alaska firefighters dies in crash
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A helicopter contracted to support firefighting efforts on an Interior Alaska blaze crashed after takeoff, killing the pilot, officials said Monday. The fatality was the first related to Alaska wildfires in 22 years. The pilot was identified as Douglas...
US makes more wildfire recovery aid available for New Mexico
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday authorized an increase in funding for debris removal and other emergency measures being taken as a result of a historic wildfire season in New Mexico that stemmed partly from missteps by federal forest managers in starting a prescribed...
NJ firefighters fully contain Ocean-Burlington forest fire
MANCHESTER, N.J. (AP) — Firefighters have fully contained a forest fire in Ocean and Burlington counties, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said Monday. The agency said the blaze in the Brendan T. Byrne State Forest had burned 315 acres and was 100% contained as of 11 a.m. Monday....
