Arizona's governor and senators are questioning the federal government's decision to manage the lightning-ignited Dragon Bravo wildfire at the Grand Canyon as a controlled burn during a hot, dry summer, citing concerns over safety, environmental impact, and decision-making transparency, and calling for an investigation into the fire management strategy.
A federal wildland firefighter, Ricky Snodgrass, faces a reckless burn charge after a controlled burn he supervised spread onto private land in eastern Oregon. His attorneys are seeking to move the case to federal court, where the charges could be dropped. The arrest has raised concerns among federal workers about the potential chilling effect on vital wildfire prevention programs, especially given the already low pay for wildland firefighters. The incident has also highlighted the longstanding mistrust of the federal government in rural Oregon, where relations between the county and federal land managers have been historically strained.
The NTSB chair testified that the decision to conduct a controlled burn of derailed tank cars in East Palestine, Ohio, was based on flawed and incomplete information, and that a better option would have been to allow the tank cars time to cool down. The decision has faced scrutiny, with questions raised about whether the railway company or its contractors recommended the burn to facilitate the rapid movement of freight. The NTSB's ongoing investigation has revealed that experts were not given full information and that the decision to conduct the burn was made without considering other options. The Senate is still awaiting a vote on railway safety legislation.
A controlled burn in Montgomery County, Alabama, has gotten out of control, leading to heavy smoke and endangering several structures. The fire is located on Jenkins Lane and firefighters from the Rolling Hills Volunteer Fire Department are working to extinguish the blaze. No structures have been damaged so far, but some are now considered endangered.
A controlled burn in a construction zone in Greenville County, South Carolina, caused flames to blaze early Friday morning. Firefighters were dispatched to the scene and sprayed water around the edges of the fire to prevent it from spreading. No structures were on fire, as the controlled burn was taking place in an area under construction for a new subdivision. Controlled burns are not allowed in city limits, and the incident is currently under investigation. No injuries were reported, and there is no danger to the public.
The mayor of Louisville, Kentucky has proposed using a controlled burn to destroy an 'extreme' hoarder home allegedly filled with dangerous chemicals and explosives. The resident, Marc Troy Hibel, was arrested and charged with wanton endangerment after police discovered explosives, industrial chemicals, and 'laboratory grade equipment' inside the cluttered home. Concerns have been raised about the safety of a controlled burn, but the mayor has assured residents that safety will be the top priority, with evacuation plans and air quality monitors in place. The federal Environmental Protection Agency will be consulted before any decision is made.
Louisville's mayor has declared a state of emergency after explosive materials were found in a Highview home. The homeowner, Marc Hibel, was arrested and charged with wanton endangerment. Due to the extreme hoarding and dangerous clutter inside the house, officials have decided to conduct a controlled burn of the home and detached garage to safely dispose of the hazardous materials. The house is currently secured and under 24/7 police surveillance, and a community meeting will be held to address concerns of the neighbors. No date has been set for the burn, as the mayor's team wants to ensure it is carried out safely.
An under-construction apartment complex in southwest Las Vegas caught fire on Tuesday and continued to burn in a controlled manner on Wednesday, as firefighters worked to protect the complex's clubhouse. The fire was inaccessible to exterior water streams and too dangerous for firefighters to enter. The site is expected to smoke and smolder for several days, and traffic closures will remain on Maule. One firefighter was injured and transported to a local hospital but has since been released.