All articles tagged with #firefighting
The Orange County Fire Authority's contract for a joint firefighting helicopter program expired, leading to concerns about reduced aerial firefighting capabilities during wildfires, amid disagreements over the contract's management and approval process.
Firefighters have contained a wildfire in Fourmile Canyon west of Boulder, prompting evacuations for about 662 residents; authorities are monitoring wind conditions and plan to reassess evacuation orders as they work to prevent further spread of the fire.
Los Angeles firefighters did not use thermal imaging technology to detect underground embers after a small fire on Jan. 1 in Pacific Palisades, which later rekindled into a devastating wildfire. Experts criticize this decision, highlighting that thermal imaging could have prevented the fire's resurgence. The incident has prompted reviews of firefighting protocols and deployment strategies, emphasizing the importance of technology and staffing in wildfire prevention and control.
A lightning-induced wildfire in California's Sierra National Forest has burned through a grove of ancient giant sequoias, some estimated to be 3,000 years old. Firefighters are actively working to protect these iconic trees using various methods, as the fire has scorched 85 square miles and is about 14% contained. The fire's intensity is higher than usual, threatening the delicate balance of the sequoias' natural fire ecology.
The Garnet fire in Sierra National Forest has burned over 49,000 acres, threatening a grove of giant sequoias, with firefighters using sprinkler systems and fire-resistant materials to protect the trees. Despite some containment, the fire remains a significant threat due to dry conditions, dead material, and rugged terrain, with ongoing efforts to control it.
A large fire in Minneapolis destroyed four abandoned commercial buildings, spreading across multiple structures and causing partial collapses, but was contained by firefighters by 9 a.m. with no injuries reported.
Border Patrol agents arrested two Mexican contractors helping fight a wildfire in Washington, marking a rare instance of immigration enforcement during active firefighting operations, raising concerns about resource shortages and the handling of natural disaster responses.
A water-bomber helicopter crashed into Rosporden Lake while fighting wildfires in France, but the pilot and firefighter survived unharmed. The incident occurred during a routine water scoop, with the helicopter spiraling out of control before plunging into the lake. An investigation is underway, and firefighting efforts continue as wildfires scorch large areas in France.
A wildfire in California's Napa County, called the Pickett Fire, has burned nearly 6,803 acres since Thursday, prompting mandatory evacuations and ongoing firefighting efforts, with the cause still under investigation amid a regional heat wave.
A wildfire in Napa Valley, California, has burned over 5,800 acres since Thursday, with only 11% containment as firefighters, aided by helicopters and drones, continue efforts to control the blaze amid ongoing heatwave conditions and evacuation orders.
A fire has been burning for nearly a week in the Doerner Fir, one of the world's tallest trees in Oregon, with firefighters unable to extinguish a hot spot about 280 feet up on the tree's side, and the cause remains under investigation.
Kristin Crowley, the former LA Fire Chief, filed a legal claim accusing Mayor Karen Bass and city leaders of retaliation after her removal from the position, which she claims was due to her public criticism of the city's handling of wildfires and underfunding of the fire department. Crowley seeks an apology and damages, asserting her dismissal was politically motivated amid ongoing disputes over fire response and resource allocation.
A former LA fire chief filed a legal claim accusing Mayor Karen Bass of defamation and retaliation after she was ousted following the Palisades wildfire, alleging that Bass misrepresented the department's preparedness and cut critical funding, which contributed to the fire's devastation and her removal.
Wildfires in Spain and Portugal have reached record levels in 2025 due to a severe heatwave, burning over 700,000 hectares combined, displacing thousands, and causing widespread smoke pollution across Europe, with record carbon emissions and impacts on infrastructure and air quality.
Oregon firefighters are battling to save a 450-year-old, 325-foot-tall Douglas fir after it caught fire, with efforts focused on cooling a hot spot high in the tree and preventing the fire from spreading, while the cause remains under investigation.