Many think wildfires are a West Coast disaster - but climate change now puts the East Coast at more risk
4 weeks ago

Many think wildfires are a West Coast disaster - but climate change now puts the East Coast at more risk

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Amid one of the worst droughts the region has seen, New York and New Jersey were battling wildfires last weekend - and researchers say climate change will only make the situation worse. Smoke from New Jersey’s 3,000-acre Jennings Creek Fire was observable from space and the massive plume could be seen as far away as upstate New York. The group said Monday that parts of northern New Jersey and coastal New York are experiencing at least 10 more days of fire weather each year compared to the 1970s. Now, that's not to say that normal healthy people may not get sick, but they're much less at risk," said Dr. Anthony Saleh, a pulmonologist at New York-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital told CBS News.

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History of this topic

Second teen charged in New Jersey forest fire as rain should help douse New York blaze
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Second teen charged in New Jersey forest fire as rain should help douse New York blaze

Associated Press  

A second teenager was charged with intentionally setting a wildfire in a New Jersey suburb of Philadelphia as “significant” rainfall was expected to help douse a stubborn wildfire burning on the New Jersey-New York border Wednesday. A storm moving into the New Jersey-New York area Wednesday was expected to bring what New York officials called “significant” rainfall to the area …

Wildfires continue to rage across US, voluntary evacuation saves 160 homes
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Wildfires continue to rage across US, voluntary evacuation saves 160 homes

India Today  

Firefighters in New York said Sunday that a voluntary evacuation overnight helped them protect more than 160 homes from a stubborn wildfire near the New Jersey border as officials in much of the Northeast coped with hundreds of brush fires in tinder-dry and windy conditions. Windy conditions renewed a wildfire Saturday that escaped a containment line and prompted emergency officials …

Wildfire threat continues in much of the US Northeast as dry conditions persist
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Wildfire threat continues in much of the US Northeast as dry conditions persist

Associated Press  

Firefighters in New York said Sunday that a voluntary evacuation overnight helped them protect more than 160 homes from a stubborn wildfire near the New Jersey border as officials in much of the Northeast coped with hundreds of brush fires in tinder-dry and windy conditions. Windy conditions renewed a wildfire Saturday that escaped a containment line and prompted emergency officials …

Renewed wildfire escapes containment and prompts evacuation near New York-New Jersey border
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Renewed wildfire escapes containment and prompts evacuation near New York-New Jersey border

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Windy conditions renewed a wildfire …

New Yorkers have experienced tornadoes, an earthquake and an extreme fire season this year
1 month, 2 weeks ago

New Yorkers have experienced tornadoes, an earthquake and an extreme fire season this year

CNN  

Greenwood Lake, New York CNN — John Towsen and his wife, Riley Kellogg, watched in horror last Sunday as the flames in nearby trees inched closer and closer to their home of nearly five years. “We didn’t know if we were coming back to the home or not,” Towsen told CNN three days later, as he stood in front of …

Firefighters are closer to taming the wildfire that’s across the New Jersey-New York border
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Firefighters are closer to taming the wildfire that’s across the New Jersey-New York border

Associated Press  

WEST MILFORD, N.J. — Firefighters were getting closer Friday to taming a wildfire burning across the New Jersey-New York border on Friday, increasing their encirclement of the hard-to-access blaze. The fire, named the Jennings Creek blaze, was 90% contained on the Passaic County, New Jersey, side of the border, and about 70% contained on the Orange County, New York side. …

‘Dante’s inferno’: Wildfires scorch New York amid historic drought
1 month, 2 weeks ago

‘Dante’s inferno’: Wildfires scorch New York amid historic drought

Al Jazeera  

For millions of New Yorkers in the concrete jungle and beyond, the spate of wildfires at their backdoor was unthinkable. “We’re praying for rain,” embattled Mayor Eric Adams told reporters huddled at the site of the brush fire last Friday. There will never be another you.” Fire ‘in your back yard’ For many New Yorkers, who are more accustomed to …

2 charged with setting some Northeast wildfires amid New Jersey drought warning and blazes out West
1 month, 3 weeks ago

2 charged with setting some Northeast wildfires amid New Jersey drought warning and blazes out West

Associated Press  

BRICK, N.J. — New Jersey’s governor declared a drought warning. Firefighting crews continued efforts to contain a wildfire in a woodland on the New Jersey-New York border that has burned around 7.8 square miles in the two states. Around 30 miles away in New York City, a brush fire broke out in a park on the northern tip of Manhattan, …

Why Did Brooklyn’s Biggest Park Light Up in Flames?
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Why Did Brooklyn’s Biggest Park Light Up in Flames?

Slate  

In Brooklyn’s Prospect Park on Sunday, onlookers gawked at a charred hilltop, where newly fallen leaves had already obscured the scorched earth of Friday’s 2-acre brushfire. Scapegoating misses the point: “At the end of the day, what is really causing these fires is the dry conditions,” New York City Emergency Management Commissioner Zach Iscol told me later when I asked …

East and West Coast wildfires: 18-year-old crew member killed as firefighters battle dangerous blazes burning on both coasts
1 month, 3 weeks ago

East and West Coast wildfires: 18-year-old crew member killed as firefighters battle dangerous blazes burning on both coasts

CNN  

CNN — Dangerous wildfires are burning Monday on the East and West coasts, with firefighters in New York and New Jersey working to contain a deadly blaze spurred by an ongoing, historic drought – while strong winds in Southern California could fan a destructive fire in Ventura County. The Jennings Creek Fire has scorched approximately 3,000 acres across parts of …

Fires Flare in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park Amid US East Drought
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Fires Flare in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park Amid US East Drought

Live Mint  

Brush fires broke out in a major New York City park and in New Jersey on Friday as the worst drought in more than two decades gripped the US Northeast. Firefighters worked to extinguish a blaze in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park and used drone technology to identify hot spots, the New York City Fire Department said in posts Friday on X, …

At least 4 wildfires are burning in bone-dry New Jersey
1 month, 3 weeks ago

At least 4 wildfires are burning in bone-dry New Jersey

Associated Press  

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — Firefighters in New Jersey were stretched even thinner on Friday when another wildfire broke out in the state’s bone-dry conditions. At least four wildfires were burning in the state, stretching from the Pinelands in the central and western parts of the state to the New York City suburbs. The latest fire broke out along the Palisades …

Crews battling New Jersey wildfires in driest conditions in nearly 120 years
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Crews battling New Jersey wildfires in driest conditions in nearly 120 years

Associated Press  

EVESHAM, N.J. — Firefighters were battling blazes in the parched New Jersey Pinelands on Thursday, where they say conditions are the driest they have been in at least 120 years. The blaze was discovered Thursday morning and had burned completely uncontained across less than half a square mile by early afternoon, the New Jersey Forest Fire Service said. The fire …

Massachusetts firefighters continue to battle stubborn brush fires across state
2 months ago

Massachusetts firefighters continue to battle stubborn brush fires across state

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Firefighters in Massachusetts are continuing …

Firefighters making good progress battling wildfire in New Jersey Pinelands
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Firefighters making good progress battling wildfire in New Jersey Pinelands

Associated Press  

BERKELEY TOWNSHIP, N.J. — Firefighters in southern New Jersey were making good progress Tuesday trying to contain a forest fire burning in Berkeley Township that has thus far not threatened any structures. As of mid-afternoon, the blaze on the northern edge of the New Jersey Pinelands had consumed about 189 acres or less than one square mile, according to Jeremy …

Wildfire east of LA threatens tens of thousands of homes and forces evacuations
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Wildfire east of LA threatens tens of thousands of homes and forces evacuations

Hindustan Times  

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Tens of thousands of homes and buildings were threatened Sunday by an out-of-control wildfire burning in the foothills of a national forest east of Los Angeles, amid a days-long heat wave that pushed temperatures into the triple digits across the region. Wildfire east of LA threatens tens of thousands of homes and forces evacuations State firefighters …

Evacuations ordered as wildfire burns in foothills of national forest east of LA
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Evacuations ordered as wildfire burns in foothills of national forest east of LA

Associated Press  

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Evacuations were ordered Saturday as a wildfire scorched the foothills of a national forest east of Los Angeles, amid a days-long heat wave that pushed temperatures into the triple digits across the region. The so-called Line Fire was burning uncontrolled along the edge of the San Bernardino National Forest, about 65 miles east of LA. As …

Firefighters significantly tame California’s fourth-largest wildfire on record
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Firefighters significantly tame California’s fourth-largest wildfire on record

Associated Press  

CHICO, Calif. — California’s largest wildfire this year has been significantly tamed as the state’s initially fierce fire season has, at least temporarily, fallen into a relative calm. The Park Fire was 53% contained Monday after scorching nearly 671 square miles in several northern counties, destroying 637 structures and damaging 49 as it became the state’s fourth-largest wildfire on record. …

California's Park Fire grows to fourth-largest in US history, destroys over 540 structures and damages 50
5 months ago

California's Park Fire grows to fourth-largest in US history, destroys over 540 structures and damages 50

Hindustan Times  

Firefighters battling California’s largest wildfire of the year are preparing for treacherous conditions entering the weekend when expected thunderstorms may unleash fire-starting lightning and erratic winds that could erode progress made over the past week. Photographer: Benjamin Fanjoy/Bloomberg Weather, fuels and terrain will pose challenges for the nearly 6,400 firefighters battling the Park Fire, which has spread over 624 square …

California's Park Fire grows to fourth-largest in US history, destroys over 540 structures and damages 50
5 months ago

California's Park Fire grows to fourth-largest in US history, destroys over 540 structures and damages 50

Hindustan Times  

Firefighters battling California’s largest wildfire of the year are preparing for treacherous conditions entering the weekend when expected thunderstorms may unleash fire-starting lightning and erratic winds that could erode progress made over the past week. Photographer: Benjamin Fanjoy/Bloomberg Weather, fuels and terrain will pose challenges for the nearly 6,400 firefighters battling the Park Fire, which has spread over 624 square …

Heat, erratic winds and possible lightning could complicate the battle against California wildfire
5 months ago

Heat, erratic winds and possible lightning could complicate the battle against California wildfire

Associated Press  

CHICO, Calif. — Firefighters battling California’s largest wildfire of the year are preparing for treacherous conditions entering the weekend, when expected thunderstorms may unleash fire-starting lightning and erratic winds that could erode progress made over the past week. “Crews are being flown into access areas that have been hard to reach because of long drive times and steep, rugged terrain.” …

Park Fire in California scorches through land the size of Los Angeles
5 months, 1 week ago

Park Fire in California scorches through land the size of Los Angeles

Associated Press  

FOREST RANCH, Calif. — Thousands of firefighters battling a wildfire in Northern California received some help from the weather Saturday hours after it exploded in size, scorching an area greater than the size of Los Angeles. The Park Fire has scorched 547 square miles as of Saturday and destroyed 134 structures since igniting Wednesday when authorities said a man pushed …

Firefighters make progress against California wildfire, but heat and fire risks grow in the West
5 months, 4 weeks ago

Firefighters make progress against California wildfire, but heat and fire risks grow in the West

Associated Press  

OROVILLE, Calif. — Firefighters made progress Friday against a California wildfire that triggered extensive evacuation orders, but damage assessments raised the number of destroyed structures to 25, and forecasters said heat and fire risk were expanding on the West Coast. Firefighters “did a really good job yesterday” enforcing containment lines, and wind hasn’t been a factor, said Cal Fire Capt. …

New wildfires grow in Northern California as firefighters gain ground against big blaze in the south
6 months, 2 weeks ago

New wildfires grow in Northern California as firefighters gain ground against big blaze in the south

Associated Press  

LOS ANGELES — Big new wildfires challenged California firefighters Tuesday even as they increased containment of earlier blazes that erupted as dry north winds arrived over the weekend. AP AUDIO: New wildfires grow in Northern California as firefighters gain ground against big blaze in the south AP correspondent Julie Walker reports a wildfire outside of Los Angeles has burned more …

Photos: Destructive fire rages near California’s Yosemite Park
2 years, 5 months ago

Photos: Destructive fire rages near California’s Yosemite Park

Al Jazeera  

A wildfire burning out of control through tinder-dry forests near California’s Yosemite National Park has forced thousands of residents to flee remote mountain communities. Aided by aircraft and bulldozers, they faced tough conditions, including steep terrain, sweltering temperatures and low humidity, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire. Evacuations were in place for more …

New Mexico wildfire scar burn has forest officials worried
2 years, 7 months ago

New Mexico wildfire scar burn has forest officials worried

Associated Press  

SANTA FE, N.M. — As more than 3,000 firefighters in northern New Mexico continued to battle the nation’s largest active wildfire Sunday, federal forest officials worried about future flash floods, landslides and destructive ash from the burn scar. A hazard assessment from the Forest Service and U.S. Geological Survey shows that some burned areas on the New Mexico fire could …

Mysterious arson attack sees 10 fires ignited across New York’s Central Park
2 years, 9 months ago

Mysterious arson attack sees 10 fires ignited across New York’s Central Park

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy An arsonist is suspected …

Massive wildfires on the West Coast send haze to the East again
3 years, 5 months ago

Massive wildfires on the West Coast send haze to the East again

LA Times  

The wildfires raging in the western United States, including the massive Bootleg blaze in Oregon and fires in California, are creating hazy skies as far away as New York as the infernos spew smoke and ash into the air in columns up to six miles high. The smoke on the East Coast was reminiscent of last fall when large fires …

US: Firefighters continue to battle massive West Coast wildfires
3 years, 5 months ago

US: Firefighters continue to battle massive West Coast wildfires

Al Jazeera  

Firefighters continue to battle massive wildfires on the West Coast of the United States, as authorities in California closed part of a highway and ordered evacuations near a surging blaze that remains completely uncontained. In a statement on Sunday, Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest said the Tamarack Fire near Markleeville, about 257km west of Sacramento near the California-Nevada state line, had grown …

US West Coast wildfire smoke has reached Europe
4 years, 3 months ago

US West Coast wildfire smoke has reached Europe

CNN  

London CNN — The wildfires devastating California and other parts of the western United States are the worst in 18 years, with vast amounts of thick smoke affecting large areas of the North America and even reaching Northern Europe, scientists said Wednesday. Noah Berger/AP An officer with Napa County Animal Control rescues a cat after the Glass Fire passed through …

AP PHOTOS: Wildfires race through dry, windy California
4 years, 3 months ago

AP PHOTOS: Wildfires race through dry, windy California

Associated Press  

Over the last month, California wildfires have chased thousands of families from their homes, destroyed more than 3,600 buildings, blackened huge expanses of land and killed 12 people. In all, more than two dozen major fires are burning around the state, some of them among the largest in recent California history. Feeding off strong winds and dry brush, the fast-growing …

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