Wildfires

FILE - The aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii, is viewed Aug. 17, 2023. The Hawaii Supreme Court says the state attorney general's office must pay attorney fees for using last year's Maui wildfire tragedy to file a petition in “bad faith” that blamed a state court judge for a lack of water for firefighting. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

Hawaii Supreme Court chides state’s legal moves on water after deadly Maui wildfire

The Hawaii Supreme Court says the state attorney general’s office must pay attorney fees for using last year’s Maui wildfire tragedy to file a petition in “bad faith” that blamed a state court judge for a lack of water for firefighting.

FILE - Rays of sunlight pierce through the clouds, Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023, above homes burned by wildfires in Lahaina, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

Communications breakdown left authorities in the dark and residents without alerts amid Maui fire

FILE - Clouds hang over a home destroyed in a wildfire in Kula, Hawaii, Tuesday, Aug. 15, 2023. The Maui Fire Department is expected to release a report Tuesday, April 16, 2024, detailing how the agency responded to a series of wildfires that burned on the island during a windstorm last August. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

Maui Fire Department report on deadly wildfire details need for more equipment and mutual aid plans

FILE - Abraham "Snake" Ah Hee, one of the first crew members of Hokulea - the Polynesian double-hulled voyaging canoe, looks at the ocean at Launipoko Beach Park on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, in Lahaina, Hawaii. Hawaii authorities said Thursday, April 11, 2024, that coastal waters off the wildfire-stricken town of Lahaina pose no significant risk to human health and it’s safe to surf and swim there. (AP Photo/Mengshin Lin, File)

Hawaii says it’s safe to surf and swim in Lahaina’s coastal waters after wildfire

A waste picker walks past clouds of smoke generated by a fire at a garbage dump in Villa Nueva, Guatemala, Tuesday, April 9, 2024. According to the Guatemalan emergency agency CONRED, 60 percent of the fire has been controlled as the poor air quality in the country's capital caused schools to close for two days. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

Guatemala’s president issues natural disaster declaration as 44 forest fires rage on

Purpose of Maui wildfire report ‘is not to place blame on anybody,’ Hawaii attorney general says

A new report released by the Hawaii Attorney General’s Office shows that an emergency manager delayed his return, communications broke down and forecasts weren’t heeded during the Maui wildfire that became the deadliest in U.S. history. Attorney General Anne Lopez said this phase of the report is not to place blame on anyone. (Apr. 17)

Watch More

Forest fires persist in Mexico on outskirts of capital, with record-breaking heat wave ongoing

Report details several areas for response improvement following last year’s Hawaii wildfires

More complex wildfires prompt changes for US wildland firefighting workforce

More News

Drought, heat raise the risk of a repeat of Canada’s record-breaking wildfires last year

Canada’s emergency preparedness minister is warning the country’s wildfire season could be more explosive than last year that unprecedented smoke conditions across much of the country and into the United States.

Crews encircle wildfire on Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota

A wildfire has burned about 750 acres of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Officials said Tuesday that crews have encircled much of the fire and it no longer is growing.

Aravaipa Hotshot Katie Williamson, left, instructs a Wildfire academy student using a chainsaw, Monday, March 11, 2024, in Prescott, Ariz. Forecasters are warning that the potential for wildfires will be above normal in some areas across the United States over the coming months as temperatures rise and rain becomes sparse. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil)

US wildfires are getting bigger and more complex, prompting changes in firefighting workforce

Forecasters are warning that the potential for wildfires will be above normal in some areas across the United States over the coming months as temperatures rise and rain becomes sparse.

Two Oklahoma firefighters are injured battling wildfire that prompted evacuations

Two Oklahoma volunteer firefighters are recovering after suffering burns battling a weekend wildfire in northwest Oklahoma.

Florida Panhandle wildfire destroys 1 home and damages 15 others

A wildfire in the Florida Panhandle has destroyed one home and damaged at least 15 others. The Florida Forest Service says the fire near Pensacola was more than 60% contained as of Friday.

A firefighter leaves the area after lighting a smoke flare during a preparedness drill at Glyka Nera, in northeastern Athens on Thursday, April 4, 2024. Authorities have stepped up exercises ahead of the official start of the fire season on May 1. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

As fire season fast approaches, Greece’s planners look for an edge in response time

Authorities in Greece are stepping up multi-agency fire drills in an attempt to reduce response times ahead of the summer fire season that officially starts May 1.

FILE - This image taken from Greenville Fire-Rescue's Facebook page on Feb. 28, 2024, shows fires in the Texas Panhandle. On Tuesday, April 2, 2024, Texas’ top emergency manager told a panel of lawmakers that the state should establish its own firefighting aircraft division after a series of wildfires, including the largest in state history, scorched the Panhandle region this year. (Greenville Fire-Rescue via AP, File)

Texas emergency management chief believes the state needs its own firefighting aircraft

The chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management says a series of wildfires in the Texas Panhandle shows the need for the state to have a firefighting aircraft division.

Virginia firefighter collapses and dies while battling an outdoor blaze

Virginia forestry officials say a firefighter collapsed and died while battling a 3-acre wildfire. The Virginia Department of Forestry says firefighter James C.

A woman walks near logs swept into a neighborhood affected by a flash flood in Pesisir Selatan, West Sumatra, Indonesia, Wednesday, March 13, 2024. In Indonesia, environmental groups continue to point to deforestation and environmental degradation worsening the effects of natural disasters such as floods, landslides, drought and forest fires. (AP Photo/Mavendra JR)

In Indonesia, deforestation is intensifying disasters from severe weather and climate change

In Indonesia, environmental groups continue to point to deforestation and environmental degradation worsening the effects of natural disasters such as floods, landslides, drought and forest fires.

Wildfires burn parts of a cemetery in Nogales, Mexico, Monday, March 25, 2024. Emergency crews are working to contain wildfires burning across parts of the High Mountains area in Veracruz state. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez)

Forest fires burn in nearly half of Mexico’s drought-stricken states, fueled by strong winds.

Forest fires were burning in nearly half of Mexico’s drought-stricken states fueled by strong winds.

Smoke fills the sky from a wildfire in Shenandoah National Park near Luray, Va. on Thursday, March 21, 2024. Officials say crews are battling scores of wildfires around Virginia, including a fire affecting hundreds of acres at Shenandoah National Park. (WJLA via AP)

Rain helps contain still-burning wildfires in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley; state sending more aid

Officials say crews battling still-burning wildfires in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley are getting an assist from rain and from the state government, which has deployed new resources to the area.

A wildfire burns along the western slope of Massanutten Mountain near New Market, Va., Friday, March 22, 2024. (Daniel Lin/Daily News-Record via AP)

National Guard helicopters help battle West Virginia wildfires in steep terrain

The National Guard has joined in fighting wildfires that erupted this week in West Virginia. Two Blackhawk helicopters dropped water from buckets on the fires Friday in steep, wooded terrain in Hardy County, near the Virginia border.

FILE - A couple takes a selfie with cherry blossoms at Fairmount Park in Philadelphia, March 29, 2023. The United States can expect a nice spring break from past too rainy or too dry extremes, federal meteorologists predicted Thursday, March 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

The US may catch a spring break on weather. Forecasters see minimal flooding and drought for spring

Federal meteorologists predict that the United States can expect a nice spring break from past too rainy or too dry extremes.

This photo provided by Minnesota Department of Transportation shows a hot air balloon crashing into a power lin in Rochester, Minn., on Wednesday, March 20, 2024. Two people suffered minor injuries as authorities say the basket detached from the balloon and fell about 20 to 30 feet to the ground. (Minnesota Department of Transportation)

A hot air balloon crashed into a power line and caused a fire, but everyone is OK

Three people in a hot air balloon escaped largely unscathed after their basket clipped a power line, fell to the ground and caused a brush fire.

FILE - A firefighter sprays water at a fire on the mount of Penteli, in northern Athens, Greece on July 19, 2022. Greek authorities presented a new action plan on Thursday, March 21, 2024 for tackling wildfires which often ravage the country during its hot, dry summers.(AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis, File)

Greek authorities overhaul wildfire response plans ahead of summer fire season

Greek authorities have presented new plans for tackling wildfires which often ravage the country during its hot, dry summers, including changes in the deployment of firefighting aircraft and increased staffing in specialized units.

A pile of leaves and a sapling catch fire along Peake Mountain Road during a wildfire, Wednesday, March 20, 2024, near Rawley Springs, Va. (Daniel Lin/Daily News-Record via AP)

Crews battle scores of wildfires in Virginia, including a blaze in Shenandoah National Park

Officials say crews are battling scores of wildfires around Virginia, including a fire affecting hundreds of acres at Shenandoah National Park.

The hall of historic Waiola Church in Lahaina and nearby Lahaina Hongwanji Mission are engulfed in flames along Wainee Street on Aug. 8, 2023, in Lahaina, Hawaii. Hawaii’s attorney general on Monday, March 18, 2024 blamed a delay of the release of a key report into a deadly Maui wildfire on county agencies that forced investigators to issue subpoenas. (Matthew Thayer/The Maui News via AP, file)

Subpoenas on Maui agencies and officials delay release of key report into deadly wildfire

Hawaii’s attorney general is blaming a delay of the release of a key report into a deadly Maui wildfire on county agencies that forced investigators to issue subpoenas.

Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen delivers his State of the County Address at the Maui Arts & Cultural's Castle Theater, in Kahului, Hawaii, Friday, March 15, 2024. (Matthew Thayer/The Maui News via AP)

Maui’s mayor prioritizes housing and vows to hire more firefighters after Lahaina wildfire

Maui’s mayor says he is prioritizing housing, evaluating evacuation routes and hiring more firefighters as his Hawaii community recovers from the deadliest U.S. wildfire in more than a century.

Keli'inowelo Makainai-Matsuda, great-great-great-granddaughter of Hamana Kalili who is known as the father of shaka, flashes a shaka on Wednesday, March 6, 2024, in Kaneohe, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Mengshin Lin)

It’s not just ‘hang loose.’ Lawmakers look to make the friendly ‘shaka’ Hawaii’s official gesture

A pinky and thumb extended with the remaining fingers curled down: That’s the “shaka” in Hawaii. It’s sometimes known outside the islands as the “hang loose” sign associated with surf culture.

FILE - Damaged property lies scattered in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii, Aug. 21, 2023. Officials on the Hawaiian island of Maui plan to send debris and ash from the August wildfire that destroyed Lahaina town to the island's central landfill. Local officials in Hawaii plan to open an office in April 2024, that will speed up Maui County's notoriously slow processing of building permits to help the town of Lahaina to recover from last year's deadly wildfire. Keanu Lau Hee, the county’s deputy managing director, told a community meeting in Lahaina that a County Expedited Permitting Center will open in April.(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

Maui officials aim to accelerate processing of permits to help Lahaina rebuild

Local officials in Hawaii plan to open an office that will speed up Maui County’s notoriously slow processing of building permits to help the town of Lahaina to recover from last year’s deadly wildfire.

Xcel Energy crews begin replacing hundreds of power poles in Fritch, Texas, May, 13, 2014 after a devastating wildfire tore through the small community Sunday evening. The utility provider Xcel Energy says its facilities appeared have played a role in igniting a massive wildfire in the Texas Panhandle that grew to the largest blaze in state history. The provider made the statement in a news release Thursday, March 7, 2024. (Michael Schumacher/Amarillo Globe-News via AP, file)

Power lines ignited the largest wildfire in Texas history and one nearby, officials say

Officials in Texas say power lines ignited deadly wildfires across the state’s Panhandle region that destroyed homes and livestock and left a charred landscape last week.

FILE - Fire damage is seen, Sept. 12, 2020, in Mill City, Ore. On Tuesday, March 5, 2024, a jury in Oregon ordered PacifiCorp to pay more than $42 million to 10 victims of devastating wildfires on Labor Day 2020 — the latest verdict in litigation that is expected to see the electric utility on the hook for billions in damages. (AP Photo/Gillian Flaccus, File)

PacifiCorp ordered to pay Oregon wildfire victims another $42M. Final bill could reach billions

A jury in Oregon has ordered PacifiCorp to pay more than $42 million to 10 victims of devastating wildfires on Labor Day 2020 — the latest verdict in litigation that is expected to see the electric utility on the hook for billions in damages.

Lubbock county first responders pause as the procession for Fritch Fire Chief Zeb Smith passes by, Tuesday, March 5, 2024, in Lubbock, Texas. Smith suffered a medical emergency and died while fighting a fire Tuesday. (Annie Rice/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal via AP)

Fire chief in Texas city hit hard by wildfires dies while fighting a house fire

Authorities say a Texas fire chief whose small town was among the hardest hit last week by historic blazes sweeping across the Panhandle died while fighting a house fire.

Smoke is seen outside of Canadian, Texas, from the Smokehouse Creek Fire, Monday, March 4, 2024. (Annie Rice/Lubbock Avalanche-Journal via AP)

Influx of firefighters, cooler weather in Texas Panhandle helps keep wildfires in check

An influx of hundreds of firefighters and more favorable weather conditions are helping authorities in the Texas Panhandle keep the largest wildfire in state history from threatening more homes and communities.

Firefighters battle the Smokehouse Creek Fire north of Canadian, Texas, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 (AP Photo/David Erickson)

Firefighters keep up battle to stamp out largest wildfire in Texas history

Planes have dropped fire retardant over the northern Texas Panhandle as firefighters are continuing efforts to stamp out the largest wildfire in state history.

Christiane Keyhani, program coordinator of Hui O Ka Wai Ola, fills up the bucket to test water quality at the Mala Wharf on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, in Lahaina, Hawaii. (AP Photo/Mengshin Lin)

In Hawaii, coral is the foundation of life. What happened to it after the Lahaina wildfire?

A deadly wildfire burned more than 2,000 buildings in the Hawaiian town of Lahaina on Maui in August and left behind piles of toxic debris.

Firefighters battle the Smokehouse Creek Fire north of Canadian, Texas, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 (AP Photo/David Erickson)

Firefighters face difficult weather conditions as they battle the largest wildfire in Texas history

Firefighters battling the largest wildfire in Texas history face increasingly difficult weather conditions and are focused on containing the northern and eastern perimeter of the fire while protecting life and property.

Cows stand on a ranch that was burned by the Smokehouse Creek Fire, Friday, March 1, 2024, in Skellytown, Texas. The wildfire, which started Monday, has left behind a charred landscape of scorched prairie, dead cattle and burned-out homes in the Texas Panhandle. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Texas Panhandle ranchers face losses and grim task of removing dead cattle killed by wildfires

Ranchers in the fire-scarred Texas Panhandle are facing a grim task of disposing possibly thousands of dead cattle killed by smoke and flames.

A cow killed by the Smokehouse Creek Fire is removed by a rancher as the cleanup process begins Friday, March 1, 2024, in Skellytown, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Gov. Abbott says Texas wildfires may have destroyed up to 500 structures

Gov. Greg Abbott says wildfires may have destroyed as many as 500 structures in the Texas Panhandle.

FILE - Damaged property lies scattered in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii, Aug. 21, 2023. Officials on the Hawaiian island of Maui plan to send debris and ash from the August wildfire that destroyed Lahaina town to the island's central landfill. County officials said Wednesday, Feb. 29, 2024, that they picked the site in Kahului as the permanent disposal site for the refuse, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

Maui County officials select final disposal site for debris from Lahaina wildfire

Hawaii officials plan to send debris and ash from the August wildfire that destroyed Lahaina town to Maui’s central landfill.