Governors prod Congress for more help on growing threat of wildfires in West
WASHINGTON – The western United States faces a severe and growing wildfire crisis. Increasingly destructive wildfires have threatened lives, herds and livelihoods. Governors of Arizona and 19 other states are urging Congress to act more swiftly to improve federal efforts to reduce and manage wildfires.
Smoke from the Salt River landfill fire could cause health problems
PHOENIX – The Salt River landfill fire has been reduced to a smolder but smoke from the Salt River Indian Reservation fire may lead to health problems.
Yarnell Hill Fire 10 years later: Lessons learned, lives remembered, community rebuilt
YARNELL – Ten years later, the story of Yarnell is one of loss but also survival. A Navajo heirloom emerging intact from the rubble. A burned, wounded cat seeking comfort from a stranger. And a firefighter, the lone survivor of the hotshots crew, trying to rebuild a life and answer a question that haunts him: “Why didn’t I die that day?”
Gilbert Fire and Rescue’s best arson investigator is a 4-year-old Lab named Zeta
GILBERT – Gilbert Fire and Rescue’s arson dog, Zeta, is their best investigator of suspicious fires. The 4-year-old Labrador can quickly and precisely locate accelerants, saving the fire department time and money.
As Pipeline Fire burns 20,000 acres north of Flagstaff, officials share safety tips
PHOENIX – The Pipeline Fire has burned over 20,000 acres just north of Flagstaff and prompted some evacuations. Before the fire broke out, the National Fire Prevention Education Team was in Arizona to talk about what Arizonans can do to prevent wildland fires, including being intentional about where you park and how you secure trailer chains.
After the flames: Santa Catalina Mountains rebounding from Bighorn Fire a year ago
TUCSON – A year later, plants and wildlife are returning to the Santa Catalina Mountains after one of the state’s largest wildfires destroyed nearly 120,000 acres.
Spur Fire destroys homes in Arizona mining community
PHOENIX – The Spur Fire in the mining community of Bagdad, Arizonahas demolished more than 25 structures and homes, forcing the town to evacuate. The wildfire was 50% contained as of Friday afternoon.
Get ready for a busy year fighting wildfires, experts in Arizona warn
Arizona had one of its driest monsoon seasons on record last year, which will directly impact wildfires this year. Experts predict this could be another big year for fires across the state.
As Western fires burn, focus narrows on forest management. But it’s easier said than done.
The massive fires that have burned this year don’t just alter forests, they impact water supplies. But a record-breaking wildfire season could refocus efforts to better manage forests.
Arizona expected to clear over the next few days, but smoke could return
PHOENIX – Meteorologists predict less smoke in Arizona for the next few days, but it could return as wildfires continue to ravage large parts of California, Oregon and Washington.
As smoke chokes the West, California governor says fires show reality of climate change
Wildfires forced evacuations and caused at least 20 deaths as firefighters worked to beat back flames in California and beyond
High winds, parched conditions prompt red flag wildfire warnings
PHOENIX – The National Weather Service issued red flag warnings for most of Arizona on Monday, meaning the state is at a heightened risk of fire due to dry conditions and high winds.
