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Western Wildfires


Latest stories

House passes bill to improve wildfire prevention accountability after NBC News report

An NBC News investigation found the Forest Service overstated the land it treated to reduce wildfire risk by an estimated 21% nationally.
A Sequoia National Forest firefighter uses a drip torch during prescribed pile burning near young giant sequoia trees on February 19, 2023 in Sequoia National Forest, California. According to the Forest Service, wildfires have destroyed nearly 20 percent of all giant sequoias in the past three years amid hazardous fuel (vegetation) buildup. The Forest Service began emergency action last year to reduce the fuels in 12 giant sequoia groves in the Sequoia National Forest, including prescribed pile burning to reduce wildfire risk. The massive trees can live for over 3,000 years and average between 180 to 250 feet in height.
A Sequoia National Forest firefighter uses a drip torch during prescribed pile burning near young giant sequoia trees on February 19, 2023 in Sequoia National Forest, California. According to the Forest Service, wildfires have destroyed nearly 20 percent of all giant sequoias in the past three years amid hazardous fuel (vegetation) buildup. The Forest Service began emergency action last year to reduce the fuels in 12 giant sequoia groves in the Sequoia National Forest, including prescribed pile burning to reduce wildfire risk. The massive trees can live for over 3,000 years and average between 180 to 250 feet in height.

2nd person found dead in eastern Washington wildfires

A body was found Sunday in the area burned by the Oregon fire north of Spokane, fire officials said. Another person died in connection with the Gray fire, which started Friday west of Spokane, authorities said.
2nd person found dead in eastern Washington wildfires
2nd person found dead in eastern Washington wildfires

Wildfire, high winds prompt evacuation of Washington town of Medical Lake

The fire also jumped Interstate 90, forcing officials to begin evacuations of the town of Four Lakes.
A view of the Gray Fire in Medical Lake, Washington, on Aug. 18, 2023.
A view of the Gray Fire in Medical Lake, Washington, on Aug. 18, 2023.

Residents of Canada's Northwest Territories race to flee capital as wildfire nears

Thousands raced to beat a noon Friday deadline to evacuate their homes as the worst fire season on record in Canada showed no signs of easing.
Residents of Canada's Northwest Territories race to flee capital as wildfire nears
Residents of Canada's Northwest Territories race to flee capital as wildfire nears

California's Paradise installs old-school sirens after wildfire destruction

The new alarms are being installed in Paradise as officials in Hawaii defend the decision not to sound warning sirens in a wildfire that recently swept into the town of Lahaina.
California town of Paradise deploys warning sirens as 5-year anniversary of deadly fire approaches
California town of Paradise deploys warning sirens as 5-year anniversary of deadly fire approaches

Wildfires prompt evacuation order for residents in capital of Canada's Northwest Territories

People in the four areas of Yellowknife at highest risk should leave as soon as possible and residents in other areas have until noon Friday to leave, officials said.
Tanisha Edison, who is four days away from having a baby, sits in a truck. She and her family members drove from Hay River to the St. Albert, Alta. evacuee center to escape the wildfires on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023.
Tanisha Edison, who is four days away from having a baby, sits in a truck. She and her family members drove from Hay River to the St. Albert, Alta. evacuee center to escape the wildfires on Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2023.

Firefighters are leaving the U.S. Forest Service for better pay and benefits

Scorching summer heat could pave the way for a mean wildfire season as a temporary salary increase is set to expire.
A Forest Service firefighter works the Caldor Fire in El Dorado County, Calif., on Aug. 28, 2021.
A Forest Service firefighter works the Caldor Fire in El Dorado County, Calif., on Aug. 28, 2021.

States hit with unusually wet winters now brace for an unpredictable wildfire season

Many factors determine the dynamic of a fire season. While it might seem like a wet winter would play a dramatic role, experts say it’s easy to overstate its influence. 
A wildfire burns a section of forest in the Grande Prairie district of Alberta, Canada on May 6, 2023.
A wildfire burns a section of forest in the Grande Prairie district of Alberta, Canada on May 6, 2023.

More than 24,000 people evacuated in western Canada as 103 wildfires burn

The wildfires are affecting about 301,243 acres in Alberta, Premier Danielle Smith said.
A wildfire burns near Evansburg, Canada
A wildfire burns near Evansburg, Canada

House bill to improve accountability for wildfire prevention work advances to floor

An NBC News investigation found the Forest Service overstated the land it treated to reduce wildfire risk by an estimated 21% nationally. 
Image: Christina Barba, Fuels planner for the Mountaintop Ranger District of the San Bernardino National Forest, left, points to a map showing the different wildfire management projects around the Big Bear Lake area while Jason Collier, a NEPA Planner, looks on,
on June 6, 2022.
Image: Christina Barba, Fuels planner for the Mountaintop Ranger District of the San Bernardino National Forest, left, points to a map showing the different wildfire management projects around the Big Bear Lake area while Jason Collier, a NEPA Planner, looks on,
on June 6, 2022.

How polluted is your city’s air? Use our interactive tool to find out.

Fewer wildfires led to better air across the country, particularly in the West.
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Santa Fe, New Mexico