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05 Sep 2011 22:27

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U.S.: Texas, California wildfires threaten, destroy homes

  • 476 homes burned in Texas east of Austin since Sunday; Gov Rick Perry canceled an appearance at a forum in South Carolina in response
  • 800+ homes threatened by fire in California; officials are unsure how long it will take to contain the fires, caused by a plane crash on Sunday source
Posted by samimain • 0 Comments • Permalink

31 Aug 2011 22:52

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U.S.: Texas, Oklahoma wildfires damage buildings, force evacuations

  • The ground is so dry, because of the drought, that one welding spark or a cigarette tossed could easily ignite a fire.
  • Jesse Moore, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Fort Worth, Texas • Commenting on how easy it is to start wildfire. Texas is seeing one of the worst fire seasons on record, including the devastating fires earlier this year in April. The fires started on Tuesday; as of Wednesday night, the wildfires have damaged 39 homes and buildings over 6,200 acres of land. These wildfires are also threatening cities in Oklahoma. Authorities have asked local residents to evacuate, so stay safe, guys. source
Posted by samimain • 0 Comments • Permalink

23 Jun 2011 16:25

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U.S.: Southwest fires slowly (but surely) getting contained

  • monument Officials told the last of the evacuees from this fire that they can return home today. That’s the good news. The bad news: Though firefighters hope to declare potential victory soon, the fire is only 59 percent contained and may keep burning until mid-July.
  • wallow That one is still burning. The largest active fire in the U.S. and the largest in Arizona’s history, it’s currently around half the size of Rhode Island. A highway around the area is open now, but homes are still being evacuated. This fire is about 60 percent contained. source
Posted by Justin Jones • 0 Comments • Permalink

19 Jun 2011 23:20

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Politics: John McCain blames Arizona wildfires on unsecured borders

  • There is substantial evidence that some of these fires have been caused by people who have crossed our border illegally. The answer to that part of the problem is to get a secure border.
  • Arizona Sen. John McCain • Pointing the finger at an unlikely target for the wildfires currently causing significant problems in the state. Now, we’re not experts here, but this seems like a fairly questionable leap of judgment — and the claim met significant criticism from Latino groups — especially since the “substantial evidence” McCain claims hasn’t actually been substantiated. Whether or not the border needs securing, bringing xenophobia into the mix of an unrelated disaster seems like a terrible idea.  source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

19 Jun 2011 12:24

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U.S.: Massive Arizona wildfires could expand significantly today

  • 3.1M number of acres affected by wildfires this year as of May 31st, according to the National Interagency Fire Center
  • 3.2M number of acres affected through the entirety of 2010, the group’s annual report notes; see what we’re getting at?
  • seven number of states that could face the effects of two Arizona wildfires today; conditions are very bad source
  • » The first fire’s only 27 percent contained: Our friends in Arizona and neighboring states have a lot to deal with right now, and with a second, fast-growing blaze promising more danger, things aren’t looking to get any better soon. With high heat, low humidity and strong winds — the worst conditions possible for a wildfire — both blazes could expand significantly today. Let’s hope it doesn’t, guys.
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

14 Aug 2010 17:56

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World: How many wildfires are currently blazing along in Russia?

  • 368 a satellite said so; blame the worst drought in years source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

31 Aug 2009 10:57

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U.S.: The wildfires: A perfect opportunity for amateur photojournalism

Station Fire over La Cañada Flintridge
  • With a fire this big and menacing looking, it’s a natural draw to good photography. Nature’s destruction kind of allows for it. Here’s a Flickr array of all the recent shots: Smoke, fire, scariness, beauty in destruction.source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink
 

30 Aug 2009 21:55

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U.S.: Ahnold: They’re called wildfire evacuations for a reason

  • I want to urge everyone living near any of the fires, please, listen and follow evacuation orders from local officials. They will not tell you to evacuate if it’s not necessary.
  • California Governor Arnold Schwartzenegger • Discussing the threat that the wildfires are causing to people in Southern California – a threat that should be taken seriously. Three people were hurt today because they specifically didn’t listen to evacuation orders. 35,200 acres have burned thus far. • source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

30 Aug 2009 11:51

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U.S.: The California wildfires are getting out of control right now

  • 35,000 acres have burned in the Angeles National Forest so far source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 0 Comments • Permalink

16 Aug 2009 09:33

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U.S.: If you’ve felt contact buzz in SoCal lately, blame the wildfires

  • The root of the fires? A marijuana camp. Investigators say that a cooking fire at at Mexican drug trafficking compound is to blame for the La Brea fire, which has already charred more than 84,000 acres. So, both their supply and their hideout just went up in smoke. source
Posted by Ernie Smith • 10 Comments • Permalink
 
 
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