Wildfires

Two massive wildfires have torn through here over the last 15 years, burning with such intensity through so large an area that the conifer forest will likely be unable to regenerate on its own, experts say.

While much of the spending is expected to be matched or ultimately refunded by the federal government, an increase in emergency spending by executive order has caught lawmakers’ attention and reignited discussion.

“We are working on setting up an emergency shelter for those who may need it. More details to come on that. Keep your fingers crossed this wind dies down when the sun goes down!” the emergency management agency said on Facebook.

As wildfires become more frequent and intense, this project — along with other recent efforts — shows how the gov tech industry is helping to limit damage. Nighttime detection also is becoming a higher priority.

The U.S. Interior and Agriculture department secretaries and the Federal Emergency Management Agency administrator chair the group, which includes tribal leaders, state foresters and fire scientists.

The real threat to fire management is death by a thousand cuts, each breakdown leading to shutdowns, each partisan group extracting a concession, that together so encumber the practice that it can’t be implemented.

Utilities in the state are looking to new technology to fight an old problem: wildfires. Officials hope that by better predicting weather and risk patterns they can prevent and respond to the looming threat.

Since the devastation Oregon experienced in 2020, wildfire season summons a sense of urgency. Local fire marshals and forest experts say the area's particularly wet spring doesn't mean wildfire season isn't a concern.

Freier's presentation is part of Forensic Fire Investigation 101, a department program nationally recognized for its unique and innovative approach to solving the problem of youth-set fires.

In a news conference Tuesday, Gov. Lujan Grisham acknowledged she did not have hard figures — most recent estimates had put losses of homes at 366 — but added "given the nature of this fire ... I don't think it's an exaggeration."

Wildfire smoke can cause a number of health problems, ranging from eye and respiratory tract irritation to more serious concerns, such as reduced lung function, bronchitis, asthma attacks, heart failure and even neurological disorders.

Workers at the Santa Fe Animal Shelter and Humane Society scurried this week to make room for displaced pets. Other local organizations are taking donations of money, food, clothes and hygiene products for those in need.

The state’s too dry. Too warm. Wildfire risk is too high and the season lasts all year now. The danger of a camper accidentally sparking a devastating wildfire is too serious.

Gary Zell, a meteorologist for the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon Fire, said in a briefing a "double-barrel system" is expected to bring four days of "critical fire weather," with low humidity, high temperatures and wind.

Pacific Power, which supplies power to 140,000 customers in central and eastern Washington, was one of several public power and utility companies to present wildfire plans to the Washington state Utilities and Transportation Commission.

The Pierce Conservation District in Washington is organizing a virtual event May 25 to help teach people how to make their homes safer from wildfires. Residents will learn what they can do now to mitigate the risks.

A new study from Princeton University and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration suggests that wildfire smoke in California will become significantly worse over the 21st century.

Calif. Sen. Mike McGuire is pushing legislation that would require the California Public Utilities Commission, which regulates utilities like PG&E, to develop a program to hasten the burial of power lines.