• Historic floods, tenfold increase in wildfires and now a potential extreme drought make triple suffering for Brazil

    ByMehak Kalra

    After historic floods recently claimed 172 lives in coastal Brazil, the country now faces a new crisis as fires rage through the Pantanal wetlands. These fires have surged nearly tenfold compared to the same period last year, setting the stage for a potential catastrophe worse than the devastating fires of 2020. With severe to extreme drought conditions expected, the situation is becoming increasingly dire.

  • Dense smoke cloud from wildfires in Acapulco leads to school closures, Mexico

    ByTeo Blašković

    Due to severe smoke and ash produced by multiple wildfires, the Secretary of Public Education of Guerrero has announced the suspension of all academic and administrative activities in preschools and primary schools in Acapulco and Chilpancingo for Thursday, April 25, 2024. This decision affects schools in both morning and afternoon shifts and follows recommendations from the state’s environmental authorities.

  • Severe wildfires in southern China claim 4 lives, spawn huge pyroCb clouds

    ByTeo Blašković

    Devastating wildfires have swept through Sichuan and Yunnan Provinces in southern China since March 15, 2024, claiming four lives in Yunnan and leading to significant evacuations and damage. Reports from March 18 indicate that nearly 4 900 individuals have been evacuated in Sichuan’s Yajiang County alone, with the fires ravaging over 10 000 ha (24 710 acres) of land.

  • Smokehouse Creek Fire becomes largest wildfire in Texas history and second-largest in U.S.

    ByTeo Blašković

    On Thursday, February 29, 2024, the Smokehouse Creek Fire expanded beyond 404 686 ha (1 million acres) in Texas, marking it as the largest wildfire in the state’s history. The blaze, which also extended into Oklahoma, has claimed the lives of at least two individuals and continues to pose a significant threat to homes, cattle, and livelihoods in the Texas Panhandle.

  • Smokehouse Creek Fire rapidly grows to second-largest wildfire in history of Texas

    ByTeo Blašković

    The Smokehouse Creek Fire started on Monday, February 26, 2024, in Hutchinson County, Texas, amidst adverse weather conditions, and has rapidly grown over the next 2 days to the second-largest wildfire in the state’s history. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has declared a disaster in 60 counties in response to the wildfire, which has only been 3% contained.

  • Series of devastating wildfires hit Texas Panhandle, causing evacuations, temporary closure of critical nuclear weapons facility, U.S.

    ByTeo Blašković

    A series of out-of-control wildfires swept through the Texas Panhandle on February 27 and 28, 2024, prompting tens of thousands of residents to evacuate, causing widespread power outages, and forcing the temporary shutdown of the Pantex Plant, a critical nuclear weapons facility. The disaster, affecting numerous homes and prompting a disaster declaration in 60 counties, saw the Smokehouse Creek Fire rapidly grow to Texas’ 2nd largest wildfire in history.