Wildfires threaten New Zealand’s Christchurch

Wildfires threaten New Zealand’s Christchurch

A state of emergency has been declared in New Zealand's Christchurch as wildfires threatened its suburbs on February 15, 2017, forcing up to 1 000 people to evacuate. As of early UTC morning, at least one person has been killed and 5 homes destroyed….

Worst wildfires in Chile’s modern history

Worst wildfires in Chile’s modern history

As of January 26, 2017, forest fires burning across central and southern Chile over the last couple of weeks have consumed an area of 238 600 hectares (589 600 acres / 981 mi2 / 2 386 km2) and killed 6 people. Red Alert for forest fires is in effect in the regions…

Chile wildfires prompt state of emergency

Chile wildfires prompt state of emergency

Fueled by strong winds and a heat wave, dozens of wildfires are burning in central and southern Chile, threatening towns, factories and vineyards. Four firefighters have lost their lives since December 28. Chile has declared a state of emergency on Friday, January…

Wildfires in Argentina consume over 1 million hectares

Wildfires in Argentina consume over 1 million hectares

Massive wildfires in the Pampas region of Argentina which started mid-December 2016 have burned over 1 million hectares (2.47 million acres) of country's famous pampas by January 5, 2017. Severe drought during the winter and spring of 2016 in northeastern…

Large wildfire engulfs Valparaiso, Chile

Large wildfire engulfs Valparaiso, Chile

A massive wildfire engulfed the Chilean port city of Valparaiso on January 2, 2017. At least 100 homes have been destroyed, more than 400 people were evacuated and 19 injured. City authorities have issued a maximum red alert. The blaze broke out in the Laguna Verde…

Massive wildfires burning around Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Massive wildfires burning around Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Massive wildfires fueled by strong winds and the Southeast's worst drought in nearly a decade are burning around Gatlinburg, Sevier County, Tennessee, forcing evacuations. Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) said at 08:00 UTC (02:00 local time) today there are…

Massive wildfires ignite Israel

Massive wildfires ignite Israel

Several wildfires broke out in Israel on November 22, 2016, causing widespread damage and prompting emergency evacuations. The police arrested 13 people, suspected of arson, on November 25. The wildfires were reported in the Jerusalem and Haifa districts. A massive…

Severe wildfires spreading across the Southeast US

Severe wildfires spreading across the Southeast US

Persistent drought conditions in the Southeast US have caused wildfires across the states. Numerous people were forced to evacuate their homes throughout the affected regions. Kentucky and Tennessee reported the highest wildfire numbers. According to the national…

790 wildfires reported in Europe this year

790 wildfires reported in Europe this year

790 wildfires were reported in Europe, in the period between April 1 and October 12, 2016, according to the European Firenews service. Several countries, such as Italy or France, suffered major fires that caused massive devastation of the green surface while others…

Soberanes fire, one of the costliest in the US history, finally contained

Soberanes fire, one of the costliest in the US history, finally contained

The major Soberanes fire, that burned for almost three months and was fought by hundreds of firefighters, was finally contained this week, according to the US Forest Service. The authorities reported it was caused by an illegal campfire and was, at the cost of at…