Detwiler Fire explodes in size, 29 structures destroyed, 1 500 threatened

Detwiler Fire explodes in size, 29 structures destroyed, 1 500 threatened

A massive, fast-burning wildfire is raging west of Yosemite National Park in California, forcing thousands of people to evacuate their homes. The fire exploded in size on Wednesday, July 19 to 19 424 hectares (48 000 acres). It has so far scorched 19 424 hectares…

300 000 hectares ablaze, more than 45 000 people evacuated, British Columbia

300 000 hectares ablaze, more than 45 000 people evacuated, British Columbia

Massive wildfires burning in Canada's British Columbia have so far scorched 300 000 hectares (741 316 acres) of land and forced more than 45 000 people to evacuate, close to a record set in 2003 when 50 000 people were forced to evacuate. The state of emergency…

Mount Vesuvius on fire, tourists and residents evacuated, Italy

Mount Vesuvius on fire, tourists and residents evacuated, Italy

Hundreds of tourists and residents living near Italy's Mount Vesuvius have been evacuated for the second time in a week as firefighters battle numerous separate blazes on the slopes of the volcano. The fires are believed to have been started by arsonists and are…

Steep drop in natural and human-caused fires worldwide

Steep drop in natural and human-caused fires worldwide

Researchers using NASA satellites to detect fires and burn scars from space have found that an ongoing transition from nomadic cultures to settled lifestyles and intensifying agriculture has led to a steep drop in the use of fire for land clearing and an overall…

Massive wildfire raging in Utah, 1 500 people evacuated

Massive wildfire raging in Utah, 1 500 people evacuated

A massive wildfire is raging in southern Utah, forcing authorities to issue evacuation orders for at least 1 500 people. Since it started on June 17, the fire has rapidly spread to more than 17 000 hectares (42 000 acres), destroying on its way more than a dozen…

Portugal wildfire kills more than 62, most of them in cars

Portugal wildfire kills more than 62, most of them in cars

A catastrophic wildfire believed to be caused by a dry thunderstorm has killed more than 62 people near Pedrógão Grande, central Portugal early Sunday, June 18, 2017. Most of them died in cars while trying to escape, officials said. Local media said…

West Mims Fire in Georgia continues to grow, only 12% contained

West Mims Fire in Georgia continues to grow, only 12% contained

A lightning-caused West Mims Fire is still burning, more than a month after it started on April 6, 2017, approximately 2.5 miles (4 km) northeast of the Eddy Fire Tower in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia. As of May 10, the fire has consumed 140…

Massive wildfire engulfs Bubnovka, Siberia declares state of emergency

Massive wildfire engulfs Bubnovka, Siberia declares state of emergency

At least 59 houses burned to the ground as massive fire engulfed Bubnovka village in Russia's Irkutsk Region on April 28, 2017. Although the settlement is located on an island, rescuers managed to save all residents before it burned to the ground. Hundreds of…