Hundreds of homeowners in the Berkeley Hills are being directed to remove vegetation surrounding their homes as part of a newly enforced wildfire prevention measure that took effect at the beginning of the year. The regulation, which became active on January 1, requires properties to maintain a clear buffer zone to reduce the risk of fire spreading in residential areas prone to wildfires. Under the new fire safety rules, all combustible vegetation and growth must be cleared within f

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is set to use his final State of the State address on Thursday to portray the state as a governing model for the nation, drawing a sharp contrast with what he describes as instability and dysfunction at the federal level under President Donald Trump. The Democratic governor plans to argue that California’s policy direction and values stand in opposition to those coming from Washington, positioning the state as both a counterweight and an alternative to the curre

The year 2025 has become one of the most turbulent in recent memory as Earth experiences a wave of overlapping natural crises. A rare volcanic eruption in Ethiopia sent ash drifting thousands of kilometres toward Asia, Indonesia recorded more than 1,400 earthquakes in just 30 days, and California battled massive wildfires that claimed hundreds of lives. Severe monsoon flooding washed through India and Pakistan, and the planet was struck by the strongest solar storm in over twenty years. These

California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed a significant package of new laws crafted by Silicon Valley legislators, focusing on improving transparency in law enforcement, strengthening labor rights, and increasing wildfire resilience across the state. The legislative actions, finalized earlier this month, mark another step in the state’s ongoing efforts to modernize government accountability and strengthen protections for both workers and communities. Most of the new laws will take effect on

Crews in New Jersey are working to contain a wildfire in Passaic County that has already scorched more than 90 acres of land. The blaze, which began near Clinton Road in West Milford, was reported earlier this week and quickly drew the attention of the New Jersey Forest Fire Service. Officials confirmed that the fire is currently about 20 percent contained, with progress being made despite challenging conditions. Fortunately, no nearby structures are believed to be under threat at this time.

Thousands of residents in Northern California’s wine country and central Oregon are under evacuation orders and warnings as massive wildfires continue to spread in dangerously hot and dry conditions. Firefighters are battling around the clock to contain flames that have consumed homes, scorched land, and forced families to flee. The combination of steep terrain, dried-out vegetation, and triple-digit temperatures has created a dangerous setting for both r

A fast-moving vegetation fire has erupted in Napa County, consuming approximately 50 acres north of Lake Berryessa by late Friday morning. The incident, officially named the Berry Fire, began around 10:50 a.m. in the area surrounding Berryessa Knoxville Road. Fire authorities have confirmed that as of the most recent update, the blaze is at 0% containment and continues to burn with a moderate rate of spread, posing challenges for firefighting teams operating in

Fire crews throughout California are preparing for increased wildfire danger as hot, dry weather and gusty winds are forecast to arrive later this week. The expected combination of rising temperatures and strong wind gusts on Thursday and Friday is raising alarms among fire officials who are already engaged in active firefighting operations in several parts of the state. With wildfire conditions set to intensify, agencies are urging the public to remain alert and prepared. Two maj

A significant traffic disruption occurred on Friday morning when a large truck caught fire, resulting in a complete shutdown of all westbound lanes on Interstate 580 at Altamont Pass. The incident began shortly before 6 a.m. near Grant Line Road, where the truck caught fire while traveling westbound. The blaze quickly spread to surrounding dry brush, triggering an immediate emergency response to contain what could have developed into a wider vegetation fire. Firefighting teams arr

An air quality alert has been issued for the Chicago metropolitan area and parts of northwest Indiana as ozone levels remain elevated and wildfire smoke continues to affect the region. The alert was declared by the National Weather Service and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, extending through Tuesday night and affecting several counties in both states. In Illinois, it includes Lake, McHenry, Kane, DuPage, central Cook, Kendall, Grundy, and northern Will Counties. In Indiana, the

California is taking a significant step toward establishing the country’s first official insurance standard for smoke damage, aiming to address a persistent and often overlooked issue affecting wildfire survivors. Every year, wildfires leave behind more than scorched land—they also blanket homes in soot and smoke that can carry toxic substances, even when structures remain standing. Currently, there are no statewide or national guidelines requiring insurers to cover the cost of testi

Tragedy unfolded near Canfield Mountain in Idaho on Sunday when two firefighters were ambushed and killed while responding to a wildfire, now named the Nettleton Gulch Fire. The loss of these responders has deeply shaken the Coeur d’Alene community, which is grappling with the unthinkable event that unfolded in a place where such violence is rare. Local authorities and community members are mourning the lives of two respected professionals who had dedicated themselves to public service.

Massive wildfires in Canada have led to dangerous air quality conditions across the U.S. Midwest, forcing thousands to stay indoors and prompting health warnings in multiple states. The fires, burning intensely in several Canadian provinces, have driven more than 27,000 people from their homes and are releasing vast plumes of smoke that have even crossed the Atlantic Ocean into parts of Europe. On Tuesday, residents in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area woke up to thick smoke in the ai

Wildfires raging across Canada, particularly in the regions of Manitoba and Saskatchewan, have triggered mass evacuations and are now sending thick smoke across the border into the United States. The smoke is drifting into several parts of the country, including the D.C. Metro area, where it is expected to linger through at least early this week. More than 17,000 people have been evacuated due to the intensity of the wildfires. As strong upper-level winds carry the smoke southward

As the Bay Area braces for hotter temperatures and an increased risk of wildfires, fire safety has become a growing concern in the Berkeley Hills. This elevated risk has led to the introduction of the EMBER proposal—Effective Mitigations for Berkeley Ember Resilience—an initiative aimed at making homes more fire-resilient. However, the proposal has ignited strong reactions among residents, with some questioning its feasibility and fairness. George Perez Velez, a lon

For 25 years, Larry De Young has lived peacefully in the coastal town of Montara in San Mateo County, raising horses and enjoying the open landscape. But what was once a tranquil view has become a growing concern. Just across a dirt road from his property lies a stretch of state-owned land, now densely packed with flammable, non-native eucalyptus trees and other overgrowth that he believes poses a severe wildfire threat to his home and his community. The 100-acre parcel of land wa

A rapidly growing wildfire erupted Tuesday in Ocean County, New Jersey, prompting urgent evacuation orders and widespread traffic disruption as the blaze consumed more than 8,500 acres. The fire, known as the Jones Road Fire, is situated within the Greenwood Forest Wildlife Management Area in Barnegat Township and has significantly impacted residents and commuters alike. Authorities reported that approximately 3,000 residents have been instructed to evacuate the affected areas to

South Korea is reeling from one of the most devastating wildfires in its history, as massive wind-driven blazes swept across the southern regions of the country over the past week. According to official reports released on Wednesday, at least 18 people have died, including four firefighters and government personnel, and more than 200 structures have been reduced to ashes. The wildfires have forced the evacuation of over 27,000 residents and injured 19 others. The fires, which began last Frida

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has declared a state of emergency as wildfires rage across the Carolinas and Georgia, scorching thousands of acres and forcing evacuations. The fires, fueled by unusually dry conditions and strong winds, have led to widespread damage and firefighting efforts involving hundreds of personnel. As the blazes continue, authorities are working around the clock to prevent further destruction, with a cold front expected to bring relief by Tuesday. According to t

Firefighters in North and South Carolina are battling multiple wildfires, forcing evacuations and leading to a state of emergency declaration in parts of South Carolina. The fires, fueled by dry weather, strong winds, and high temperatures, have quickly spread across forests and residential areas, prompting urgent firefighting efforts.The largest wildfire in the region has already burned 1,200 acres near Myrtle Beach, while North Carolina is dealing with multiple blazes in different forests.