Jun 30 Skip the fireworks this record-dry July 4th, fire scientists urge the U.S. West By Philip Higuera, The Conversation, Alexander L. Metcalf, Dave McWethy, Jennifer Balch, the Conversation The heat wave hitting the northwestern U.S. and Canada has caused record-dry levels in many regions. Over 100 scientists warn against fireworks on 4th of July, citing wildfires as a major concern. Continue reading
Jun 30 Biden raising federal pay to fight wildfires By Aamer Madhani, Matthew Daly, Associated Press The Biden administration says it is hiring more federal firefighters — and immediately raising their pay — as officials ramp up response efforts in the face of a severe drought that's setting the stage for another destructive summer of intense… Continue reading
Jun 29 Rolling blackouts hit parts of U.S. Northwest amid heat wave By Gene Johnson, Nicholas K. Geranios, Associated Press As the Pacific Northwest swelters in an unprecedented heat wave, an electrical utility in Spokane, Washington has announced that there will be more rolling blackouts that will cut off electricity and air conditioning. Continue reading
Jun 28 Watch 6:06 Sweltering temperatures in Pacific Northwest dredge up fears of wildfires By Stephanie Sy The Pacific Northwest is facing a third straight day with record-setting triple digit temperatures. The National Weather Service estimates the heat to be up to 30 degrees higher than normal. The heat wave is straining power capacity in the region… Continue watching
Jun 23 Watch 7:32 A leaked UN report warns 'worst is yet to come' on climate change. Here's how you can help By William Brangham, Murrey Jacobson A leaked draft report from the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change paints the starkest picture yet of the accelerating danger caused by human use of coal, oil, and gas. It warns of coming unlivable heat waves, widespread hunger… Continue watching
Sep 07 Watch 6:11 California wildfires illustrate the consequences of climate change A record heat wave is scorching California, where about two dozen wildfires are currently burning. Nearly 15,000 firefighters are battling steep terrain and extremely dry conditions as they struggle to control the raging infernos. On Sunday, temperatures in Los Angeles… Continue watching
Sep 07 Excessive heat in Southwest poses added threat amid pandemic By Brian P. D. Hannon, Cheyanne Mumphrey, Associated Press Extreme temperatures across the Southwest and a record-breaking summer in Phoenix pose additional threats during the coronavirus pandemic, especially for people living on the street. Continue reading
Aug 20 Watch 3:23 Extreme heat, strong winds and intense lightning create California tinder box By Stephanie Sy California has suffered a devastating week, with a blistering heat wave, intense lightning storms and raging wildfires overwhelming firefighters and forcing residents to evacuate in the middle of a pandemic. Gov. Gavin Newsom says the state’s resources are being pushed… Continue watching
Jun 25 Siberian heat wave alarms scientists By Daria Litvinova, Seth Borenstein, Associated Press On Saturday, the thermometer hit a likely record of 38 degrees Celsius — or 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit — in the Siberian town of Verkhoyansk in Russia’s Sakha Republic. Continue reading
Aug 02 Watch 6:29 What this summer's record-breaking heat means for global sea level rise The scorching heat wave that stifled Europe recently is now moving north, but it continues to set alarming records. Temperatures in Greenland are running 15 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit above average -- melting about 10 billion tons of ice into… Continue watching