wildfires

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South Korea: We've Found Our Wildfires Culprit

Police suspect 56-year-man tending to grandparents' gravesites started historic blaze

(Newser) - The mystery of how South Korea's worst wildfires in history began—or at least one of them—may soon be solved. The Guardian reports that police there have launched a probe that's focused on a 56-year-old man who they believe started a fire while tending to his grandparents'...

Evacuations Ordered as Wildfires Spread in NC, SC

Debris from Hurricane Helene is fueling the fires and blocking logging roads used by firefighters

(Newser) - More people have been asked to leave their homes in the North Carolina and South Carolina mountains as wildfires spread. The forecast for the rest of the week is not encouraging—dry and windy. A half-dozen large fires are burning in the Blue Ridge Mountains, putting a lot more gray...

South Korea's Wildfires Are 'Rewriting the Record Books'

24 people have been killed in fires that began Friday

(Newser) - Wildfires are infrequent in South Korea—but the ones burning there now in the country's southern regions have been labeled the deadliest ever. The fires, which CNN reports began last Friday from a spark from a lawn mower, have destroyed an ancient temple and prompted the evacuation of tens...

Sad Ending for Firefighter Who Vanished After Boss Died

Remains of Carlos Baltazar found in San Bernardino County, 4 years after he disappeared

(Newser) - For more than four years, firefighter Carlos Baltazar has been missing, after a mysterious disappearance following the death of his fire chief. Now, remains found in October in a remote part of the San Bernardino Mountains have been identified as those of the 35-year-old. Per SFGate , Baltazar had been part...

Cops: Family Making S'Mores Started Long Island Fires

More than 600 acres burned over the weekend after Manorville family tried to make the sweet treat

(Newser) - Authorities say a series of brush fires that tore through the East End of Long Island over the weekend can now be traced back to one local backyard, where a family's attempt to make Saturday morning s'mores apparently went awry. At a Monday presser , Suffolk County Police Commissioner...

Investigators Trace SC Wildfire to Woman's Yard

Myrtle Beach resident faces charges of negligence

(Newser) - A wildfire that scorched 2,000 acres around Myrtle Beach in South Carolina last week started in the backyard of a local resident burning debris, say forestry investigators. The suspect has been identified as 40-year-old Alexandra Bialousow of Myrtle Beach, who has been charged with negligence in allowing the fire...

Wildfires in North and South Carolina Cause Evacuations

Officials have not said what caused any of the fires

(Newser) - Crews battled wildfires in North and South Carolina on Sunday amid dry conditions and gusty winds as residents were forced to evacuate in some areas, the AP reports. The National Weather Service warned of increased fire danger in the region due to a combination of critically dry fuels and very...

State Farm Wants a Monster Rate Hike in California

After LA wildfires, insurer seeks emergency 22% rate increase

(Newser) - California's largest home insurer has some not-great news for homeowners. On Monday, State Farm General, which currently insures about a million homes in the state, said it was asking the California Department of Insurance to OK an emergency rate increase as a result of the recent Los Angeles wildfires,...

Opinion: Wildfires Taught Me a Lesson About Help
Opinion: Wildfires Taught
Me a Lesson About Help
OPINION
Jan 31, 2025 12:34 PM CST

Opinion: Wildfires Taught Me a Lesson About Help

Meghan Daum writes about losing everything, then learning to let her friends step in

(Newser) - The Eaton Fire destroyed the Altadena home being rented by Meghan Daum and thus turned all her "material possessions into ash," she writes in a New York Times essay. Since then, "I've had to accept more help in more forms from more people—friends and strangers...

Kelsey Grammer Is Furious at LA Officials Over Fires

The Frasier star is calling for accountability

(Newser) - Kelsey Grammer isn't holding back about the role he believes Los Angeles officials played in the the wildfires that devastated Southern California earlier this month. In an interview with Fox News , the 69-year-old Frasier star said he's "devastated" by the "human loss" and "loss of...

Rent Prices in Los Angeles Soar After Wildfires

Increases appear to violate the state's price-gouging law

(Newser) - My what a strange coincidence: Rent prices across the Los Angeles region have skyrocketed just as thousands of people are scrambling to find lodging after the wildfires. The Washington Post , for example, analyzed listings via RentCast and found that rent has increased 20% overall in Los Angeles County since the...

Their Homes Are Gone, but Now They Have a Keepsake

Artists' offers to sketch, paint burned homes 'means the world' to those left with nothing

(Newser) - Homes burned to the ground in Los Angeles County are getting new life—with a paintbrush. Watercolor artist Jordan Heber typically charges $350 to $400 for painting commissions , mostly of beloved homes. After whole neighborhoods burned in California, she created a TikTok video showcasing her work and offering to paint...

In the 'Undescribable' Wildfire Ruins, a Glimmer of Joy

Firefighter Chien Yu recovers his wedding ring in rubble of his home lost in California's Eaton Fire

(Newser) - Before heading off to battle California's blazes, Pasadena firefighter Chien Yu evacuated his wife and two kids to safety from their own home in Altadena, reports KABC . Sadly, the Eaton Fire destroyed his house and others in the area, but there was a small bit of light as Yu...

LA Health Concern: Piles of Toxic Ash

And it may not be reflected in air quality readings

(Newser) - Smoke is a big concern for California residents in the wake of devastating wildfires. Another is ash. As the New York Times reports, one man who managed to save his home from the flames isn't going back inside due to the ash and dust blown inside. "My 5-year-old...

Musk Deploys Cybertruck Fleet to Fire-Ravaged LA

Starlink is keeping city online; officials had previously asked for service 'for expressly this type of scenario'

(Newser) - The world's richest person is helping keep Los Angeles connected as fires continue to rage around the county of nearly 10 million. Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has sent Tesla Cybertrucks outfitted with terminals for SpaceX's satellite internet service, Starlink, to the LA area so those affected...

After the 'Unimaginable,' Hollywood Steps Up to Help

Halle Berry donates 'entire closet' to wildfire victims; Sharon Stone, other celebs also boosting efforts

(Newser) - As firefighters desperately work to contain the Palisades Fire and other blazes breaking out in Southern California, locals are trying to help, too —even stars like Halle Berry, who decided she was going to donate all the clothes she owns to help, reports USA Today . "I'm packing...

Heidi Montag's Old Song Is No. 1 Again After Fire

Reality star's 'Superficial' shoots to No. 1 on iTunes after blaze destroys couple's LA-area home

(Newser) - Reality TV stars Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt have a small bit of consolation after the California wildfires. Variety reports that on Friday, Pratt, 41, posted a bunch of photos on TikTok showing him in front of their scorched, destroyed home, along with a plea for fans to stream Montag'...

After Trump Jr. Tweet, Zelensky Pledges Help to LA

Ukrainian president offers his nation's firefighters to fight California's deadly wildfires

(Newser) - Last week, Donald Trump Jr. weighed in on the Los Angeles-area wildfires thusly: "Oh look of course The LA fire department donated a bunch of their supplies to Ukraine," the eldest son of the president-elect posted Wednesday on X , retweeting a few 2022 headlines noting that the LA...

To Rebuild Fast, Newsom Halts Environmental Rules

California's stringent regulations have been suspended for the time being after fires

(Newser) - With massive rebuilding needed in the Los Angeles area after a series of devastating wildfires, including the deadly Palisades Fire , Gov. Gavin Newsom has already made a big move to expedite that process. The New York Times reports that Newsom has given his OK to a "broad" executive order...

Pro vs. Private Firefighters: 'We Consider Them a Liability'

Private firefighters inspire controversy as they protect the rich, insurance firms, government agencies

(Newser) - As the Palisades Fire raged last week, wealthy local entrepreneur Keith Wasserman put out a tweet he's come to regret. "Does anyone have access to private firefighters to protect our home?" he posted in the since-deleted tweet. "Need to act fast here. All neighbors houses burning. Will...

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