Firefighters battle to put out three wildfires in just three hours in east London as residents evacuated
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Yahoo
25 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Emergency alert tests next month ‘one of the biggest' drills in UK history
An emergency alert drill in a month's time 'will be one of the biggest public safety exercises' in UK history, a Cabinet minister has said. Pat McFadden said mobile phone alerts could save lives during raging storms or when wildfires break out. On Sunday September 7 at around 3pm, mobile phones connected to 4G and 5G networks will vibrate and emit a siren sound for up to 10 seconds. The Government has previously used the system for real, including in January during Storm Eowyn to warn people in Scotland and Northern Ireland about severe weather. Approximately 3.5 million people across Wales and south-west England received an alert during Storm Darragh last December and a 500kg unexploded Second World War bomb found in a Plymouth back garden triggered a warning in February last year. 'From major storms to wildfires, this system could save your life in an emergency,' Mr McFadden said. 'Just like the fire alarm in your house, it's important we test the system so that we know it will work if we need it. 'This test will be one of the biggest public safety exercises in our nation's history. 'Mark the date, spread the word and take a moment to think about how you would respond in a real emergency.' In addition to vibrations and a noise, mobile phone users will receive a message. It will read: 'This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a UK Government service that will warn you if there's a life-threatening emergency nearby. 'You do not need to take any action. In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe. 'Find simple and effective advice on how to prepare for emergencies at 'Visit for more information or to view this message in Welsh. Ewch i am ragor o wybodaeth neu i weld y neges hon yn y Gymraeg.'
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Gifford Fire grows to nearly 84,000 acres. See maps, latest info.
The Gifford Fire in California has grown to nearly 84,000 acres as of Wednesday, Aug. 6, making it the largest blaze the state has seen this year. The fire has consumed 83,933 acres and is 9% contained, according to a Cal Fire update, which comes as Southern Californians also face the Rosa and Gold fires The Gifford wildfire, which the Los Padres National Forest said threatens over 800 structures, has injured three people, one of whom was treated for burn injuries. It has also prompted evacuation orders for Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. "Thursday could see temperatures into the triple digits, with an increase in fire behavior," according to an evening update on Tuesday, Aug. 5. "The warming and drying trend is expected to continue through the weekend." According to Cal Fire's list of wildfires in 2025, the Gifford Fire is the largest this year, coming amid the agency's forecast of 'above-normal large fire activity by July and August.' Where is the Gifford Fire in California? The Gifford Fire is burning within the Los Padres National Forest and is northeast of Santa Maria in Santa Barbara County. Officials noted over the weekend that the fire was near the Madre Fire burn scar. That wildfire, which broke out in early July, burned over 80,000 acres in San Luis Obispo County. When did the Gifford Fire start? The Gifford Fire began on Aug. 1, when firefighters responded to reports of multiple wildfires along Highway 166 west of Cuyama, according to an incident report. The cause of the wildfire remains under investigation, officials said. Latest wildfires in U.S. In California, at least seven smaller fires erupted across the state on Aug. 4, according to Cal Fire. The largest of those blazes included two fires in Southern California. Contributing: Karina Zaiets, Fernando Cervantes Jr., USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: See Gifford Fire maps, containment details as blaze hits 84,000 acres Solve the daily Crossword
CBS News
3 hours ago
- CBS News
Colorado residents "nervous" as wildfire comes close to town of Meeker on the Western Slope
A wildfire close to Meeker in western Colorado has doubled in size. The Lee Fire west of the historic town has now burned an estimated 45,000 acres and so far firefighters don't have any containment on it. Several small neighborhoods outside of the town limits have been evacuated as the fire made a serious run Wednesday along Highway 13. The town of Meeker itself is standing by on a "set" status. The American Red Cross has set up a shelter for evacuees at Moffat County High School in Craig. Fire managers said on Wednesday night they are confident they will be able to prevent the fire from reaching the Rio Blanco County seat. The weather conditions are making the firefight challenging. Dry conditions are leading the fire to still rage in the nighttime hours when most wildfires usually settle down to a degree. "I'm feeling a little bit nervous, so I'm not going to lie," Joshua Quinn, who lives in the Meeker area, said on Wednesday as he watched flames marching closer to the town and heavy smoke filling the air. Sue Sprod lives close to Meeker and watched the "flames come over the hogback." "We feel like we do have a good buffer zone but I did get a little nervous this afternoon watching," she said. Sprod attended a community meeting Wednesday evening at Meeker High School led by fire managers, local law enforcement and U.S. Forest Service officials. They braced the community for the likelihood of several more days of high winds and dry conditions. The fire managers reiterated at the meeting that the buffer between the Lee Fire and the town of Meeker is holding. While the town waits on standby for evacuation, some in Rio Blanco County have already been pushed from their homes, like Stanton Gould. "I've been wrestling all my life and it's like sitting at a wrestling match, not knowing who you're going to wrestle in the next round," he said. Stanton says he's hopeful his home is still standing at the end of this, but he still has what counts. "I'd be more broken if it was a person or something. Everything you can replace, all it takes is money," Stanton said. Another wildfire is also burning close to Meeker but it isn't currently posing a threat to the town. The Elk Fire is located southeast of the town. During the day on Wednesday Gov. Jared Polis expanded an emergency declaration that was issued for the Elk Fire to include the Lee Fire.
