Latest news with #Goebel
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Increased wildfire risk: Camden County officials urge caution amid dry, windy conditions
The risk of fires is increasing in our region, with this month being drier than average. That's why Camden County fire officials are urging people to be cautious. They said most fires are caused by people, and dry, windy conditions only make things worse. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Action News Jax received video of the aftermath of a fire at the Municipal Solid Waste Landfill Site in Camden County. Water was poured from a helicopter while firefighters were on the ground with their hoses. 'We have been fighting a fire there over the last couple days,' Camden County Fire Marshal Chris Goebel said. According to the First Alert Weather Team, we've been seeing multiple dry days with little to no rain. This is raising concerns among fire officials, as it increases the chances of wildfires, especially for Camden County. 'This wasn't the only fire our department was having to face,' said Goebel. In Camden County, fire crews recently responded to two separate fires—one in the Horse Stamp Church Road area and another at the municipal solid waste landfill site. Officials posted the following message on their Facebook page: 'Due to ongoing fire response efforts at the MSW landfill site, the landfill will remain closed Monday, April 21, 2025. As a result, trash collection will be delayed by one day.' 'None of our firefighters, and none of our citizens have been injured in any of these fires,' said Goebel. The St. Johns County Fire Department issued this advice to homeowners: 'The biggest thing that a homeowner can do is create defensible space around their home. This means clearing out dry grass, leaves, and trees, and removing any dead plants. This prevents fire spread and allows firefighters to properly protect your home.' The Camden County Fire Marshal said the landfill fire is under control. As of right now, he said it is unclear what started the fire, but no one has been hurt. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Captain makes once-in-a-lifetime sighting while scanning horizon off US coast: 'Everybody was screaming and hollering'
Two North Atlantic right whales, which are critically endangered, were spotted off the coast of Florida this past March. Gulf Coast News reported that Captain Ryan Goebel from Sea Trek Charters first saw the whales by Fort Myers Beach. "I'm driving in like normal, just like always," Goebel told the news outlet. "And I look off to the left side, and I see something in the distance ... So I pop up binoculars, and as soon as I pull them up, I see a blowhole shoot up in the air, and I'm like, that's a whale." Sea Trek Charters mate Chris Paul also commented to Gulf Coast News, "Everybody was screaming and hollering and jumping around, pushing everybody out of the way to try to get pictures. It was wild." The whales were then seen a day later near Caxambas Pass, which is close to Marco Island. The whales are named Koala and Curlew. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says they are named after koala- and curlew shorebird-shaped callosities, respectively. Callosities are rough, raised patches of skin on right whales' heads. Koala and Curlew's appearance is even more incredible considering that, per the NOAA, North Atlantic right whales have only been seen four times in the Gulf of Mexico since 2000. An assessment of Curlew in April 2024 concluded that there is a high probability she is currently pregnant, but she hasn't been seen with a calf since then. Pregnancies are a big deal for North Atlantic right whales because of their critically endangered status. There are only about 370 of them left. According to the World Wildlife Fund, fishing gear and warming oceans are some of their biggest threats. The NOAA advises that everyone should stay 500 yards away from whales in the wild. It's also important to report sightings to 877-WHALE-HELP ((877) 942-5343). Do you think America could ever go zero-waste? Never Not anytime soon Maybe in some states Definitely Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. The NOAA and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission observe whales like these and others to help keep them safe. By taking care of the whales, we keep our fishing practices balanced and our planet healthy. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
