Latest news with #MikeMorgan
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Memorial Day celebrations both grand and quiet
EDMOND, Okla. (KFOR) — On this Memorial Day, families and communities across the nation are coming together, not just to remember, but to feel the presence of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. From Civil War-era music, to simple tokens of thanks on graves, veterans are being honored both grand and quiet. Band students from Edmond Memorial High School performed at the Edmond History Museum. Morgan is not only the Edmond Memorial Band Director; he is also the son of News 4 Chief Meteorologist Mike Morgan. 'It's the only high school historical brass program that I know of in the country,' said Tanner Morgan, the Edmond Memorial Band Director. It's not just music, but the soundtrack to a different America during the Civil War. 'In fact, it's from a book that he would have been calling his Marine band to perform on in the days right before he was assassinated,' said Morgan. Not only were the songs from the past, but so were the instruments. 'They're artifacts,' said Morgan. 'There's no reproduction instruments. They're all period instruments. The youngest instrument is 100 years old this year.' 'I think that [the students] make them sound great. They're not easy to play on,' said Morgan. There's a specific way to fly your US flag on Memorial Day: What to know Just two miles up the road, at Gracelawn Cemetery, a different kind of tribute is unfolding. Volunteers with the Travis Manion Foundation laid tokens of thanks on gravestones and markers. It's a non-profit close to the heart of Aaron Hudgins, an army veteran, especially on Memorial Day. 'I lost my wife on April 29, 2018, while in service to our country and after that I was lost. And so I needed a new tribe,' said Hudgins. 'It has changed my life completely.' Hudgins said about 2,000 veterans are buried at the cemetery. For that amount, they needed about two dozen volunteers. 'My wife, a friend of mine, and my daughter we came out and participated with the Travis Manning Foundation,' said Jonathan Reid, a volunteer. Reid is a Marine Corps veteran and a purple heart recipient. He chose not to speak of his own service, but instead chose to speak for the fallen. 'We took our time. Looked at the names, the dates, branches of service,' said Reid. Reid said you don't have to visit a cemetery or play in a band to honor those who gave their lives so we could live ours. 'It's enjoying the time with their families. And they didn't get that,' said Reid. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
27-04-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Colorado officials provide update on 2025 wildfire forecast
The Colorado wildfire forecast is mixed for 2025. Although officials said parts of the state will see an average year, southern Colorado will see higher risks. Authorities warned residents it's important not to let their guard down. Even during an average year, around 6,000 fires will likely spark across the state, scorching around 160,000 acres. Fire season in Colorado is year-round, which Director of the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control Mike Morgan said has become the new normal. "We've had major fires and disasters every month of the year in the state of Colorado, and we can't afford to let our guard down," Morgan asserted. Despite cuts across agencies that directly support the state's wildfire mitigation and firefighting efforts, like the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management, officials said they feel Colorado has enough staff to handle them. Colorado Director for the Bureau of Land Management Doug Vilsack said, "We're confident in our firefighting capability for this summer. Obviously, we are managing through a transition, but, for example, we have hired 54 of our seasonals so far for the summer. Generally, I think last year we had 58." Drought forecasted for much of southern Colorado CBS While some of the state is expected to see an average wildfire season, southern Colorado will experience a higher risk this year because of dry conditions in the area. Southeast Colorado will see heightened conditions in April and May, with an increase in fire danger in the southwest this summer. Executive Director of Colorado Department of Public Safety Stan Hilkey said, as in previous years, they expect wind events to drive much of the state's wildfire activity and urged Coloradans to take extra precautions during them. He explained fire season in Colorado is busy and urged Coloradans to sign up for local alert programs, be cautious with anything that can start a fire and have an evacuation plan ready. Morgan said that during the summer months, fires happen on a near daily basis and are quickly extinguished, but the state is bound to see some large fires break out. He assured that they're ready for when that happens. Homes damaged in Marshall Fire CBS Gov. Jared Polis said destructive fires like the Marshall Fire in Colorado and the Palisades Fire in California, which affected major population centers, are examples of the increasing danger to cities. "Today, it's more of a question of when, not if, a fire will affect our communities. And that's why we're hard at work upping the bar on fire preparedness at the state level," he asserted. Polis said those efforts include prevention measures through forest health and fire mitigation work. He said agencies are expanding the tools they have available, including satellite surveillance and electrical line video, to attack fires more quickly before they can grow out of control. Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control "We've also, as a state, made historic investments in state firefighting resources, including multiple state-owned helicopters like the Firehawk and multi-mission fixed-wing aircraft, fire engines and crews, contracting air tankers that allow us to quickly respond to fires across the state rather than wait for resources that are shared among multiple states," Polis explained. He said that depending on out-of-state resources is too much of a risk because they may not be available when needed. Large parts of Texas, New Mexico and Arizona are under an elevated risk for wildfires this season. "We've also created a state-wide dispatch system to help first responders locally order resources quickly and effectively with shorter response times," said Polis. "I recently signed an executive order to make sure that all the Colorado state employees who serve as volunteer firefighters and first responders get leave, and I continue to encourage our private sector employers to do the same to make sure that when they are needed, their employees are able to take leave to be able to participate as firefighters and first responders." Director of the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control Mike Morgan said the state's efforts towards fire mitigation are encouraging. "At the end of the day, all of these decisions and all of the work that's being done here is for you as citizens and the visitors of Colorado and all of you fine people in the back of the room that risk your life every day to go out there and keep our community safe." CBS A major concern for Colorado residents is the increased cost of homeowners' insurance in high-risk areas and the struggle to find coverage. Polis urged Colorado residents to take steps to mitigate risks from wildfires and hail, which he said will help improve risk ratings and make rates more affordable. Officials stressed that community involvement is essential in preventing the spread of wildfires, particularly as more people are moving into higher risk areas. They encouraged residents to work with their HOA and city councils to organize mitigation efforts and create community wildfire protection plans. The Colorado State Forest Service offers a guide with steps that can help protect homes and property from wildfires, including: Ensure the roof has a Class A fire rating Remove all leaves, needles and other debris from decks, roofs and gutters Screen attic, roof, eaves and foundation vents with 1/8-inch metal mesh Screen or wall-in stilt foundations and decks with 1/8-inch metal mesh Use tempered glass for windows; two or more panes are recommended Create 6 inches of vertical clearance between the ground and home siding Replace combustible fencing or gates, at least within 5 feet of the home Colorado State Forest Service The service's website advises working in zones to protect your home. "As you address the home ignition zone on your property, always start with the home or structure and work outwards. Remember, taking action to prepare for wildfire is not a one-time effort — it requires ongoing maintenance to give your home the best chance of surviving a wildfire."
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Colorado leaders share wildfire outlook and preparedness plan
BROOMFIELD, Colo. (KDVR) — The state of Colorado is getting ready for Wildfire Awareness Month in May. Leaders announced Thursday key aspects of the state's wildfire outlook and preparedness plan for leaders said Colorado stands ready to fight fires in the upcoming wildfire season, even as support from the federal government remains unclear. View the latest Weather Alerts in Denver and across Colorado on FOX31 'In a normal wildfire season, we will see approximately 6,000 wildfires across the state of Colorado and burn 150-160,000 acres, so when we say normal, please, as Director Hilkey said and the governor said, don't let your guards down. We will have big fires,' said Division of Fire Prevention and Control Director Mike Morgan. State leaders want communities to be ready for wildfires. Though they said the wildfire risk for this summer is average, they said average is still active. They said the state's Forest Service and Department of Natural Resources have invested $15 million in mitigation efforts already this year. 'The state's Forest Service has leaned hard into helping communities all across the state or establish their community wildfire protection plan, which gives everybody a clear sense of where the values and risks exist and what can we do to reduce that risk and be prepared when wildfires come,' said Colorado State Forest Service Director Matt McCombs. Leaders did warn of heightened risks in April and May in the southeastern part of the state and an elevated risk in the southwestern part of the state in the summer. While they said the state is ready and to work with other agencies to put out fires, questions remain surrounding support and potential cuts from the federal government. 'We've made the effort to try to take our fate back. We have great federal partnerships that really couldn't exist without them. But also, we have endeavored to make sure that we have the capacity to respond without having to rely on shared resources with our all the other states that are under fire,' said Colorado Department of Public Safety Executive Director Stan Hilkey. Colorado Parks and Wildlife looking for a few good camp hosts 'From our state perspective, we don't exactly know and I don't think the folks on our federal side know exactly what will happen and which positions will be eliminated. We are grateful thus far that law enforcement and firefighter positions have been exempt from cuts. We are grateful thus far that law enforcement and firefighter positions have been exempt from cuts. But a lot of positions that support those, the folks who might ticket people for doing illegal fireworks for example, folks doing roadwork and maintenance, those are some of the areas that have been subject to cutbacks,' Governor Jared Polis said. The Forest Service said it is actively hiring an additional 220 firefighters to get ready for this season. The state's Bureau of Land Management leader said many of the cuts that happened in the forestry service have been restored. He said the remaining shortages are from recent retirements. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Washington Post
25-03-2025
- Climate
- Washington Post
Wildfires in North and South Carolina fueled by drought, wind and fallen trees from Hurricane Helene
Dry conditions, wind and trees downed by Hurricane Helene fueled wildfires in North Carolina and South Carolina, where evacuation orders were in effect Tuesday. About 80 miles (129 kilometers) west of Charlotte, North Carolina, officials ordered mandatory evacuations for roughly 165 properties in rural Polk County. Three fires there have burned at least 9 square miles (23 square kilometers). The North Carolina Forest Service says two of the fires are uncontained as of Monday night. The Black Cove Fire is one of the larger blazes. Officials said a downed power line sparked that fire, but the causes of the other two fires are under investigation. Neighboring Henderson County issued voluntary evacuation orders and opened an emergency shelter. Volunteer fire departments were on standby, Henderson County spokesperson Mike Morgan told WLOS-TV . 'Especially near some of the homes where if the fire did jump, we can be there to help protect those homes,' Morgan said. 'We're here to monitor the situation very closely.' Two fires were burning in the mountains of South Carolina. The fires in Table Rock State Park and nearby Persimmon Ridge have burned a combined 2.3 square miles (5.9 square kilometers), the South Carolina Forestry Commission said. Officials said both fires were ignited by human activity and neither were contained as of Monday night. No injuries were reported, and no structures were imminently threatened as of Monday night, but voluntary evacuations were issued for about 100 homes over the weekend. On Tuesday morning, the forestry commission updated an earlier announcement to say no evacuations were planned near the Persimmon Ridge Fire, but residents were urged to be prepared to leave their homes if an evacuation is suggested in the future. 'The weather over the next few days remains concerning, as relative humidities are expected to remain very low, and the forecasted wind speeds will still be conducive to spreading the fire,' the forestry commission said. Dry weather and millions of trees knocked down by Hurricane Helene last year are creating a long and active fire season in the Carolinas, according to North Carolina State University forestry and environmental resources professor Robert Scheller. Scheller predicted this busy fire season if the region saw dry weather after the hurricane. 'Helene just dropped tons of fuel on the ground,' Scheller said. 'Then these flash droughts allow that fuel to dry out very fast.' Despite recent rain, most of the Carolinas are abnormally dry or experiencing a moderate drought, according to federal monitors . ___ This story has been corrected to show that officials were not recommending evacuations near the Persimmon Ridge Fire, but residents should be prepared to leave their homes if one is suggested.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Wildfires in North and South Carolina fueled by drought, wind and fallen trees from Hurricane Helene
Dry conditions, wind and trees downed by Hurricane Helene fueled wildfires in North Carolina and South Carolina, where evacuation orders were in effect Tuesday. About 80 miles (129 kilometers) west of Charlotte, North Carolina, officials ordered mandatory evacuations for roughly 165 properties in rural Polk County. Three fires there have burned at least 9 square miles (23 square kilometers). The North Carolina Forest Service says two of the fires are uncontained as of Monday night. The Black Cove Fire is one of the larger blazes. Officials said a downed power line sparked that fire, but the causes of the other two fires are under investigation. Neighboring Henderson County issued voluntary evacuation orders and opened an emergency shelter. Volunteer fire departments were on standby, Henderson County spokesperson Mike Morgan told WLOS-TV. 'Especially near some of the homes where if the fire did jump, we can be there to help protect those homes,' Morgan said. 'We're here to monitor the situation very closely.' Two fires were burning in the mountains of South Carolina. The fires in Table Rock State Park and nearby Persimmon Ridge have burned a combined 2.3 square miles (5.9 square kilometers), the South Carolina Forestry Commission said. Officials said both fires were ignited by human activity and neither were contained as of Monday night. No injuries were reported, and no structures were imminently threatened as of Monday night, but voluntary evacuations were issued for about 100 homes over the weekend. On Tuesday morning, officials called for voluntary evacuations along a road northeast of the Persimmon Ridge Fire, encouraging residents and businesses to evacuate because of winds that could push the flames eastward, the forestry commission said in a social media post. It wasn't immediately clear how many homes and businesses were affected. 'The weather over the next few days remains concerning, as relative humidities are expected to remain very low, and the forecasted wind speeds will still be conducive to spreading the fire,' the forestry commission said. Dry weather and millions of trees knocked down by Hurricane Helene last year are creating a long and active fire season in the Carolinas, according to North Carolina State University forestry and environmental resources professor Robert Scheller. Scheller predicted this busy fire season if the region saw dry weather after the hurricane. 'Helene just dropped tons of fuel on the ground,' Scheller said. 'Then these flash droughts allow that fuel to dry out very fast.' Despite recent rain, most of the Carolinas are abnormally dry or experiencing a moderate drought, according to federal monitors.
