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Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Eureka Fire: Blaze spreading across Joshua Tree National Park is 0% contained
Firefighters battling a stubborn brush fire in Joshua Tree National Park on Friday, May 30 urgently requested major air support, including a very large air tanker, a large air tanker and a type three air tanker, according to radio traffic captured by WatchDuty. The blaze, named the Eureka Fire, surged to nearly 164 acres by 1:40 p.m., per CalFire. It was reported as a 20-acre brush fire at 11:57 a.m. in the Lower Covington Flats area of the park, in flammable, scrubby brush in Lower Covington Flat Road, between Nolina Cove Road in the town of Joshua Tree and Carmelita Place and Carmelita Circle in Yucca Valley. A smoke plume was visible for miles, including from Onyx Peak cameras that captured a thick pall of gray smoke. A helicopter and two smaller air tankers appeared to be headed to the area by 2:15 pm on a CalFire map. A park spokeswoman said, along with their firefighting personnel, that additional resources from BLM and San Bernardino County had been requested to try to contain the active blaze. The weather in the area is cool, with a high temperature near 84, but south winds were blowing at about 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. The fire is at 0% containment. The cause is under investigation. This is a developing story. This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Fire in Joshua Tree: Eureka Fire spreads in Joshua Tree National Park
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Los Angeles brush fire injures 1, shuts down Metro line
A brush fire that broke out in the San Fernando Valley Wednesday afternoon injured one person, caused a shutdown of an LA Metro line and encroached on structures before forward progress was stopped. The Balboa Fire was first reported around 12:20 p.m. near the Sepulveda Basin Sports Complex on the 6400 block of North Balboa Blvd. in Van Nuys. According to the Watch Duty app, the fire initially had burned about 1.5 acres and was spreading to the north with a potential threat to structures. Multiple palm trees were involved in the blaze, which Watch Duty reporter Grant Miles said was being driven by the topography of the area. A full brush fire response was requested by the Los Angeles Fire Department, which was providing water drops and working to establish a hose line around the fire on the ground. By around 12:55 p.m., forward progress had been stopped with structure protection in place. The fire had scorched more than four acres by the time firefights stopped its momentum. The Los Angeles Fire Department said the structure of most concern was for the Army Recruiting Battalion nearby. The structure itself was protected, but vehicles in the parking lot were still at risk of igniting, officials said. The Metro G Line, the dedicated bus rapid transit line previously known as the Orange Line, is currently shut down due to the fire. The closure is in place from Woodley to White Oaks avenues, LAFD said. One person, a civilian, suffered burn injuries and was being treated by paramedics at the scene. The severity of their injuries is unclear at this time. The brush fire comes as much of Los Angeles County, including the entirety of the San Fernando Valley, is under a heat advisory from the National Weather Service. Check back for details on this developing story. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
MN wildfires live updates: 3 uncontained wildfires continue to grow
The Brief Three wildfires in northern Minnesota have destroyed more than 100 structures, and are continuing to grow in size. The Jenkins Creek fire surpassed the Camp House fire in size, burning nearly 20,600 acres. Crews are fighting to contain the fires, but weather conditions are making it extremely difficult. The fires are still 0% contained. BRIMSON, Minn. (FOX 9) - Three uncontained wildfires continue to burn in northern Minnesota, torching thousands of acres and destroying more than 140 structures. The Jenkins Creek fire has surpassed the Camp House fire in size as of Wednesday morning. The three fires have burned more than 37,000 acres and are 0% contained. "All three fires are still very active and there's no real signs of them slowing," St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay said in an update Tuesday night. RELATED:Minnesota wildfires maps: Evacuation areas, latest information What we know The Camp House wildfire started around 1 p.m. on May 11 in Ault Township, about two miles northeast of Brimson, Minnesota. The fire has grown to nearly 15,000 acres as of Wednesday morning, based on data from the Watch Duty app. At least 144 structures have been destroyed thus far. Sheriff Ramsay said the fire had been growing to the north, east and west and was still actively spreading and burning as of Tuesday night. There are no active evacuations as of Tuesday night, but previous evacuation orders remain in place. What caused the fire? The sheriff says this fire appears to have started with a camp fire that was left unattended. He adds that the DNR has identified the person who started the fire. READ MORE: MN wildfires: Sheriff reveals potential causes for fires What we know The Jenkins Creek Fire started on May 11 near Hoyt Lakes, just north of the Camp House wildfire. The fire was detected east of County Road 110 and north of County Road 16 near Jenkins Creek. As of Tuesday night, the fire was actively growing to the north and west along Highway 16. The Jenkins Creek Fire has now surpassed the Camp House Fire, burning nearly 20,600 acres, based on data from the Watch Duty app. A couple of structures have been damaged or destroyed, but the sheriff said the fire remains too active to check and get further details. Evacuations took place in the Skibo area, and additional pre-evacuation warnings were issued to residents along Highway 11 on Tuesday. What caused this fire? According to the sheriff, this fire might have started with a discarded cigarette along Highway 16, as it began near a roadway. What we know The Munger Shaw Fire developed on the afternoon of May 12 in Cotton Township, about 25 miles southwest of the Camp House fire. Officials said the wildfire started growing in size on Tuesday, and has burned an estimated 1,600 acres. "Flare ups are still happening, and the fire is still dangerous," said Sheriff Ramsay. READ MORE:MN wildfires: Leaders hope rain brings relief later this week As the fire slowly moves north, evacuation orders have started in the Pioneer Lake area and Morley Beach Road area. Officials have also closed the following roads in the area: Three Lakes Road at Winkle Lane (no east bound traffic). Three Lakes Road at Rush Lake Grade (no west bound traffic). Munger Shaw Road is closed at the Morley Beach Road (no south bound traffic). What caused the fire? This fire appears to have started with a bail of hay that caught fire and quickly spread. The homeowner called 911 immediately, but it was already too late when authorities got there. The Source This report uses information from the St. Louis County Sheriff, previous FOX 9 reporting, fire officials and the Watch Duty App.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Minnesota wildfires explode over nearly 20,000 acres as National Guard responds
Three raging wildfires in northern Minnesota have forced evacuations and the deployment of members of the state's National Guard to battle the blazes. The fires continued to expand on Tuesday, fanned by hot, dry, and windy weather conditions. In Brimson, the largest of the three wildfires, known as the Camp House fire, rapidly ballooned to 11,778 acres. The fire, which started on Sunday, has destroyed more than 40 structures and led dozens of people to evacuate. There were 80 people working to respond to the incident, and several road closures implemented. The 'fire has been very active the last two days, with the burning period going into the night,' the Minnesota Incident Command System wrote in a Facebook post on Tuesday. In the nearby Superior National Forest, the Jenkins Creek Fire had spread over 6,800 acres, quadrupling in size after erupting Monday morning. 'The fire moved quickly, driven by strong southerly winds,' according to officials. Southwest of the two wildfires, the Munger Shaw fire tore over more than 1,400 acres, according to the wildfire-tracking app Watch Duty. More evacuations were reported in that area, according to the national forest. The causes of all of the fires remain under investigation. Not one of the fires is contained. On Monday, Democratic Governor Tim Walz, former Vice President Kamala Harris' 2024 running mate, said he had authorized the National Guard to assist in the response. "Wildfires in northern Minnesota have forced families to evacuate and caused severe damage to and loss of property. My thoughts are with those Minnesotans who are being impacted by this dangerous and unpredictable fire," said Walz. As the fight continues, an air quality alert issued due to the spread of wildfire smoke has been extended through Wednesday. 'Air quality is expected to reach the orange AQI level, which is unhealthy for sensitive groups,' the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency warned. Similar alerts were issued at around the same time last year due to wildfire smoke coming from Canada. Walz and the state's forestry officials told residents to be extra careful about anything that could cause heat or sparks. Burn restrictions were in place. Red flag warnings have been issued for 65 counties, and any wildfire that starts in this weather is expected to explode. Climate change is making wildfire-prone conditions more frequent. The governor said that while Minnesota typically sees more than 1,100 wildfires a year, 970 have already occurred this year. Of those, 40 were on Sunday and Monday, according to WCCO News. "I've worked for DNR (Department of Natural Resources) Forestry for nearly 30 years, and the weather the last few days is just really unprecedented," Patty Thielen, director of forestry for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, told the station. "Really low humidity, high winds have allowed fires to spread really quickly."
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Mercury Insurance Shares How to Prepare for an Evacuation During Wildfire Season
Tips to Help Families Stay Safe and Ready During Wildfire Awareness Month LOS ANGELES, May 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of Wildfire Awareness Month, Mercury Insurance is sharing timely, practical guidance to help families prepare for potential evacuations. From building a go-bag to making a communication plan, these simple steps can help you act swiftly and decisively in the face of danger. "Preparing for a wildfire evacuation involves several critical actions, and starting early is one of the best ways homeowners can protect their families and communities," said Kelly Butler, Vice President and Chief Underwriting Officer at Mercury Insurance. "Simple steps taken now can make all the difference later." Mercury Insurance, long committed to protecting homeowners in wildfire-prone areas, recommends these essential tips to help families stay ready: Create a Go-Bag for Every Household MemberPack essentials like IDs, medications, toiletries, spare keys, a phone charger, important documents, cash, water, snacks and clothing. Be sure to include necessities for children, pets and elderly family members. Prepare Your Vehicle in AdvanceKeep your gas tank at least half full throughout the wildfire season. Store a physical map, emergency contact list, a flashlight/lantern, and a backup power source for your phone in your vehicle. Document Your PropertyTake photos or videos of each room in your home — including valuables, electronics and appliances. Store these files securely online to assist with future insurance claims. Make a Communication PlanEstablish evacuation routes and a meeting spot if family members get separated. Share the plan with neighbors or extended family and choose an out-of-area contact with whom everyone can check in. Sign Up for Emergency AlertsEnroll in local emergency notification systems — like Watch Duty or Citizen — that provide real-time evacuation updates. Many counties offer text-based or app notifications. Prep Your Home Before You LeaveClose all windows and doors, shut off gas and propane, and remove flammable items from around the yard. If time allows, leave garden hoses connected and ladders out for firefighters to access the roof. Leave indoor and outdoor lights on to help visibility through smoke. "Wildfires can move fast, so preparedness needs to be second nature for families in vulnerable areas," added Butler. "These small steps not only protect your safety — they can also give first responders a better chance to defend your home." Peace of Mind Starts With a PlanMercury Insurance provides expert tools and guidance to help residents prepare before emergencies hit. Through digital resources and trusted local agents, Mercury is here to help families stay ready. For more information and additional preparedness tips, visit the Mercury Insurance Catastrophe Center. About Mercury Insurance Headquartered in Los Angeles, Mercury Insurance (NYSE: MCY) is a multiple-line insurance carrier offering personal auto, homeowners, and renters insurance directly to consumers and through a network of independent agents in Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia, as well as auto insurance in Florida. Mercury also writes business owners, business auto, landlord, commercial multi-peril and mechanical protection insurance in various states. Since 1962, Mercury has provided customers with tremendous value by pairing ultra-competitive rates with excellent customer service, through nearly 4,100 employees and more than 6,500 independent agents. Mercury has earned "A" ratings from A.M. Best and Fitch, along with "Best Auto Insurance Company" honors from Forbes and Learn more at or follow the company on Twitter or Facebook. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Mercury Insurance Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
