Latest news with #firerisk
CBS News
3 days ago
- Climate
- CBS News
Fire risk high in Northern Michigan, residents and visitors urged to take precautions
The risk of fire is very high this weekend in Michigan's Upper Peninsula and Northern Lower Peninsula, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources said Friday, urging those who live in or will visit the area to take precautions against accidental spread of a blaze. The reason is a period of dry weather days in the region. There are already wildfires this season in Canada, some of which have sent smoke drifting into the United States. Air quality advisories are in effect in parts of Michigan, including Metro Detroit, because of the Canadian wildfires. "There hasn't been significant rain in parts of the Upper Peninsula for more than two weeks," said Paul Rogers, fire prevention specialist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. "Burn permits will be limited, and we are asking everyone to be very careful with their campfires this weekend and into Monday." Those who will be in the region affected by the March 28-30 ice storm are especially asked to delay burning or take extra caution because of the amount of dry wood that is still on the ground in forested areas. Campfire tips If you build an outdoor campfire, keep it small and never leave it. When you have finished with your campfire, drench it with water, stir the ashes and drench it again. Make sure metal campfire rings are cool before you leave a site. Additional fire safety tips The Michigan DNR also shared these reminders Whenever you start any type of fire outside, keep a hose or other water source nearby. When burning yard debris, keep piles small. Large piles can stay hot for many hours, increasing the risk of an escaped fire. Prevent sparks. Keep trailer chains from dragging and don't park hot equipment on dry grass. Don't burn plastic, hazardous materials, foam or other household trash. This is illegal and can release dangerous chemicals into the air. Use a burn barrel with a screen on top to burn paper, leaves and natural materials. Get more fire safety information here.
CTV News
3 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
The green'll fool you: Lethbridge County declares fire ban despite recent rain
Lethbridge County has declared a fire ban, as officials say that despite the recent rain, the fire risk remains high. Lethbridge County has declared a fire ban. The county says despite recent rain, the fire risk remains high. The ban includes campfires, burning barrels, charcoal briquette barbeques and any other open burning. Fire officials are warning residents not to be deceived by how green it is outside. This most recent hot stretch has dried up any moisture from recent rain. Windy conditions have also driven up the chance of a grass fire spreading quickly. 'We've gone from an advisory to a fire ban. And the reason is, for obvious reasons, the temperatures are rising,' said Heath Wright, Lethbridge County emergency services director. 'We've had some windy conditions lately, and overnight, actually, from the province, we've just realized that we've gone from 20 out of control wildfires to 25, which is quite alarming for fire officials across the province.' Lethbridge County has declared a fire ban, as officials say that despite the recent rain, the fire risk remains high. Lethbridge County has declared a fire ban, as officials say that despite the recent rain, the fire risk remains high. Gas and propane heaters, stoves, barbeques and firepits and still allowed. Wood pellet grills are also permitted.
ABC News
4 days ago
- Climate
- ABC News
Bushfire outlook forecasts increased fire risk in southern parts of Australia
Areas of southern Australia already hit by ongoing drought conditions face a heightened risk of fire this winter, according to the latest seasonal fire report. The Seasonal Bushfire Outlook, published by the Australian and New Zealand National Council for Fire and Emergency Services (AFAC), showed persistent and significant dry conditions could result in "unseasonable bushfire risk" in large parts of Victoria and South Australia. Impacted areas include capital cities Adelaide and Melbourne, as well as large swathes of western Victoria. It comes as long-term rainfall deficiencies persist across southern Australia. Higher-than-average pressure along the south has also contributed to drier conditions, according to the report. AFAC chief executive Rob Webb said prolonged drought conditions could result in more activity than normal. "Fire authorities will monitor the landscape conditions and climate influences closely this season to manage bushfire risk and identify opportunities for mitigation activities such as planned burning." The AFAC outlook showed June through to August was "very likely" to be warmer than average across Australia. But while parts of the mainland were forecast to receive above-average rainfall, the south-east and south-west could miss out. June to August was tipped to be warmer than usual across Australia, with wetter conditions for most — except in the south-east and south-west. The outlook combined expert analysis of bushfire fuels, past rainfall and temperature, and climate outlooks prepared by the Bureau of Meteorology. Communities have been urged to stay vigilant this winter — even where fire risk was considered normal. In a Facebook post, the Kyneton Fire Brigade warned people to take extra care lighting fires. "We are in May. You shouldn't be seeing "HIGH" on the fire danger board," the statement read. "Yet here we are. Help us stop the next one. "Be smart. Be ready. Or don't burn."
CBS News
14-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
How State Farm's newest rate hike could impact Bay Area towns like Orinda
ORINDA — If you have home insurance from State Farm, you will soon be paying more. That's after an administrative law judge in Oakland endorsed an emergency rate hike for the largest insurer in the state. California's insurance crisis is affecting all areas of the state, but if there are places where the full depth of the problem can be felt, it's in towns like Orinda. In many places there, the trees grow over the road and homes are nestled in the forested hillsides. People pay a lot for the beauty, but lately, there's been something else on their minds. "This is part of the discussion now, you know, it's 'location, location, location," Tom Stack said. "So, now the 'location' part doesn't mean you're near the schools and the amenities and means, can I get out if there's a fire?" Stack is a real estate agent in Orinda. He won't even show a house unless the buyer shows some ability to insure it. He said just about every aspect of his business is now being driven by insurance — or rather, the lack of it. "What we know on a micro level in this area is that all of Orinda has been cut off. Swaths of Lafayette have been cancelled," he said. "And with State Farm having the largest footprint in town, if they were to leave, this would be a crisis definition." Stack said one of his clients was recently ordered by his insurance company to put stairs and handrails on a hill behind his house based solely on satellite images. "And all he did was say yes. It's going to cost him 20 grand. He said yes. He did not want to lose his insurance over it. So we are at their mercy, right now," Stack said. Following the Los Angeles firestorms, State Farm requested and is now being granted a 17% rate hike for every policyholder in the state, and 15% for renters and 38% for rental dwellings. In his ruling, Judge Karl Seligman referred to the rate hike as a "rescue mission to stabilize State Farm and safeguard policyholders." And almost immediately, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara "adopted" the judge's ruling, with the increase to begin on June 1. In a statement, Lara said, "I am balancing all the facts. Protecting all State Farm customers and the integrity of our insurance market is an urgent matter." But Grace Regullano doesn't feel protected at all. "I'm frankly infuriated that Commissioner Lara is standing with the insurance companies who are profiting off our crisis," she said. Regullano lives in Pasadena near the Eaton fire. Her home survived but now has such toxic levels of asbestos and lead that she cannot move back. She said State Farm has dragged its feet in paying claims, claiming its California affiliate company is broke, while ignoring the assets of its massive parent company. "Frankly, I feel furious," Regullano said. "I'm furious because we cannot 'rate hike' our way out of this climate-change caused insurance crisis. I'm also an accountant and I'm shocked that there's no explanation for why State Farm's parent company, which has 194 billion--with a B--in surplus and reserves, needs this rate hike." It may simply be a matter of political leverage. State Farm has become too big to fail. "We don't know what they're going to do," Stack said. "They may wake up one day and say, 'we're out of California.' And if that happens...I'll be talking to you again. It will be awful beyond words." There will still be a hearing for State Farm to show evidence of its financial situation, but that is planned for some time later this year. In the meantime, the rate hike will go into effect, starting in June. When other companies have already left the state, like a good neighbor, State Farm is still there. But the neighborhood is about to get a lot more expensive.
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mail
Major car dealer issues urgent recall over risk of oil pump fire… is YOUR vehicle impacted?
A top-selling car brand has issued a recall over a potential fire risk. Hyundai is recalling 620 units of its 2025 Palisade SUV due to a defect that could lead to an engine fire. The issue stems from an insufficient seal on the controller for the vehicle's electric oil pump, which may let moisture seep into the electronics and short the system. Hyundai said a supplier is at fault for the issue. A machine with a faulty spring produced the seals for the 620 cars. The recall, which the company announced on May 5, is precautionary. Hyundai said it has not received any reports of fires from Palisade owners. Owners can still drive their cars and will receive a recall notice in the mail after July 4. As a preventive measure, the company is advising impacted Palisade owners to park their SUVs away from buildings until they can get their free repair. Hyundai didn't specify how long it will take for the company to supply parts for the issue. A representative for the company didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. The Palisade has been an important part of Hyundai's North America rebrand. Hyundai, which initially entered the US market with low-cost, cheap-to-make vehicles, has leaned into luxury offerings like the Palisade. The three-row SUV, which major review publications compared to mid-tier offerings like the Toyota Highlander and the Ford Explorer, sold 110,055 units last year. Hyundai has reported selling 36,737 copies so far this year. That puts it on pace for a 7 percent increase in the full year. Customers have responded to the car's lush interior and simple, boxy design. But the company is planning a reboot in 2026 that will bring even more daring body lines to the vehicle. The next iteration of the Palisade, which debuted for the US market at this year's New York International Auto Show, has stacked LED headlights and a silver, angled accent in the rear pillar that is reminiscent of some Land Rover models. José Muñoz, Hyundai's CEO, recently revealed a newly designed Palisade SUV The Palisade is getting a major refresh for the 2026 model year Hyundai's older products came to market as cheaper alternatives to American-made vehicles The company has also redone the designs on the Santa Fe, Tucson, and Ioniq 6 to up the brand's luxury appeal across the lineup. The Korean manufacturer has been making moves for several years that might insulate some of its lineup from the huge impacts of President Donald Trump's sweeping 25 percent automotive tariffs. Hyundai built a multi-billion-dollar megaplant in Georgia that is set to produce the Ioniq series of electric cars. The company initially launched plans to build the factory in 2017. Recently, Hyundai announced further investment in US manufacturing for its EV line. Now, the company is working to build more battery and steel capacity to supply to its new Georgia plant. President Trump has touted Hyundai's investment as a policy win for his administration several times.
