Latest news with #firethreat
CTV News
02-08-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Lethbridge-wide water drive continues, fire safety reminders issued as temperatures rise
Hot weather returns to Lethbridge over the weekend, prompting concern for the vulnerable population at the same time it creates a greater fire threat. As heat returns to the long-range forecast in Lethbridge, outreach organizations are preparing to help the vulnerable population stay cool, while fire officials monitor the increasing fire risk. This year's citywide water drive, in partnership between the Interfaith Food Bank, Lethbridge Food Bank, Sage Clan, MyCityCare, Downtown BRZ, Streets Alive Mission, Diversion Outreach Team, Community Links, Canadian Mental Health Association and Recovery Alberta, have handed out more than 36,000 bottles of water to those in need. 'It's actually life or death,' said Danielle McIntyre, executive director of Interfaith Food Bank. 'When someone doesn't have the ability to get out of the heat, we obviously have heat emergencies that can happen to you physically, but I think one of the things that we often forget about is that bottle of water is a lot of relief to an individual.' Warming temperatures in Lethbridge Aug.1, 2025 Aid organizations have distributed over 36,000 bottles of water to those in need. (Karsen Marczuk, CTV Lethbridge) With the Heritage Day long weekend underway and the hottest month of the summer now here, McIntyre says demand has outpaced supply. She says they are in need of about $2,000 worth of bottled water to get through the next four weeks and are putting out a call to the community for assistance. 'It's also been a different summer,' said McIntyre. 'We haven't had that dry heat for long spells. There's been a lot of rain in between, which hasn't made us feel as hot because we have had those reprieve, but for someone who isn't able to get out of the sun it is definitely going to be a struggle.' Monitoring the fire risk The fluctuating forecast between hot temperatures and rainy conditions has been challenging for fire officials with Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services (LFES) to predict the fire risk. 'Lethbridge can be like a desert,' said Troy Hicks chief fire marshal with LFES. 'The rain hits and if we get our normal winds, it doesn't even have a chance for that moisture to soak into the ground and do any good, it just dries up so quickly.' 'So unfortunately, it could look very green but the dead fall that is under that green grass -- that's the risk, that's what can burn -- so that's what we're monitoring and that's what gives us our levels if we have to put it on.' While it may be frustrating for residents to see a fire ban be implemented, lifted and then implemented again all in a matter of days, Hicks says there's a lot of work behind the scenes that has to be done. 'We have devices around the city that the Government of Alberta monitors as well and it will give us readings,' explained Hicks. 'It will give us a reading for flame spread rating and it will also give us a reading for fine fuel load. There are certain levels they're allowed to be at – there's either safe, normal, above normal or extreme – and that's what we look for.' There are fire bans are in place for Lethbridge, but Hicks says the risk is still high and is urging everyone to be cautious when having fires. 'Be safe and pay attention to what you are doing,' he said. 'We have had the odd smoldering fires that people have left... that's one of the biggest risks we have to watch for just make sure your fire is out. As we always say, you soak it, you stir it and you soak it again.' Hicks say when a fire ban is on in the river valley, residents are still permitted to have fires in their backyards. But, he says, be courteous to those around you. 'Even if you're the ones that don't have a fire and a neighbour's fire is bothering you and you call 911 to get our guys there, that's fine -- but I recommend people educate themselves on the fire bylaw,' he said. 'As long as people are following the fire bylaw, they aren't breaking the rules. They are allowed to have that fire pit.' 'Be friends with your neighbours,' he added. 'Talk to them and if you can be friendly with your neighbours and there is an issue and you don't like it, maybe they won't have a fire.' Above normal August Whether its fire conditions or heat safety, meteorologists say August appears to be trending towards above-normal temperatures. 'For the month of August, it's generally a drier note for southern Alberta,' said Christy Climenhaga, with Environment and Climate Change Canada. 'That doesn't mean its going to be dry every day,' she added, 'but our monthly totals -- we are picking up that drier-than-normal trend which could mean some lower levels of precipitation.'
News.com.au
12-06-2025
- News.com.au
Man allegedly armed with blowtorch threatens to set alight gas cylinders at Bunnings
A man has been charged after he allegedly threatened to set fire to gas cylinders with a blowtorch during a wild rampage at a Bunnings store in Perth. Officers from the Tactical Response Group and other emergency crews swarmed the Cannington store on Wednesday evening, after the man allegedly armed himself with a blowtorch and threatened to set alight the gas cylinders outside the store. Police allege the man had been seen acting suspiciously inside the Bunnings just before the incident. The TRG and emergency crews evacuated the store and set up a 200m exclusion zone as officers tried to negotiate with the man. Footage from the incident shows the man suddenly fall as several TRG officers approached and pinned him to the ground. Firefighters can be seen spraying water across the scene as more officers swarm in to control the man. A witness on holiday from Germany told The West Australian newspaper a person who was there earlier said he put the gas cylinders on fire. 'You could hear gunshots, but it was different from normal ones,' Nelly Funk told the newspaper. 'The firefighters were spraying water on him. 'I was shocked, when I heard the police it was quite a shock for me – we are actually from Germany, and it's our first month here.' A 42-year-old man from Kelmscott in Perth's east has been charged with burglary, stealing, being armed to cause fear and endangering life. He is due to appear in the Armadale Magistrates Court on Thursday.
CBS News
01-06-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Part of Northern California under red flag warning for Monday
Part of the Sacramento Valley is under a red flag warning for most of Monday, the Cal Fire Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit said on Sunday. The red flag warning will be in effect from 2 a.m. to 8 p.m. It covers the following areas. Eastern portion of Shasta and Trinity counties Northern Sacramento Valley to southern Tehama County below 1,000 feet Glenn, Colusa and Yuba counties Northern Sutter County Butte County below 1,000 feet Part of the Sacramento Valley is under a red flag warning. National Weather Service The southeast edge of Shasta-Trinity National Forest, western portions of Tehama-Glenn Unit, and eastern Mendocino National Forest are under the red flag warning too. A red flag warning was issued due to gusty winds and low humidity. The NWS said it expects winds of 15 to 25 mph, with gusts between 30 and 40 mph. The strongest winds are forecasted along and to the west of Interstate 5 in the northern Sacramento Valley, which is where the highest fire threat will be, according to the NWS. The northern coastal range is also an area that will have strong winds and is expected to have a high fire threat.
ABC News
28-05-2025
- General
- ABC News
Man jailed for threatening workers at Wodonga, Wangaratta tobacco stores
A Melbourne man has been sentenced to at least 18 months jail after threatening workers at two north-east tobacco stores. Doreen man Ahmad Al Essawi, 23, pleaded guilty to a string of charges in the Wodonga Magistrates Court on Wednesday, including two extortion offences and possessing a fake firearm. On July 4, 2023, Al Essawi and an unidentified co-accused entered a Wodonga tobacco store where Al Essawi threatened a worker that he would burn down the store in 24 hours if it was still open. Later that day he also threatened a worker at a Wangaratta tobacco store that there was "going to be big, big headaches for this shop" if it was still open in 24 hours' time. Both stores were significantly damaged by fire during the early hours of July 27, 2023, according to documents tendered to the court. The worker threatened at the Wangaratta store was trapped inside the business at the time it was burnt and was rescued by firefighters. Al Essawi was not before the court on any arson charges. On Wednesday, Magistrate Ian Watkins delivered his sentence and called Al Essawi's actions "brutal and calculated offending". "Overall I assess your moral culpability as high." Magistrate Watkins sentenced Al Essawi to two years jail with a non-parole period of 18 months. He was also fined for several drug possession and traffic offences. Last week the court was read a victim impact statement from the tobacco shop worker at Wangaratta. The female worker said she began losing her hair due to stress after the incident. The court was told she also had shingles on three occasions and experienced a resurgence of skin cancer. The woman told the court she had become "hypervigilant" and was afraid to be alone for extended periods of time. She also told the court she was scared to bring her grandson to her home after the incident and no longer had a social life. Magistrate Watkins referenced the woman's victim impact statement during his sentencing remarks on Wednesday. "The victim in Wangaratta described the trauma she experienced," he said.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Cal Fire suspends burning in Northern California counties due to Red Flag Warning
( — Cal Fire Amador-El Dorado Unit has released a list of counties that are suspending burning due to a Red Flag Warning. Cal Fire said that due to the gusty winds, dry vegetation, and a Red Flag Warning, all burning in the state responsibility areas of Amador, El Dorado, Alpine & Sacramento counties have been suspended starting at midnight on Sunday. FAA investigates plane crash leaving two injured near Yuba County Airport Fire authorities said the suspension will last until Monday. Crews will monitor conditions and provide an update on Tuesday. El Dorado County officials said, 'No vegetation burning allowed tomorrow and Monday. High winds & a Red Flag warning pose fire threats. Please heed this.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
