Latest news with #localofficials
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Wildfire contained near Flin Flon, Man.; Saskatchewan hamlet ordered to evacuate
Fire crews in northern Manitoba have so far been able to contain an encroaching wildfire that forced thousands from their homes, while more residents in Saskatchewan have been told to leave due to a fast-moving blaze. The Saskatchewan government issued an evacuation alert Sunday morning for the dozens of residents that live in the small northern hamlet of Timber Bay. "The wildfire is fast-moving, and individuals in the northern hamlet of Timber Bay must start evacuation immediately," the alert said. Residents were told to leave the community on their own and head south to a hotel in Regina, about 484 kilometres away, to receive further support. Thousands have been affected by wildfires in Saskatchewan prompted by hot, dry weather that have allowed some fires to grow and threaten communities. Approximately 80 people from Timber Bay are the latest to be forced from their homes. In Manitoba, some 17,000 Manitobans have had to leave their homes due to fires. Officials in Flin Flon, Man., where a nearby out-of-control wildfire crews have been trying to keep a nearby blaze at bay, said the fire burning near the mining city has been contained to outside its perimeter highway, and that as of Saturday evening there have been no structure losses. Manitoba issued an evacuation order for Bakers Narrows Provincial Park, just south of Flin Flon, over the weekend due to the blaze in the area. Local officials said there were some property and structure losses in the Bakers Narrows area, but did not have total numbers on how many properties were affected. Officials said in a Facebook post Sunday morning that electricity has been restored in parts of the city and that work continues to get all areas back online. "We're incredibly grateful for all of the support that departments from across Manitoba have provided us. They've done an outstanding job protecting our homes and the town we love," the post said. "Our utmost gratitude goes out to all of those who have taken time away from their homes and families to put themselves in harm's way." Evacuees are being offered food and shelter in several communities. Roughly 600 residents of Cranberry Portage in northwestern Manitoba were placed under a mandatory evacuation order because fire had knocked out power to the community — a situation expected to last for days. The Rural Municipality of Kelsey, which the community is apart of, said on Sunday afternoon that they are awaiting an update from Manitoba Hydro on the situation. The mandatory evacuation remains in place as fuel and other services remain limited, a Facebook post said. Indigenous leaders in Manitoba have said that hotel rooms in the cities where evacuees are arriving are full, and have called for politicians to issue a directive to hotel owners to give evacuees priority. Higher courts in Manitoba and Saskatchewan were scheduled to meet in Winnipeg this week for a joint education session, but both courts decided to cancel the meeting given the pressing need to make hotel spaces available for evacuees. "The courts are mindful of the serious and devastating impact these fires are having on communities in both provinces and of the institutional need to provide support to the efforts already underway," a joint statement released on Sunday said. Elsewhere across the Prairies, some communities have seen some relief from the dry, hot weather conditions. Several forest management areas in northern Alberta reported that cooler weather, with some rain, was subduing fire activity and allowing firefighting crews to make better headway against multiple blazes burning throughout the region. The Edith Lake wildfire that's been threatening the evacuated community of Swan Hills, Alta., was still listed as out-of-control late Saturday, although the provincial wildfire agency said cooler temperatures were helping. "While the wildfire has grown in size, its closest point to the community of Swan Hills has not changed at this time. Conditions on the wildfire are actively changing and the evacuation order remains in place," an update on Saturday night stated. It also noted that high-volume water and sprinkler systems have also been installed in the town of 1,300. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 1, 2025. The Canadian Press
CBS News
4 days ago
- Climate
- CBS News
What is the difference between a storm "watch" and "warning," understanding your evacuation zones
When a watch or warning is issued during hurricane season, you need to know the difference, regardless of what the threat or hazard is. Storm watch vs. storm warning A "watch" is issued when storm conditions are possible in the next 72 hours. When a watch is issued, you should be prepared and be alert, since conditions are favorable for dangerous weather within that time frame. A "warning" is when conditions are imminent, within 36 hours, or are happening. A warning means you need to take action. If a tropical storm warning is issued, you will want to lower and secure umbrellas, bring cushions indoors, and secure light outdoor furniture. If a hurricane warning is issued, you'll need to take immediate action to secure your home, bring in outdoor furniture and install hurricane shutters. Everyone needs to know their evacuation zones Everyone is strongly encouraged to heed the advice of local officials when watches and warnings are issued, especially when it comes to what preparedness actions need to be taken, and if/when evacuation orders are issued. After a warning is issued, you may be ordered to evacuate. So you need to know your zone. Here in South Florida, every county is different. Broward County Broward County has two evacuation zones. The evacuation order depends on the severity of the storm. Evacuation Plan A in red is for a category one or two hurricane with a storm surge of 4-7 feet above sea level. All mobile home residents, residents near tidal bodies of water, in low-lying areas and residents east of the Intracoastal Waterway should evacuate. Evacuation Plan B in orange is for category 3 hurricanes or higher due to the threat of storm surge of 7-11 feet above sea level and winds of 111 miles per hour or greater. Both of these zones impact mostly the coastal cities in Broward, including places like Hollywood, Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach and Deerfield Beach. Miami-Dade County Miami-Dade County is split into five evacuation zones, marked A through E. Zone A, shaded in red, is at greatest risk for storm surge for category 1 and higher storms. Zone A includes portions of Cutler Bay, Coral Gables, Key Biscayne and areas around Biscayne National Park. Zone B, shaded in orange, is at risk for storm surge for category 2 and higher storms. This includes southern Miami-Dade County, portions of Cutler Bay, Miami and Miami Beach. Zone C in yellow is at risk for storm surge for category 3 and higher. That's the remaining portions of Homestead and Cutler Bay you see here — into Pinecrest and Coral Gables, as well as North Bay Village. Zone D in green is for areas at greatest risk for hurricane category 4 and higher. This zone encompasses neighborhoods like Kendall, the Hammocks, Palmetto Estates, as well as portions of Hialeah and Aventura. And Zone E, shaded in blue, is at risk for category 5 and higher. Zone E includes the Western areas of Miami-Dade County, including portions of the Hammocks into Sweetwater and eastern sections of Doral. Monroe County and the Florida Keys All of the Florida Keys are in an evacuation zone, and Monroe County's emergency plan calls for a "phased evacuation" as all of the Keys are in a storm surge danger zone, and evacuation decisions there are typically made in relation to timing as well as areas more likely to be impacted. This evacuation plan is intended to avoid unnecessary evacuation if some zones are expected to be affected and others are not. It is crucial to listen to local authorities because the storm intensity and track will determine where evacuation orders will be issued. Usually in the Keys, tourists are asked to evacuate first, and then local residents. What to do in case of an evacuation Everyone should develop an evacuation plan. Always be prepared to go and have a to-go kit for each family member. Have a disaster plan and stay informed through media. Go when you are told to go, leave early and keep your gas tank full. Stay with family or friends inland in a non-evacuation zone. Shelters should be the last resort. You will find more information regarding evacuation zones on the Florida Division of Emergency Management website below: The Evacuation Zones/Storm Surge Planning Zones for each county can be found on the respective county websites:
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Weber County School District considering tax increase
WEBER COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) — The Weber County School District held a special meeting today, May 30, to consider possible future tax hikes. The district held a meeting on the topic this week — local officials saying they may need to raise taxes in order to maximize state funding. The district's business administrator highlighted the need to keep up with covering their expenses, including teacher salaries. 'I think to be prudent with making sure that we are keeping up with our expenses of the district as different things come up, you know, within capital and safety,' Weber County School District Business Administrator Brock Mitchell stated. 'And then our educators' salaries.' These tax hikes are not yet final, according to Mitchell. Local officials also said it's possible the tax increase could be enacted incrementally, instead of all at once. 'Every year, the county changes their rates, and what they're guaranteeing you is the same amount of tax revenue as the previous year, plus any new growth in the area,' Mitchell said. 'That's why these rates change, and they decrease — because as a district, we chose over time not to raise those rates and essentially stay with the new revenue that was generated because of the new growth in the county.' That's the reason there was no need, until two years ago, to raise tax rates, Mitchell said. The next meeting by the Weber County School District Board will take place on June 11, which will be a budget hearing. All meetings start at 6 p.m. and are located at the Weber School District Office, 5320 Adams Avenue Parkway, Ogden. A full list of upcoming meetings is available here. South Jordan man apprehended after fleeing from traffic stop, shelter in place order lifted Cedar City man arrested for allegedly sending sexual photos to officer posing as 12-year-old Charges filed against Utah man who allegedly messaged missing 15-year-old before her disappearance Weber County School District considering tax increase Hill Air Force Base's Mazer Chapel reopens after 2 years of renovations Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Hurricane Season 2025: What to know about Evacuation Zones
The Brief During a hurricane, local emergency officials may order the evacuation of certain zones. Evacuation zones indicate areas that will be affected by storm surge. Bay Area counties and the Florida Division of Emergency Management have websites that allow residents to type their address into an interactive map to find their evacuation zones. TAMPA, Fla. - Part of hurricane preparedness means knowing your evacuation zone. Dig deeper During a hurricane, local emergency officials may order the evacuation of certain zones, which are mapped by the National Hurricane Center. Evacuation zones indicate areas that will be affected by storm surge. RELATED: Hurricane season begins June 1: Here's what to know These zones are assigned a letter: Zone A is typically the most vulnerable and the most likely to evacuate first. Bay Area counties and the Florida Division of Emergency Management have online websites that allow residents to type their address into an interactive map to find their evacuation zones. Once news of a hurricanes comes, local emergency officials will announce which zones – if any – should evacuate. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube What they're saying "If given an order for evacuation in any zone that you're in, you should adhere to that order and evacuate. You need to evacuate at least a safe distance. You don't have to go out of state. We would prefer that you go to a safe [place], someplace closer to you: A neighbor, a cousin, a family member, someone close to you. Someone that you feel safe with," Erik Challenger, emergency management coordinator for Hillsborough County Fire-Rescue's office of emergency management, told FOX 13. "To a hotel as well. Any type of hotel – two or more stories that is category rated for a hurricane." What you can do Click here to look up your evacuation zone. The Source The information in this story was gathered by FOX 13's Ariel Plasencia. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russia and Ukraine swap hundreds more prisoners in second day of major exchange
The news came hours after Kyiv came under a large-scale Russian drone and missile attack that left at least 15 people injured, according to local officials. Kyiv and Moscow agreed to swap 1,000 prisoners from each side during talks in Istanbul last week.
