New film to depict 2018 Paradise wildfire
New Mexico stands in for California in Paradise wildfire movie New Mexico is being used as a stand-in for California in a new film featuring Matthew McConaughey, depicting the 2018 Paradise wildfire. As reported by AP News, Jamie Lee Curtis’ production company is collaborating with others to tell the story of a bus driver and […]
Brazil’s Pantanal Wetlands: Fires create peril in paradise
The Alarming Surge in Fires The Pantanal wetlands in western Brazil, known for their extraordinary biodiversity, are facing an environmental crisis. In just the first two weeks of November, fires fueled by dry and hot weather have devastated nearly 770,000 hectares of this vital ecosystem, marking 65% of the year’s total fire damage. A staggering […]
Rebuilding challenges in Paradise with skyrocketing home insurance costs
Paradise residents face insurance affordability crisis The small town of Paradise, still healing from the scars of California’s deadliest wildfire, is now grappling with a new crisis: affordable home insurance. The town, preparing to mark five years since the devastating Camp Fire, is caught in a bind with insurance premiums soaring to unattainable levels for […]
Paradise fire: Rebuilding and reality after five years
Paradise, California, once a victim of one of the most destructive wildfires in the state’s history, is now an emblem of resilience and redevelopment. The story of Paradise, recently featured in an article published by The Guardian, portrays a community reborn from the devastation of the 2018 blaze but grappling with new challenges. The article, […]
NIST releases new wildfire evacuation guidance for high-risk communities
NIST updates evacuation and sheltering guidance for wildfire-prone areas The National Institute of Standards and Technology has released an updated version of its wildfire evacuation and sheltering report for U.S. communities. According to NIST, the guidance – titled Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Evacuation and Sheltering Considerations: Assessment, Planning, and Execution (ESCAPE) – builds on lessons from […]
Center for California Real Estate’s host panel discussing wildfire recovery
Paradise, Calif., Mayor Steve Crowder has provided firsthand insights on an expert panel discussing wildfire recovery hosted by the Center for California Real Estate (CCRE), telling attendees he expects his town’s recovery from the 2018 Camp Fire to last 20 years. The panel, “The Road to Recovery: Rebuilding Communities After the Wildfires” also featured key policy insights, innovations and consumer tips […]
Federal response to Los Angeles wildfires: FEMA Fire Administrator speaks
Current situation of Los Angeles wildfires Los Angeles is grappling with multiple wildfires that have devastated communities and forced large-scale evacuations, with fires destroying thousands of structures and displacing tens of thousands of residents. In a conversation with NPR, Dr. Lori Moore-Merrell, the FEMA Fire Administrator, described the affected areas as resembling “a war zone” […]
“One size does not fit all”: California officials voice concerns over wildfire mapping overhaul
Proposal to overhaul California’s wildfire mapping system A new legislative proposal in California, Senate Bill 610, aims to revamp the state’s wildfire mapping system, a move that has sparked considerable debate. The bill seeks to replace the current fire hazard severity zones with a new designation called “wildfire mitigation areas,” managed by the state fire […]
“Still in for quite a firefight”: California’s Park Fire expands to sixth largest in state history
Overview of the Park Fire The Park Fire in Northern California has rapidly grown to become the sixth largest wildfire in the state’s history, according to Cal Fire. As of July 29, 2024, the fire has consumed approximately 368,000 acres and is only 12% contained, as reported by Reuters. The blaze, which started on July […]
New Mexico wildfires: Rain and hail bring hope and danger
Firefighters battle wildfires in New Mexico Heavy rain and hail fell Wednesday around the village of Ruidoso in New Mexico, which had been evacuated due to wildfires. The wildfires have killed at least two people and damaged more than 1,400 structures. This weather change offered hope for firefighters, but also brought the threat of high […]
