Environment News

Hawaii could see a big hurricane season, but most homes aren't ready

HONOLULU (AP) — Jan Pappas and Ronald Yasuda hired a contractor to fasten the roof of their 1960s-era home to their walls with metal plates and nails so high winds of a potential hurricane wouldn't blow it away.

Jul 31, 2023 10:55 PM Read more >

Australia welcomes lifting of UNESCO threat to list Great Barrier Reef as World Heritage in danger

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — The Australian government on Tuesday welcomed a draft UNESCO decision to a lift a threat of downgrading the Great Barrier Reef to an endangered World Heritage site. The U.N.

Jul 31, 2023 9:51 PM Read more >

New wildfire near Spokane, Washington, prompts mandatory evacuations

SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) — A fast-moving wildfire that ignited near Spokane Monday is prompting mandatory evacuations, Washington state officials said. The West Hallett Fire started about 1:30 p.m. about 2.

Jul 31, 2023 6:40 PM Read more >

Phoenix has ended 31-day streak of highs at or above 110 degrees as rains ease a Southwest heat wave

PHOENIX (AP) — A record string of daily highs over 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43.3 degrees Celsius) in Phoenix ended Monday as the dangerous heat wave that suffocated the Southwest throughout July receded slightly with cooling monsoon rains.

Jul 31, 2023 6:36 PM Read more >

Pipeline operators to pay $12.5M after crude oil spills in Montana, North Dakota

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Two pipeline operators have agreed to pay a $12.5 million civil penalty related to crude oil spills in Montana and North Dakota. The U.S.

Jul 31, 2023 5:41 PM Read more >

Wildfire evacuations ease in Osoyoos, B.C., after frightening weekend

Hundreds of people are being allowed to return to their homes in Osoyoos in southern British Columbia after winds pushed back a wildfire that threatened the town over the weekend.

Jul 31, 2023 5:26 PM Read more >

British Columbia's record-breaking wildfire season, by the numbers

British Columbia's wildfire season is the most destructive on record, with more than 15,000 square kilometres of the province burned, surpassing the previous high of 13,543 square kilometres set in 2018.

Jul 31, 2023 4:46 PM Read more >

Crews are battling 'fire whirls' in California's Mojave Desert

MOJAVE NATIONAL PRESERVE, Calif. (AP) — Crews battled “fire whirls” in California’s Mojave National Preserve this weekend as a massive wildfire crossed into Nevada amid dangerously high temperatures and raging winds.

Jul 31, 2023 3:36 PM Read more >

The first US nuclear reactor built from scratch in decades enters commercial operation in Georgia

ATLANTA (AP) — The first American nuclear reactor to be built from scratch in decades is sending electricity reliably to the grid, but the cost of the Georgia power plant could discourage utilities from pursuing nuclear power as a path to a carbon-fr

Jul 31, 2023 3:35 PM Read more >

As work begins on the largest US dam removal project, tribes look to a future of growth

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — The largest dam removal project in United States history is underway along the California-Oregon border — a process that won't conclude until the end of next year with the help of heavy machinery and explosives.

Jul 31, 2023 12:21 PM Read more >