Earth ChangesS


Fire

'Zombie Fires' burning at an alarming rate in Canada

Smoke from a zombie fire pictured here in Fort Nelson, BC
© Sonja LeverkusSmoke from a zombie fire pictured here in Fort Nelson, BC
Even in the dead of Canada's winter, the embers of last year's record-setting wildfire season remain. So-called zombie fires are burning under thick layers of snow at an unprecedented rate, raising fears about what the coming summer may bring.

People driving on the highway through the town of Fort Nelson, British Columbia (BC) in the winter can easily see - and smell - the clouds of white smoke flowing from the soil around them.

Sonja Leverkus, a firefighter and scientist who is local to the small north-eastern BC town, recalled driving during a snowstorm in November, but the snowfall didn't look white.

Rather, she said, it was blueish-grey because of the smoke in the air.


Black Cat

Cougar attacks five mountain bikers on a trail in Washington state

A cougar
© DreamstimeA cougar
A group of five cyclists were riding on a trail in Fall City, Wash., when they were attacked by at least one cougar this past weekend.

The incident occurred on Saturday around 12:30 p.m., according to the King County Sheriff's Office, in a wilderness area along Tokul Creek approximately five miles north of the city of Snoqualmie.

A 60-year-old female was hospitalized for non-life threatening injuries, but is in stable condition, according to a statement from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

"We are thankful that the victim is stable after the incident this weekend," said Lieutenant Erik Olson. "The people on scene took immediate action to render aid, and one of our officers was able to arrive within minutes to continue medical aid and coordinate transport. We may have had a very different outcome without their heroic efforts."

Cloud Lightning

Lightning strike kills mother and daughter in Uganda

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70 year old Veronica Nekesa and her daughter Nasio Baseke, have been struck dead by lightning Monday night in Nakigo village, in Malongo sub county, in Mayuge district. The duo were struck dead while in a grass thatched house, which also caught fire after the lightening.

Ismael Ntale, who stays in the neighbouring house located about 10 meters, away says that he heard a big blast at about 3.00am and he tightened his house door, only to notice flames from his mother's hut.

Ntale says that he broke into the burning house only to notice the lifeless bodies of his mother and sister lying on the ground, which confirmed his suspicion that they had been struck dead by lightning.

Snowflake Cold

Best of the Web: Temperatures plummet to all-time record lows in China's Xinjiang

Police officers help a car stuck in the snow in Fuyun county, Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, China February 18, 2024.
Police officers help a car stuck in the snow in Fuyun county, Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, China February 18, 2024.
Temperatures broke a 64-year-old record in China's far western region of Xinjiang, plunging to a bone-chilling minus 52.3 degrees Celsius (minus 63.4 degrees Farenheit) amid a cold spell and traffic disruptions following the Lunar New Year holiday.

Several parts of China are battling another deep freeze as people return from week-long celebrations of the year's biggest holiday. Just before it started, blizzards and icy rain had stranded travellers on railways and roads.

State media said Sunday's milestone in the Tuerhong township of Fuyun county was the lowest since records began in Xinjiang, surpassing a temperature of minus 51.5 C (minus 60.7 F) set on Jan. 21, 1960.

The figure was just shy of the lowest national temperature of minus 53 C (minus 63.4 F) in Mohe, a city in the northeastern province of Heilongjiang on Jan. 22 last year.


Comment: Two record cold winters in succession then. "Global boiling!"



Windsock

Severe sandstorms hit northwestern China

A yellow, sandy haze has covered the city of Xi'an, China. The area was hit by a sandstorm at the weekend that brought low visibility and strong winds
A yellow, sandy haze has covered the city of Xi'an, China. The area was hit by a sandstorm at the weekend that brought low visibility and strong winds
Severe sandstorms swept across at least two cities in northwestern China in the Xinjiang and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Regions, drastically reducing visibility.


Wolf

Stunning drone footage shows wolves digging tunnels through deep snow in northern China

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Drone footage shows a pack of wolves digging tunnels through one-meter-thick snow in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous region.


Comment: Meanwhile in not too far away Kyrgyzstan: Snow as high as a horse falls in Kyrgyzstan


Snowflake

Snow as high as a horse falls in Kyrgyzstan

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The road leading to the Alaikuu valley in Kara-Kulja district of Osh region is temporarily closed for traffic for 1-2 days due to heavy snowfall, said deputy governor of the district Talant Karmyshakov.

"Yesterday, the road was opened, but due to snowfall and avalanches, it was decided to close the road. The threat of avalanches remains at 52-113 km section of the road, special equipment is delivered to the spot, electricity was restored," he said.


Comment: At the same time in an adjacent region of China: Stunning drone footage shows wolves digging tunnels through deep snow in northern China


Arrow Down

Landslide after heavy rainfall on Dorset's Jurassic Coast in England - 3rd this year

The landslip at Lulworth Cove in Dorset happened after days of heavy rainfall
© Richard MowerThe landslip at Lulworth Cove in Dorset happened after days of heavy rainfall
Going, going, gone! Dramatic moment rock crumbles into the sea in huge landslide on Dorset's Jurassic Coast

This is the moment rock crumbles into the sea in a massive landslide on Dorset's famous Jurassic Coast following heavy rainfall at the beauty spot.

The rockslide at Lulworth Cove, near the landmark Durdle Door, followed a spree of wild weather in the area - with a local cafe declared structurally unsafe.

Luckily, no one was injured, despite footage showing crowds left stunned by the incident at the popular cove last Wednesday.


Arrow Down

Afghanistan landslide caused by snow kills at least 25, hurts many

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At least 25 people were killed while eight others were injured in a landslide caused by heavy snowfall in the eastern Afghan province of Nuristan, the country's Disaster Management Ministry said Monday.

"As a result of the landslide, some 25 people have been killed and eight injured," Janan Sayeq said in a video clip shared with media, adding to AFP that the death toll could rise.

An avalanche has killed at least six people and trapped 30 more in the eastern Afghan province of Nuristan, a provincial official said on Monday after swaths of the country saw heavy snowfall.

"It is still snowing. Rescue efforts are underway and the number of dead may increase," provincial head of information and culture Jamiullah Hashimi told AFP.


Attention

Two women, three cows killed in wild elephant attack in Tamil Nadu, India

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Two women and three cows were trampled to death by a wild elephant near Aniyala on the Anekal border. The incident occurred when the villagers attempted to drive away the wild elephant that came to a farm. The elephant suddenly attacked those who were working in the farm and they died on the spot.

Of the two deceased women, one was identified as Ashwathamma. Following deaths of the two women, locals staged a protest by, blocking the roads with tree trunks.

Villagers expressed their outrage, accusing the forest department of failing to take appropriate action to stop the conflict between humans and elephants. People are dying due to repeated attacks by elephants, but the forest department is not taking any action, they charged.