Wildfires
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Phoenix

Massive grassland fire: 23 dead, 900 injured in Siberia


The massive fires that swept through nearly 60 villages and towns in the Siberian republic of Khakassia have left 23 people dead, and more than 900 injured, according to an official committee investigating the tragedy.

forest fire in the village of Smolenka
© RIA Novosti / Evgeny YepanchintsevA forest fire in the village of Smolenka and summer house settlement Dobrotny in the Chitinsky district. The fire got close to residential buildings because of strong winds.
"Currently the committee can confirm 23 deaths," head of the investigative committee Vladimir Markin was quoted as saying by TASS.

More than 1,400 homes were destroyed in the fire, leaving some 6,000 people homeless, according to regional governor Viktor Zimin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin had personally coordinated emergency services operations in Khakassia, according to his spokesperson.

Some 5,000 firefighters as well as thousands of volunteers worked to contain the blazes through the night, extinguishing the fires by Monday morning. Temporary camps have been set up in the Beisky and Shirinksy districts nearby for those displaced by the fire.
Grassland fire
© RIA Novosti / Denis MukimovLocal residents observe the fire on the outskirts of Abakan.
The fires started after mass grass burning by residents in the region. Grass burning is a springtime tradition among farmers in some parts of Russia, meant to clear the fields of dry grass and prepare them for planting. Officials blamed the extreme severity of this year's fire on "uncontrolled burning, dry weather and uncharacteristically strong and rough winds."

Comment: See also:


Attention

Wildfire spreads quickly in Minnesota, destroying buildings

Minnesota wildfire
© AshLee Ervin-TupperA fire grew quickly east of Aldrich Saturday evening. Four fire departments were battling the blaze.
Several fire departments and the DNR continued to battle a large fire southeast of Aldrich into the early morning hours Sunday.

The fire spread quickly with windy, dry conditions. The Staples (Minn.) Fire Department was on the scene, along with fire departments from Wadena, Hewitt, Verndale, Sebeka and Menahga, Minn. The Department of Natural Resources also aided the fire departments with aircraft and grass units.

Todd County Sheriff Don Asmus issued a news release late Saturday night asking people to stay out of the area to allow firemen complete access to the area.

Comment: Also see:

  • US: Colorado's wildfires continue to rage
  • US: 100 acres burned by another wildfire in North Carolina
  • Massive wildfire in Siberia destroys homes, injures over 70



Attention

100 acres burned by another wildfire in North Carolina

North Carolina wildfire
© WRAL NewsAnother wildfire burning in Black Mountain, North Carolina
The U.S. Forest Service said trails and roads are closed for a wildfire burning near Linville Gorge.

The Blue Gravel wildfire is burning in a remote area east of Shortoff Mountain outside of the Linville Gorge Wilderness area on the Pisgah National Forest.

The size of the fire is estimated at 100 acres.

Comment: Also see:

  • Wildfire in North Carolina expected to burn several more days
  • Colorado's wildfires continue to rage



Bizarro Earth

Massive wildfire in Siberia destroys homes, injures over 70

april 2015 siberia wildfire
© Anatoly Kukaev
More than 70 people were injured and over 118 homes were destroyed in a massive wildfire in the Republic of Khakassia in Siberia.

More than 70 people were injured in a massive wildfire in the Republic of Khakassia in Siberia. Information about the death of two people is currently being verified, according to the official website of the republic.

On Sunday, due to strong gusty winds in Khakassia, the risk of fire escalated sharply. At 1:00 PM local time, the head of the republic introduced an emergency regime in Khakassia. Earlier, a law enforcement source in the region said that as a result of fires in Khakassia, 47 people had been injured and two died, reports RIA Novosti.

"As of 6:00 PM local time the fire has affected more than 70 people. There is circumstantial evidence of two of the victims. The numbers are constantly being clarified," said in a statement.

Earlier it was reported that, according to recent data, 118 houses had burned down and a state of emergency was announced.

Comment: The season is only beginning. Look for larger and more devastating events this year.


Phoenix

Firefighters put out wildfire in Killarney, Ireland: 50 reported in the area since 1st March

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Wildfire near Killarney
The blaze began near the base of Mangerton Mountain at around 5.30pm on Wednesday.

The fire quickly spread over 100 acres across the foot of the mountain.

Fire crews from Killarney, Castleisland, Kenmare and Killorglin were deployed to the area.

It took 30 firefighters around 12 hours to bring the blaze under control.

The fire was extinguished around 6am on Thursday.

The cause of the blaze is not yet known.

Gardaí are investigating the cause of the fire to determine if it was started maliciously.

Firefighters estimate they have been called out to at least 50 gorse fires in the area since 1 March.

Phoenix

Two-mile wide wildfire blazes overnight in Dornoch, Scotland: 5 others reported across the region

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© Chris Cogan via STV Highland wildfire
Thirty firefighters are battling a wildfire which spread across two square miles of moorland overnight.

The blaze began in gorseland near the water treatment works at Dornoch in the Highlands at midday on Thursday.

Dry conditions, strong winds and low humidity helped the fire spread and firefighters have been faced with challenging conditions.

Twenty-five firefighters are tackling a wildfire which broke out near Tongue at around 8.20am and there have also been blazes in Cluny, Benbecula, Lochinver and Skye.

Scottish Fire and Rescue Service incident commander John MacDonald said: "We are dealing with a very protracted wildfire which covers a wide area and where access is difficult in places.

"I would like to pay tribute to the commitment and effort of fire crews who have been dealing with this incident. I'd also like to thank local residents for their assistance and support."

Eight fire engines were scrambled along with a water carrier and support vehicles. Six pumps remained on scene overnight.

Info

Californian wildfire nearly contained after hundreds were evacuated

wildfire
© AFP
A wildfire that forced several hundred people from campgrounds in California's Sierra Nevada is now 40 percent contained.

The fire erupted Saturday in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park and has burned 20 acres of forestland.

Spokesman Michael Theune says it began near the Potwisha Campground, in the foothills southeast of Fresno.

Comment: Also see:
  • Are drought conditions really to blame for winter wildfire outbreak across US? Wildfire breaks out in Florida marshland
  • SOTT Earth Changes Video Summary - March 2015: Extreme Weather, Planetary Upheaval, and Meteor Fireballs



Attention

After burning 780 acres Virginian wildfire finally being contained

wildfire
© UnknownUnpredictable and dangerous
State foresters say they have made significant progress containing a wildfire in Botetourt (BAHT'-uh-tawt) County that has burned 780 acres.

Working in steep and rocky terrain, firefighters have used hand tools and bulldozers to create a line around the fire. The Virginia Department of Forestry reported Thursday the fire is 70 percent contained.

Still, the department expects the fire will have scorched more than 1,300 acres before it is fully snuffed.


Comment: One wonders if there is a connection between this wildfire outbreak and the recent "loud booms" (potentially overhead meteor explosions) heard in the end of March:
For a second day, people are wondering what's causing the ground to shake and where the loud booms are coming from...

Edna H. wrote, "I am in the Denbigh Section of Newport News. We have already had 4 loud blasts in less than an hour. What is going on????"

Linda T asked "Where are the sonic booms coming from?"



Info

Wildfire in North Carolina expected to burn several more days

North Carolina wildfire
© WRAL NewsAnother wildfire burning in Black Mountain, North Carolina
A wildfire east of Asheville is expected to burn several more days.

But officials told local media Wednesday that no additional structures are in immediate danger.

Bruce MacDonald with the North Carolina Forest Service said the fire was only about 25 percent contained Wednesday night.


Comment: Also see: An unseasonable wildfire threatens Montana ski area, forcing evacuation


Phoenix

Wildfire burns 10 square miles of grassland and forest in Harding County, South Dakota

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Wildfire.
A wildfire that started over the weekend scorched more than 10 square miles of forest and grasslands in Harding County.

Sheriff Wyatt Sabo says no evacuations have been ordered, no injuries have been reported and no homes have been damaged in the Sheep Draw Fire. Hundreds of firefighters battled the flames, along with two South Dakota National Guard helicopters.

Cindy Hansen with the Great Plains Fire Information office says it might be several days before the fire is fully contained. The cause wasn't immediately determined.

A separate grass fire near Hot Springs on Saturday burned two garages, a camper and an abandoned house before firefighters brought it under control. No occupied structures

Source: AP