Wildfires
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Multiple grass fires in Oklahoma state

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According to the Moore fire department, at about 1:15 p.m., crews responded to a grass fire at N.E. 27th and Bryant in Moore.

Oklahoma firefighters are battling several grass fires Tuesday afternoon across the state.

Guthrie Wildfire

Fire officials are working a wildfire in southwest Guthrie. The fire is located at S. Eastern Rd. and W. Seward Rd. near Liberty Lake. Brush pumpers are on the scene, and the fire is expected to be extinguished quickly.

Moore Grass Fire

According to the Moore fire department, at about 1:15 p.m., crews responded to a grass fire at N.E. 27th and Bryant in Moore.

Authorities have shut down Bryant in the area.

Oklahoma City firefighters are helping Moore firefighters battle this fire. Crews worked to stop the fire from crossing Bryant. They have that fire under control.

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Fire fighters at extensive grassfire in SW Oklahoma City

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Blaze is near Southwest 59th Street and Mustang Road

Oklahoma City fire crews are at the scene of a wildfire Monday afternoon.

The blaze is near Southwest 59th Street and Mustang Road. At least one structure is also ablaze.

Stay with KOCO 5 News for the latest information on breaking news.

Phoenix

Wildfire in western Broward burns 350 acres, Florida

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A brush fire that broke out in western Broward
A 350-acre wildfire in western Broward County west of U.S. 27 was declared contained late Monday afternoon and caused no damage, according to fire officials.

"There may be a little smoke, but we consider it out," said Scott L. Peterich of the Florida Forest Service.

The fire started Sunday and stayed west of Pines Boulevard and north of Interstate 75, Peterich said. He said the fire was brought under control by 4:45 p.m. Monday.

Fire officials stayed in touch with Florida Highway Patrol officers in the event that smoke advisories would be needed before the afternoon commute. That did not prove to be the case, Peterich said.


Galaxy

Heaven and Earth: Unusual natural events and strange phenomena from around the world in February/March 2014

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© Martin Rietze/National
This video compiles footages of strange phenomena of all kinds, including awesome natural events or beautiful phenomena from around the world in the last few weeks. Just a small sample of what we've seen already this year!

In the past month or so we have seen: Unusual solar activity including an X class flare - Aurora Borealis much further south than usual, including southern UK - Huge waves off coast of California, Brazil, UK - England battered by record storms, floods and sinkholes - Severe drought in California, followed by extreme storms and floods - US cities in the East frozen still - Strange skies over Europe - Ecuador Tungurahua volcano erupts - Strange 'hailstone' falls over Nevada - Weird pulsating orange Earth phenomena melts ice and boils water - Amazing sinkhole in the Corvette Museum - New York sinkhole swallows car - Popocatelpetl Volcano, Mexico eruptions - Sakurajima, Japan spectacular volcanic eruption - Large fireball over Maine, USA - Huge eruption from Volcano Pacaya in Guatemala

Snowman

More winter wildfire weirdness: Shenandoah National Park wildfire in Virginia grew to 450 acres before being put out by... a snowstorm!

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Shenandoah National Park in Virginia is on fire, and is covered in snow... huh?!
Crimora, Virginia - Firefighters battling a wildfire in Shenandoah National Park have gotten some help from Mother Nature.

The National Park Service says rain, sleet and snow late Sunday and most of Monday dampened the Rocks Mountain Fire before it reached containment lines.

The fire burned about 450 acres in the park's South District northeast of Crimora before the storm.

Firefighters will look for hot spots when the snow melts.

Shenandoah Superintendent Jim Northup says in a news release that the goal is to contain the fire to the park.

The fire was reported of Feb. 28. The cause is under investigation.

Riprap, Wildcat Ridge, Rocks Mountain and Paine Run trails remain closed.

Source: Associated Press

Phoenix

100 Acre wildfire in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

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Firefighters were battling a blaze in the south district of Shenandoah National Park that had grown to over 100 acres as of Friday afternoon.

According to WHSV TV- 3 in Harrisonburg, Va., the fire was burning entirely within the park at Rocks Mountain. Firefighters were on the ground as of 4 p.m. still trying to prevent the fire from leaving the park.

The wildfire was first reported at approximately 3:10 p.m. on Friday Feb. 28. The cause is under investigation.

As a result the following trails are closed until further notice: Riprap, Wildcat Ridge and Rocks Mountain. The rest of the park including the Skyline remains open.

According to reports, there are currently 58 personnel are working to contain the blaze, including members of the National Park Service, USDA Forest Service, Virginia Department of Forestry, and Augusta County Fire and Rescue. Additional firefighters and equipment have been requested.

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Lynchburg, Virginia facing 'near critical' wildfire conditions despite sub-zero temperatures‏

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© Unknown
Wildfire conditions are "near critical" in Lynchburg and counties to the east this afternoon, according to the National Weather Service.

In a hazardous weather outlook, meteorologists blamed a combination of windy weather and low humidity. Weekend precipitation is expected to lower the risk.

Meanwhile, Bedford and Amherst counties have been placed under a wind advisory through 6 p.m. Forecasters warn gusts may reach up to 50 mph.

Fireball

Are 'drought conditions' really to blame for winter wildfire outbreak across U.S.? Wildfire breaks out in Florida marshland‏

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© WPTVThe fire has spread into an abandoned orange grove.
A 300 acre wildfire is burning in Okeechobee County.

It was first discovered by Florida Forest Service Senior Ranger Gibbs who was scouting smoke plumes, according to the Florida Forest Service.

It is currently threatening a backhoe/tractor and a hunting camp house, the forest service says.

The blaze is now in a marshy area and has slowed down. The fire is approximately 15 miles
northwest of Bassinger.

Comment: There is something seriously weird going on with these winter wildfires as of late. In case you have missed it, here is a sample:
Despite hurricane and record flooding, fire crews dealing with large bog fire near Aberystwyth,Wales
Despite Arctic temperatures, wildfire torches remote building in Woodbury County, Iowa
Wildfire warning issued for Alaska - apparently freeze-dried vegetation can 'spontaneously combust'
Third 'winter wildfire' breaks out in Norway - Second in two days - What is going ON?!
More winter wildfire weirdness as forest fires break out in Oregon
Despite near-freezing temperatures, wildfire rages in Hot Springs, Arkansas


Phoenix

Wildfires break out across Carolinas despite cool temperatures

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© Gastonia Fire Department.Crews in Gaston County battled a pair of wildfires Wednesday, including a blaze that scorched about 1 1/2 acres on Chespark Drive in north Gastonia.
Authorities say low humidity and gusty winds will create a high risk of wildfires Thursday across the Carolinas.

This comes one day after crews in Gaston County were called to battle a pair of wildfires. One house was destroyed in those blazes, which scorched more than 7 1/2 acres.

Jake Wimberley of the National Weather Service said the relative humidity will be only 15 to 20 percent Thursday across the region. He said westerly winds of 10 to 15 mph are expected, with gusts to 20 mph.

Westerly winds in the Carolinas typically accelerate drying conditions, meteorologists say.

"Fires can quickly get out of hand under these conditions," Wimberley said.

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Federal government steps in to deal with record number of wildfires in Western U.S. this winter

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Despite the chilly temperatures and average humidity levels, large wildfires have broken out across the western U.S.
President Barack Obama promised the governors of eight western U.S. states that they'll get the aid they need to deal with droughts and said he wants to change the way funds to battle wildfires are doled out.

Obama told governors of states including Arizona and Colorado during a White House meeting yesterday that the budget proposal he's scheduled to unveil next week will change how wildfire suppression is paid for to give states more certainty that they'll have the resources.

The president will ask Congress to pay the cost of battling such fires the same way the U.S. pays to mitigate other natural disasters, with funding coming outside budget caps, White House press secretary Jay Carney said.

"Unfortunately, the current way that the government pays for fire suppression and preparedness costs is ill-suited to the increasing severity and cost of fires," Carney said yesterday at a briefing.