New report highlights Maui County mayor in botched wildfire response

A report from Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez focused on the actions of the Maui County mayor in the response to the devastating wildfire last summer that killed more than 100 people and razed the historic town of Lahaina. The nearly 400-page investigative report released Wednesday raises new and troubling questions about Maui County Mayor Richard …

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As Texas’ largest-ever wildfire nears containment, Panhandle braces for “extremely critical fire weather conditions”

The Smokehouse Creek Fire – the largest wildfire to ever burn across Texas – is nearly completely contained after spreading almost 1.1 million acres. But as responders continue in the final stretch, officials warned Tuesday that they could face another hurdle – “extremely critical fire weather” in the Panhandle.  As of Wednesday morning at 8 …

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Six Big Ways Climate Change Could Impact the United States by 2100 | Science

Climate change will not just affect our future—we’re seeing damage from it now. Extreme forest fires, warmer temperatures and prolonged droughts are just some of the ways climate change has impacted the United States. Scientists agree that burning fossil fuels is the main contributor to greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change. Emissions like carbon …

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Latest proposed PG&E rate hike could push average monthly bill over $300

Homeowners across the Bay Area have seen their power bills climbing, but the latest request for an increase will reach a historic milestone — more than $300 for the average monthly PG&E bill.   “Shocking, maddening and frustrating!”  That’s how Janet Kimball described the utility bill for her Pleasant Hill home.   “I have three …

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The Ten Most Significant Science Stories of 2023 | Science

Carlyn Kranking and Joe Spring In 2023, a whirlwind of science headlines swept across our screens, from the find that our ancestors nearly went extinct 900,000 years ago to the discovery of a brilliant green comet in the sky. In major health news, the coronavirus public health emergency expired, and the disease took up less …

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Toxic metal from wildfires may be poisoning the air

A new study has found even more reason to be alarmed by exposure to wildfire smoke, as well as the ash and dust left it leaves behind. According to the new findings, intense wildfires appear to be raising the levels of a toxic metal known as chromium 6 in the air. Chromium 6, or hexavalent …

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SoCal braces for powerful Santa Ana winds Friday amid increased wildfire risk

City News Service Friday, December 8, 2023 5:09PM LOS ANGELES (CNS) — Another round of Santa Ana winds will descend on the Southland this weekend, combining with reduced humidity levels to create conditions susceptible to wildfires. A fire weather watch will be in effect from Saturday morning through Sunday morning in the Santa Clarita Valley, …

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Homes in parts of the U.S. are “essentially uninsurable” due to rising climate change risks

Millions of American homeowners like Mary Morse find themselves stuck in a financial bind, facing mounting risks from wildfires and floods linked to climate change while their home insurance rates rocket upwards. Increasingly, the crowning blow comes when insurers withdraw coverage, leaving individuals and even entire communities vulnerable. “I got a letter from my insurance …

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