wildfires

The US Supreme Court is set to take up a lawsuit filed by the city of Boulder, Colorado, seeking damages from energy companies over wildfire costs the city attributes to climate change. The case could determine whether local governments can pursue fossil fuel firms in state courts for climate-related harms, a question other US cities and counties are watching closely.

A growing coalition is pushing Congress to approach wildfires as a national-security challenge rather than solely a natural disaster or land-management problem. The effort argues that increasingly severe fire seasons strain military and emergency resources and threaten infrastructure, energy grids and communities, warranting the kind of coordinated federal planning reserved for security threats.

The Duluth News Tribune has published a pro/con debate examining whether burning fossil fuels is making wildfire seasons worse. The piece presents arguments on both sides of the question, reflecting ongoing public discussion about the link between carbon emissions and increasingly severe and prolonged wildfire seasons.

A growing coalition of experts and advocates is pressing Congress to classify wildfires as a national security challenge rather than solely a natural disaster issue. The push reflects concerns that increasingly severe fire seasons strain military and federal resources, threaten infrastructure, and demand coordinated national defense-level planning and funding.

Guardian science writer Linda Geddes reports on the growing threat of wildfires in the UK, where hotter, drier summers are turning green landscapes into tinderboxes. Scientists are working to map, model and predict how fires spread so that outbreaks can be prevented or contained earlier, as Britain confronts a type of risk once seen mainly abroad.

A new study of the Maui wildfires finds that toxic metals released by the blaze can pose a health risk for months after the flames are extinguished. Researchers warn that contaminated ash and soil may continue to endanger residents long after fires end, highlighting a lingering public health threat that recovery efforts must address.

California is preparing for a series of storms linked to the developing El Niño pattern, which typically brings wetter conditions to the state. Officials and residents are watching forecasts closely, with concerns focused on heavy rain, flooding, and mudslides in areas recently affected by wildfires. Weather agencies are urging people to get ready for potential disruptions.

A new map ranks the US cities most affected by wildfire smoke in 2026, highlighting where air pollution from fires is hitting residents hardest. The ranking is drawing attention as wildfire seasons intensify and smoke increasingly becomes a year-round public health concern across the American West and beyond.

Researchers are developing 'smoke ecology', a field focused on understanding and preventing the health and environmental damage caused by wildfire smoke. The work examines how smoke affects ecosystems and communities, and what interventions could reduce harm as wildfires grow more frequent and intense. NPR reports on the growing scientific attention to an often-overlooked consequence of major fire seasons.

The Hill argues that ending the US forest roadless rule could help combat wildfires and improve wildlife access. Supporters say allowing road construction in protected national forests would give firefighters better access to blazes and let land managers thin overgrown forests. Critics have long warned that building roads in roadless areas raises fire risk, degrades habitat, and opens public lands to logging and development.

A new report identifies the US states where home insurance is expected to become unaffordable in 2026, with coverage costs rising beyond what many homeowners can reasonably pay. The findings come as premiums climb sharply in states exposed to wildfires, hurricanes and other climate-related risks, putting strain on household budgets and raising concerns about whether some homeowners will be able to keep adequate coverage.

Amnesty International Canada is calling on governments to take stronger action on wildfire response and to better protect First Nations communities, which are often among the hardest hit by intensifying fire seasons in Canada. The appeal ties emergency preparedness to Indigenous rights, urging authorities to ensure affected communities receive adequate resources, evacuation support and long-term protection.

People in Colorado working to reduce wildfire risk are waiting on Congress to deliver support, according to the Durango Herald. The state has faced repeated destructive fires in recent years, and mitigation efforts such as forest thinning and community protections depend heavily on federal funding. Advocates hope lawmakers will act, though it is not yet clear what specific legislation is at stake.

A wildfire on Čvrsnica mountain in Bosnia and Herzegovina has still not been fully brought under control. Firefighters are continuing to tackle accessible hotspots, but the difficult, inaccessible terrain is hampering their efforts and the fire remains a threat. Crews are working tirelessly to contain the blaze.

A wildfire at Oak Mountain State Park in Alabama, originally started by a lightning strike, has reignited. Local news outlets WBRC and WSFA are both reporting on the renewed fire activity, drawing attention from residents in the Birmingham area who monitor conditions at the popular park during fire season.

A botanic garden has hired a fire scientist to research how flammable native plants are. The role will focus on understanding which native species burn more readily, informing fire safety and landscaping choices in fire-prone regions. The move reflects growing attention to wildfire risk and the relationship between native vegetation and fire behaviour.

Hawaiian Electric has activated a Public Safety Power Shutoff in Pukalani, Maui, following Hurricane Nolo. The precautionary outages are meant to reduce the risk of wildfires or equipment damage from storm-stressed power lines. Residents in the affected area face disruption while crews monitor conditions, and the shutoffs have drawn attention to how utilities balance safety against leaving communities without power during storm season.