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EartherMurder Cover-Up: Man Allegedly Set Deadly Wildfire to Hide His Crime
A fire that raged outside of San Francisco last summer was allegedly set to cover up a murder—and became part of the largest wildfire season on record in California as well as one of the deadliest. Officials in California said Wednesday that 29-year-old Victor Serriteno allegedlyset a fire in August in Solano County to cover … Continued
By Molly Taft -
EartherClimate ChangeScientists Found a ‘Magical’ Solution to Fight Dangerous Zombie Fires
The rise of zombie fires is the latest iteration of climate horrors. The world became acquainted with them last summer when fires in Siberia that had been smoldering underground all winter reignited in the summer. They pose a major problem in a warming world, but scientists have come up with a way to extinguish them … Continued
By Dharna Noor -
EartherThe Federal Government Spends More on Fire Prevention in Rich, White Neighborhoods
This year, California’s record-breaking fires caused untold suffering and destruction, and future wildfire seasons are expected to be even worse. New findings show that poorer communities of color aren’t receiving as much funding to prepare for future fires as their wealthier, white counterparts. The new research, published by environmental research group Resources for the Future … Continued
By Dharna Noor -
EartherClimate ChangeFEMA Wants to Cut Disaster Aid at the Worst Possible Time
The U.S. saw a horrific hurricane season, unprecedented wildfires, and a powerful derecho this year alone. A record-breaking 16 climate disasters caused at least $1 billion in damage each. And yet the Federal Emergency Management Agency is pursuing a plan that would cut disaster aid to certain states. On Monday, Trump’s FEMA proposed substantial changes … Continued
By Dharna Noor -
EartherClimate ChangeCalifornia’s Hellish 2018 Wildfires Cost the U.S. Economy $148.5 Billion
Two years later, we’re still adding unfortunate superlatives to the 2018 California wildfire season. The latest is a new study that reveals the hidden toll of what—until this year—was the state’s most destructive fire season. The findings, published Monday in Nature Sustainability, show that the flames of 2018 roared throughout the U.S. economy, costing the … Continued
By Brian Kahn -
EartherSmoke Exposure or Covid-19? Colorado Governor Says Wildfires Could Mask the Spread of the Virus
Asking whether you could be suffering from smoke exposure or covid-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, sounds like a horrible joke. However, it is an unfortunate reality in Colorado and other states that are experiencing wildfire hell right now. In response, Colorado officials have one message: Get tested. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis advised … Continued
By Jody Serrano -
EartherTrump’s Reversal on California Wildfire Aid Was Just All-Around Weird
Late last week, President Donald Trump denied California a vital relief package to help the state recover from six recent massive wildfires. Hours afterward, he flipped, deciding to award the requested aid after all. My neck is still sore from the whiplash. Trump reversed his decision after a phone call with California Governor Gavin Newsom—the … Continued
By Dharna Noor -
EartherTrump Denies California Vital Aid for Wildfire Damage (Updated: He Flipped)
You know those wildfires California has been seeing this year, the record-breaking ones that have killed at least 31 people? Well, the Trump administration is rejecting the state’s request for disaster relief. Last month, California officials asked the federal government for an emergency declaration of aid to help with their recovery process from six of … Continued
By Dharna Noor -
EartherPG&E Is Under Investigation for Starting a Deadly Wildfire—Again
PG&E, the utility that supplies power to 16 million people in northern and central California, is under investigation for starting a deadly fire. Again. The blaze in question is the Zogg Fire, which has killed four people and destroyed some 200 structures in Northern California. The wildfire broke out on Sept. 27 during strong Diablo … Continued
By Dharna Noor
