Environment

More Destructive, Expensive, Dangerous: What's Ramping Up Wildfires?

8:04am October 15, 2017

by Renee Montagne

The author of Megafire: The Race To Extinguish A Deadly Epidemic Of Flame, says a wet spring counterintuitively is feeding Western wildfires this year — and dangerous dry winds haven't peaked yet.

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The post-fire entryway of the Anova school, which was located in Santa Rosa's Luther Burbank Center for the Arts.

A School For Kids With Autism Copes With Fire's Physical And Emotional Damage

11:47am October 14, 2017

by Devin Katayama

Dealing with a fire or other natural disaster is hard on anyone, from evacuation to aftermath. And people with physical or developmental disabilities have particular needs, say emergency planners.

Brent Henderson drives a combine on his farm near Weona, Ark. "If it's going to be legal to use and neighbors are planting it, I'm going to have to plant [dicamba-tolerant soybeans] to protect myself," he says. "It's very annoying. It's a property rights

With OK From EPA, Use Of Controversial Weedkiller Is Expected To Double

6:05pm October 13, 2017

by Dan Charles

The EPA says farmers can still spray dicamba on their crops next year — with some new restrictions. The weedkiller has been blamed for drifting into fields, damaging millions of acres of crops.

Hundreds Missing In Northern California Where Fires Continue To Burn

5:28pm October 13, 2017

by Nathan Rott

Fire rescue workers in Northern California are searching for hundreds of people who've gone missing since the start of evacuations. Some may be in shelters. But others may not have survived.

Cal Fire firefighter Trevor Smith battles the Tubbs Fire near Calistoga, Calif., on Thursday. Wildfires in Northern California have killed dozens of people and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses.

California Blazes Are Part Of A Larger And Hotter Picture, Fire Researchers Say

2:26pm October 13, 2017

by Geoff Brumfiel

The wildfires in California's wine country are coming in the midst of a near-record fire season nationwide. Researchers say a warming climate is a factor.

Friday News Roundup - Domestic

1:45pm October 13, 2017

This week, we saw an executive order on health care, a shift in immigration strategy and a step forward on disaster relief.

Mayor Anne Hidalgo has called for an end to gas-powered vehicles in Paris by 2030, in favor of biking, transit, and electric cars. Here, cyclists and pedestrians on the Champs- Élysées during the city's "day without cars" on Oct. 1.

Paris Mayor Plans To Eliminate All Non-Electric Cars By 2030

11:40pm October 12, 2017

by Laurel Wamsley

"We are seeing a revolution in terms of mobility and on the issue of climate," said the city's deputy mayor. "We can't wait."

The sky over Santa Rosa, Calif., on Monday.

This Week's Air Quality Is Worst On Record For San Francisco Bay Area

11:10pm October 12, 2017

by Lesley McClurg

As wildfires spread through Northern California counties, clouds of smoke and ash are spreading, too, far beyond the flames. Air quality officials have a database that's searchable by ZIP code.

How Firefighters Are Tackling The Northern California Blazes

5:09pm October 12, 2017

NPR's Kelly McEvers talks to Cal Fire Assistant Deputy Director Daniel Berlant about how firefighters are dealing with the wildfires in Northern California. At least 24 people have died from the fires.

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California Wildfires Not Yet Contained

5:09pm October 12, 2017

by Eric Westervelt

Nearly two dozen deadly wildfires in Northern California are burning across eight counties. They have burned more than 100,000 acres, and they're not under control yet.