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☆ How climate change drives heatwaves and wildfires in Europe
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Kate Abnett | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Here's how climate change drives these events. FINGERPRINTS OF CLIMATE CHANGETo find out exactly how much climate change affected a specific heatwave, scientists conduct "attribution studies". CLIMATE CHANGE DRIVES WILDFIRESClimate change increases hot and dry conditions that help fires spread faster, burn longer and rage more intensely. The study found that human-induced climate change played an absolutely overwhelming role in the extreme heatwaves that swept across North America, Europe and China in July. But scientists concur that without steep cuts to the greenhouse gases causing climate change, heatwaves, wildfires, flooding and drought will significantly worsen.

Persons: Alexandros Avramidis, Friederike Otto, Sonia Seneviratne, Seneviratne, Rhodes, Copernicus, Mark Parrington, Victor Resco de, Kate Abnett, Gloria Dickie, Katy Daigle, Barbara Lewis, Josie Kao, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Firefighters, REUTERS, Rights, United Nations, Imperial College London, ETH Zurich, Union, Spain's Lleida University, Thomson Locations: Sesklo, Greece, Europe, Spain, France, Netherlands, Paris, North America, China, Victor Resco de Dios

TENERIFE, Canary Islands, Spain, Aug 17 (Reuters) - Firefighters on Thursday struggled to contain a wildfire that broke out in a mountainous national park on the Spanish island of Tenerife, prompting authorities to evacuate at least 3,800 people. "The night has been very tough...This is the most complex fire we've had in the Canary Islands in the last 40 years," the region's leader, Fernando Clavijo, told a news conference. [1/5]EIRIF forest firefighters work during the extinction of the forest fire in Arafo on the island of Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain August 16, 2023. Last week, a heatwave in the Canary Islands left many areas bone dry, heightening the risk of wildfires. This summer, firefighters have extinguished a series of forest fires on the islands of Gran Canaria and La Palma, which form part of the Canary Islands archipelago.

Persons: Alba Gil, we've, Fernando Clavijo, Pedro Martinez, Borja Suarez, Clavijo, Teide, Aena, Andrei Khalip, Christina Fincher, Alexandra Hudson Organizations: REUTERS, Authorities, Gran Canaria, La, Alexandra Hudson Our, Thomson Locations: TENERIFE, Canary Islands, Spain, Tenerife, La Esperanza, Canary, Europe, Canada, Lahaina, Arafo, El Rosario, La Orotava, Spanish, Gran

☆ Maui wildfires: Woman says her husband is 'broken' by loss
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Bill Weir | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Waiehu, Hawaii CNN —Two days before the Maui inferno, Brenda Keau’s husband Tony called his mom for a chat. The elderly woman’s home in Lahaina is gone, destroyed in the wildfires that swept across the Hawaiian island last week. And I don’t like seeing him like that because my husband is strong, loving,” Keau said. So I’m talking for him.”Keau said she feared arson when she saw smoke rising from the hills of upcountry Maui, from her home in Waiehu, in the north of the island on August 8. Evelio Contreras/CNNInland from Keau’s home, in the upcountry hills where she saw the smoke, a wildfire is still only 60% contained.

Persons: Brenda Keau’s, Tony, ” Keau, he’s, “, Evelio Contreras, ”, Keau, it’s, It’s, Kalopodes, Merrill Kalopodes, “ I’ve, ” Kalopodes Organizations: Hawaii CNN, CNN Investigations, CNN Inland, Maui County Fire Department, Volunteer, CNN Locations: Waiehu, Hawaii, Maui, Lahaina, upcountry Maui, Maui's upcountry, Maui County, Kula, Oahu

☆ Wildfire in Tenerife national park prompts village evacuations
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

TENERIFE, Canary Islands, Spain, Aug 16 (Reuters) - A wildfire that broke out in a national park on the Spanish island of Tenerife has spread to 300 hectares, prompting authorities to order the evacuation of five villages and to cut off access to the forest surrounding the Mount Teide volcano. "The fire is powerful and is in a complicated area," Canary Islands regional President Fernando Clavijo told a news conference in Tenerife. [1/5]Flames and smoke rise as wildfire burns on the Canary island of Tenerife, Spain, August 16, 2023 in this picture obtained from social media. During the last week, a heatwave in the Canary Islands has left many areas bone dry and increased the risk of wildfires. This summer, firefighters have extinguished a series of forest fires on the islands of Gran Canaria and La Palma, which form part of the Canary Islands archipelago.

Persons: Fernando Clavijo, Pedro Martinez, Gerardo Ibelli, Rosa Davila, Davila, Corina Pons, Inti Landauro, Angus MacSwan, Charlie Devereux, Barbara Lewis Organizations: REUTERS Acquire, Media, Gran Canaria, La, Radio Canarias, Thomson Locations: TENERIFE, Canary Islands, Spain, Tenerife, Arrate, Gran, Spanish

☆ Maui wildfires: At least 106 were killed and identifying all of them will be difficult, officials say
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-16 | by ( Nouran Salahieh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Only five of the 106 dead had been identified as of Tuesday afternoon, according to Maui County officials. Family members of missing people had provided 41 DNA samples, trying to see whether their loves ones are among the dead, county officials said. Green told CNN Tuesday he hopes “much of it will be done” by the weekend. Dominick Del Vecchio/Reuters• Some victims are named: Robert Dyckman, 74, and Buddy Jantoc, 79, both of Lahaina, were killed, Maui County officials said Tuesday. Hawaii’s attorney general will spearhead a review of decisions that officials made in response to the wildfires, her office has said.

Persons: Hawaii’s, Josh Green, Green, “ We’re, “, we’re, ”, Jonathan Greene, Dominick Del Vecchio, Robert Dyckman, Buddy Jantoc, we’ll, who’s, ” Green, • Biden, Biden, Dang, ” Dang, CNN’s Erin Burnett, Kula, Ross Hart, Maui’s upcountry, Hart, ” Hart, CNN they’ve, Jace Kennedy Organizations: CNN, Hawaii Gov, Authorities, US Department of Health, Human Services, FEMA, Reuters, •, Lahaina’s Locations: Maui, Hawaii, Maui County, Lahaina, Lahaina , Hawaii, •, Upper Kula, upcountry, Kula, Maui’s

☆ Middle class Americans are moving straight into fire and drought because they can't afford to live in the cities that are safer from climate change
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Eliza Relman | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Rising housing costs have helped push Americans into parts of the country more vulnerable to climate change. The trend shows how the burden of climate change is falling disproportionately on less affluent people. Rather than leaving areas at high risk of natural disasters and other climate issues, more Americans are moving into them. But if lower-risk cities continue to price people out, the burden of climate change will fall even more disproportionately on less affluent communities. A recent Brookings Institution report recommended several ways that policymakers can encourage Americans to seek climate safety.

Persons: Hurricane Harvey, Freddie Mac, Rich, homebuyers, Jenny Schuetz, Julia Gill Organizations: Service, Brookings, Federal Housing Finance Agency Locations: New York, San Francisco, Southern, Florida, Houston, West, Bend , Oregon

☆ Hawaii wildfires: Anger and aid spread amid the devastation
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Bill Weir | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Lahaina, Hawaii CNN —A week after blowtorch winds brought the most horrific disaster in modern Hawaiian history, members of Maui’s working class have become do-it-yourself first responders and cul-de-sac commanders. A woman collects water at a shopping center in Lahaina where different groups are handing out supplies. “We had three families sleep here the first night and we fed them just as if they were local. While the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau took to social media to “strongly discourage” visitors from vacationing on the western side of Maui. At least 99 people have been confirmed dead from the wildfires, and the number could double over the next 10 days, Hawaii Gov.

Persons: Evelio Contreras, Keoki Naihe, ”, he’s, Alika Peneku, “, Brittany Fleck, Charlie Fleck, ” Charlie, Grace Hurt, Josh Green, of Fame waterman, ‘, ’, Archie Kalepa, Kalepa, Deanne Criswell, ” Criswell, ” Naihe, “ We’ve, ” Peneku Organizations: Hawaii CNN, CNN, CNN “ Tourists, Facebook, Hawaii Visitors, Hawaii Gov, Pohaku, of Fame, Ocean Safety, aloha, FEMA, Small Business Administration Locations: Lahaina, Hawaii, Maui, Charlie, “, Peneku, Pohaku, Pohaku Beach

☆ Man Who Set Fire to Planned Parenthood Clinic Gets 10 Years in Prison
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Jesus Jiménez | More About Jesus Jiménez | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

A man who told the authorities that he had set fire to a Planned Parenthood clinic in Illinois after being reminded of an ex-girlfriend who he said had an abortion against his wishes was sentenced on Tuesday to 10 years in prison. After he completes his sentence, Mr. Massengill will be on supervised release for three years, according to court records. Surveillance video footage led the police to Mr. Massengill, who initially denied that he had set the fire but later admitted that he had broken a window at the clinic and placed a burning container inside, the complaint said. Mr. Massengill told investigators that on the day of the fire, something had reminded him about an ex-girlfriend who he said had chosen to have an abortion, which upset him. He told the authorities that if the fire had caused “a little delay” in someone receiving care at the clinic then it would have been “all worth it,” the complaint said.

Persons: Tyler W, Judge James E, Massengill Organizations: Central District of, Knoxville Locations: Illinois, Chillicothe , Ill, U.S, Central District of Illinois, Peoria

Those winds also battered power lines on the island, and dramatic videos show lines swaying and being toppled in the gusts. Now, some locals are casting blame on Hawaiian Electric, the state’s biggest utility, for not shutting off power to high-risk areas – and claiming that its power lines could have sparked the deadly fire. State officials were well aware of the danger posed by downed power lines during hurricanes. A 2021 state report noted that “downed power lines” and “residential and wildland fires” were hazards related to hurricanes. Maui Mayor Richard Bissen said Thursday that power lines that were “still energized” had fallen on the roads.

Persons: Shane Treu, Treu, ” Treu, kindling, Lisa Treu, –, ”, “, Hurricane Dora, “ inexcusably, Jim Kelly, ” Kelly, Kelly, Richard Bissen, Yuri Iwamura, hydrants –, Cole Millington, Millington, Bradford Ventura, Adam Weintraub, ” Weintraub, Jill Tokuda, Keahi Ho, John Stufflebean, Josh Green, Anne Lopez, ” Green, “ It’s, Dora, Abby Frazier, Dora inched, Josh Stanbro Organizations: CNN, Hawaii Army National Guard, Hawaii National Guard, Reuters, Electric, National Weather Service, Hawaiian Electric Company, Public Utilities Commission, Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization, Maui, Volunteers, Getty, Facebook, Bradford, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, Democrat, New York Times, Maui County Department of Water Supply, Times, Government, Hawaii Gov, Clark University Locations: Mauna, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, County, California, Paradise, West Maui, Maalaea, AFP, “, Maui County, United States, Massachusetts

☆ Maui wildfires: What we know about the deadliest US fire in over a century
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Nouran Salahieh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

While firefighters have made progress against the three largest wildfires, the deadly fire in hard-hit Lahaina is still not fully under control, Maui County Fire Chief Brad Ventura said Saturday. Mike Blake/ReutersThe most destructive and deadly of the fires, the Lahaina wildfire, traveled at an extraordinary speed, the governor said in a video update Sunday afternoon. “When the winds rose up – winds gusting as high as 81 miles per hour – fires spread rapidly,” Green said. Lahaina is the hardest hit areaVideo Ad Feedback The Maui fires destroyed their homes. People are still missing and just 3% of area was searchedA caretaker photographs the site of a home destroyed by the Maui wildfires in Kula, Hawaii on Sunday.

Persons: CNN — Crews, what’s, Josh Green, “ It’s, Brad Ventura, Mike Blake, ” Green, “, Lori Moore, Merrell, Richard T, Bissen, Deanne Criswell, King Kamehameha III, Keith Hayashi, ” Hayashi, John Pelletier, Patrick T, Fallon, Pelletier, Mazie, Brittany Talley, Timm “ TK ” Williams, Williams, Talley, ” Talley, weren’t, we’ll, Anne Lopez, ”, Jim Kelly, ” Kelly Organizations: CNN, ”, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Maui County Fire, Maxar Technologies, FEMA, Sunday, Maui Police, National Fire Protection Association, People, Getty, Sen, Hawaiian Electric Industries, Hawaiian Electric Locations: Maui, ” Hawaii, Lahaina, Maui County, Kula, Hawaii, Lāhainā, Kula , Hawaii, AFP, Kaanapali

☆ Ukraine says three wounded in Russian attack on Odesa
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/7] Rescuers work at a site of a shopping mall destroyed during a Russian military strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Odesa, Ukraine August 14, 2023. REUTERS/Nina LiashonokAug 14 (Reuters) - At least three people were wounded in two-waves of Russian drone and missile attacks overnight on the port city of Odesa, an official and the military in the Ukrainian region on the Black Sea said early on Monday. "As a result of the enemy attack in Odesa, several fires broke out from falling rocket fragments," the governor, Oleh Kiper, said on the Telegram messaging app. A dormitory and a supermarket were damaged by falling missiles debris, the command said on social media. Odesa, Ukraine's largest port and naval base, has been repeatedly attacked with missiles and drones after Russia pulled out of an agreement allowing grain shipments from Ukraine's ports in July.

Persons: Nina Liashonok, Oleh Kiper, Lidia Kelly, Lincoln Organizations: REUTERS, Thomson Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Odesa, Ukrainian, Russia, Ukraine's, Warsaw

KAHULUI, Hawaii, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Hawaii Governor Josh Green on Sunday called a part of the island of Maui that was devastated by wildfires a "war zone," as the death toll reached 93 and was expected to keep climbing. "We're at 93 (victims) now ... it's a war zone, but the help is incredible." The death toll made the blaze Hawaii's worst natural disaster, surpassing a tsunami that killed 61 people in 1960, a year after Hawaii became a U.S. state. [1/2]The shells of burned houses and buildings are left after wildfires driven by high winds burned across most of the town in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, U.S. August 11, 2023. Reuters Graphics'TOO GRIM'Authorities began allowing residents back into west Maui on Friday, although the fire zone in Lahaina remained barricaded.

Persons: Josh Green, Green, We'll, Joe Biden, Deanne Criswell, we've, a.m, Mike Blake, Marco Garcia, David Ljunggren, Jorge Garcia, Sandra Stojanovic, Maria Caspani, Joseph Ax, Daniel Wallis, Raju Gopalakrishnan, William Mallard, Paul Simao Organizations: MSNBC, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Sunday, National Fire Protection Association, Officials, Hawai'i Department of Land, Natural Resources, Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, Reuters Graphics, Authorities, Facebook, Thomson Locations: KAHULUI, Hawaii, Maui, Lahaina, obliterating, it's, U.S, Paradise , California, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Maui County, Kula, Kahului, Honolulu , Hawaii

These two firefighters declined to be named because they were not authorized to discuss the emergency effort. The water pressure was a continuing problem, he said. At one point, the crew found a hydrant further north that seemed to have more water, and they doused a commercial building. They left the scene, he said, hoping that the water they had applied to the structure would be enough to keep it safe. “I thought it had a chance,” Mr. Ho said.

Persons: Ho, Mr, ” Organizations: Hawaii Fire Fighters Association Locations: Maui, Lahaina

☆ Maui wildfires: Crews still working to identify 93 victims found so far in deadliest US fire in over a century
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-13 | by ( Nouran Salahieh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

Matthew Thayer/The Maui News/AP Volunteers unload supplies from trucks before loading them onto boats for people in need at Kihei Ramp in Maui, Hawaii, on Saturday, August 12. Rick Bowmer/AP Grace Hurt, right, embraces someone while loading supplies for those in need at Kihei Ramp in Maui, Hawaii, on Saturday. Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources/AP Burnt boats sit in waters off of Lahaina, Hawaii, on Friday. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images In an aerial view, search and rescue crews walk through a neighborhood, continuing to search for missing people in Lahaina, Hawaii, on Friday. Phonoxaylinkham, his wife, and their five children were caught in the Lahaina wildfires and survived by exiting their car and spending four hours in the ocean as the west Maui wildfires raged around them.

Persons: Josh Green, “ It’s, Dora, We’ve, ” Green, ”, John Pelletier, Deanne Criswell, Green, Brad Ventura, Kihei –, •, Anne Lopez, ” Lopez, Matthew Thayer, Evelio Contreras, Rick Bowmer, Grace Hurt, Hurt, Justin Sullivan, Mike Blake, Zoltan Balogh, Zeran Harris, Robert Gauthier, Mengshin Lin, CNN Vixay Phonxaylinkham, Lana, Phonoxaylinkham, Marco Garcia, Claire Rush, Myrna Ah Hee, Sui, Ty O'Neil, Ku'u Kauanoe, ZUMA, Patrick T, Fallon, Dustin Johnson, “, who’ve, Ilihia Gionson, Gionson, –, Steven, Giulietta Daiker, ” Steven, ” Giulietta, “ We’re, Richard Bissen Jr Organizations: CNN, National Fire Protection Association, ”, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Maui Police, FEMA, Maui County Fire, • Cell, Maui News, AP Volunteers, Hawaii Department of Land, Natural Resources, Reuters, . Hawaii Department of Land, Los Angeles Times, AP, Washington Post, Fire Department, Kahului, Technologies, AP Hawaii Army National Guard, Hawaii National Guard, Reuters Residents, ZUMA Passengers, Getty, National Guard, Department of Health, Human Services, Pacific Whale Foundation, Ritz, Carlton, Hawaii Department, Transportation, Saturday, Volunteers, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Lahaina Residents Locations: Maui, ” Hawaii, Maui County, Lahaina, Kihei, Upcountry, Hawaii, Church, Lahaina Hongwanji, Lahaina , Hawaii, Wailuku, Kula, Waiola, Kula , Hawaii, Maalaea, Kahului, California, Las Vegas, AFP, Kapalua, Lahaina –, Hawaiian

☆ The death toll rises to 80 in Maui wildfires as survivors begin returning to communities in ruins
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-12 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Maui residents John Rey Serrano and Lexie Lara look from a road above Lahaina Town in the aftermath of a wildfire in Lahaina, western Maui, Hawaii on August 11, 2023. Maui County raised the number of confirmed deaths to 80 in a 9 p.m. statement Friday. Cadaver-sniffing dogs were deployed to search for the dead, Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen Jr. said. Maui County's hazard mitigation plan updated in 2020 identified Lahaina and other West Maui communities as having frequent wildfires and several buildings at risk. The report also noted West Maui had the island's second-highest rate of households without a vehicle and the highest rate of non-English speakers.

Persons: John Rey Serrano, Lexie Lara, Anthony Garcia, Garcia, I'm, Josh Green, Green, Richard Bissen Jr, Anne Lopez, Lopez, Lynn Robinson, Kyle Scharnhorst, Gilles Gerling, Karen Clark, Bobby Lee, Andrew Whelton, Lana Vierra, Riley Curran, Curran, I've Organizations: roosters, Gov, Hawaii News, Associated Press, Iniki, Karen Clark & Company, Hawaii Firefighters Association, Purdue University Locations: Maui, Lahaina, Hawaii, Maui County, Kaanapali, West Maui, U.S, California, Paradise, Molokai, Kula

☆ Maui wildfires: Firefighting crews make progress against wildfires that killed at least 80 people, but flare-ups continue
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-12 | by ( Aya Elamroussi | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +11 min

People in Kaanapali were evacuating Friday night after spotting a fire in the neighborhood, which is about 4 miles north of hard-hit Lahaina, Maui police said. The hall of the historic Waiola Church and the nearby Lahaina Hongwanji Mission are engulfed in flames in Lahaina, Hawaii, on Tuesday, August 8. Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources/AP Burnt boats sit in waters off of Lahaina, Hawaii, on Friday. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images In an aerial view, search and rescue crews walk through a neighborhood, continuing to search for missing people in Lahaina, Hawaii, on Friday. Phonoxaylinkham, his wife, and their five children were caught in the Lahaina wildfires and survived by exiting their car and spending four hours in the ocean as the west Maui wildfires raged around them.

Persons: Dora, Kihei –, Rick Bowmer, Richard Bissen, Josh Green, ”, Deanne Criswell, It’s, Anne Lopez, ” Lopez, Matthew Thayer, Mike Blake, Justin Sullivan, Zoltan Balogh, Zeran Harris, Robert Gauthier, Mengshin Lin, Evelio Contreras, CNN Vixay Phonxaylinkham, Lana, Phonoxaylinkham, Marco Garcia, Claire Rush, Myrna Ah Hee, Sui, Ty O'Neil, Ku'u Kauanoe, ZUMA, Patrick T, Fallon, Dustin Johnson, it’s, ” Steve Dolan, “, anything’s, what’s Organizations: CNN — Firefighters, Hawaii Gov, CNN, “, FEMA, Maui Police, Hawaii News, Maui News, Hawaii Department of Land, Natural Resources, . Hawaii Department of Land, Reuters, Los Angeles Times, AP, Washington Post, Kahului, Technologies, AP Hawaii Army National Guard, Hawaii National Guard, Reuters Residents, ZUMA Passengers, Getty Locations: Maui, Lahaina, Hawaii, Kaanapali, Maui County, Kihei, Upcountry, Lahaina , Hawaii, Upper Kula, Church, Lahaina Hongwanji, Kula, Waiola, Wailuku, Kula , Hawaii, Maalaea, Kahului, California, Las Vegas, AFP

☆ Live updates: Maui wildfires death toll rises, Lahaina 80% destroyed
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Aditi Sangal | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Tiffany Kidder Winn via APThe wind-whipped fires in Maui spread swiftly and created a deadly tinderbox, overwhelming residents and local officials in one of the nation’s deadliest wildfires. Fueled by a combination of strong winds and dry conditions – and complicated by the island’s geography – the fires have killed at least 36 people. Severe level drought conditions in Maui County ticked up to 16% from 5% last week, while statewide moderate drought levels jumped to 14% from 6%. Dried-out land and vegetation can fuel wildfires, which can swiftly turn deadly if strong winds help fan the flames toward communities. These winds coupled with low humidity levels produced "dangerous fire weather conditions” through Wednesday afternoon, the weather service said.

Persons: Tiffany Kidder Winn, ” Jennifer Marlon, Dora wasn't, Clay Trauernicht, –, ” Trauernicht, Trauernicht Organizations: Yale School of, CNN, US Drought, National Weather Service, University of Hawaii, of Forestry, Wildlife Locations: Lahaina , Hawaii, Hawaii, Lahaina, Maui, County, Manoa . Hawaii, West Maui

☆ Robotaxis get the green light to roam the streets of San Francisco at any hour of the day
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Jyoti Mann | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Cruise and Waymo got the go-ahead from state officials Thursday to offer driverless rides 24/7. Robotaxi companies Cruise and Waymo have been given the go-ahead from state officials to offer driverless rides in San Francisco at any hour of the day. Before it got the green light from officials, Cruise and Waymo had been authorized to offer its services from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m in limited areas of San Francisco. "Today's permit marks the true beginning of our commercial operations in San Francisco," Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana said in a blog post . San Francisco firefighters were forced to smash the front window of a Cruise driverless taxi in January to stop it from running over their hoses as they were engaged in active firefighting.

Persons: Cruise, Waymo, CPUC, Kyle Vogt, Tekedra Mawakana, Darcie Houck, Francisco firefighters, AVs, John Reynolds, Waymo didn't Organizations: California Public Utilities, Morning, California Public Utilities Commission Locations: California, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Mountain, Francisco

EL CAJON, California, Aug 11 (Reuters) - California firefighters are using artificial intelligence to help spot wildfires, feeding video from more than 1,000 cameras strategically placed across the state into a machine that alerts first responders when to mobilize. But AI alerted a fire captain who called in about 60 firefighters including seven engines, two bulldozers, two water tankers and two hand crews. Part of Leininger's job is to help the machine learn. With hundreds of specialists repeating the exercise up and down the state, the AI has already become more accurate in just a few weeks, Driscoll said. "We need to use technology to help move the needle, even if it's a little bit."

Persons: Neal Driscoll, ALERTCalifornia, Shane Montgomery, Mike Blake, Suzann Leininger, Driscoll, Daniel Trotta, Donna Bryson, Diane Craft Organizations: Cleveland National Forest, Cal Fire, University of California, UCSD, Cal, Bronco, Cal Fire Air Attack, REUTERS, Thomson Locations: CAJON , California, California, Cleveland, San Diego, University of California San Diego, Chico , California, Hawaii, Canada, Ramona, San Diego County , California, U.S, El Cajon

☆ Canadian wildfires could persist for rest of 'marathon' summer
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Ismail Shakil | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"This summer has turned into a challenging marathon," Canadian Forest Service official Michael Norton told a media briefing on Friday. "Our most recent projections indicate the potential for higher-than-normal fire activity remains across much of Canada in August and September," Norton said. The fires have also sent plumes of smoke across Canadian and U.S. skies, raising health alarms and concerning scientists about the impact on the atmosphere. The EU's Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service estimated last week that Canadian wildfires have released 290 million metric tons of carbon, over 25% of the global total for 2023 to date, and emissions are set to rise as hundreds of flames rage on. Reporting by Ismail Shakil in Ottawa; editing by Jonathan OatisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Jesse Winter, Michael Norton, Norton, Ismail Shakil, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, OTTAWA, Forest Service, Atmospheric Monitoring Service, Thomson Locations: Canada, U.S, Washington, Osoyoos, British Columbia, Ottawa

Image The Pioneer Inn in Lahaina, Hawaii, last year. Image Shops and dining destinations along the sidewalks and streets in Lahaina, Maui. Mr. Hedani said the fabled beach areas on Oahu that Hawaii is best known for held nothing on Lahaina. “The sunset looks fake every time I see it.”Image Sunset in Lahaina, Hawaii. “What happens when you take away the most important street on Maui?” he said.

Persons: George Alan Freeland, Freeland’s, ”, Theo Morrison, Daejas, Baldwin, Ephraim Spaulding, Dwight Baldwin, Morrison, Mark Twain, “, —, Kiha Kaina, Patrick T, Kaina, Lee Anne Wong, Wong, Tony Novak, Clifford, Ronald Williams, Williams, it’s, Jared Hedani, Tommy Bahama, Hedani, “ You’re, Jim Wilson, Kamehameha the, Kaniela Ing, Ing, “ I’d, Amy Qin, David W, Chen, Mitch Smith Organizations: Lahaina Restoration Foundation, The New York Times, East Coast, ., Fallon, Agence France, French Culinary Institute, Hawaii State Archives, New York Times, Green New Deal Network Locations: Lahaina, British, Maui, Hawaii, “, United States, Lahaina , Hawaii, Massachusetts, East, Berkeley, Calif, ”, Papa’aina, New York City, Maui . Credit, Mexico City, Shaw, Paradise, Oahu, Waikiki

Hawaii Army National Guard CH47 Chinook helicopters perform aerial water bucket drops on the island of Maui to assist with fight of wildfires in Maui, Hawaii, August 9, 2023. An out-of-control wildfire that began along a major Central Maui highway burns Thursday July 11, 2019, in Maui, Hawaii. “Especially when you have severe drought conditions like we have.”Despite these growing dangers, Hawaii state budgets for fire management have not kept pace with worsening conditions, according to the Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization, a nonprofit. Hawaii is hardly unique: As climate change is exacerbating natural disasters, state officials across the country are also struggling to respond to new threats. And it’s unclear how significantly additional preparedness and mitigation efforts could have reduced the destruction of a blaze with the intensity and speed of the Lahaina wildfire.

Persons: Pamela Brown’s, ”, Hurricane Dora, didn’t, Clay Trauernicht, Matthew Thayer, Abby Frazier, ” Nani Barretto, Gov, Sylvia Luke, “, Josh Stanbro, Josh Green, Frazier, ” “ Organizations: CNN, Hawaii Army National Guard, Hawaii National Guard, University of Hawaii, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, Maui News, Clark University, Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization, ” Locations: Hawaii, ”, Maui, Lahaina, Maui County, Central Maui, Massachusetts

☆ Regulators give green light to driverless taxis in San Francisco
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Nadia Bidarian | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

San Francisco first responders, city transportation leaders and local activists are among those who shared concerns about the technology. “Today’s permit marks the true beginning of our commercial operations in San Francisco,” said Tekedra Mawakana, co-CEO of Waymo, in a press release. Until Thursday’s vote, Cruise and Waymo could offer only limited service to San Francisco residents. The San Francisco Police Officers Association, San Francisco Deputy Sheriffs’ Association and the San Francisco Fire Fighters Local 798 all wrote letters to the CPUC in the week leading up to the originally scheduled vote on June 29. 2022 was the worst year on record for traffic fatalities in San Francisco since 2014, according to city data.

Persons: Cruise, “, ”, Tekedra Mawakana, Drew Pusateri, General Motors, Matthew Sutter, Justin Sullivan, Critics, Tracy McCray, Jeanine Nicholson, ” Nicholson, Waymo, Genevieve Shiroma, ” Shiroma Organizations: CNN, Cruise, San Francisco, California Public Utilities Commission, Waymo, General, Francisco, San, San Francisco Police, Association, Sheriffs ’ Association, San Francisco Fire Fighters, San Francisco Fire Department, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Locations: California, San Francisco, San, Waymo, San Francisco , California, “

☆ Maui wildfire death toll of 55 expected to rise amid search for victims
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Marco Garcia | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

KAHULUI, Hawaii, Aug 11 (Reuters) - The death toll from a wildfire that killed at least 55 people on Hawaii's Maui island was expected to rise on Friday, as search teams prepared to comb through the charred ruins of a historic resort town for more victims. "Understand this: Lahaina Town is hallowed, sacred ground right now," Maui Police Chief John Pelletier said, referring to humans remains that have yet to be recovered. In addition to searching for the missing, officials were drafting a plan to house the newly homeless in hotels and tourist rental properties. The Lahaina fire is one of three major wildfires on Maui. There was no estimate for the Upcountry fire in the center of the eastern mass of the island, Maui County said.

Persons: John Pelletier, Poweroutage.us, Richard Bissen, NBC's, Knickerbocker, Josh Green, Green, Kamehameha III's, Gregory Knickerbocker, Nicoangelo, Brendan O'Brien, Frank McGurty, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Maui Police, Authorities, U.S . Midwest, Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Reuters, Thomson Locations: KAHULUI, Hawaii, Maui, Lahaina, California, Washington, Maui County, Oahu, Kahului, U.S, Kingdom of Hawaii, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Europe, Canada, East Coast, Maui ., Chicago

☆ Record-setting Canadian wildfires could persist for rest of 'marathon' summer
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-11 | by ( Ismail Shakil | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Jesse Winter/File PhotoOTTAWA, Aug 11 (Reuters) - Record-setting wildfires in Canada could potentially continue burning at an abnormally high rate for several more weeks, though the spread of blazes is likely to start diminishing in September, according to federal projections released on Friday. "This summer has turned into a challenging marathon," Canadian Forest Service official Michael Norton told a media briefing on Friday. "Our most recent projections indicate the potential for higher-than-normal fire activity remains across much of Canada in August and September," Norton said. The fires have also sent plumes of smoke across Canadian and U.S. skies, raising health alarms and concerning scientists about the impact on the atmosphere. The EU's Copernicus Atmospheric Monitoring Service estimated last week that Canadian wildfires have released 290 million metric tons of carbon, over 25% of the global total for 2023 to date, and emissions are set to rise as hundreds of flames rage on.

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