News Archive

San Diego has until yesterday been unaffected by the extreme wildfire situation around Los Angeles. On Tuesday, the area had to evacuate its first 1000 residents for this fire season - hopefully also the last. The Friars Fire started on Tuesday.

The Santa Ana winds, known for their hot, dry, and gusty nature, have historically played a significant role in Southern California wildfire activity. These strong, dry winds originate from high-pressure systems over the Great Basin.

Conspiracy theories on how the LA Fires started and arguments for politically motivated economic restrictions on disaster relief are now emerging in the media in the US. At the same time, research shows that the LAFD is understaffed.

Human origins likely: Neglected power lines, arson or fireworks in the mountains above LA are the main theories being investigated. Resident allegations claim inadequate maintenance of electrical infrastructure may have led to sparks igniting the fires.

As of Thursday, January 16, 2025, firefighting efforts in Los Angeles have seen significant progress due to easing winds and favourable weather conditions. The National Weather Service has reported a decrease in winds, allowing firefighters to advance.

As wildfires wreak havoc in Southern California, particularly Los Angeles, a pressing question arises: Is this the new reality in an era of climate emergencies? A review by CNN indicates it is a combination of both human factors and natural conditions.

Scientists attribute this rise in temperatures to the ongoing effects of climate change, as well as the anticipated influence of the El Niño weather phenomenon, which typically leads to increased global temperatures.

Fire crews remained at the scene for several hours to ensure that all hot spots, including blown-in insulation in the attic, were fully extinguished. No injuries were reported, but residents of adjacent homes were temporarily evacuated as a precaution. I

The Fire Department of New York (FDNY) has taken several steps in recent years to mitigate the risks associated with lithium-ion battery fires, which are particularly concerning due to their potential to ignite rapidly and release toxic fumes.

A ship loaded with Ammonium Nitrate has been prohibited from leaving the Port of Uddevalla after 19 deficiencies were discovered. It is classified as dangerous goods and can, under certain circumstances, be a powerful explosive.

On the evening of January 6, 2025, a 25-year-old firefighter from the Honolulu Fire Department (HFD) tragically lost his life while responding to a two-story building fire. Four other firefighters were also seriously injured.

On the morning of January 3, 2025, a carbon monoxide leak occurred at the Residence Inn Atlanta Downtown, a high-rise hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. The Atlanta Fire Rescue Department responded to the incident around 8:30 a.m. detecting dangerous CO2 levels.

Three women were killed initially, and six others remain hospitalized in Arizona with severe burns over 45-80% of their bodies. All six are on breathing tubes, five in medically induced comas, and face months of recovery.

The plane, which took off in the morning, collided with a building chimney, a residence, and a furniture store. Debris also hit an inn. Authorities confirmed that most injuries were due to smoke inhalation from fires caused by the crash.

On Friday evening, December 22, a car drove through a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, killing at least five people, including a child, and injuring over 200. A 50-year-old Saudi Arabian doctor was arrested as the suspected driver. A

At least 14 people died, and around 30 were injured after a vehicle plowed into New Year’s celebrators on Bourbon Street, New Orleans. The attack occurred at 3:15 a.m., night to New Years Day, local time, shortly before the Sugar Bowl event.

Authorities are investigating the incident as a potential act of terrorism. The FBI is also exploring possible connections between this explosion and a separate attack in New Orleans on the same day.

Rescue services reported at 9:00 PM local time that 175 passengers and four crew members were found dead. All but two passengers have been confirmed dead in the plane crash at Muan International Airport in South Korea. A total of 181 people were on board.

3,000 students sheltered in place as the Franklin Fire approached its Malibu campus, despite 20,000 evacuated in surrounding neighbourhoods. The decision is controversial: However follows the fire rescue plan from 1993, developed together with LA Fire.

For over seven weeks, nationwide demonstrations have been held following the incident in Novi Sad, a city in northern Serbia. The protest just before Christmas opened with 15 minutes of silence - one minute for each deadly victim.