Hawaii releases detailed timeline of deadly wildfire that razed Lahaina
Reuters A fire engine arrived within five minutes of the first reports of a wildfire last August on the edge of Lahaina, the historic Hawaiian resort town, according to the most detailed timeline yet of the disaster, released on Wednesday by the Hawaii attorney general. The first emergency calls came in at 2:55pm on 8th […]
Lebanon marchers mourn port blast victims three years on, angry at stalled probe
Beirut, LebanonReuters Thousands of mourners and protesters marched in the Lebanese capital on Friday to remember those killed in a huge port blast three years ago, as religious leaders and rights groups decried the lack of accountability amid a stalled investigation. The explosion killed at least 220 people and wounded thousands when hundreds of tonnes […]
As Canada’s wildfires intensify, recruiting firefighters is tougher
British Colombia, CanadaReuters Canada is wrestling with its worst-ever start to wildfire season, but recruiting firefighters is becoming increasingly difficult due to tight labor markets and the tough nature of the job, provincial officials say. Limited resources could threaten Canada’s ability to douse fires, which are expected to get bigger and fiercer in future as […]
Kazakhstan mourns 14 forestry workers killed in wildfire
Almaty, KazakhstanReuters Flags were lowered across Kazakhstan on Monday as the country mourned 14 forestry workers killed in a wildfire in the eastern Abai region. Firefighters were still struggling to contain the blaze raging across 43,000 hectares (106,000 acres) of land in the Central Asian nation, the government said. An aerial view shows smoke from wildfires rising […]
A boy and his boat help Chile firefighters combat blazes
Rio Futa, Chile Reuters As his parents fought wildfires threatening their home in southern Chile, 13-year-old Lucas Cespedes decided to take action, ferrying firefighters across the local river in a small yellow rowing boat to help them put out the flames. The Andean country is battling some of the worst wildfires in years that have […]
Ukraine firefighters adapt to working in war zone
Reuters Firefighters in Ukraine used to have the protocols, the experience and the kit to deal with whatever blaze they encountered. When the war with Russia broke out, that all changed. As high rise apartment blocks were struck and neighbourhoods were shelled, they had to work out which of the multiple burning homes to prioritise, who to rescue […]
Cuba brings oil depot fire under control, worst in island’s history
Matanzas, Cuba Reuters Firefighters on Tuesday finally overcame what officials described as the worst fire in Cuba’s history that over five days destroyed 40% of the Caribbean island’s main fuel storage facility and caused massive blackouts. Reuters witnesses reported the raging flames that ravaged a four-tank segment of the Matanzas super tanker port had died […]
Romanian monks welcome Ukrainian refugees at medieval monastery
Putna, Romania Reuters When 75-year-old Svetlana and her family from the city of Krivoy Rog in central Ukraine reached the snow-covered Putna Monastery in the rolling hills of north-eastern Romania, they had been on the road for four days. The monks living at the remote 15th century Romanian Orthodox monastery, a pilgrimage site that sits […]
WOW!: SPANISH CODERS HARNESS TECH TO TRACK RISKS FOR FIREFIGHTERS
MEGAN ROWLING, of Thomson Reuters Foundation, reports from Spain…