Washington State wildfires trigger Level 3 evacuations

 

Dry lightning storms on July 17 ignited more than 50 fast-moving wildfires across Washington and Oregon, forcing Level 3 “Go Now” evacuations in parts of Washington State. The Kaiser Canyon Fire in Okanogan County has grown rapidly to about 2,200 acres near Nespelem with zero percent containment, prompting evacuation orders...

Oregon orders full evacuation of Antelope wildfire

 

Authorities in north-central Oregon have ordered mandatory Level 3 “Go Now!” evacuations for the entire city of Antelope and nearby rural areas as a fast-moving vegetation wildfire threatens lives and property. The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office issued the order on Thursday afternoon, July 16, 2026, after a lightning-sparked fire advanced...

Texas refinery gas leak kills two workers

 

A hydrogen sulfide gas leak at the Pemex refinery in Deer Park, Texas, killed two people and injured five workers on Monday evening, local authorities and the company confirmed. The leak began at about 4:40 p.m. local time in the refinery’s coker and hydrotreating units, prompting Pemex to halt operations...

Pennsylvania, Minnesota issue air alerts as wildfire smoke spreads

 

Wildfire smoke from more than 830 ongoing fires in Canada and several large blazes in Minnesota is driving dangerous air pollution across the U.S. Midwest and Northeast, affecting millions of residents. Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection has declared a statewide Code Red Air Quality Action Day for fine particulate matter...

Texas Hill Country flooding prompts rescues, evacuations, declaration

 

Catastrophic flash flooding across South Texas and the Texas Hill Country has forced evacuations and prompted a disaster declaration as torrential rain continues for a third straight day. The National Weather Service has kept a Level 4 of 4 High Risk for excessive rainfall over parts of the Edwards Plateau,...

New Braunfels closes Comal River amid flash flooding

 

New Braunfels, Texas, has ordered an immediate shutdown of all recreational access to the Comal River after heavy, continuous rainfall triggered dangerous flash flooding conditions on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. The U.S. National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Warning as fast-rising waters produced near-zero visibility, strong currents, and debris-laden...

Los Angeles neighborhood demands emergency over warehouse fire

 

Residents of Boyle Heights in Los Angeles are demanding stronger government action as a cold‑storage warehouse fire operated by Lineage continues to smolder nearly a month after it erupted on June 17, 2026. The fire has produced persistent foul odors and an influx of flies and vermin, raising public health...

Minnesota wildfires force Boundary Waters evacuations, closure

 

Northern Minnesota authorities have ordered emergency evacuations and closed the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness as multiple wildfires rapidly expand in extreme heat and wind. On Wednesday afternoon, July 15, 2026, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office issued a “Go” evacuation order for the Fernberg Road Corridor northeast of Ely, covering...

United States faces hazardous smoke from Canadian wildfires

 

Millions of people across the Midwest and Northeast United States are under urgent air quality alerts as thick smoke from large wildfires in Canada and northern Minnesota spreads across state lines. Minnesota has activated a statewide air quality alert from Tuesday through Friday, including the Twin Cities, Alexandria, and Two...

Missouri begins recovery after deadly record flooding

 

MISSOURI — Southeast Missouri is assessing damage and beginning recovery efforts after catastrophic flash flooding between July 9 and 10, 2026, caused by a series of slow-moving thunderstorms that stalled over the region and produced 6 to 12.5 inches of rain in less than 24 hours. The extreme rainfall triggered...