Fire season is back, and it's not safe to breathe in huge swaths of the world.
The Ferguson Fire burning new Yosemite National Park has burned more than 40,000 acres and forced the evacuation of the park.
The Ferguson Fire inspired Patrick May to map smoke events around the world, including smoky conditions from wildfires in Colorado and Montana. Fort Smith, Arkansas makes the map for having the highest smoking rate in the entire nation. Around the globe, the tragic fires in Greece are on the map, as do air pollution meters in cities like Cairo, Egypt (as an example of pollution run amok) and Zabol, Iran (as an example of improvement).
Despite broadening the map's scope to include other forms of smoke, it out some smoke events that should worry any one occupying the planet. Earlier this week, for instance, Southern Oregon, a region of natural splendor and home to public lands like Crater Lake National Park, reported the worst air quality in the country due to smoke from wildfires.
The Carr Fire in Shasta County in Northern California was sending ash the size of dimes falling onto the city of Redding, forcing evacuations of historic Old Shasta and neighborhoods in Redding.
FULL STORY: Don’t inhale: a map of smoke events around the world
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Wildfires have caused the city’s air quality to plummet in recent years. The new shelters will give residents a break when the air is not fit to breathe.
Another Summer of Wildfires and Air Quality Emergencies
A third straight summer spent in a haze of smoke from nearby wildfires is taking a psychological toll on Seattle residents. A political response is also taking shape.
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Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Museum of Public Housing Opens in Chicago
The museum highlights the history of public housing in the United States using displays intimately woven with family artifacts.
HUD Ordered to Release Grant Funds After Anti-DEI Clawback
A federal judge ruled in favor of fair housing groups after the Trump administration tried to rescind housing grants.
Drop in Veteran Homelessness Offers Lessons
Bipartisan support, robust funding, and access to comprehensive data are keys to the success of programs that assist unhoused veterans.
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