FireWatch

Some people in southern Idaho may face power outages during the hottest months to reduce wildfire risk. Idaho Power's "Public Safety Power Shutoff" Plan aims to shut down power in areas with increased wildfire risk, focusing on dry vegetation, low humidity, and high...

New technology from Vancouver, called AquaEye, is helping locate missing people underwater faster using AI and ultrasound. This handheld sonar device, developed by VodaSafe, can reduce search times from days to hours, scanning up to an acre of water in about a minute....

Firefighters are gaining control of the Post Fire near Gorman in northwestern Los Angeles County, which remains at 15,690 acres and is 90% contained as of Monday. The fire, first reported on Saturday afternoon near Gorman School Road and Ralph's Ranch Road by the I-5...

As Calgary enters its second week of water restrictions due to a critical supply issue following the rupture of the city's largest water main, citizens are being urged to prioritize water conservation. Officials warn that the city could run out of water if...

Vancouver firefighters responded to five major fires, seven dumpster fires, and over 250 other calls within a 24-hour period this week. The union representing the firefighters highlighted the need for more resources, especially downtown, due to the high volume of...

The NFPA® awarded the 2024 Fire Protection Research Foundation Medal to the project on Validating Cleaning Procedures for Firefighter PPE. This project focused on identifying and removing persistent contaminants from firegrounds to enhance firefighter health and...

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency visited Franklin County for its second AFFF takeback program, part of a statewide effort to eliminate aqueous film-forming foam. spectrumnews1.com

The Alberta Union of Provincial Employees claims Alberta’s wildfire force is understaffed and undertrained due to recruitment and retention issues. High turnover drives firefighters to leave for better-paying, more stable jobs in B.C. or with Parks Canada....

Gavin Hojka, an Alberta wildfire incident commander, said firefighters were surprised by the speed of this year’s fire near Fort McMurray, which burned through the path of the 2016 blaze. Despite reduced fuel, the extended drought intensified the fire, known as...

A new study suggests that flame retardants in car seat foam may increase exposure to potentially cancer-causing chemicals, especially during the summer. Researchers are urging government officials to amend regulations to prohibit the use of flame retardants in cars,...

As Canada’s wildfire season begins, firefighters hope for favourable weather to aid their efforts. However, some Canadian provinces are exploring a different strategy: nighttime firefighting. globalnews.ca

Debbie Powers, a seasoned firefighter with decades of experience, vividly recalls when her daughter, Jenna Norwood, expressed her desire to follow in her mother’s footsteps in her early twenties. iaff.org

The increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires across the United States present a critical challenge for emergency responders. NASA and the FAA are actively addressing this threat. aviationsourcenews.com

Wildfire emissions in British Columbia, Canada, have reached their highest levels for any May on record. EARTH.ORG

San Francisco is phasing out firefighter gear containing PFAS. The Board of Supervisors unanimously passed an ordinance requiring all personal protective equipment to be PFAS-free by June 30, 2026. IAFF.ORG NEWS

Firefighters in New Westminster, B.C., with the highest death rate during the 2021 heat dome, can now provide more medical interventions during emergencies. The City announced that fire department members are now "emergency medical responders," enabling them to assess...