Tag: fire

More evacuations lifted as containment grows on Lucas Fire in Northern California

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Firefighters walk a hillside toward a wildfire above a rural community

A growing number of residents in two Northern California counties have been allowed to return home as firefighters increased containment on the Lucas Fire burning near the Mendocino National Forest. As of Tuesday afternoon, the fire burned 4,128 acres and is 35% contained, according to Cal Fire. The fire started Thursday morning near the Lake County – Mendocino County line southeast of Potter Valley. “Overnight, the fire remained within established control lines and crews continued to work on strengthening those,” officials said in a statement.

“Some evacuation orders have been lifted and traffic control points have been reduced. Residents and visitors should continue to follow remaining evacuation orders and local traffic-control directions.” On Monday afternoon, authorities downgraded evacuation orders to evacuation warnings in several zones but noted that returning residents should stay prepared to evacuate again if conditions change.

“Stronger northwest winds are expected later in the afternoon, which could increase fire activity in areas that continue to hold heat,” officials said Tuesday morning. Meanwhile, the evacuation status in 10 other zones has been cleared. As of Tuesday morning, evacuations are in effect for the following zones:

Lake County

  • MNF-E018
  • UPP-E023-B

Evacuation warnings are in effect for these zones:

Lake County

  • MNF-E016
  • MNF-E019
  • UPP-E023-A
  • UPP-E025
  • UPP-E027
  • UPP-E030

Mendocino County

  • MEN-2POT08-B

On Tuesday morning, the U.S. Forest Service has updated an emergency closure in the Upper Lake Ranger District of the Mendocino National Forest. While the Middle Creek, Penny Pines and Deer Valley campgrounds have reopened, roads and trails in the Hunter Point and Middle Creek area remain closed. No injuries have been reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Source: More evacuations lifted as containment grows on Lucas Fire in Northern California – CBS San Francisco

You, O LORD, remain forever; Your throne from generation to generation.
Lamentations 5:19

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25 dead after cargo ship fire in Chinese port

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Cargo ship under repair beside cranes and a tugboat in a shipyard

A cargo ship docked for repairs in a Chinese port caught fire, killing 25 people, Chinese state media reported Thursday. The ship was being repaired in the Beihai Shipbuilding Co. at the port of Qingdao, a major shipping hub on the northeastern Chinese coast. A photo released by Xinhua news agency identified the ship as the Ocean Melody, which sails under a Liberian flag, according to the tracking website VesselFinder. A total of 42 people had been on the vessel, and 12 of them were safely evacuated, Xinhua reported.

Five were injured and taken to the hospital, and they remained in a stable condition. The fire started around 11 a.m. Thursday and was extinguished by 2:30 p.m. local time. Videos online showed workers on the ship attempting to put out the fire. China’s President Xi Jinping issued “important instructions” to urgently conduct rescues of missing people on the ship, Xinhua said, adding that Premier Li Qiang called for “trapped” people to be rescued. Xi also called for ensuring “preventive measures are thoroughly implemented” and “resolutely prevent major and catastrophic accidents.”

Beihai Shipbuilding is part of the state-controlled China State Shipbuilding Corporation, the world’s largest shipbuilder. Its main businesses include shipbuilding and ship repairing, according to Beihai Shipbuilding’s website.

Source: 25 dead after cargo ship fire in Chinese port | AP News

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!
Psalm 133:1

Hunted for Following Jesus

In some communities, Muslims who leave Islam to follow Christ face rejection, threats, violence, and even death because of their faith. For Muslim-background believers, choosing to follow Jesus can place…

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Church steeple collapses after massive blaze on Martha Avenue Saturday morning

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fire scene

The steeple of a Toledo church collapsed after a massive structure on Martha Avenue early Saturday morning, according to fire officials at the scene. Fire crews were called to the 3000 block of Martha Avenue, near Five Points, around 6:30 a.m. for a structure fire. 13 Action News crews arrived on scene shortly after, finding St. Agnes Church ablaze.

The steeple of the church collapsed soon after our crews arrived. Firefighters on scene said nobody was injured. According to our media partner The Blade, the church was closed in 2005 after consolidation in the Toledo Diocese. We haven’t heard word yet from fire officials on what caused the fire, but we will update this story as we learn more.

Source: Church steeple collapses after massive blaze on Martha Avenue Saturday morning

Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.
Romans 13:8

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Islamabad hospital fire kills at least 14 newborn babies in Pakistan’s capital

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Hospital nursery hallway with bassinets, flowers, candle, and framed baby photo

At least 14 newborn babies died Wednesday morning in one of Pakistan’s deadliest hospital fires in recent decades. The fire broke out inside the maternity ward at the government-run Pakistan Institute for Medical Sciences (PIMS), the largest hospital in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad, around 7 a.m. local time. The blaze appears to have been triggered by an air conditioning compressor explosion inside the nursery where the newborn babies were being cared for, rescue sources told CNN. Hospital workers were able to rescue one child, the sources said. Outside the hospital, a grieving father told reporters his three-day-old baby had been killed in the fire.

“No one can understand the pain I’m going through,” he said. A woman named Muneeba who was visiting family in the hospital described narrowly escaping with her nephew and sister-in-law as the fire began to spread. “Thank God our baby is safe,” she told CNN. Multiple people reported encountering locked doors in the ward. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he is “deeply saddened by this tragic incident” and ordered an immediate investigation into the fire, according to statement from his office. He promised “strict action against anyone found responsible.” Health care in Pakistan is delivered through both private and public providers. Government-run facilities are chronically underfunded and short-staffed, and have faced criticism for aging infrastructure and lack of emergency preparedness. Sharmila Sahibah Faruqui, a member of Pakistan’s national assembly, called the tragedy “shameful and unforgivable” in a post to X.

“Heads must roll. Please do not hide behind another inquiry committee,” she wrote. “Those responsible must be taken to task.” Islamabad is home to Pakistan’s political and military elite and its facilities are generally of a higher standard than those found in other towns and cities in the country. The PIMS facility is located on a sprawling site in the capital. According to its website, its mission is “to be a premier research-intensive medical university that will educate medical students, paramedics, and postdoctoral fellows in accordance with international professional standards.”

Pakistan has experienced several major fires in recent years, including in hospitals, which often run on outdated electrical systems. Earlier this year, a massive blaze at a shopping center in Karachi killed at least 67 people. In June 2022, a fire broke out at a children’s hospital in Lahore and destroyed thousands of dollars worth of medicine, local media reported.

Source: Islamabad hospital fire kills at least 14 newborn babies in Pakistan’s capital | CNN

Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, And whoever spreads slander is a fool.
Proverbs 10:18

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Fast-growing Hawk Fire near Reno, Nevada forces thousands to evacuate

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A fast-growing wildfire spread from the Sierra foothills toward the center of Reno early Sunday, as approximately 90,000 residents were urged to evacuate. The fire has been burning across a rugged section of the Humboldt–Toiyabe National Forest, where Peavine Mountain is ringed by homes and businesses on the Nevada side of the California state line, and some of these homes have been consumed by the flames.  Six people, including three responders, have been injured, officials said Sunday.

The “GO NOW” zone, where 42,000 residents have been ordered to evacuate, reached the edge of the University of Nevada campus as the Hawk Fire grew to more than 13,000 acres. An additional 45,000 people were in the evacuation warning zone and encouraged to leave now and be prepared to stay away for several days to clear the roads for first responders. As of Sunday morning, the Hawk Fire was 0% contained and was moving in different directions as the winds changed, complicating the fight. The fire is believed to have been caused by a human, but the investigation is ongoing, authorities said Sunday. Gov. Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency in Washoe County and mobilized the Nevada National Guard to support aerial firefighting with two helicopter crews as well as 60 troops to help police safeguard evacuated neighborhoods.

“This is an active and rapidly evolving situation, and I urge everyone in the affected areas to remain vigilant and follow the direction of local officials,” Lombardo said in a statement posted on social media. “The state is fully engaged, and we are working alongside local authorities and first responders to deploy every available resource to protect lives, safeguard communities, and keep Nevadans out of harm’s way.” The fire apparently began Saturday and grew significantly throughout the day, fueled by strong, gusty winds, low humidity and dry vegetation, according to a statement from Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue. “The Hawk Fire is a very dynamic incident for us as it’s being driven by the winds,” Richard Edwards, chief of Truckee Meadows Fire & Rescue in Washoe County, said in a video posted to social media.

“The wind-driven fires move very rapidly into our residential areas, creating a lot of challenges for our firefighters to save homes and protect lives.” The fire zone is surrounded by neighborhoods, and nearly 10,000 homes and businesses were without power in Washoe County on Sunday. Portions of U.S. Route 395, a major north-south highway, were closed due to the fire. Reno has a population of more than 280,000 residents. Classes in all but one school in the Washoe County School District will be canceled on Monday due to “evacuations, impacts on regional public safety resources, and to help keep roads clear for emergency vehicles,” district officials announced. “If you have been told to evacuate, please don’t wait!” Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve said in a statement posted on social media late Saturday night. “Structures have already been burned in this fire and your life is more important than a building.

Evacuating before the fire arrives also allows our firefighters to focus their efforts on battling the blaze.” Casinos in Reno offered discounts on hotel rooms to evacuees. Washoe County, Nevada, emergency officials opened the Reno-Sparks Convention Center to evacuees, but said they couldn’t bring their pets — small animals and large animals were to be left at two other locations. The Northwest Specialty Hospital in Washoe County said it has evacuated all patients out of an abundance of caution. “The safety and well-being of our patients and staff remain our highest priority,” the Northern Nevada Health System said in a statement on social media. The Reno-Tahoe International Airport was outside the evacuation zone. Commercial flights at the airport were unaffected Sunday.

The smaller Reno-Stead Airport was closed to general aviation traffic due to the Hawk Fire, but remained open to firefighting aircraft. Earlier this month, three wildfires fueled by hot, dry and windy conditions north of Reno forced more than 13,000 residents from their homes, according to the Nevada National Guard.

Source: Fast-growing Hawk Fire near Reno, Nevada forces thousands to evacuate – CBS News

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
Deuteronomy 6:4-5

2 Timothy 3:12 

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John 15:18–20

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love…

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Galatians 1:6-10

“When truth becomes negotiable, faith becomes vulnerable so know the Gospel, stand on God’s Word, and seek His approval above the world’s applause.” “I…

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Old Trails Fire continues burning in northwest Spokane as thousands remain evacuated from their homes

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grass fire at night

The Old Trails Fire that sparked near Old Trails Road and W Euclid Road has burned 3,621 acres as of Monday, according to an incident PIO. It is one of three major wildfires in northwest Spokane County, called the Spokane Area Fires.  Level 3 (Go Now!) Evacuations are in place for the following areas

  • Rutter on the North
  • Strong on the South
  • Spokane River on the West
  • Division on the East
  • Five Mile to the North
  • Strong to the South
  • Five Mile to the West
  • Waikiki on the East
  • Cedar on the West
  • Francis on the North
  • Wellesley on the South
  • Strong on the North
  • Five Mile on the West
  • Cedar on the East
  • Spokane River on the West
  • Trails on the South
  • Nine Mile/Assembly on the East
  • Marchand Road on the North
  • Lyons on the West
  • Newkirk Drive on the North
  • North Hayford Road on the West
  • East Euclid Road on the East
  • Dowdy on the East
  • Westwood on the West

Level 2 (Get Set) Evacuations are in place for the following areas: Between Price on the north, Francis on the south, and Country Homes on the west and Division on the east; between Francis on the north, Wellesley on the south and Ash on the west and Division on the east; between Woodside on the north and Francis on the south, and Assembly on the west and Five Mile on the east; between Marchand Road on the North, Trails and Newkirk on the South, Lyons on the West and North Old Trails on the East; between Newkirk Road on the North and Trails on the South, North Hayford on the West and Old Trails/Westwood on the East; between Newkirk/Euclid on the North and Trails on the South, Westwood on the West and Dowdy/Old Trails on the East; between Euclid/Indian Bluff on the North and Trails on the South, Dowdy on the West and West Euclid Road/Trails on the East; between 4000 N. Indian Bluff Road on the north to West Trails Road on the South, Euclid/Trails on the West and Government Way/Equestrian on the East..

The following areas have been downgraded to Level 1 (Be Ready) Evacuations: Magnesium on the North, Francis on the South, Division on the East and Nevada on the West.  The Old Trails Fire sparked around noon on Saturday and is 0% contained.  An incident PIO says the fire, along with the Fairview Fire near Mead, significantly subdued in activity Sunday, allowing firefighters to focus on structure protection and improving a fire line.  The main evacuation shelter for the Spokane Area Fires is at the Spokane Convention Center, 334 W Spokane Falls Blvd. A shelter at Spokane Falls Community College is closed as of Saturday, according to the Red Cross.   Riverside State Park and Dwight Merkel Sports Complex were also evacuated. The Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center confirmed to KREM 2 that staff evacuated patients and staff members. The VA said 27 patients are currently under the care of staff at area shelters and the hospital has been fully evacuated. 

Red Cross asks people hoping to donate or those who need help to call 1-800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2767) as it will be manned overnight.  The Barking Lot is accepting pets if you are trying to evacuate the area. The address is 15825 E Trent Ave, Spokane Valley WA 99216. To check their availability, call (509) 564-6066. State fire assistance has been mobilized under the Washington State Fire Services Resource Mobilization Plan in support of local firefighters working to contain the Old Trails Fire in Spokane County, near Airway Heights. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has also authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs.

Source: Old Trails Fire continues burning in northwest Spokane as thousands remain evacuated from their homes | krem.com

So teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12

Isaiah 45:2

“I will go before you and level the exalted places, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron, This verse reminds us that God…

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Proverbs 21:23

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. This verse emphasizes that people who carefully watch what they say will protect themselves from serious trouble. “Guarding your mouth…

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Arson arrest in one of the Spokane area wildfires that have left some residents with nothing – CBS News

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A 37-year-old man was arrested Monday for allegedly starting the largest of the three devastating Spokane, Washington-area wildfires that are leaving some residents with nothing. Aaron Farinacci, a Spokane resident who has a prior manslaughter conviction, was booked on suspicion of first degree arson in connection with the Old Trails Fire and was being held on $1 million bond, the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office said. Authorities began investigating Farinacci after a witness saw him kneeling near grass where the fire began, Spokane County Sheriff John Nowels told a press conference late Monday.

“We believe it was matches or a lighter. When he was detained … he was found to be in possession of some waterproof matches and a butane lighter,” the sheriff said, adding that Farinacci was only arrested in connection with the Old Trails Fire. With some 67,000 people under evacuation orders amid the three blazes, hundreds could be coming home to total losses. “All of our memories are gone,” said Anna Andreachi, a Spokane resident whose home was lost in the blaze. “My dad just died, and all of his stuff was still in there, too.”  More than 700 buildings in the Spokane area have been destroyed, and another 400 have yet to be assessed, officials said Monday.  “It’s a nightmare situation,” Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson said. “This is likely the worst natural disaster in Spokane history.”

A partially melted street sign sits in front of a burned out residential home in the Balboa neighborhood of Spokane, Washington, on August 2, 2026. Erick Doxey / AFP via Getty Images Joe Cvancara and his family managed to save their home by digging a fire line. But his neighbor’s home and at least eight others in the area were destroyed.  Cvancara said he’s grateful but that it feels like “almost survivor’s guilt, in a way. Like, wow. So we’re going to open our home to our neighbors. I know it’s going to take a long time to rebuild.” The fires began Saturday, when extreme drought, bone-dry brush, high heat and wicked winds combined to create a dangerous environment for fires to spread quickly. Firefighters went door to door trying to save as many homes as they could, but were soon overwhelmed.    As of Monday, no deaths had been reported. Spokane County Sheriff John Knowles told reporters on Monday there were 14 people authorities were trying to get in touch with, but stressed that he didn’t want to qualify them as missing.

“These are people who may have called for help or for help evacuating, and many of them likely did get evacuated,” he said. “You know, with poor cell phone coverage, people’s cell phone batteries die or they get to some place where they do find shelter and we haven’t been able to reach them by phone. So, that’s the task … for those 14 people that we haven’t been able to talk to.” The Old Trails Fire and the Fairview Fire are both still burning, but the main focus for firefighters on Sunday and Monday was the Autumn Lane Fire. The heat and wind that initially fueled the fires had died down by the beginning of the week, but the dangerous conditions are expected to return by Wednesday. Daniel Ramey, a spokesperson for the California Interagency Incident Management Team 7, which is taking part in the firefighting efforts, told CBS News that the next few days could be critical for firefighting efforts. “It looks like Wednesday into Friday we’re going to be seeing a heat trend up to the 90s, so it’s really time for us to put in the work … on this fire up north and continue the efforts with getting the communities back into their homes as soon as possible below us,” he said.

Three members of the Spokane Fire Department sit on a curb in front of burned down homes in the Balboa neighborhood of Spokane, Washington, on August 2, 2026.  Erick Doxey / AFP via Getty Images Ramey said that while the three fires aren’t particularly big compared to other notable wildfires, the issue is that they have occurred in what’s known as the wildland-urban interface — areas where human structures sit on the edge or within the wilderness. “There’s always a chance when you live next to trees and grass and the beautiful nature that you’re going to have a potential for fire like we saw,” he said. “We didn’t have rain for the whole month of July in this area, so everything was extremely dry. Everything was susceptible to those new starts, like we saw.”

For the Pacific Northwest, this has been one of the worst fire seasons in three decades. At least 16 major fires are burning in Washington state. In Utah, a fire has burned nearly 70,000 acres after doubling in size Monday. The Big Rock Fire in southeastern Idaho has burned more than 2,500 acres and forced evacuations. Ramey warns things could get worse, with California still relatively quiet so far but firefighting resources already stretched thin.

Source: Arson arrest in one of the Spokane area wildfires that have left some residents with nothing – CBS News

The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.
Proverbs 11:3

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Fires near Spokane have burned 600 structures and forced 60,000 evacuations

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close up of burning flames

The fires in and around Spokane, Washington state’s second largest city, burned about 8.2 square miles over the weekend.

Source: (3) Fires near Spokane have burned 600 structures and forced 60,000 evacuations – YouTube

A man’s gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men.
Proverbs 18:16

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BWCA wildfires latest: More than 70K acres burned

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Helicopter collecting water

Wildfires in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area have burned more than 70,000 acres, with evacuations and closures in effect in multiple counties as of Sunday, July 19. FOX 9 has team coverage with Ian Leonard, and Bill Keller up on the Gunflint Trail.

Source: (667) BWCA wildfires latest: More than 70K acres burned – YouTube

He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.
John 3:36

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Evacuation warnings in place as 50-acre fire burns on Mount Diablo in Contra Costa County

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forest fire and environmental disaster

Evacuation warnings were in place near Mount Diablo as a 50-acre blaze, which fire officials have named the Morgan Fire, broke out in Contra Costa County on Friday afternoon. The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District told CBS News Bay Area that reports of the fire came in just before 3 p.m. The Morgan Fire is burning in the area of Morgan Territory and March Creek Road with fire retardant around roughly 75% of the fire line, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention (Cal Fire) said.

Cal Fire airplanes were seen flying over the area. Footage reviewed by CBS News Bay Area showed helitankers dumping water over the flames, and firefighters have been working to fight back the blaze on the ground. According to PG&E, there have been no outages from the Morgan Fire, but they said they are closely monitoring the situation. There have been no reports yet as of Friday evening as to how this fire started. Evacuation warnings in place Two zones stretching south from the point of the fire are under an evacuation warning, meaning people in those areas should be ready to leave immediately if the conditions worsen.

Those zones are CCC-249 and CCC-250, and they stretch south along the east side of Mount Diablo State Park to the Morgan Regional Preserve. View a live evacuation order map of the Morgan Fire here.

Source: Evacuation warnings in place as 50-acre fire burns on Mount Diablo in Contra Costa County – CBS San Francisco

Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Philippians 4:5

Hope in the dark

Pip: A mountain village, a wandering stranger, a mother weaving a basket by the river — Drink of Jesus has been building a world where ancient scripture lands…

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Boundary Waters wilderness burning at U.S

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a sunset over a lake with clouds in the sky

Wildfires flared earlier this week and destroyed thousands of acres in Manitoba, Ontario, and Minnesota, with many of the fires straddling the U.S.-Canadian border. The Western Fire Chiefs’ map on Thursday afternoon tracked at least 17 wildfires in Minnesota, and at least 10 in Canada, near the border. The largest in Canada covered over 70,600 acres, while the largest Minnesota fire spread over 13,500 acres. The Boundary Waters Canoe Area, or BWCA, a popular wilderness area stretching 1 million acres on either side of the border, has been hit extremely hard.

Nearby residents posted videos showing the plumes of smoke covering the sky, with one local posting he hasn’t slept since watching his home burn. What caused the fires? Officials reported that a downed power line caused at least one fire in Minnesota, while at least one other resulted from an abandoned campfire in Manitoba, Canada. Officials reported that at least one other fire sparked during a lightning storm, and several other fires have undetermined causes. The fires have spread due to area dryness and record-high heat in the region. What steps have been taken? Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz declared a peacetime emergency and activated the National Guard, while rangers evacuated the BWCA. Forest officials estimated that up to 10,000 campers and canoers were within the park when evacuation orders were issued.

As of Tuesday, at least 17 people were rescued with no injuries reported. State and federal firefighters worked to contain the fires via land and air efforts. The BWCA will remain closed until at least Friday, the first time it has closed in 45 years, according to The Minnesota Star Tribune. Authorities ordered evacuations from nearby residential areas to keep locals out of the fire’s path. Fernberg Road in Minnesota has been evacuated, which has raised concerns as it is the only road in or out of Ely, Minn., the entrance to the BWCA area. MPR News released a video showing some of the evacuation efforts in the BWCA. Where else is affected? New York Gov. Kathy Hochul released a statement on Thursday morning warning New Yorkers that smoke from the fires would continue blanketing the Empire State. She expected air quality to worsen and unhealthy air conditions to spread across the state.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued a similar statement on Thursday, instructing residents to stay inside whenever possible. Air quality levels across the state ranged between very unhealthy and hazardous, she reported. Wisconsin officials also issued an air quality advisory on Thursday due to wildfire smoke, suggesting residents wear N95 respirator masks and program air conditioning units to recirculate indoor air.

Source: Boundary Waters wilderness burning at U.S-Canada border | WORLD

That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love.
Ephesians 3:16-17

God as Your Ever-Present Help

You don’t have to carry this alone, He is your safe place and your help in every moment of need.  Bible Verse:God is our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable…

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The Distraction of Fear

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Aspen Acres Fire in southern Colorado surpasses 100,000 acres, reaches 61% containment

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On Friday, fire crews in southern Colorado managed to improve containment of the Aspen Acres Fire, even as the wildfire grew to approximately 100,223 acres. The Aspen Acres Fire is the largest wildfire burning in the State of Colorado and is the seventh-largest wildfire by acreage in the state’s history, according to the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control. This estimate would make the Aspen Acres Fire slightly smaller than the 2018 Spring Creek Fire, which burned 108,045 acres. (This does not include the West Fork Complex, which consisted of multiple fires that burned in close proximity.)

The Aspen Acres Fire seen in the distance from Rye, Colo., on July 13, 2026. Rye Fire Protection District Extreme fire conditions present when the fire sparked have eased somewhat, but the area still faces moderate fire danger. Strategic Operations Chief Manny Mendoza says the increase in moisture and calmer winds have allowed crews to be more aggressive in their containment efforts without putting the firefighters in as much danger. So far, they have reached 61% containment. Mendoza says the Aspen Acres Fire was considered the largest fire disaster in the country yesterday until fires in the northwest intensified, making it more challenging to obtain out-of-state resources.

He said crews are trying to “squeeze the box” to limit the fire’s growth, which involves riskier approaches where possible as they work to strengthen the fire line and increase containment. Dozer line along Highway 165 on the Northwestern side of the Aspen Acres Fire Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 6 Some evacuations have been downgraded, but Mendoza stressed it’s important to be careful as they don’t want people to return home prematurely. In a letter to the community on Monday, Rye Fire Protection District Fire Chief Ross Gallegos empathized with residents anxious to return, but warned that the fire is only two miles from the town and remains a threat to public safety.

He urged residents to be patient and asked those already allowed to return not to travel beyond established checkpoints without authorization. Huerfano County Commissioner Mitchell Wardell said that Huerfano County is entering a water conservation notice and asked residents to help save water. The U.S. Forest Service reminded nearby residents that, even as containment of the fire grows, it will likely take a while for it to be completely under control.

Source: Aspen Acres Fire in southern Colorado surpasses 100,000 acres, reaches 61% containment – CBS Colorado

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.
Galatians 6:9

Too Busy to Hear God

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Roseville Fire plans major drone expansion to speed emergency response

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advanced agricultural drone spraying crops

What once required firefighters on the ground can now be done from the sky, and Roseville Fire says it’s only the beginning. While drones have been part of the department’s toolbox since 2020, fire leaders are now looking to expand the program with a long-term vision of placing a drone at every fire station in the city. The goal is to launch drones to emergencies within moments, giving firefighters and police real-time aerial intelligence before crews arrive on scene. Within about a minute of a request, firefighters can already have a drone airborne, streaming live video back to incident commanders.

“We can see if we’re starting to get thermal runaway, an incident that might be too dangerous to put people in,” said Roseville Fire Captain Jonathan Davidson. “We can start getting video and transmitting it down to people on the ground who need that intel.” Davidson became the department’s first licensed drone pilot when Roseville Fire launched its drone program in 2020. Now, city leaders are looking at the next evolution of the technology. “They want to put a drone on every single fire station in town,” Davidson said. “That drone can launch from the fire station, and there would be a person in the control center able to fly that drone and provide the aerial reconnaissance.” The expanded system would allow drones to respond automatically to vehicle crashes, fires and other emergencies while being operated remotely from a centralized control center.

Fire officials say the added aerial perspective can help incident commanders make faster, safer decisions before firefighters enter potentially dangerous situations. As the program grows, so will the need for trained drone operators. Roseville Fire Battalion Chief Thanh Pham believes military veterans are especially well-suited for the role because of their experience making critical decisions with limited information. “We’re pretty much problem solvers,” Pham said. “A lot of times in an emergency, we’re given about 60 to 70 percent of the facts and you have to take action. I think that’s a skill set a lot of veterans have that can translate to civilian life or the fire service.” That’s where the Veterans Workforce Alliance hopes to help, connecting former service members with departments building drone programs. “When an organization needs drones and drone operators, the military has them,” said Veterans Workforce Alliance board member Nathan Champion.

“About 200,000 military personnel transition out of the military every year, so that’s a perfect source for organizations that have that need.” For Davidson, the expanding drone program reflects how much the fire service has evolved over the past 25 years. “There’s so many different things that we do in this profession that are outside of just taking a hose into a burning building and putting water on the fire,” he said. From boots on the ground to eyes in the sky, Roseville firefighters say drones are becoming an increasingly important tool, helping crews gather critical information faster, improve firefighter safety and shape the future of emergency response.

Source: Roseville Fire plans major drone expansion to speed emergency response – CBS Sacramento

Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, But righteousness delivers from death.
Proverbs 11:4

Faith Under Pressure

Pip: Drink of Jesus is a site that treats ancient Scripture the way a good contractor treats load-bearing walls — you don’t move them just because the room looks dated. Mara:…

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McKean Fire southwest of San Jose burns just over 10 acres

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close up of burning flames

Fire crews have stopped the forward progression of the McKean Fire in Santa Clara County Sunday afternoon.  Cal Fire said aviation and ground resources were at the scene of the fire off Alamden Road and Mountain Drive, trying to establish containment lines.   Crews said the fire was burning at a moderate rate, but said the forward progress was stopped at just about 10 acres.  The fire was burning in an area that crews said was in difficult terrain.  No evacuations were issued, but people were urged to avoid the area. 

Source: McKean Fire southwest of San Jose burns just over 10 acres – CBS San Francisco

Shepherds Who Neglect the Flock

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The Weight of Leadership

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Heaven is for Real Movie

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God’s Here

After losing his wife and son in a tragic accident, a firefighter wrestles with grief and forgiveness. Starring Kevin Sorbo (God’s Not Dead), Sarah Elizabeth Reeves Director: Bill McAdams Jr. Writer:…

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San Francisco firefighters rescue person, 2 dogs from Mission District house fire

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Firefighters using ladders and hoses to fight a fire at an apartment building

One person and two dogs were rescued from a fire at a multifamily home in San Francisco’s Mission District late Monday night, firefighters said. The San Francisco Fire Department said crews responded around 11 p.m. to a one-alarm structure fire at a three-story residential building near 17th and Dolores streets.

1-ALARM FIRE WITH RESCUES The San Francisco Fire Department is on scene a one-alarm structure fire at a three -story multifamily dwelling located in the 3600 block of 17th Street in San Francisco’s Mission District. Firefighters have successfully rescued an adult and two dogs,… pic.twitter.com/WIfXCtFqP9 — SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) June 30, 2026

Firefighters rescued one adult and two dogs from the building. SFFD said all three were being checked by paramedics and were expected to be OK. Crews were able to keep the fire from spreading beyond the home, the department said. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Source: San Francisco firefighters rescue person, 2 dogs from Mission District house fire – CBS San Francisco

That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.
Philippians 3:10

Feeling Alone? God Sees You

Even when you feel invisible in your struggle, God sees every tear, every burden, and every silent prayer. Your exhaustion has not escaped His attention. “The Lord is close to…

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Jesus Revolution

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Letters to God

Tyler Doherty is an extraordinary eight-year-old boy armed with strong faith and courage as he faces his daily battle against cancer. Surrounded by a loving family and community, Tyler’s prayers…

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War Room

Pharmaceutical salesman Tony Jordan and his wife, realtor Elizabeth Jordan, appear outwardly successful; they have a large house, plenty of money, and a beautiful daughter named Danielle. Behind the façade,…

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Climbing Your Mountain

Pip: A mountain village, a wandering stranger, a mother weaving a basket by the river — Drink of Jesus has been building a world where ancient scripture lands like it’s…

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Fast-growing Everglades wildfire in Broward scorches thousands of acres, raises concerns about air quality

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Fire crews in western Broward County are continuing battle a new wildfire that ignited in the Florida Everglades over the weekend. The Atlantic Fire, which is burning west of Sunrise, Coral Springs and Tamarac in South Florida, has so far burned 4,755 acres and was 0% contained as of Tuesday morning. As of Tuesday there have been no road closures or no evacuations. Air quality was being affected in parts of Broward and Miami-Dade counties as smoke drifted into the metro area. While the overall Air Quality Index remained in the “good” range, localized air quality sensors detected elevated levels of fine particle pollution.

Light northerly winds were carrying smoke from the wildfire into some neighborhoods, and residents have reported smelling smoke Tuesday morning. On Monday, residents in the area expressed their concern that the growing fire could impact air quality in the area or move closer to their homes. “I suffer from asthma myself and so does my son, so this is one of the things that brought it to my attention to see which way the winds were blowing in,” said Age Casas. “It’s crazy, I’ve never seen this before in my life. I’ve lived for 42 years in South Florida, and this is the first time I’ve ever seen a wildfire live,” said Travis Davis. Their fears come after several large wildfires raged across portions of Miami-Dade earlier this month burning tens of thousands of acres and forcing some people form their homes. Broward residents watch wildfire burn Dozens of curious residents gathered at the Sawgrass Trailhead to watch the Atlantic Fire burn over the weekend and early Monday morning.

“We were able to see the flames a lot better. They’re pretty close. And they’re really bright and there’s a lot of smoke. I brought my camera out here and got some really awesome photos of the wildfire,” Dylan Wise said. Other said they were worried about wildlife in the area. “A little bit sad, I think like animals are losing their homes,” said Adrien Casas. “It’s sad at the same time to think about the wildlife to think that it’s hard for our firefighters to get out there and even try to control something like this,” said Age Casas. It’s unknown what started the fire, and fire crews are continuing to monitor the ongoing situation.

Source: Fast-growing Everglades wildfire in Broward scorches thousands of acres, raises concerns about air quality – CBS Miami

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
Isaiah 61:10

Boundary Waters wilderness burning at U.S

Wildfires flared earlier this week and destroyed thousands of acres in Manitoba, Ontario, and Minnesota, with many of the fires straddling the U.S.-Canadian border. The Western Fire Chiefs’ map on Thursday…

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Peace in the Storm

God does not always remove the storm immediately, but He promises peace in the middle of it. His presence calms fearful hearts.  Bible Verse: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I…

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The Brave New Age of Trust-Fund Socialism

Democrats are in the midst of a fun and terrifying transformation. Hating Trump is no longer sufficient to win elections in blue states. Democratic primary voters—specifically the party’s core constituency of…

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Teenage boy springs into action, saving Sherman Oaks home and neighbors from fire

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Teenager walking on a sidewalk in a suburban neighborhood during autumn

A Sherman Oaks neighborhood is thanking their unexpected hero after a 13-year-old boy sprang into action when he noticed a fire in the middle of the night, saving them from a possible tragedy.  Myron Tkechenko was sleeping on the couch in the living room of his family’s home, in the midst of a sleepover, at around 3 a.m. on Saturday, when he noticed something was wrong.  Surveillance camera footage from a neighbor’s house shows what was likely the simultaneous moments that a fire broke out in the bushes outside of their Hesby Street home, as a person pushing a shopping cart stopped for a few minutes.

“I heard, like, crackling and something, like, burning,” Tkechenko said. “I was trying to think of the best thing to do, so I thought getting everyone out of the house was the priority.” He woke his family up and got everyone to safety within minutes. The security camera video shows the unidentified person looking at the fire before walking away. A short time later, Tkechenko’s family is seen rushing from the home and moving their cars out of the fire’s path.  Then, Tkechenko and his father are seen fighting the fire on their own, stopping it just feet from their house and several of their neighbors’.  “I was filling up the pots, and he was taking them and just making sure the fire wouldn’t spread to our house,” Tkechenko said. 

Neighbors, all very grateful for the teen’s quick thinking, say that the incident highlights a bigger issue that the community is facing, including recent incidents of vandalism and other crimes they believe are tied to homelessness.  “I was horrified, because should that young man not have been awakened and called 911 when he did to get the fire department here, who knows what would have happened,” said Penny Johnson. Johnson is the neighborhood watch captain on their street, and as such, her house is fitted with 16 security cameras, including the one that captured the moments the person appeared to set the fire. 

“Almost everybody on the block has kids, and they’re scared, and that’s not right,” Johnson said. “I just want the city council and the mayor to work together to get this problem solved.” As for Tkechenko and his family, they’re feeling grateful that he was in the right place at the right time, but still on edge considering the way the blaze broke out.  “I’m pretty sad, honestly. I don’t really know how he did it,” Tkechenko said. “I feel like I’m really lucky that I woke up. I feel like my family’s lucky, and the neighborhood is.” Neighbors say that they’re gathering additional security video from the area in hopes of identifying the person seen in the video. 

Source: Teenage boy springs into action, saving Sherman Oaks home and neighbors from fire – CBS Los Angeles

Better is a little with the fear of the LORD, Than great treasure with trouble.
Proverbs 15:16

Christian street preacher cleared of hate speech charges

Pastor John Sherwood, the Christian street preacher arrested last year in West London for alleged homophobic hate speech, has been cleared in Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court. His colleague Peter Simpson confirmed his acquittal on April 7 to the Conservative Woman website. Mr Sherwood’s defence centred on his freedom “to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and…

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Finding Hope in Life’s Challenges

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Churches and clergy among targets in anti-Christian incidents across Europe

Anti-Christian hate crimes remained elevated in Europe during the month of June, with arson attacks continuing to target Christian sites across the continent.  The Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe (OIDAC Europe) documented 40 anti-Christian hate crimes last month, placing June second only to March (41 cases) for the number of recorded incidents…

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Chicago teens learning firefighting skills at “Camp Courage”

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Embracing Divine Help in Troubling Times

You don’t have to carry this alone, He is your safe place and your help in every moment of need.  Bible Verse:God is our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation], a very present and well-proved help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 God is your refuge when everything feels unstable. When your body is tired…

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Revival Grips Brazil’s Amazon: ‘We Baptized 14,500 People’

A profound spiritual transformation is unfolding in the Amazon.  For centuries, the Catholic Church held a near-monopoly in the region. Today, evangelical Christianity is reshaping the region’s spiritual fabric, leading to new converts and churches. CBN News traveled to Brazil’s northwest Amazon region to witness it firsthand for this exclusive report. Linger on the banks…

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Police arrest Christian victims after attack on Coptic church

Egyptian police arrested four Christian men who had been assaulted by a mob during an attack on a Coptic place of worship in Egypt, and freed them two days later once they abandoned the complaint they lodged against those who beat them. The attack took place in the Upper Egyptian village of Tal Al-Quiblya in…

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Overcoming Overwhelm: God’s Promise Today

You may not have strength for tomorrow, but God promises enough grace for today. One step at a time, He will carry you forward. “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not…

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Hope in Uncertainty: The Truth of God’s Promises

The God who created time is not controlled by time, He rules over it. Every prophecy fulfilled is proof that history is not random, but written by the hand of a sovereign God. Grandpa’s Wisdom The room was quiet except for the ticking of an old clock on the wall. There was a young man…

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Chinese firm markets lifelike humanoid robots as remedy for loneliness

A Chinese robotics company has introduced a line of lifelike humanoid robots built as personal companions, presenting the machines as an answer to loneliness among single adults and older people, according to a video report from news agency Agence France-Presse. UBTech unveiled the U1 series and describes it as the world’s first full-size humanoid robot…

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Embrace the Gospel: A Call to Action in the Church Age

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Georgia Secretary of State opens investigation into voter registration mailers sent to deceased residents

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger announced Thursday that his office has opened an investigation into Ready to Register and other third-party organizations after reports that voter registration mailers were sent to deceased Georgians and other ineligible recipients. According to the Secretary of State’s Office, election officials have received numerous complaints about voter registration solicitations…

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Fetterman and McCormick form bipartisan joint fundraising committee

Pennsylvania’s two U.S. senators have teamed up to form a joint fundraising committee to raise money for their campaigns in an unusual display of bipartisanship — and one that may not actually be meant to generate funds. Common Ground PA filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on Monday. The joint fundraising committee lists both…

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Meals on Wheels pleads for volunteers to assist North Texas seniors

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Flash flooding, stormy weather returning to NYC, New Jersey

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Prayer for Boldness; Acts 4:24-31

When opposition rises against God’s people, the natural response is often fear. Yet the early church teaches us that the answer to intimidation is not retreat, but prayer to have supernatural boldness. “And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you…

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Utah wildfires: Three firefighters killed in Colorado as wildfires rage across the Southwest

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Five firefighters standing on a rocky ridge looking at a large forest wildfire at night

Three firefighters have died battling a fast-moving blaze along the Colorado-Utah border, officials said, as dozens of infernos rage across the Southwest, with Utah imposing sweeping restrictions on Fourth of July fireworks ahead of the nation’s 250th Independence Day. The National Weather Service has issued the highest possible fire weather risk, warning that dry air and windy gusts pose an “extremely critical” risk of fire conditions over the Four Corners region this weekend. The three firefighters died while battling the fast-growing Snyder Mesa Fire, which has burned more than 28,000 acres along the Utah-Colorado border, the US Wildland Fire Service said late Saturday.

Two others were injured and transported to hospital, the service said. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis declared a disaster emergency Saturday in Mesa County in reaction to the blaze, which he said had crossed into Colorado from Utah, and authorized the state’s National Guard to support response efforts. Utah’s governor announced last week firework restrictions for Fourth of July, saying a historic drought, hundreds of wildfires and unprecedented fire behavior have stretched Utah’s firefighting resources to the brink. “Utahns love celebrating the Fourth of July with family, friends and fireworks. I do too. But this year is different,” Cox said. “We are seeing fire behavior that even our most experienced firefighters say they’ve never witnessed before.”

The fire threat is so severe that the National Weather Service office in Salt Lake City issued its first-ever “particularly dangerous situation” red flag warning, which covers central and southern Utah and includes the Cottonwood Fire, the state’s largest active blaze. “This is a temporary measure for an extraordinary year,” Cox said of the fireworks ban. “It protects lives and homes while allowing local leaders, working alongside their fire officials, to identify areas where fireworks can be used safely.” In some municipalities, local leaders working alongside fire officials will designate approved areas where fireworks can still be used under safer conditions. The Cottonwood Fire, burning through the Fishlake National Forest east of Beaver, Utah, has grown to more than 92,000 acres as of Saturday morning, an area bigger than Salt Lake City, in just a few days and remains 0% contained as of Saturday night.

Evacuations are in place for the fire, which state and local officials believe is likely Utah’s most destructive and costly wildfire on record. Its cause is still under investigation. A total of 1,066 personnel are battling the Cottonwood Fire, where crews have been warned to stay vigilant of the dangerous and unpredictable fire behavior. “We always have safety first out there, and as soon as we see things or we start getting feelings, we’ve told the guys they don’t like it, disengage, get to a safe place,” Alyssa Mason, a spokesperson for the fire’s emergency management team, told CNN affiliate KSL. State officials also warned that anyone whose illegal actions ignite a wildfire could face steep criminal charges and substantial civil liability for the damage caused. Beloved cabins and lifelong memories reduced to ashes As officials continue assessing the ongoing damage, the full toll of the Cottonwood Fire remains unknown.

But across the Beaver Mountain community, residents are already grieving the loss of cherished cabins and family retreats that held generations of memories. For Evan Stapley, Beaver Mountain was more than a weekend getaway — it was woven into his family’s history. “To me, nothing’s more beautiful than Beaver Mountain in the fall,” Stapley told CNN affiliate KSL. “The aspen yellow, and you get the reds in there and all the greens. There is nothing more beautiful in the world.” Now, the cabin where those memories were made has been reduced to ash. Stapley said he learned it had burned in the Cottonwood Fire after a friend sent him video of the spot where it once stood. “I saw that and went, ‘That’s just unbelievable,’” he told KSL. “The fire must have moved so fast and twirled around in there and just took it … I cried,” he added.

“I’ve got too many memories, too many memories of that place.” The fire also dealt a devastating blow to Eagle Point Ski Resort, where several buildings were damaged or destroyed. In a Facebook post, owner Shane Gadbaw said the resort will remain closed as it recovers from what he called a catastrophe. “We are thankful that to our knowledge, there have been no human casualties from the fire,” Gadbaw said in a Facebook post. Residents gathered Friday in Piute County as the Cottonwood Fire pushed closer, with flames visible in the distance and smoke settling across the valley, to hear updates and discuss emergency response plans, CNN affiliate KSTU reported. During the meeting, Nick Schenk of Great Basin Team 5, one of the first responders who fought the blaze Monday, delivered an emotional account of the battle against the fire. “We did everything we absolutely could.

We called for every bit of help we could find. And about all we could do was get people out of the way of it,” Schenk told KSTU. Photos shared by the resort Thursday showed a handful of lodges still standing amid a landscape of blackened trees. Farther north, the Iron Fire near Eureka, Utah, has burned more than 40,000 acres after forcing evacuations earlier this week. Nearby, the Cherry Fire, sparked by lightning Friday morning, has already grown to more than 30,000 acres. Another blaze, the Wild Goose Fire, ignited near Holden on Friday, adding to a growing list of active wildfires across Utah. State fire officials estimated by Saturday evening it had burned over 10,000 acres as crews worked to assess and contain its spread.

Source: Utah wildfires: Three firefighters killed in Colorado as wildfires rage across the Southwest | CNN

The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.
Psalm 145:18

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San Jose brush fire burns near homes before progress stopped

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firefighters standing on the grass

A brush fire burned close to homes in San Jose on Friday before firefighters stopped its forward progress. The fire burned in the Communications Hill area of South San Jose near the Sunshine Hill Cross and began at around 11:15 a.m. The San Jose Fire Department said it burned about seven acres close to the Chateau La Salle mobile home park. The fire’s forward progress was stopped at 12:03 p.m., the Fire Department said.  No structures were burned and there were no reports of any injuries. The cause of the fire was not immediately determined.

Source: San Jose brush fire burns near homes before progress stopped – CBS San Francisco

Can a woman forget her nursing child, And not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me.
Isaiah 49:15-16

The Story of America: John Adams

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Utah declares emergency, limits fireworks ahead of July Fourth as crews battle largest U.S. wildfire

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Utah restricted fireworks and declared a state of emergency Friday ahead of July Fourth celebrations as the United States’ largest wildfire expanded its reach across more tinder-dry forest, as crews rush to fight new blazes in the arid state. The National Weather Service issued a rare “Particularly Dangerous Situation” warning as dry, windy conditions provided fuel for more fires across the western U.S. The Cottonwood Fire in a sparsely populated area of southern Utah started Monday. It ballooned to more than 112 square miles by Friday, burning unchecked as strong winds grounded air support, forestry officials said.

One of six large wildfires burning in Utah, it severely damaged the Eagle Point ski resort in Beaver County, forcing mandatory evacuations.  As of Friday evening, Utah had 10 active wildfires burning across more than 144,700 acres, according to the state’s wildfire dashboard. The Cottonwood Fire had burned nearly 72,000 acres and is at 0% containment.  “We have the 35 miles-per-hour sustained winds that they predicted, and we definitely have the 45 miles-per-hour gusts,” said Alyssa Mason, a spokesperson assigned to the fire. “So there has been a great increase in the fire activity. We are seeing extreme fire behavior out there with some crown runs and definitely some spotting.”

The smoke has been pushing to the east and northeast, meaning air quality at popular vacation spots like Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks — located far south of the flames — hasn’t been significantly affected beyond some haze in the Bryce area. Still, visitors to Bryce have posted videos on social media showing the giant plume in the distance. The smoke could be seen for hundreds of miles, all the way to Colorado, as authorities put roughly 1,300 residents in the towns of Marysvale, Junction and Circleville on notice that they should be prepared to leave if conditions worsen and the fire pushes farther.  State forester Jamie Barnes had said Thursday that it’s like nothing seen in recent memory. She said fires are spreading farther and faster “under conditions that defy historical expectations.”

Bruce Brown, 76, accompanied the sheriff on Thursday to find that his cabin and others in the area were gone. He found a burned-out moonscape with power poles tipped over along the canyon. Alyssa Olsen, 27, said her family’s cabin also burned. It was the last place they gathered for family photos with her grandmother before she died of cancer. Her brother was planning to get married there in two months. “That stuff you can’t just build back,” Olsen said. Gov. Spencer Cox set the temporary fireworks restrictions through July 5 as the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, saying “this year is different.” The weather service in Salt Lake City, for the first time in the office’s history, issued a “Particularly Dangerous Situation” warning for five Utah counties, including the area of the Cottonwood Fire.

The rare alert was first used to warn of tornado conditions. A red flag warning was also issued for most of the state. “Prepare now for rapid fire growth,” it said. A similar “dangerous situation” warning had been issued for the 2025 Palisades Fire in Los Angeles. A federal judge declared a mistrial Friday in the arson case against Jonathan Rinderknecht, the man accused of sparking that fire. The jury said it couldn’t agree on a verdict. While the Cottonwood Fire’s cause was unknown, Cox’s order noted that humans have been the cause of most fires in the state so far this year. Utah has seen 376 wildfires this year, and 273 of those were caused by humans, according to Utah’s wildfire data.

wildfire spreads through poprad woodlands

The governor’s order gives Barnes power to restrict or prohibit fireworks displays in Utah’s cities and towns, instead of leaving those decisions to the communities. With extreme fire conditions persisting, Rocky Mountain Power issued a public safety power shut-off watch/warning for areas of central, southern and eastern Utah through the weekend. Crews were also battling the Iron Fire southwest of Salt Lake City. The flames on Thursday forced the temporary evacuation of Eureka, population 1,000. Red flag warnings, which mean conditions such as low humidity, warm temperatures and strong winds can create an extreme wildfire risk, were in effect Friday and stretched from Idaho to southern Arizona and New Mexico.

The warnings extended into Saturday, with forecasters predicting winds of 25 to 35 miles an hour and very low humidity levels. The worst conditions were expected from northern Arizona into central and southern Utah. Much of Utah already is experiencing severe to extreme drought, while parts of Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico are experiencing severe drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Tim Brown, a research professor and director of the Western Regional Climate Center, said the potential for extreme fire behavior will remain as long as it’s hot, dry and windy. “I would not be surprised to see a lot of restrictions come out as we get closer to the July Fourth weekend,” he said.

“People really need to be aware of their surroundings if they’re going to be out in the forested campground areas and grassland areas.” Even in Florida, where there have been multiple brush fires, authorities are urging people to skip the personal fireworks and instead leave the pyrotechnics to professionals putting on carefully planned shows. In Utah, federal land managers have closed public lands near the Cottonwood Fire as a precaution, and in New Mexico, forest officials closed campgrounds and trails near a wildfire burning in the Jemez Mountains. Nationally, nearly 3 million acres have burned since the start of the year, pushing the U.S. ahead of the 10-year average. The National Interagency Fire Center said firefighters are making progress on containing fires from Alaska to Florida. 

Source: Utah declares emergency, limits fireworks ahead of July Fourth as crews battle largest U.S. wildfire – CBS Colorado

For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.
Psalm 86:5

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Overnight house fire kills one in central Minnesota

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house on fire

Authorities are investigating what caused a deadly fire in central Minnesota early Sunday morning. The Grant County Sheriff’s Office says it received multiple reports of a large fire in Land Township just after 1 a.m. A deputy driving in the area provided an exact location of the fire and said that a residence and nearby structures were on fire. Upon arrival, firefighters found all structures on the property fully engulfed. Crews were able to extinguish the fire. While investigating the fire, authorities say they found a deceased person inside the home. The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office will determine a cause of death and identify the victim. The Hoffman, Barrett, Kensington and Herman fire departments all assisted in the response.

Source: Overnight house fire kills one in central Minnesota – CBS Minnesota

Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you; Therefore I will give men for you, And people for your life.
Isaiah 43:4

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Northern Minnesota wildfire prompts evacuations near Burntside Lake

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photo of burning forest

Officials ordered residents to evacuate Monday afternoon as crews work to extinguish a wildfire in northern Minnesota. The U.S. Forest Service says the fire is located in the Superior National Forest northwest of the North Arm of the Burntside Lake area, approximately eight miles northwest of Ely. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office said agencies initially responded to the report of black smoke coming from the north side of Birch Bay on Burntside Lake around 2:56 p.m. Evacuations are in effect in the area of Lindskog Road and the southernmost part of North Arm Road in Morse Township as a precaution, according to the sheriff’s office. On Monday afternoon and evening, fire personnel and aircraft were responding to the fire, which is estimated to be 30 acres in size. The sheriff’s office says the Forest Service will monitor it overnight and firefighting efforts will start again on Tuesday morning. As of Monday night, no structures have been lost as a result of the blaze.

Source: Northern Minnesota wildfire prompts evacuations near Burntside Lake – CBS Minnesota

Seek good and not evil, That you may live; So the LORD God of hosts will be with you, As you have spoken.
Amos 5:14

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Rising fire danger in northern Michigan prompts DNR to urge caution with outdoor activities

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silhouette of bare trees surrounded fire at daytime

Rising fire danger in northern Michigan prompts DNR to urge caution with outdoor activities By Nick Lentz May 31, 2026 / 5:00 PM EDT / CBS Detroit Add CBS News on Google Elevated fire danger in northern Michigan has prompted the Department of Natural Resources to urge anyone in the area to be careful while engaging in activities outside. Paul Rogers, a fire prevention specialist with the state agency, said in a news release Friday that they weren’t expecting significant rainfall over the next 10 days, which greatly increases the risk for wildfires.  “Low moisture levels in conifer needles and dry pine fuels mean fires can start easily and spread quickly under the right conditions,” Rogers said. The agency is asking people to adhere to the following tips while enjoying the outdoors:

  • Keep a hose or water source nearby when burning.
  • Prevent sparks by ensuring trailer chains do not drag on roadways and avoiding parking hot equipment on dry grass.
  • Keep campfires contained in a fire ring or pit and fully extinguish them before leaving.
    • Douse fires with water, stir ashes and douse again.
  • Never leave fires or hot coals unattended.
  • Never shoot fireworks into wooded areas, dry grass or shrubs.
  • Avoid burning plastics, hazardous materials or household trash.
    • Use only approved burn barrels with screens for natural materials such as paper and leaves.

The DNR will not issue burning permits in the northern Lower Peninsula and Upper Peninsula while fire conditions are elevated, officials said.

“Residents in southern Michigan should check with their local fire department or municipality before conducting any outdoor burning,” the agency said.

Source: Rising fire danger in northern Michigan prompts DNR to urge caution with outdoor activities – CBS Detroit

But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ.
Ephesians 4:15

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At times, another person’s insight can help us see God’s Word in a fresh and meaningful way. In this article, we share content designed to encourage your faith, deepen your understanding of…

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One of the deepest forms of church hurt happens when abuse, misconduct, or harmful behavior is ignored, minimized, or covered up—especially when trusted leaders or respected members are involved. The pain becomes…

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Fire in train car near New York City’s Penn Station injures five and disrupts service

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a man and a woman waiting by the road

A fire in a rail yard train car near New York’s Penn Station injured five people and disrupted service for many commuters early on Friday, authorities said. The fire resulted in train delays on the New Jersey Transit and Amtrak rail services into New York and briefly suspended Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) service, more than a week after a strike had shut down that system. New Jersey Transit posted on X that it was an Amtrak train car that was on fire “in one of the Hudson River tunnels”. It said the fire resulted in “overhead wire damage”. “Impacts are expected to last through the morning rush hour,” it said. Amtrak posted on X that it suspended its service until at least noon due to maintenance resulting “from a now extinguished fire in the New York area”.

It said lengthy delays were expected for trains traveling north of New York. It did not post any information about the fire itself. An email seeking comment was sent to Amtrak. Fire officials said 100 firefighters responded to the fire early on Friday and that five people were hurt. Two of them were taken to a hospital. Their conditions were not immediately known. Penn Station, underneath Madison Square Garden, can serve roughly 600,000 passengers daily via Amtrak, the New York subway system, New Jersey Transit and the LIRR.

Source: Fire in train car near New York City’s Penn Station injures five and disrupts service | New York | The Guardian

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:1-2

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Riverside County beekeeper loses 80 hives, millions of bees in Verona Fire

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bee perched on flower in macro photography

A Riverside County beekeeper says that last week’s Verona Fire, which broke out near Hemet and burned hundreds of acres, caused him to lose 80 hives and millions of bees.  Brandon Teller, of BeeDoctor Bee Removal, says the loss could have a critical impact on the region’s farmers and shoppers. “As the beekeeper, that’s devastating to me,” Teller said. He said that the small number of remaining bees at the apiary  Teller usually goes across Southern California, rescuing unwanted European honeybees, which he would then bring back to his property for care. Once healthy enough to return to work, he’d then rent them out to alfalfa and almond farmers to pollinate their crops. 

“We say, ‘Hey, we’ve got plenty of hives right here. They’re ready to go, they’ve got fresh queens and they’re hungry,'” Teller said. “Farmers love it.” He says that by losing three to four million bees, the impact will be felt across Southern California.  “Keeping bees and maintaining bees at this scale is what allows the farmer to produce food at a lower cost,” Teller said.  While he knows there’s a lot of work ahead, he says the main message taken away from the loss is fire prevention and conservation of California’s natural landscape. “The saying goes: This land is my land, this land is your land. It’s all of our land and we have to conserve it, we have to preserve it, we have to maintain it, and we have to do it responsibly,” Teller said. 

Source: Riverside County beekeeper loses 80 hives, millions of bees in Verona Fire – CBS Los Angeles

Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
Acts 4:12

1 Peter 1:6–7

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is…

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1 Timothy 1:13-15

Though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are…

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Psalm 1:1–3

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;  but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law…

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James 1:14–15

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Galatians 6:7

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Proverbs 13:20

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1 Corinthians 15:33

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Ephesians 4:29

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Matthew 6:22

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Luke 6:45

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Colorado tourism railroad postpones summer operations due to drought conditions, wildfire concern

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vintage steam locomotive on railway track outdoors

The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad (C&TS), originally scheduled to open its 2026 season on Saturday, announced earlier this week that it will postpone operations due to severe drought conditions and elevated wildfire danger across the region. C&TS management held an emergency meeting and voted to postpone opening until June 9. Management will conduct a review on June 2 to determine if condition are safe to operate and keep that date for opening, the rail road stated in a press release.  “With deep respect for the land, forests, and communities where we operate, the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Commission made the difficult decision to delay the start of our season,” said Mark Graybill, Colorado Commissioner of the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad Commission.  

Guests holding reservations for affected departures have been contacted directly by the railroad’s reservations department. Passengers were offered the choice of either a full refund or rebooking on a later departure date.   Railroad officials emphasized that the decision was made proactively in response to evolving regional conditions. “This was a difficult decision because the railroad is vital to the Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico economies and our mission is to preserve and share this important part of history,” said Eric Mason, CEO of the C&TS. “We are committed to operating responsibly and safely within the remarkable landscape we have called home since 1880. We thank our passengers for their understanding and hope they will visit us when we resume normal operations.” Another railroad tour, the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, began operations in early May on schedule.

The D&SNGR settled a federal lawsuit four years ago and agreed to pay $20 million in damages following the 416 Fire near Durango in 2018. While an investigation found the fire started near the railroad’s tracks, the railroad denied and continues to deny that it caused the 416 Fire.

Source: Colorado tourism railroad postpones summer operations due to drought conditions, wildfire concern – CBS Colorado

Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.
1 Corinthians 10:24

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Christian persecution published between May 28 and June 4, 2026. These come primarily from specialized monitoring organizations like International Christian Concern (ICC) and Global Christian Relief. No large-scale violent incidents…

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Wildfire-hit residents in northern Minnesota can now return home to assess damage

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Residents of Minnesota’s North Shore can now return home to assess damage caused by wildfires, according to the Minnesota Incident Command System. The Stewart Trail Fire near Two Harbors is now fully contained after scorching hundreds of acres, but command system officials day crews are still working in the area.  Mattie Taylor was celebrating her birthday when she received a special gift on Tuesday: an alert that she could come home. “We got to come in yesterday for about three hours, and so we were really hopeful that we would get to come in today,” Taylor said.  Taylor and her husband pulled into their driveway to see burnt ground surrounding their property. “I’m really grateful to be back, and it’s sad to look at all this destruction. But I’m optimistic that in time, it’ll all just be more beautiful,” Taylor said.

Source: Wildfire-hit residents in northern Minnesota can now return home to assess damage – CBS Minnesota

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable.
Isaiah 40:28

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Wildfires in northern Minnesota spreading to hundreds of acres

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blazing fire in the forest

It’s a desperate fight— on the ground and in the air— against the spread of massive, destructive wildfires in northern Minnesota. The Flanders wildfire near Breezy Point is the largest— 1500 acres and growing, with zero containment.     “You know, it’s an incredible amount of destruction we’ve seen in the last couple of days,” says Jason Metsa, owner of Pelican Lake Resort on Norway Point. “Things are primed for the forests up here to be a tinderbox right now.” Crow Wing County officials have called for some residents to evacuate their homes; others are on standby. Meanwhile, Metsa shared several videos with KSTP, showing flames just off Nett Lake Road in rural Orr, Minnesota.

What began as a grass fire, possibly sparked off by a fallen power line— expanded to ten acres.

“We just ran into the fire, started stomping stuff out and the DNR showed up with some water,” Metsa says. “Several minutes later and we were able to scotch that one out and make sure it didn’t take off.”

“We could see it jump the road and it was climbing the trees, and it was a mile south of us,” recalls Lara Coyer.

She and her husband Ross are owners of the Cabin O’Pines resort, on the south side of Pelican Lake.

“There were forty-foot, fifty-foot balsam and pine trees that were completely engulfed,” Ross Coyer says. “That’s the critical moment. When we saw those flames, we knew it was very serious.”

The couple says they were preparing to evacuate about twenty guests, when firefighters arrived.

“That first truck if they had not turned up and got it when it went to the other side of the road and doused it straight away, we’d be having a very different conversation right now,” Lara Coyer declares.  

At the Stewart Trail fire in the Two Harbors area, there are 108 firefighters on the line.

Aircraft are dropping water and fire retardant, even as about 375 acres remain on fire, with zero containment.

“Team crews of firefighters have been working on putting in hand lines, which remove vegetation down to the soil level so the fire can’t burn across it,” explains Karen Harrison, a spokesperson for the Minnesota Incident Command System.

Source: Wildfires in northern Minnesota spreading to hundreds of acres – KSTP.com 5 Eyewitness News

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13

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Wildfire burns around 100 acres in northeastern Minnesota; evacuations advised

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burning bonfire with sparkles in darkness

Crews are working to put out a wildfire in Lake County that has burned around 100 acres, the Minnesota Incident Command System said Friday night. The blaze, identified by the agency as the Stewart Trail Fire, was detected on Friday afternoon near Lake County Highway 3 and Highway 61, north of Two Harbors, Minnesota. Officials said in a Facebook post at 8:27 p.m. that the fire was 0% contained and that multiple local, state and federal agencies were responding to it.  “

Firefighters are working to establish a containment line around the fire with handlines and heavy equipment, such as dozers, and are expected to remain engaged overnight as conditions permit,” the agency said in the social media post Friday. Evacuations have been advised between where the fire was first detected and Castle Danger Brewery, according to a map created by county officials. Officials said Highway 61 at Highway 2 and West Castle Danger Road in Lake County were closed Friday night due to the blaze, and Betty’s Pies, a popular restaurant in Two Harbors, posted on social media that it closed early on Friday. 

Source: Wildfire burns around 100 acres in northeastern Minnesota; evacuations advised – CBS Minnesota

And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
1 John 2:2

Hosea 4:6

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you, that you may be no priest to me. Because you have forgotten your God’s law, I…

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Florida fire map shows live updates on wildfires burning in Broward and Miami-Dade

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vibrant palm leaves in barcelona sunlight

Two wildfires in Broward and Miami-Dade counties are now mostly contained after burning thousands of acres and impacting air quality across parts of South Florida for days, according to the Florida Forest Service and other state and local agencies. The fires are highlighted on Florida’s Active Wildfire Points map, an interactive tool that tracks current wildfires across the state and provides updated information on acreage burned and containment levels. You can check it out here:

Source: Florida fire map shows live updates on wildfires burning in Broward and Miami-Dade – CBS Miami

He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good.
Proverbs 19:8

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