wildfires

3rd winter wildfire forces California road closures

A wildfire started Wednesday near the Sierra Nevada mountains in California, forcing road closures and evacuations.

Related: Brush fire forces evacuation of small Southern California city

The wind-driven Airport fire began early Wednesday afternoon in the Owens Valley, near the Eastern Sierra Regional Airport in Bishop, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire). The fire spread quickly, doubling in size from 50 to 100 acres within 45 minutes.

National...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/3rd-winter-wildfire-forces-california-road-closures

High-wind threat continues for Plains truckers

After a very windy Monday from Montana to Wyoming, the threat shifts eastward for Tuesday, as does the risk of rollovers for truckers.

Peak gusts Monday in Montana ranged from 50 mph in Helena to 81 mph in Cut Bank. In Wyoming, Cheyenne reported a peak gust of 53 mph, with gusts topping out at 60 mph in Torrington.

Tuesday’s gusts are forecast to reach 45 to 65 mph across much of North and South Dakota. The National Weather Service has issued high-wind watches and warnings for these areas, which...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/high-wind-threat-continues-for-plains-truckers

How ‘killer’ summer heat stole the Christmas tree supply

Extreme summer heat did a number on Christmas tree farms in the Pacific Northwest, limiting the supply from areas hit by triple-digit record temperatures. With the holidays fast approaching, the impact is being felt across the country.

Oregon produces roughly a third of the nation’s Christmas tree supply, according to the latest Census of Agriculture published in 2017. The National Christmas Tree Association, which represents hundreds of tree farms and other affiliated businesses, lists Oregon...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/how-killer-summer-heat-stole-the-christmas-tree-supply

What does ‘containing a wildfire’ actually mean?

Aerial photo of the Alisal wildfire in Southern California in mid-October, 2021.

Large wildfires have been in the news a lot this year. When people hear about them, they often hear the phrase that the fire is X% contained.

A 95% contained fire sounds a lot less frightening than a 25% contained fire. For people debating whether to evacuate their homes near these fires, that number might make all the difference.

Related: Self-described ‘shaman’ arrested in California wildfire arson

But containment doesn’t necessarily mean a fire isn’t still raging. Rather than describing how...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/what-does-containing-a-wildfire-actually-mean

Sparks from CN, CP trains did not cause Lytton fire

A photograph of a train hauling grain railcars through a mountain pass.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has determined that sparks coming from the trains of CN and Canadian Pacific didn’t start the fire in Lytton, British Columbia, that destroyed the town.

“A fire is reportable to the TSB as a transportation occurrence if it is known that the operation of railway rolling stock causes or sustains a fire. There has been no report of such an occurrence made to the TSB by either railway that operates through the area,” TSB’s report concluded last Thursday. 

TSB...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/sparks-from-cn-cp-trains-did-not-cause-lytton-fire

Hot Shots: Blizzard, flood, wildfire and more

Montage of trucks in snow and rain.

Every Friday, FreightWaves takes a look at the past week or so on social media, highlighting images in trucking, transportation and weather. This week features a traffic jam in a Rockies snowstorm, vehicles stuck in Southern floods, a road closure near a wildfire and more.

Whiteout

The first major snowstorm of the season hit the Rockies Monday and Tuesday, dumping 20 to 28 inches of snow in parts of Montana and Wyoming. Then on Wednesday, more than 20 inches piled up in parts of the Dakotas.

Cha...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/hot-shots-blizzard-flood-wildfire-and-more

Weekend of high winds, high heat in Southern California

Truckers will have to deal with windy, hot weather if they’re heading to the busy freight hubs in Southern California.

A moderate Santa Ana wind event will develop over much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties beginning Friday morning and continuing into Saturday evening. Peak northeasterly wind gusts will range from 30 to 45 mph, but could reach 55 mph in some spots. The National Weather Service expects the peak winds to occur in the morning and early afternoon hours each day. This will...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/weekend-of-high-winds-high-heat-in-southern-california

Wildfire shuts down highway in Southern California

Thick smoke from the Alisal fire near Santa Barbara, California, Oct. 11, 2021.

The Alisal fire near Santa Barbara, California, quickly exploded in size Monday, prompting evacuation orders and the partial closure of a major highway.

The fire began in the Santa Ynez Mountains above Alisal Reservoir. Smoke and flames were visible atop the hillside between the Gaviota Coast and the Santa Ynez Valley.

The fire quickly burned more than 50 acres and was spreading fast, according to Los Padres National Forest officials.

VegetationFire- #Alisal Fire. SBC Firefighters knock down...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/wildfire-shuts-down-highway-in-southern-california

Self-described ‘shaman’ arrested in California wildfire arson

Smoke from the Fawn fire in northern California, with inset of woman accused of setting the fire.

Authorities have arrested a self-described “shaman” who they believe intentionally set the latest wildfire in California.

The Fawn fire near Redding started Wednesday afternoon and spread quickly, burning homes and prompting evacuation orders Thursday for thousands of people, according to local officials.

Related: Wildfire crews battling blazes — and supply chain kinks

California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) officials said Alexandra Souverneva, 30, of Palo Alto, was under...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/self-described-shaman-arrested-in-california-wildfire-arson

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