Around 70 firefighters and dozens of towns respond to forest fire in New Hampshire

Around 70 firefighters from dozens of New Hampshire towns contained a forest fire that burned more than 20 acres in Effingham. Authorities said the fire broke out near Clough Road around 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Officials in Effingham said the fire escalated to a 3-alarm. First responders on scene worked to bring in forestry trucks and ATVs to get closer to the fire. However, authorities said they had to mainly travel on foot to get to the burning area. After battling the blaze most of Saturday, authorities said there were still active hot spots left overnight. Officials said no homes or structures were damaged from the fire, and no one was hurt. The New Hampshire Forest Rangers are investigating the cause of the fire.
WMUR-TV ABC 9 Manchester

A journey through history: What is the biggest fire to burn in the US?

VIDEO/PHOTOS: Evidence found at the heart of centuries-old trees, in the stories of Indigenous peoples and yellowed journals and newspaper clippings bear record of the massive fires that ravaged landscapes across North America in the past. But comparing those fires to modern day blazes such as the Smokehouse Creek fire in Texas in February isn't as simple as it sounds. Past records, when they're available, can be conflicting, haphazard and they rely on anecdotal observations or measurement techniques that may not be as precise as today. Cowboys riding the range on horseback in the 1800s to measure a blaze isn’t quite the same as measuring by satellite the acres burned. To develop a comprehensive list of the nation's biggest fires, USA TODAY combed through historical records from state and federal agencies and the Western Fire Chiefs Association and talked with several fire historians and experts.
Yahoo! News

Several wildfires and brush fires break out across Maine

A reported wildfire in Limington that saw several towns responding Saturday night has been put out. Multiple area fire crews, including Cornish and Limerick, responded to North Road for the fire. Limington fire officials say the fire began when some neighbors living nearby were burning piles of logs on their property. York County's wildfire risk Saturday was high, which means intentional burns were not allowed. Authorities were fighting several small wildfires and brush fires around the state Saturday. Maine Forest Rangers posted on social media about fires that broke out in Penobscot and Aroostock counties. Several dry days, wind and dead grass and vegetation are some of the reasons why we're seeing a higher risk for wildfires right now. Last week was Maine Wildfire Awareness Week.
WGME-TV CBS 13 Portland

District in Northern California Allocates Nearly $2 Million for Vital Wildfire Mitigation Projects

In a display of commitment to community safety and environmental stewardship, the Truckee Tahoe Airport District has announced the approval of $1,934,500 in funding for eight district-wide wildfire mitigation projects. The decision, approved unanimously in a 5-0 vote at this week’s Airport District board meeting, marks a significant step forward in proactively addressing the threat of wildfires in the Truckee Tahoe region. The approved funding will support collaborative efforts between TTAD and local fire departments, including CalFire Truckee-North Tahoe Battalion, Northstar Fire Department, Truckee Fire Protection District, Olympic Valley Fire Department, and North Tahoe Fire Protection District.
Sierra Sun

Air Attack Base in Northern California upgrades, doubles capacity ahead of fire season

VIDEO: After five years and $23 million invested, the US Forest Service unveiled new upgrades to the interagency Redding Air Attack Base that have made it a one of a kind facility. Redding's Air Attack Base was where, for decades, firefighting aircraft have come to refuel and refill fire retardant. Now, with the upgrades they’ve made, officials say it's the most advanced facility of its kind in the world. “It is absolutely amazing," says Jennifer Eberlein. "And the amazing part of that is being able to have the increased capability to protect the communities and the natural resources that we all love." Eberlein, a Pacific Southwest Regional Forester with the USDA, says they’ve over doubled their capacity. Increasing the space and function of their fire retardant dispenser system to be able to refuel five aircraft at once, over double the two they could before.
KRCR-TV ABC 7 Redding

Wildfire in Arizona burns hundreds of acres

Over 300 hundred acres have been burned following a fast-moving wildfire Thursday in Pinal County. The fire broke out around 1 p.m. near SR 347 and Miller Road, about nine miles south of Maricopa. The Arizona Dept. of Forestry and Fire Management reported that multiple crews responded, including a hand crew, engine and air attack. An estimated 340 acres burned, mostly involving light grass and desert shrubs. Video from the Arizona’s Family news chopper shows at least one structure was destroyed. Firefighters remained on scene extinguishing hot spots. No injuries have been reported. In southeast Arizona, fire crews achieved 100% containment on the Bowers Fire on Thursday. The fire that began Monday in Cochise County left one man dead and another hurt.
KTVK-TV CBS 3 & KPHO-TV CBS 5 Phoenix (AZ Family)

Smokey Bear’s 80th birthday marked with art exhibit in New Mexico

PHOTOS: Smokey Bear Historical Park in Capitan will host a two-week exhibit of Smokey Bear paintings by Rudy Wendelin, celebrating the renowned spokesbear for fire prevention's 80th birthday, according to a news release. On loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Library, the traveling exhibition showcases 19 replica paintings completed by Wendelin from 1977-1995. The exhibit will be available for viewing April 30 through May 10 at the historical park at 118 Smokey Bear Blvd. in Capitan, roughly two and a half hours from Albuquerque. Wendelin began working for the Forest Service in the 1930s and was assigned the Smokey Bear project, according to the release. He illustrated hundreds of Smokey images, giving the bear the anthropomorphic traits we know him for today, the iconic forest ranger's hat, jeans and shovel.
Albuquerque Journal - Metered Site

Large brush fire 100% contained, Florida Forest Service says

Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department and Florida Forest Service contained a large brush fire in a wooded area off Kirbo Road. Florida Forest Service was alerted of the fire at 2:10 a.m. Action News Jax’s Logan MacDonald went to the scene and saw several JFRD firefighters and Florida Forest Service personnel at the scene. JFRD confirmed with Action News Jax that it was fighting a brush fire. FFS told MacDonald at the scene that there were no injuries, no homes were threatened and the fire was 100% contained. Crews left the area at around 6:15 a.m. after the fire burned 2.4 acres, but FFS said it would be returning later to look for remnants of the fire. FFS told Action News Jax that the fire grew from an escaped warming fire in a homeless community. Crews are currently engaging in mop-up operations.
WOKV-FM 104.5 Jacksonville