spreads

Tree-of-heaven arrived in Pennsylvania as an ornamental in 1784; now it grows from Maine to southern California and spreads through disturbed forests

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Tree-of-heaven arrived in Pennsylvania in 1784 as an ornamental plant and has since spread across much of the country. (Wikimedia Commons)

The tree-of-heaven has a lovely name and a rough reputation. According to a U.S. Forest Service species review, it first arrived in Pennsylvania in 1784 as an ornamental plant. Today it grows in places from Maine to southern California, and has infested hundreds of acres of oak-hickory forest in Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. So … Read more

Nor’easter turns dangerous across US Northeast as winds hit 70 mph, flights cancelled, flooding spreads – watch video

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US Northeast under siege as powerful Nor’easter brings 70-mph winds, flooding, outages and flight chaos. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

An unusually powerful Nor’easter turned dangerous across the northeastern United States on Sunday, with wind gusts reaching 70 mph, heavy rain triggering flooding concerns and hundreds of flights cancelled as New YorkBoston and Philadelphia faced severe weather. US Northeast under siege as powerful Nor’easter brings 70-mph winds, flooding, outages and flight chaos. (AP Photo/Robert F. … Read more

Fire near Tri-Cities and West Richland: Map, evacuation updates as wildfire spreads in Benton County, WA

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A wildfire near Benton City has triggered Level evacuation orders as officials warn residents of an immediate threat and urge them to leave.

A wildfire near Benton City in Benton County, Washington, had burned about 1,000 acres by early September 26, with no containment reported. The 2nd St Fire is listed near the 11,000 block of NE 2nd St, according to Watch Duty. A wildfire near Benton City has triggered Level evacuation orders as officials warn residents of … Read more

Whittier Palos Fire: Map, evacuation updates as wildfire spreads near La Habra, Hacienda Heights and Fullerton

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Fire crews and air resources respond to the Palos Fire burning near Lupin Hill Road in Whittier. (UnSplash)

Update (6:42pm EDT): As per Incident Command, the fire has now grown to 20 acres, with a possibility of reaching 30 acres in the next hour. Fire crews and air resources respond to the Palos Fire burning near Lupin Hill Road in Whittier. (UnSplash) As per the City of La Habra Heights, the Red Cross … Read more

Velma, OK fire evacuation map: Dangerous wildfire spreads in Stephens County; videos surface

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Dangerous wildfire burning in Velma, Oklahoma. (UnSplash)

Update: The wildfire that broke out near Velma, Oklahoma, on Monday afternoon grew to about 149 acres by evening. Evacuations have since been lifted, according to the Velma fire chief. Dangerous wildfire burning in Velma, Oklahoma. (UnSplash) At 3:50 p.m. EDT, the National Weather Service in Norman said the fire warning for the Velma area … Read more

Reno Hawk Fire evacuation map: Wildfire spreads near Somersett; Peavine Peak, Verdi, Mogul and Cold Springs on alert

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Representational. (Unsplash)

Update: By 5:51 p.m. EDT, the Hawk Fire had burned more than 2,500 acres near Somersett, Nevada, according to Watch Duty. Fresh evacuation warnings have also been issued in Sierra County. Representational. (Unsplash) Initial report: A large wildfire broke out near the Cold Creek Trail in Somersett, in Washoe County, Nevada on Saturday afternoon. The … Read more

Mabton Colwash Fire evacuation map: Wildfire spreads in Yakima County; Glade Road on alert

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Wildfire burning in Mabton, Yakima County, WA. (UnSplash)

Update: The Colwash Fire, which broke out in Yakima County on Saturday morning, has rapidly grown to 4,000 acres, according to Watch Duty. Evacuation warnings have been issued as the wildfire continues to spread. Wildfire burning in Mabton, Yakima County, WA. (UnSplash) A Level 3 “GO NOW” evacuation order is currently in effect for areas … Read more

A rotating ‘garbage island’ spreads over 1.6 million sq km in the Pacific: Plastic averages 50 kilograms per square kilometre, and 75 to 86% of the debris comes from fishing gear

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A rotating 'garbage island' spreads over 1.6 million sq km in the Pacific: Plastic averages 50 kilograms per square kilometre, and 75 to 86% of the debris comes from fishing gear

A floating and rotating ‘garbage island’ of an estimated area of 1.6 million square kilometres lies between Hawaii and California, according to a scientific estimate published in 2018. The area of the island is said to be larger than Para and nearly three times the size of metropolitan France. What exists here is a plastic … Read more

Sorrento Valley fire: Evacuation map, latest updates as San Diego blaze spreads

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A vegetation fire burning near Sorrento Valley in San Diego has led to multiple road closures and evacuations. (UnSplash)

Update (7:43pm EDT): The fire has now grown to 130 acres, per Incident Command cited by Watch Duty. A vegetation fire burning near Sorrento Valley in San Diego has led to multiple road closures and evacuations. (UnSplash) New Evacuation Warnings have been issued for Zones SDC-1399, SDC-1400, SDC-1401, SDC-1442, and SDC-1446. Per Incident Command, the … Read more

Why is I-5 closed today? Ridge Fire spreads in Los Angeles County as smoke blankets area

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Image of Interstate 5 on June 03, 2026 in Castaic, California. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by JUSTIN SULLIVAN / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP) (Getty Images via AFP)

Interstate 5 was closed in both directions near Gorman, California, Friday as the fast-moving Ridge Fire burned near the major highway. The brush fire caused smoke to spread across the area and disrupting travel. Image of Interstate 5 on June 03, 2026 in Castaic, California. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by JUSTIN SULLIVAN / GETTY IMAGES … Read more