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Wildfire escape routes? There's (almost) an app for that.

Krista Langlois

May 23, 2019 |

High Country News |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Durango, Colorado

Scientists and engineers in Colorado are developing an app that can help firefighters determine the safest routes to safety during wildfires. The app, currently in development, was created with data from another trail and hike tracking app and applied to analyze how long it would take a firefighter – given their unique equipment and uniforms – to escape wildfire.

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To Control Forest Fires, Western States Light More of Their Own

Sophie Quinton

May 16, 2019 |

Stateline |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Rustic, Colorado

Prescribed burns help prevent the devastating impact of uncontrolled forest fires in Western states. In states like Colorado, the US Forest Service, local governments, and nonprofits, are working to improve forest habitat and protect communities from wildfires by increasing the acreage of forest exposed to controlled fires. After years of policy that aimed to reduce fires, agencies are now working to restore ecological balance and prevent future natural disasters.

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Cañada Cove COPEs with disaster planning

Libby Leyden

May 15, 2019 |

Half Moon Bay Review |

Text |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, San Mateo, California

San Mateo County’s coastside residents have created their own, volunteer-based disaster response system. Considering that they make up just 5% of the county’s population, and are just as much at risk for natural disasters like wildfires, flooding, and landslides, they recognized that they had to be proactive in the event that help and resources would be limited in such an event. The Cañada Cove Community Association developed a localized plan for disaster preparedness, including manuals, communication systems, and a database of residents that provides information on the specialized needs of citizens.

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Here's what one volunteer fire department is doing to prevent another West explosion

Erin Cargile

April 29, 2019 |

KXAN-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

3-5 Minutes

Response Location: United States, West, Texas

After a fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas, the state has developed a safety course that focuses on fertilizer grade ammonium nitrate – one of the causes of the deadly fire years ago. While the course is still voluntary and doesn’t result in official certification, fire departments across the state have voiced their support.

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Six years later: Learning from the deadly West fertilizer plant explosion

Erin Cargile

April 16, 2019 |

KXAN-TV |

Broadcast TV News |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, West, Texas

Following a deadly explosion at a fertilizer plant, cities in Texas are taking preventative measures. Emergency Management Specialists have updated and are employing software that tracks hazardous material storage in facilities around the state and generates disaster scenarios. The software can be used in real-time by firefighters and other emergency responders on their way to the scene.

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Restoring Indonesia's peatlands to their natural soggy glory

Daniel Grossman

March 20, 2019 |

The Christian Science Monitor |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Indonesia, Borneo

The Indonesian government is working with family farmers in Borneo to spread the cultivation of sago crops, which requires the restoration of the country's historic, boggy swamps. This type of agriculture, called paludiculture, makes the lands less prone to devastating wildfires, protects residents' health, reduces CO2 emissions, and offers a long-term farming solution.

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Climate change is fueling wildfires around the world. Can indigenous knowledge help us manage them?

Viki Cramer

March 07, 2019 |

Ensia |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: Australia, East Perth

The indigenous practice of setting regular fires to manage land hasn’t been used in generations, but it’s now being brought back to help manage wildfires in Australia. With support from the Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation and 10 Deserts Project, indigenous people are re-learning old traditions to help the land, though they are still learning to navigate complex relationships with the government about which land can be used.

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Oregon Wineries Come Together To Save Grapes Rejected For Smoke Taint

Shana Clarke

March 06, 2019 |

NPR |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Turner, Oregon

Grape growers and winemakers in Oregon recently worked together after a fire burned thousands of acres of land. After contracts were turned down due to smoke taint of the grapes, the Oregon Solidarity project was formed. It sourced winemakers willing to accept these grapes (which were still considered safe), created three special wines, and is funneling all profits back to the growers.

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For a Warming World, A New Strategy for Protecting Watersheds

Jacques Leslie

February 19, 2019 |

Yale Environment 360 |

Text |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Santa Fe, New Mexico

As climate change alters environments across the United States, it has become increasingly important to manage watersheds as a preventative measure to wildfires. Amid responses across the country, one private-public partnership, the Rio Grande Water Fund, is leading the way, demonstrating enough success that the model has become federal policy. The Fund brings together government agencies, NGOs, businesses, and residents to fund watershed restoration which, in turn, creates jobs and build more resilient ecosystems.

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Another Kind of Rescue After the Wildfires

Federica Armstrong

February 12, 2019 |

Yes! Magazine |

Photojournalism |

Under 800 Words

Response Location: United States, California

Wildfires have routines destroyed parts of California and are only becoming more devastating as temperatures rise, taking many lives in their paths of destruction. To bring solace and closure for families, volunteer archaeologists are training dogs to identify cremated remains.

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