The first Forest Digest of August features some major wildfire stories.
Check out this week’s news in trees:
- “Money allocated for fighting fires to run out” — Associated Press
In order to pay for fighting this summer’s fires across the country, the U.S. Forest Service will soon have to scale back initiatives designed to help prevent wildfires.
- “Swedish Forest Fire Prevented From Spreading” — The Wall Street Journal
Made worse by high temperatures and dry conditions, one of the most devastating wildfires in Sweden’s recent memory burned in a region 140 kilometers northwest of Stockholm, the capital. One person died and thousands were evacuated.
- “California breaks drought record as 58% of state hits driest level” — Los Angeles Times
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor report, in July more than half of California was considered to be experiencing an “exceptional” drought, which is the worst level on the Monitor’s intensity scale.
- “Singapore to fine domestic, foreign companies for causing haze” — mongabay.com
Racked by air pollution caused by peat and forest fires in Sumatra, Singapore’s parliament voted to fine domestic and foreign companies who participate in forest burning that creates smoggy and hazy conditions, which experts say may be worse this year because of hotter, dryer weather.