Forestry workers will return today to the scene of a brush fire in Ruskin that possibly consumed up to 100 acres to make sure no hot spots are smoldering and to dig new fire lines if necessary. ...more

March 16, 2009

Killing freezes, a stubborn lack of rain and the usual dry winter air have united to turn most of the state's vegetation into tinder. ...more

February 12, 2009

Killing freezes, a stubborn lack of rain and the usual dry winter air have united to turn most of the state's vegetation into tinder. ...more

February 11, 2009

Faced with the beginnings of the worst wildfire season in 11 years, local fire officials are asking for a total burn ban in the county. ...more

February 11, 2009

Local fire officials are asking for a total burn ban in the county. ...more

February 10, 2009

Cooling water that has been pooling in the Pacific Ocean since late December likely means drought conditions in Florida, especially across the Tampa Bay area, will worsen through spring. ...more

February 6, 2009

Cooling water that's been pooling in the Pacific Ocean since the end of December likely means drought conditions in Florida, especially around the Tampa Bay area, will worsen through the spring. ...more

January 27, 2009

Federal researchers are warning that warming temperatures could soon cause California's giant sequoia trees to die off more quickly unless forest managers plan with an eye toward climate change and the impact of a longer, harsher wildfire season. ...more

September 6, 2008

After a rainy weekend that made searching the Internet for blueprints to build an ark seem like a sound idea, you might think conditions are sodden enough to lift some of the tightest lawn watering restrictions in the state. ...more

June 24, 2008

Another hurricane season has come and gone and fortunately our state avoided the big storms this year. However, we can't let down our guard because another potentially dangerous time – brush fire season – is upon us. While brush fire season doesn't seem to draw the attention as hurricanes do, wild fires can be deadly and destructive. If you don't believe that, check with the folks in California. Now is the time to make homes as safe as possible from the threat of brush fires. ...more

December 17, 2007