Emergency firefighting support teams on February 28, 2025

Japan hit by largest wildfire in over 30 years

A massive forest fire has burned approximately 1 400 ha (3 460 acres) in Akasaki Town, Ofunato City, Iwate Prefecture, since it broke out on February 26, 2025. This is now the largest wildfire in modern Japan history, surpassing the previous record of 1 030 ha (2 545 acres) set in Kushiro, Hokkaido, in 1992.

Florida breaks all-time snowfall record as historic winter storm sweeps through the Southeast

Florida breaks all-time snowfall record as historic winter storm sweeps through the Southeast

A historic winter storm swept through the southeastern United States this week, bringing heavy snowfall across nine states and claiming 10 lives. In Florida, Pensacola experienced unprecedented snowfall, with reports of 13 – 30 cm (5 – 12 inches) on January 21 surpassing the state’s all-time snowfall record of 10 cm (4 inches) set in Milton in 1954.

Catastrophic wildfires in Los Angeles leave 5 dead, force 200 000 evacuations and destroy over 2 000 structures, California

Los Angeles wildfires destroy over 12 000 structures, leave at least 24 people dead, California

Catastrophic wildfires fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds have been sweeping through Southern California since Tuesday, January 8, 2025, killing at least 24 people, displacing over 200 000 residents, and destroying more than 12 000 homes and buildings. In addition, more than 360 000 customers, or just over 1 million people in California were left without power.

Roads being cleared in Erie county after snowfall

Record snowfall blankets parts of U.S. during Thanksgiving snowstorm

A powerful lake-effect snowstorm fueled by record-warm water temperatures in the Great Lakes unleashed its full force over 2024 Thanksgiving weekend in the United States, burying parts of New York, Pennsylvania, and Michigan under more than 90 cm (3 feet) of snow. The city of Erie, Pennsylvania, experienced its snowiest day on record on Friday, November 29, receiving 57.4 cm (22.6 inches) of snow in 24 hours. The Arctic air colliding with the warm lake waters triggered intense snowfall rates of up to 100 mm (4 inches) per hour, creating hazardous conditions that are expected to persist until midweek.