Firefighters voice growing concerns over water supplies to tackle UK wildfires 21 October 2026 at 00:00

Firefighters voice growing concerns over water supplies to tackle UK wildfires

21 October 2026 at 00:00

During a summer fire that destroyed homes in Stourbridge, low pressure meant filling a water carrier took 40 minutes

Concerns have been raised about how drought affects the UK’s ability to cope with wildfires after MPs were told firefighters struggled for water supplies during this year’s record summer.

The government has been urged to set out water companies’ statutory responsibilities during major fire incidents to improve the country’s preparedness for the years ahead.

Latest Climate Report Warns of Major Upheaval to California Way of Life 19 October 2026 at 13:09

Latest Climate Report Warns of Major Upheaval to California Way of Life

NYT: Science

By: Soumya Karlamangla

19 October 2026 at 13:09

The dire projections come from the state’s Climate Change Assessment, which analyzes the impacts of changing weather patterns on the nation’s most-populous state.

The report finds that without major intervention, as much as three-quarters of California’s beaches could disappear — either seasonally or permanently — by 2100 because of coastal erosion.

Indonesia fights fire with dry ice as toxic haze spreads across region 15 October 2026 at 00:25

Indonesia fights fire with dry ice as toxic haze spreads across region

The Guardian

By: Kate Lamb and agencies

15 October 2026 at 00:25

Having tried cloud seeding and water bombing, one pilot project will see dry ice dispersed by plane across the province of South Sumatra

As fires ravage Indonesia, emitting a toxic smoke that has drawn the ire of regional neighbours, the government is testing an unusual new approach to tackle the haze: dry ice.

Having tried cloud seeding, water bombing and sending in army personnel to fight the fires, Indonesia’s coordinating security minister said dry ice would be dropped on the province of South Sumatra on Thursday.

How a Logging Industry Downturn Fuels Wildfires 13 October 2026 at 05:01

How a Logging Industry Downturn Fuels Wildfires

NYT: Science

By: Scott Dance

13 October 2026 at 05:01

Loggers are finding it impossible to profitably harvest some federal forests. That leaves more fuel for fires to accumulate.

The Plaskett Fire burning in California in August.

Indonesia wildfire fuelled by El Niño razes almost 300 homes 13 October 2026 at 08:44

Indonesia wildfire fuelled by El Niño razes almost 300 homes

The Guardian

By: Agence France-Presse in Bangka

13 October 2026 at 08:44

Hundreds of people displaced in Bangka Belitung province as shift in wind direction drove blaze towards settlement

A forest fire on Indonesia’s Sumatra island fuelled by El Niño has razed nearly 300 homes, forcing hundreds of people to evacuate, an official said on Tuesday as the country battles devastating blazes and haze.

Residents first spotted the fire approaching their village in Bangka Belitung province on Saturday and tried to put it out themselves with portable water pumps, said the head of South Bangka regency, Riza Herdavid.

How California is bracing for a winter of floods, fires and extreme storms all at once 9 October 2026 at 02:00

How California is bracing for a winter of floods, fires and extreme storms all at once

The Guardian

By: Gabrielle Canon

9 October 2026 at 02:00

The strongest El Niño recorded is expected to bring a cascade of hazards to a state still facing wildfire and heat risks, while budget cuts have weakened disaster response agencies

• Don’t get Down to Earth delivered to your inbox? Sign up here

Before this year, the US National Weather Service had never issued a September coastal flood advisory for the San Francisco Bay Area. In the past month, it has had to issue two.

As flood water swallowed intersections and eroded beaches up and down the California coast last week, scientists and emergency managers warned that this is just an early signal of a coming tumultuous winter as an already exceptional El Niño continues to strengthen. It’s been called everything from “super” to “Godzilla”, as forecasters hammer home the message that conditions brewing in the Pacific Ocean could soon climb off the charts, and fuel extreme weather around the world.

Comebacks for wild tigers, tuna and sea turtles prove nature loss can be reversed, scientists say

Revealed: the methane mega-leaks from UN climate summit host Turkey

To cull or not to cull: Greenland debates fate of world’s slowest shark

July 2026 was worst on record for wildfires in England, data shows 8 October 2026 at 06:34

July 2026 was worst on record for wildfires in England, data shows

The Guardian

By: Pippa Neill Environment reporter

8 October 2026 at 06:34

Devastating blaze near Sizewell B nuclear power station in Suffolk among a record 624 wildfires in July this year

This July was the worst on record for wildfires in England, provisional data shows, with England experiencing a clear upward trend in the total number of wildfires recorded.

This summer has been a stark reminder of the vulnerability of the UK to climate breakdown, after punishingly hot and dry weather turned large parts of the countryside into a tinderbox.

Indonesia accused of ‘gross negligence’ in wildfires lawsuit as haze tests region 7 October 2026 at 23:54

Indonesia accused of ‘gross negligence’ in wildfires lawsuit as haze tests region

The Guardian

By: Oliver Holmes in Bangkok and agencies

7 October 2026 at 23:54

NGOs in Indonesian Borneo file class action lawsuit calling for government to better manage annual fires and

The Indonesian government has been accused of “gross negligence” in a class action lawsuit over its handling of wildfires that have cloaked large parts of South-east Asia in a toxic haze, shuttered schools and caused a spike in respiratory illnesses.

The lawsuit, filed by indigenous and civil society groups in the Indonesian part of Borneo, named President Prabowo Subianto and the governor of West Kalimantan among 10 defendants. The case seeks comprehensive recovery and rehabilitation measures that would include covering the healthcare costs of residents.

Scientists Warn of Another Unseen Risk From Fire: Ozone 4 October 2026 at 05:00

Scientists Warn of Another Unseen Risk From Fire: Ozone

NYT: Science

By: Clayton Dalton

4 October 2026 at 05:00

Small particulates sent up by wildfires are a well-documented health hazard. But recent research finds that ground-level ozone is now on the rise, too.