Disasters

Wildfires merge in California, burn more homes
California's largest wildfire merged with a smaller blaze and destroyed homes in remote areas with limited access for firefighters, as numerous other fires gained strength and threatened property across the U.S. West.
Firefighters battle large grain elevator fire in western Minnesota
Firefighters from more than a half-dozen western Minnesota communities battled a grain elevator fire Sunday in Clinton, Minn. Several dozen people were evacuated.
Wildfires blasting across the West draw other states to lend support
Out-of-state crews headed to Montana on Saturday to battle a blaze that injured five firefighters as the West struggles with a series of massive wildfires. In Butte County, California, the Dixie Fire grew to become the state’s largest wildfire so far this year.
According to authorities, a man operating a forklift in the lumberyard of Menards in Golden Valley died when a large pallet of wood tumbled onto his machine Thursday.
Firefighters officially end search in Florida condo collapse
Firefighters officially ended their search for bodies in the debris of the collapsed Surfside condo building on Friday, even as police and forensic specialists continue working to identify human remains.
The Western wildfires are affecting people 3,000 miles away
Eastern states have been clouded in a smoky haze for days, and with the smoke comes poor air quality. People far away from the fires aren't ready for the breathing problems the smoke brings.
Funeral held for bystander killed in police pursuit crash
Friends and family gathered at a Minneapolis church to honor the life of a man killed when a police squad car struck his vehicle while the officer was chasing a robbery suspect.
A Colorado man has drowned after a severe storm moving through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northeastern Minnesota capsized his canoe, sheriff's officials said Tuesday.
Germany defends preparation for floods, considers lessons
Efforts to find any more victims and clean up the mess left behind by the floods across a swath of western Germany, eastern Belgium and the Netherlands continued on Monday as floodwaters receded.
Huge Oregon blaze grows as wildfires burn across western U.S.
The destructive Bootleg Fire just north of the California border grew to more than 476 square miles, an area about the size of Los Angeles, as critically dangerous fire weather loomed in the coming days.