Climate

Weekend of fear looms for Californians in face of wildfires
Fueled by strong winds and bone-dry vegetation, the Dixie Fire grew to become the largest single wildfire on record in California — and it threatened to reduce thousands of more homes to ashes.
Summertime and vacationing isn't easy. Blame it on climate change
Climate change already is making wildfires, hurricanes, heatwaves and droughts more frequent and intense; the devastating effects are in the headlines regularly. A warming climate also changes lives in subtler ways — such as summer vacation plans.
Colorado mudslides wreak havoc on major transportation route
Interstate 70 in Colorado's Glenwood Canyon remains closed because of damage from mudslides — the latest in a string of closures over the past two years on the key transportation corridor through the Rocky Mountains.
Farmers say drought aid urgently needed
Minnesota farmers are urging Gov. Tim Walz to move quickly on drought aid, as conditions worsen for farmers across the state.
New month, worsening drought conditions in Minnesota
After one of the driest Julys on record in parts of Minnesota, the drought conditions affecting the region show no signs of letting up to start the month of August.
Why you should protect yourself from the smoky air
Much of the state will be blanketed by smoky, unhealthy air well into next week. Health experts say the polluted air can be harmful even to healthy people. The fine particles in wildfire smoke are smaller than a human hair and can penetrate into the sensitive tissue deep in our lungs.
Finding climate history in the river bottom
The current drought is helping researchers who are studying the history of flooding in the Red River Valley. They’re collecting samples of old trees buried in the muddy river bottom to help build a regional climate picture going back hundreds of years.