Land Between the Lakes adds areas for archery deer hunters
December 1, 2022 GMTGOLDEN POND, Ky. (AP) — Land Between the Lakes will open additional areas for archery deer hunting, officials said.
The select areas, which are typically off-limits to hunting, will be open Dec.
Cambodia wildlife official jailed in NY for monkey smuggling
November 16, 2022 GMTMIAMI (AP) — Federal prosecutors have charged eight people with smuggling endangered monkeys, including a Cambodian wildlife official who was arrested in the U.S. while traveling to a conference on protecting endangered species.
Boozman reelected to Senate, awaits word on ag panel chair
November 9, 2022 GMTRepublican U.S. Sen. John Boozman cruised to reelection Tuesday, but what role the two-term incumbent will play in his next stint depends on which party clinches control of the chamber after the midterms.
Fort Campbell managing fire that started in training area
October 26, 2022 GMTFORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (AP) — Fort Campbell staff are using controlled burn techniques to manage a fire that started in a training area last week, the post said.
The fire started Friday near Trigg County, Kentucky, during routine training, Fort Campbell said in a news release Tuesday.
Car plunges from cliff south of San Francisco
October 1, 2022 GMTPACIFICA, Calif. (AP) — A man was critically injured Friday after his car plunged off a winding, cliffside road south of San Francisco and landed on a beach below, authorities said.
Helicopter crashes en route to Turkish wildfire; 2 killed
September 21, 2022 GMTISTANBUL (AP) — A firefighting helicopter crashed Wednesday as it headed to the Turkish port of Marmaris to combat a wildfire, killing two Russian crew members, Turkey's minister of agriculture and forestry said.
Oregon high court declines appeal in $1 billion timber suit
September 17, 2022 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal from 13 counties in a long-running $1 billion lawsuit over timber revenue and what constitutes “the greatest permanent value” when it comes to forest management.
USDA to fund push to store carbon in New England forests
September 15, 2022 GMTPORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is funding a major push to try to store more carbon in New England's forests.
The agency said Wednesday that the New England Climate-Smart Forest Partnership Project will include large commercial producers as well as small woodlot owners with a goal of storing more carbon in forests.
3 rescued dolphins swim free from Indonesia sanctuary
September 6, 2022 GMTTOKYO (AP) — Three bottlenose dolphins were released into the open sea in Indonesia Saturday after years of being confined for the amusement of tourists who would touch and swim with them.
As red and white Indonesian flags fluttered, underwater gates opened off the island of Bali to allow Johnny, Rocky and Rambo to swim free.
West Virginia crew responds to wildfires in western US
September 2, 2022 GMTCHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A West Virginia Division of Forestry crew has returned to the state after about three weeks helping contain fires in northern California.
The agency said the crew included 11 division employees and nine trained for wildfire suppression.
Cops chase man in stolen California fire department vehicle
August 27, 2022 GMTYREKA, Calif. (AP) — A man was arrested after stealing a California fire department vehicle and leading officers on an erratic high-speed chase, officials said.
The Los Angeles Times reported that the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office the suspect on Friday.
Firefighter hit by tree and killed in southern Oregon
August 19, 2022 GMTGRANTS PASS, Ore. (AP) — A firefighter working a blaze in southern Oregon has died after he was struck by a tree on Thursday, officials said.
The Oregon Department of Forestry and Bureau of Land Management confirmed the death of Logan Taylor, 25, in a Facebook post.
Firefighters continue battling large Hawaii wildfire
August 13, 2022 GMTHONOLULU (AP) — A wildfire on Hawaii's Big Island grew overnight as firefighters worked to contain the large blaze that is burning in a rural area between the Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea volcanoes.
No homes were at risk, but the flames came within miles of a critical highway Friday.
Chinese company eyes Solomon Islands deep-water port
August 1, 2022 GMTCANBERRA, Australia (AP) — A Chinese state-owned company is negotiating to buy a forestry planation with a deep-water port and World War II airstrip in Solomon Islands amid persistent concerns that China wants to establish a naval foothold in the South Pacific country.
Witnesses heard ‘snap’ before fatal Alaska helicopter crash
July 22, 2022 GMTANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Witnesses heard a loud bang or snap before a helicopter supporting firefighter operations near the community of Anderson separated and then crashed last month, killing the pilot.
Vatican cardinal backs fossil fuel nonproliferation treaty
July 21, 2022 GMTROME (AP) — A top Vatican cardinal endorsed calls for a fossil fuels nonproliferation treaty and said Thursday that all new exploration and production of oil must be phased out to prevent global temperatures from rising to a “precipice.”
Wildfire leads to about 20 evacuations in Arizona community
July 17, 2022 GMTWIKIEUP, Ariz. (AP) — A wildfire has forced the evacuation of about 20 people from the unincorporated Mohave County community of Wikieup in northwestern Arizona, authorities said Sunday.
Officials with the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management said the wildfire was at 150 acres and threatening multiple structures as dense vegetation burn close to Big Sandy Wash, located a few miles away from Wikieup.
Oregon fire season underway, red flag warnings in effect
July 12, 2022 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon Department of Forestry said Monday that all of its fire districts, which combined cover about 16 million acres (6.47 million hectares), are officially in wildfire season.
Invasive beetle known to wipe out ash trees found in Oregon
July 11, 2022 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Forestry officials in Oregon said Monday that an invasive beetle known for decimating ash trees throughout North America and Europe was recently discovered west of Portland.
Canadian company building $110M sawmill in Louisiana
July 11, 2022 GMTPLAIN DEALING, La. (AP) — A Canadian forestry products company has begun work on a $110 million sawmill in northwest Louisiana, officials said Monday.
The Teal Jones Group bought sawmills in Antlers, Oklahoma; Kinsale and Martinsville, Virginia; and Liberty, Mississippi, between 2013 and 2021, but this will be the first it has built in the United States, a spokesman said in an email Monday.
Improving weather aids fight against Sierra Nevada wildfire
July 1, 2022 GMTBRIDGEPORT, Calif. (AP) — Improving weather helped firefighters stop the spread of a Sierra Nevada wildfire that forced evacuation of several hundred people from their homes and injured 13 firefighters and a civilian, authorities said Thursday.
Fire marshal’s office suspends fireworks for parts of Alaska
July 1, 2022 GMTJUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The Alaska State Fire Marshal's Office is suspending the use of fireworks across large portions of the state, citing fire dangers.
The state Department of Public Safety in a statement said the fire marshal's office, along with the Division of Forestry and Fire Protection, have suspended the use fireworks until further notice in the Kenai Peninsula, Matanuska-Susitna, Denali and Fairbanks North Star boroughs.
Crews fight 500-acre blaze in North Carolina
June 19, 2022 GMTPONZER, N.C. (AP) — Multiple agencies were fighting a brush fire that is affecting hundreds of acres in North Carolina on Sunday afternoon.
Hyde County officials said crews are battling the 500-acre blaze near the Ponzer community, WITN-TV reported.
Alaska firefighters battling blaze near 9 structures
June 7, 2022 GMTANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — Firefighters on Tuesday were working to contain wildfires that started west of Talkeetna, including one that was near nine structures.
The biggest of the three fires was named the Kichatna Fire and was about 0.06 square miles (0.01 square kilometers), said Alaska Division of Forestry spokesperson Sam Harrel.
Firefighters contain blaze that burned 3 buildings in Alaska
May 27, 2022 GMTJUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Firefighters have contained a blaze in the southwest Alaska village of Kasigluk that burned three buildings, including a school building, according to the Alaska Division of Forestry.
Priceless seeds, sprouts key to US West’s post-fire future
May 22, 2022 GMTA New Mexico facility where researchers work to restore forests devastated by fires faced an almost cruelly ironic threat: The largest wildfire burning in the U.S. was fast approaching.
Owen Burney and his team knew they had to save what they could.
More land added to state forest with endangered bat habitat
May 20, 2022 GMTOLIVE HILL, Ky. (AP) — More land has been added to a state forest in eastern Kentucky that has endangered bat habitat, officials said.
The 238-acre (96-hectare) parcel known as the McGlone tract will increase the size of the Tygarts State Forest in Carter County to 1,184 acres, a statement from the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet said.
Oregon leaders warn of difficult wildfire season; urge prep
May 16, 2022 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Oregon remains poised to see a potentially “challenging” wildfire season this summer, despite a wet and cool spring in much of western Oregon, one of the state’s top fire watchers said Monday.
Louisiana offers free microchips to identify saddles
May 7, 2022 GMTNEW ORLEANS (AP) — Louisiana is offering free microchips to people who want permanent identification for their saddles.
“It's exciting,” said Cliff Williamson, director of regulatory affairs for the American Horse Council, a national equine industry group.
Appeals court nixes $1.1 billion timber award against Oregon
April 27, 2022 GMTPORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Oregon Court of Appeals on Wednesday overturned a $1.1 billion verdict against the state over its forest management practices, the latest development in a decades-long dispute over the best use of vast tracts of forestland that cover much of the state's rural areas.
Law creates 8-county group for Tallahatchie River projects
April 16, 2022 GMTJACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi is creating a group to promote economic development and other projects in areas crossed by the Tallahatchie and Little Tallahatchie rivers.
Republican Gov. Tate Reeves on Thursday signed House Bill 1323, which becomes law July 1.
WVa Forest Stewardship Program taking applications
April 7, 2022 GMTCHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Landowners in eight West Virginia counties can apply for the state Division of Forestry's Forest Stewardship Program.
The program helps with forest management and offers financial aid to eligible applicants.
Crews work to contain wildfire near Smoky Mountains
March 31, 2022 GMTPIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (AP) — Firefighters from across Tennessee continued working Thursday morning to contain a wildfire near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park that spread overnight despite rain from storms that passed through the area, officials said.
Wildfire near Smoky Mountains prompts mandatory evacuations
March 31, 2022 GMTSEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Firefighters sought to get a handle Wednesday on a wildfire spreading near Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee, amid mandatory evacuations as winds whipped up ahead of a line of strong storms forecast to move in overnight.
Wildfire chars 450 acres, threatens area near Birmingham
March 28, 2022 GMTVANDIVER, Ala. (AP) — A wildfire that began over the weekend consumed about 450 acres of woods southeast of Birmingham, threatening homes but not causing any reported injuries.
Fire officials say smoke and smoldering debris will continue for several days from the blaze, which began near a residential area on Double Oak Mountain on Saturday afternoon.
‘Bounty’ offered on invasive Bradford pear trees in NC
March 11, 2022 GMTRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A new program in North Carolina is placing a “bounty” on invasive Bradford pear trees as they spread through forests in the state.
The initiative is set to start with an April 23 event in Greensboro and could expand to more locations in the fall, according to North Carolina State University’s website.
SC forestry worker charged in string of suspicious fires
March 11, 2022 GMTMONCKS CORNER, S.C. (AP) — An employee with the South Carolina Forestry Commission, which fights wildfires, has been charged in a string of suspicious fires earlier this year, the agency said.
Brad Chance, 52, was arrested Thursday on three counts of willfully burning someone else's land following wildfires that happened in January and February in Berkeley County near the Francis Marion National Forest, the commission said in a statement.
Bill proposes 8-county group for Tallahatchie River projects
March 7, 2022 GMTJACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi legislators have voted to create a group to promote economic development and other projects in areas crossed by the Tallahatchie and Little Tallahatchie rivers.
Senators voted Monday to pass House Bill 1323, which previously passed the House.
Increasing wildfire danger in SC leads to Red Flag alert
March 7, 2022 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A breezy, dry Monday has led the state Forestry Commission to issue a statewide Reg Flat Alert for outdoor burning in South Carolina to try to prevent wildfires.
The alert discourages outdoor fires, like burning debris, and can trigger local county bans on outdoor burning, the commission said in a statement.
Record demand for state park campsites in Maine
March 6, 2022 GMTSACO, Maine (AP) — Maine is experiencing record demand for state park campsites this year.
Demand for the campsites has soared since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry said registrations for this year total 9,155.
New director chosen for California state fire agency
March 5, 2022 GMTSACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Fire-plagued California has a new state fire chief.
Joe Tyler, a 31-year veteran of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, was appointed Thursday to head a department struggling with drought- and climate-change-fueled conflagrations that in recent years have destroyed thousands of homes and killed dozens of people.
Maine resolves timber harvesting violations in coastal area
February 28, 2022 GMTAUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Maine's forestry department said Monday it has entered into an agreement with a forester to resolve harvesting violations in the state.
The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry said it entered the stipulated judgment agreement with Charles Love and Southern Maine Forestry Services of Windham.
2nd case of Avian influenza discovered in Maine
February 23, 2022 GMTAUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — A second case of highly pathogenic avian influenza has been discovered in Maine a few days after the first documented case.
The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry said Wednesday that federal authorities found avian influenza in a sample taken from a small flock of non-commercial backyard birds in Knox County.
Spring wildfire season begins, burning restrictions in place
February 16, 2022 GMTFRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — The spring wildfire season has begun in Kentucky, which means burning restrictions are in effect across the state, officials said.
Plan for browntail moth fund passes committee vote in Maine
February 9, 2022 GMTPORTLAND, Maine (AP) — A legislative committee has signed off on a plan to create a new fund to help Maine communities deal with an invasive moth.
The fund would start by making $150,000 in grants available in the 2022-23 fiscal year to try to slow the spread of the browntail moth.
Browntail moths so annoying they now have their own month
February 7, 2022 GMTPORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine's browntail moth nuisance has risen to the level that state forestry officials feel the pest deserves its own month.
Browntail moths are the source of an ongoing outbreak in Maine that has bugged the state since 2015.
Maine seeks artist to work in most remote part of the state
February 5, 2022 GMTALLAGASH, Maine (AP) — Maine is looking for an artist to hone their craft in one of the most remote parts of New England.
The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry's Bureau of Parks and Lands stewards a visiting artist program that allows artists to work in the Allagash Wilderness Waterway.
Tennessee residents can reserve trees for Tree Day planting
January 27, 2022 GMTNASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee residents are invited to reserve native trees to plant during the state's annual “Tennessee Tree Day” event on March 19.
There are 10 native tree species to choose from on a first-come, first-served basis.
Candidates sought for New England fishery council vacancy
January 22, 2022 GMTDURHAM, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire is looking for candidates to fill a vacancy for the state on the New England Fishery Management Council.
The council is one of eight regional councils in the United States.
Police disperse Bedouin protesters in southern Israel
January 13, 2022 GMTJERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli police on Thursday fired tear gas, rubber bullets and stun grenades to disperse hundreds of Bedouin Arabs protesting a tree-planting campaign they say is aimed at pushing them off disputed land.
Youngkin rolls out more cabinet members, key staffers
January 4, 2022 GMTRICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Republican Virginia Gov.-elect Glenn Youngkin is continuing to build out his cabinet and staff with a mix of experienced professionals from both the government and private sector ahead of his Jan.
Maine state parks have record attendance for 2nd year in row
December 25, 2021 GMTPORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Maine state parks had a record number of visitors this year for a second year in a row.
The Portland Press Herald reports that Maine’s 42 state parks and historic sites had more than 3.2 million visitors through November, according to Jim Britt, spokesman for the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands.
Hearings set for new electronic lobster boat tracking rules
December 20, 2021 GMTPORTSMOUTH, N.H. (AP) — Interstate fishing managers are holding a series of public hearings next month about a plan to implement electronic tracking for lobster boats.
An arm of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission is considering implementing the tracking requirements for lobster and Jonah crab boats that have federal permits.
Abandoned Maine railroad to become a new multi-use trail
December 4, 2021 GMTAUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — An abandoned Maine Central Railroad Company corridor is being converted to a new multi-use trail.
The Madison Branch spans 32 miles across Kennebec and Somerset Counties and will connect with the Maine Interconnected Trail System and Maine ATV Trail System, officials said.
Dry weather has SC firefighters worried about outdoor fires
December 3, 2021 GMTCOLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Firefighters are urging people in South Carolina to be extra careful if they burn yard debris or set other fires over the weekend.
The state Forestry Commission did not issue any red flag alerts as of Friday because winds aren't expected to be high or humidity unusually low.
Mexico, US announce plan for aid to Central America
December 1, 2021 GMTMEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico announced a joint plan with the United States Wednesday to send development and agricultural aid to Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador, to stem the wave of migration from those Central American countries.
Ducey kick offs holidays with lighting of Capitol tree
December 1, 2021 GMTPHOENIX (AP) — A 25-foot-tall (7.6-meter) white pine installed in state Capitol’s executive tower lobby was lit for the first time Wednesday by Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey during a celebration marking the start of the holiday season.
Oral history of deadly Gatlinburg fire going online
November 30, 2021 GMTGATLINBURG, Tenn. (AP) — An oral history of a deadly wildfire that began in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and devastated Gatlinburg in 2016 will be easily accessible to the public beginning on Tuesday.
Fire at Pilot Mountain State Park burns hundreds of acres
November 29, 2021 GMTPILOT MOUNTAIN, N.C. (AP) — Fire crews in North Carolina are working to control a fire in Pilot Mountain State Park that has already burned hundreds of acres.
Meanwhile the N.C. Forest Service announced Monday a ban on all open burning and has canceled all burning permits statewide until further notice.
Drought-stressed Oregon trees were scorched in heat wave
November 25, 2021 GMTBEND, Ore. (AP) — This summer’s heat scorched Oregon trees — maybe worse than ever before — and scientists are beginning to piece together what that means for the trees’ long-term health.
Reports of fading foliage and crispy conifers started coming within days of a June heat wave, during which many parts of the state endured consecutive days with temperatures higher than 110 degrees Fahrenheit (43 degrees Celsius).