Climate extremes fuel explosive wildfires in Canada and western U.S. One climatologist said "a perfect storm" of climate extremes primed the western U.S. for one of its worst fire seasons in a decade.

July 16, 2026 • Orange skies and heavy smoke covered large parts of the U.S. on Thursday as Canada and Minnesota grapple with wildfires. Hazardous air quality is expected to continue. July 16, 2026 • ...

The twice-yearly ritual has roots in cost-cutting strategies of the late 19th century. A recent effort to end it has stalled in Congress. By Alan Yuhas See more of our coverage in your search ...