2019 wildfires News

Typhoon Hagibis to Cost Japan’s Economy $10B, with Insured Losses in Billions: Aon

Typhoon Hagibis is likely to become one of 2019’s costliest events, with economic costs of more than US$10 billion and insured losses minimally in the billions, according to Aon’s monthly catastrophe report. The storm made landfall in Japan’s Iza Peninsula …

Boosting Resilience to U.S. Wildfires Should Be Insurance Industry Priority: I.I.I.

Nearly a year after the deadliest and costliest wildfire in U.S. history, insurers and the customers they cover are revisiting how to reduce their collective exposure to this risk, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.). “While our research has …

Australia Faces More Severe Cyclones, Wildfires, Floods as Climate Warms: IAG

Australia faces the prospect of more severe cyclones, wildfires and floods as the climate warms, the nation’s largest insurer said. A 3 degree Celsius increase in global temperatures will lead to higher intensity cyclones moving further south, longer bush fire …

Eastern Australia Wildfires Destroy Up to 30 Homes

About 500 firefighters were battling out-of-control wildfires in eastern Australia that have destroyed up to 30 homes. More than 40 bushfires were burning across New South Wales state. Temperatures were cooler Wednesday after strong winds and stifling heat restricted firefighting …

Why Are Amazon Fires Potentially Sparking Global Climate Crisis?

A record number of fires ravaging the Amazon has drawn international outrage because of the rainforest’s importance to the global environment and prompted Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro to dispatch the military to assist in firefighting. Here is what you need …

Spain Reports Progress in Battling Canary Island Wildfire

The wind dropped overnight in the Canary Islands, allowing firefighters to make progress Tuesday against Spain’s biggest wildfire so far this year. Canary Islands President Angel Victor Torres said 16 water-dropping aircraft took off at first light amid “a lot …

Wood-Panel Producer Norbord Halts Mill Production Following Alberta Wildfires

Norbord Inc said on Tuesday it suspended production at its oriented strand board (OSB) mill in High Level, Alberta, to comply with evacuation orders following nearby wildfires. More than 4,000 people from High Level and the Bushe River First nations …

Wildfires Threaten Towns in Rural Southeast Australia

More homes were being threatened Tuesday [March 5] by wildfires that have burned dozens of homes and buildings in rural southeast Australia. Victoria state Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said emergency warnings were issued for the towns of Dargo and …

Australia Sweltered in January Through Hottest Month on Record

Australia sweltered through its hottest month on record in January and the summer of extremes continued with wildfires razing the drought-parched south and flooding in expanses of the tropical north. Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology confirmed the January record on Friday …