Fire season is back, and it's not safe to breathe in huge swaths of the world.
The Ferguson Fire burning new Yosemite National Park has burned more than 40,000 acres and forced the evacuation of the park.
The Ferguson Fire inspired Patrick May to map smoke events around the world, including smoky conditions from wildfires in Colorado and Montana. Fort Smith, Arkansas makes the map for having the highest smoking rate in the entire nation. Around the globe, the tragic fires in Greece are on the map, as do air pollution meters in cities like Cairo, Egypt (as an example of pollution run amok) and Zabol, Iran (as an example of improvement).
Despite broadening the map's scope to include other forms of smoke, it out some smoke events that should worry any one occupying the planet. Earlier this week, for instance, Southern Oregon, a region of natural splendor and home to public lands like Crater Lake National Park, reported the worst air quality in the country due to smoke from wildfires.
The Carr Fire in Shasta County in Northern California was sending ash the size of dimes falling onto the city of Redding, forcing evacuations of historic Old Shasta and neighborhoods in Redding.
FULL STORY: Don’t inhale: a map of smoke events around the world
Wildfire Smoke Affecting Communities Across the Country
Wildfires in California and Colorado are spewing out smoke that is traveling to other parts of the country. The health effects of the dirty air are substantial, and they could last long after the fires are out.
Seattle Clean-Air Shelters to Provide Relief to Residents
Wildfires have caused the city’s air quality to plummet in recent years. The new shelters will give residents a break when the air is not fit to breathe.
Another Summer of Wildfires and Air Quality Emergencies
A third straight summer spent in a haze of smoke from nearby wildfires is taking a psychological toll on Seattle residents. A political response is also taking shape.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
Planning for Accessibility: Proximity is More Important than Mobility
Accessibility-based planning minimizes the distance that people must travel to reach desired services and activities. Measured this way, increased density can provide more total benefits than increased speeds.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
Eviction Looms for Low-Income Tenants as Rent Debt Rises
Nonprofit housing operators across the country face almost $10 billion in rent debt.
Brightline West Breaks Ground
The high-speed rail line will link Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area.
Colorado Bans No-Fault Evictions
In most cases, landlords must provide a just cause for evicting tenants.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
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