PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. (AP) - A senior federal official is urging communities, utilities and others to collaborate more on projects aimed at restoring forests and rangeland charred by blazes and guarding against catastrophic fires.
Harris Sherman, an undersecretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture who oversees the U.S. Forest Service, tells government officials at a Western Governors' Association meeting Saturday in Paradise Valley, Ariz., that the federal government is accelerating its forest restoration projects and wants communities involved in similar efforts.
Sherman painted a stark picture of how the country's fire seasons are progressing.
Sherman says wildfires burned a near-record 9.1 million acres in the United States this year. Fourteen fires - nearly all in the West - burned more than 100,000 acres.
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Monday, May 20 2013 6:05 PM EDT2013-05-20 22:05:22 GMT
A spate of hate-fueled attacks on gay men in New York, including a killing in the heart of one of its most gay-friendly neighborhoods, is stirring up anxiety, disbelief and outrage.
A spate of hate-fueled attacks on gay men in New York, including a killing in the heart of one of its most gay-friendly neighborhoods, is stirring up anxiety, disbelief and outrage.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:32 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:32:24 GMT
As a family prepared for the funeral of a Hofstra junior killed by a cop's bullet during a standoff with an armed intruder, questions remain about how police handled the situation.
As a family prepared for the funeral of a Hofstra junior killed by a cop's bullet during a standoff with an armed intruder, questions remain about how police handled the situation.
Three people have been charged with taking bribes from a Chinese government-supported institution in exchange for restricted research from a New York University lab.
Three people have been charged with taking bribes from a Chinese government-supported institution in exchange for restricted research from a New York University lab.
Monday, May 20 2013 10:36 AM EDT2013-05-20 14:36:21 GMT
Connecticut commuters endured slow trips to work Monday following last week's train collision that that injured 72 people and disrupted rail service into New York City.
Connecticut commuters endured slow trips to work Monday following last week's train collision that that injured 72 people and disrupted rail service into New York City.