Sam the koala, who gained worldwide fame and sympathy when she was rescued during Australia's devastating wildfires earlier this year, was euthanized Thursday after a veterinarian found that cysts from a disease that is one of the main killers of koalas were inoperable. ...more

August 7, 2009

People with respiratory problems are urged to stay indoors because of smoky conditions caused by multiple wildfires burning in eastern and central Florida and two brush fires in Hernando County. ...more

May 14, 2009

The countywide burn ban, which had been in place for the past five weeks, has been rescinded. ...more

April 22, 2009

With blustery winds forecast to continue through this week, the Highlands County commissioners voted Tuesday to extend the county-wide burn ban into its fourth week. ...more

April 9, 2009

If you noticed anything about Tuesday's weather, it likely was the blustery wind that rattled trees, made tumbleweeds out of litter and kicked up waves that made swimming and surfing a challenge. Winds clocked a steady 20 mph or more and played havoc with wildfires that broke out in the Bay area. Winds are expected to drop to about 10 mph this morning but will be strong enough to make temperatures feel like they are in the 30s. A quick warm-up is expected the rest of the week. ...more

April 8, 2009

Rain from an approaching front today dampened wildfires that raged in Saturday's dry, windy conditions and allowed firefighters to contain most of them. ...more

March 29, 2009

Investigators are calling a wildfire that blackened a square mile in east Hernando County suspicious and say it may have been deliberately set. ...more

March 24, 2009

For once the stuff falling from the sky isn't oak pollen. Light rain is spreading over coastal counties and should continue off and on through late afternoon. By evening, it should move off the coast. Any rain is welcome, both as a relief for lawns and a valuable break for crews battling wildfires. But the weather service estimates most places will eventually see only about .1 of an inch. ...more

March 23, 2009

A seven-day, countywide burn ban was implemented Tuesday by the Highlands County commissioners. ...more

March 18, 2009

Florida has recorded twice as many wildfires as a year ago at this time and the danger increases every day. ...more

March 10, 2009