Beatty’s Ford Park swim beach closed as low water levels persist
Lincoln County has closed the swim beach at Beatty’s Ford Park in Denver because of extremely low water levels, while the splash pad remains open daily.
Environment & Weather
Weather, climate, pollution, air and water quality, conservation, wildlife, natural resources, and environmental policy.
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Charleston County approves conservation funding for two Edisto Island properties
Charleston County Council approved FY2026 Greenbelt funding tied to two Edisto Island conservation projects totaling 12.1 acres.
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WMO Says El Niño Has Developed, Forecasts Strong Event Through 2026
The World Meteorological Organization says El Niño has formed in the tropical Pacific and could intensify rapidly, raising risks of extreme weather worldwide.
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Extreme Heat and Wildfire Danger Trigger Emergency Response Across the West
A late-July and early-August heat wave brought record or near-record temperatures and worsening wildfire conditions across parts of the Western United States. Washington declared a state of emergency as extreme fire weather affected eastern parts of the state.
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Interior announces more than $461 million for parks, trails and outdoor recreation nationwide
The Land and Water Conservation Fund distribution includes more than $327 million in formula grants and $134 million in competitive grants for projects across all 50 states, U.S. territories and the District of Columbia.
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Los Angeles finalizes five-year agreement for Encino community compost hub
Los Angeles City Council approved a five-year agreement allowing LA Compost to operate and maintain a community compost hub at Sepulveda Garden Center in Encino.
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Temple Terrace continues work on a plan to remove PFAS from its drinking water
Temple Terrace officials were moving closer to a plan for addressing elevated PFAS in the city’s municipal water system, but a final treatment project had not been announced.
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Jefferson County receives nearly $9.7 million grant for wildfire mitigation
A five-year federal grant will fund wildfire-mitigation staff, evacuation-corridor work, homeowner incentives, equipment, training and education across Jefferson County, including its mountain communities.
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WMO Confirms El Niño Is Developing, Urges Governments to Prepare for Extreme Weather
The World Meteorological Organization says El Niño conditions developed in the tropical Pacific during July-September 2026 and could influence weather patterns worldwide through at least November.
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EU to Move 190.5 Million Carbon Allowances Into Market Reserve From September 2026
The European Commission says 190,494,202 EU Emissions Trading System allowances will enter the Market Stability Reserve during the 12 months beginning Sept. 1, 2026.
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Heat Wave Sets August Record in Las Vegas as Wildfire Risk Rises Across the West
Las Vegas reached 116°F, an August record, as extreme heat and dry conditions increased wildfire danger across parts of the western United States.
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Watchung continues recovery after July storms downed trees, poles and disrupted utilities
Watchung officials are continuing cleanup and utility restoration after extreme weather from July 2 through July 6 caused downed trees, damaged utility poles, outages, road closures and localized internet problems.
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Greenwood Lake Residents Faced Power Outages and Blocked Roads After July 4 Storm
A fast-moving thunderstorm struck Greenwood Lake on July 4 and into July 5, toppling trees, downing power lines, blocking roads and leaving hundreds without electricity.
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Ballinger moves to Stage 3 water restrictions as lake level falls below trigger elevation
Ballinger has imposed Stage 3 water restrictions after Ballinger Lake fell below 1,658 feet, limiting irrigation and hydrant use for city water customers.
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Port of Seattle extends airport-plan environmental review comment deadline to Aug. 20
Des Moines residents have until 5 p.m. Aug. 20, 2026, to comment on the Port of Seattle’s draft environmental review for near-term airport projects.
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Spokane Complex wildfire damage reaches at least 600 structures as 60,000 evacuate
The three-fire Spokane Complex caused catastrophic destruction in eastern Washington, with at least 600 structures destroyed and about 60,000 evacuations reported by Aug. 2.
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Vermont administration moves forward with wetlands-rule changes despite lawmakers’ objections
The Phil Scott administration advanced changes to Vermont’s wetlands rules on Aug. 4, 2026, in a statewide dispute over land-use regulation and environmental reviews.
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Helicopter crashes while battling Utah wildfire as blaze expands to 165 square miles
A helicopter fighting the Fishlake National Forest fire near Kanosh crashed Friday as the blaze reached 165 square miles and remained 19% contained.
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South Dakota seeks federal disaster declaration for eight counties and two reservations after severe storms
Gov. Larry Rhoden requested a presidential major disaster declaration for eight South Dakota counties and the Crow Creek and Lower Brule reservations after severe storms from June 28 through July 3.
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Hugo posts final 165th Street environmental review before 10-day objection period
Hugo has posted the final environmental review for the 165th Street corridor after public comments and revisions. The document now enters a 10-day objection period before the city considers final adoption.
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WMO Warns Developing El Niño Could Raise Global Weather Risks in 2026
The World Meteorological Organization said El Niño conditions were developing in the tropical Pacific, with an 80% chance of emergence by August and about a 90% chance from September through December 2026.
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NWS warns of severe storms, flooding, dangerous heat and fire weather across U.S.
The National Weather Service is warning of simultaneous weather threats, including heavy rain, flash flooding, extreme heat, wildfire risk and smoke across multiple U.S. regions.