News Archive

2026

Illustration executed by Chat GPT from a prompt by Bjorn Ulfsson, CTIF.

Mid February heat records in Southern France with temperatures reaching 30 C / 86 F after long perio...

Meteorologists described the event as exceptional, noting that several stations broke their all‑time...

Mid February heat records in Southern France with temperatures reaching 30 C / 86 F after long period of rain and flooding

Photo Credit: Wikipedia Creative Commons License https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Adamuz_rail_disaster?utm_source=copilot.com#/media/File:2026_01_19.20_Accidente_ferroviario_de_Adamuz_(55053406029).jpg

Spain’s deadliest railway crash in a decade left 46 dead near Adamuz in January 2026

A train derailed at high speed, sending several carriages onto an adjacent track. Moments later, a R...

Spain’s deadliest railway crash in a decade left 46 dead near Adamuz in January 2026

Photo Credit: Italian Alpine Rescue The avalanche that killed two people in Courmayeur, Italy, on Feb. 15, 2026

A wave of deadly avalanches killed 13 in one week in the Italian Alps - Unstable Alpine snow trigger...

During the first week of February 2026, Italy experienced an exceptionally unstable Alpine snowpack,...

A wave of deadly avalanches killed 13 in one week in the Italian Alps - Unstable Alpine snow triggers nationwide warnings

One dead, and dozens injured when an international bus coach caught fire in Slovakia

Authorities said 26 to 30 passengers, most of them Polish nationals, managed to escape before the fire spread.

One dead, and dozens injured when an international bus coach caught fire in Slovakia

Warehouse fire in Poland sparks national debate over lithium battery safety

Polish fire‑service officials said the burning of plastics, packaging materials, and battery components created a complex chemical environment requiring extended containment operations.

Warehouse fire in Poland sparks national debate over lithium battery safety

This is imaginary rendering of the situation in Austria on February 20, 2026. Illustration executed by Chat GPT from a prompt by Bjorn Ulfsson, CTIF.

Austria mobilized 13,000 firefighters in one day as heavy, wet snow affected most of the country

This week Austria faced one of its most disruptive winter emergencies with widespread snow damage, b...

Austria mobilized 13,000 firefighters in one day as heavy, wet snow affected most of the country

Older Paris apartment buildings. Free Photo by Diego F.Parra. https://www.pexels.com/photo/roofs-of-buildings-in-paris-16923121/

A Paris apartment building collapse injured 20 and sparked national debate over safety in aging buil...

As firefighters cordoned off the building and structural engineers arrived on site, it became clear ...

A Paris apartment building collapse injured 20 and sparked national debate over safety in aging buildings

Li-ion battery cell exploded after hitting it by hammer. Wikipedia Creative Commons License.

LAFD pushes for tougher lithium‑ion battery rules as fires surge across Los Angeles

The surge has prompted LAFD to lobby the Los Angeles City Council for new regulations modelled after...

LAFD pushes for tougher lithium‑ion battery rules as fires surge across Los Angeles

As Europe heats up, EU forms 300‑firefighter unit to fight large wildfires

The new 300‑firefighter force is the EU’s clearest acknowledgment yet that wildfires are no longer a...

As Europe heats up, EU forms 300‑firefighter unit to fight large wildfires

Photo Credit: Wikipedia Creative Commons License The car carrier Thames Highway entering the port of Bremerhaven in Germany by backing into the Northern sluice. Author: Charvosi

January 2026 car carrier fire in the Wadden Sea triggered large German rescue operation

According to the initial report from Maritime‑Hub, the vessel was carrying 1,294 vehicles, including...

January 2026 car carrier fire in the Wadden Sea triggered large German rescue operation

Free photo by Erik Mclean / Pexels.com. https://www.pexels.com/photo/travel-trailer-placed-near-river-in-winter-forest-in-daylight-6367172/

Housing crisis pushes people to live in campers and RVs: BC chiefs warn of fire and explosion risks ...

A recent fatal RV fire in Nanaimo, BC has prompted renewed warnings from fire officials about the r...

Housing crisis pushes people to live in campers and RVs: BC chiefs warn of fire and explosion risks in long term residency

Scientists warn Europe must prepare for a "catastrophic" 3°C of global warming

According to The Guardian, the European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change (ESABCC) has urg...

Scientists warn Europe must prepare for a "catastrophic" 3°C of global warming

Screenshot of the cover of the Finnish version.

Finnish version added to the CTIF Operational Guide 2025 for Emergency Response on Electric Vehicles...

The downloadable PDF provides an overview two main issues: Managing electrical risks during roadside...

Finnish version added to the CTIF Operational Guide 2025 for Emergency Response on Electric Vehicles

Experts say "working with nature can be our best ally against forest fires" by preserving wetlands a...

Environmental scientists and resilience planners are urging governments to treat forests, wetlands, ...

Experts say "working with nature can be our best ally against forest fires" by preserving wetlands and wildlife

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Elvis_%28Erickson_Air-Crane%29_taking_off_from_Wagga_Wagga_Airport.jpg

Australian fire authorities say currents tools and methods not adequate to keep up with bushfires

Australia’s leading fire authorities are warning that the country’s bushfire detection and suppressi...

Australian fire authorities say currents tools and methods not adequate to keep up with bushfires

December 80 Mtr Waves Sagres Fortress Storm Portugals Sea Lords Earth - Magic Portugal Photography 1990 Date 26 January 2013 (original upload date) Source https://web.archive.org/web/20161024151203/http://www.panoramio.com/photo/85214749 Author pictures Jettcom

Fatal storms sweep over Portugal Spain and France, claiming lives and forcing mass evacuations

At least 16 people are reported dead in Portugal due to the storms, highways have been destroyed and...

Fatal storms sweep over Portugal Spain and France, claiming lives and forcing mass evacuations

https://nara.getarchive.net/media/firemen-from-ft-campbell-fire-department-use-a-litter-b83550

UK fire service urges legislators to identify high rise resident in special need of evacuation

Surrey Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is urging building owners and managers to prepare for signific...

UK fire service urges legislators to identify high rise resident in special need of evacuation

Fires in Argentine Patagonia in 2026 Date 11 January 2026 Source YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmNJmjwnWSE&feature=youtu.be – View/save archived versions on archive.org and archive.today Author tfnoticias

Deadly Patagonia wildfires claim over 20 lives and destroy world's oldest trees

Scientists warn that the destruction of these giant carbon‑storing forests could accelerate global w...

Deadly Patagonia wildfires claim over 20 lives and destroy world's oldest trees

Understanding and Addressing Europe’s Disaster Resilience Challenges

DIREKTION identifies and prioritises capability gaps that hinder effective prevention, preparedness,...

Understanding and Addressing Europe’s Disaster Resilience Challenges

Executed by Microsoft Co-Pilot from a prompt by Bjorn Ulfsson.

EU Summit Urges Shift to Integrated Wildfire Risk Management

This high-level roundtable brought together European, national, and regional stakeholders from diver...

EU Summit Urges Shift to Integrated Wildfire Risk Management

Global Fire Statistics. Illustration executed by MS CoPilot from a prompt by Bjorn Ulfsson.

Center of Fire Statistics Meeting: Looking back at the year 2025

The Center for Fire Statistics (CFS-CTIF) held its regular meeting and prepared the annual report on...

Center of Fire Statistics Meeting: Looking back at the year 2025

Screen shot of the Turkish version of the EV fire handbook

Turkish version added to the CTIF Operational Guide 2025 for Emergency Response on Electric Vehicles...

The downloadable PDF provides an overview two main issues: Managing electrical risks during roadside...

Turkish version added to the CTIF Operational Guide 2025 for Emergency Response on Electric Vehicles

Hong Kong firefighter honoured after dying in line of duty during high‑rise blaze

Leung, a 17‑year veteran, was remembered for his “unwavering professionalism and courage” during a f...

Hong Kong firefighter honoured after dying in line of duty during high‑rise blaze

100 Cities – 100 Years – Evaluation of Urban Fire Risks" (Volumes I–III), now available online!

This work embodies years of research, reflection, and writing, and The CTIF Center of Fire Statisti...

100 Cities – 100 Years – Evaluation of Urban Fire Risks" (Volumes I–III), now available online!

Global water shortage. Illustration executed by MS CoPilot from a prompt by Bjorn Ulfsson.

UN warns of “Global Water Bankruptcy” as demand surges and supplies collapse - affecting fire suppre...

The assessment, published by the UN Global Commission on the Economics of Water, warns that up to 2 ...

UN warns of “Global Water Bankruptcy” as demand surges and supplies collapse - affecting fire suppression and drinking water supplies

Wildfire insurance crisis in southern California. Executed by MS CoPilot from a prompt by Bjorn Ulfsson.

Wildfire home insurance under fire in Southern California

The crisis follows back‑to‑back years of record wildfire losses. Insurers have paid tens of billions...

Wildfire home insurance under fire in Southern California

Storm Leonardo slams southern Spain, forcing mass evacuations and transport shutdowns

Spain’s weather agency AEMET issued its highest red alert for areas of Cádiz, Málaga, Jaén, Grazalem...

Storm Leonardo slams southern Spain, forcing mass evacuations and transport shutdowns

Patagonia wildfires from space. https://www.earthdata.nasa.gov/news/worldview-image-archive/fires-patagonia-argentina

Wildfires in Patagonia "impossible to stop"

The crisis has been further inflamed by conspiracy theories circulating among political allies of Pr...

Wildfires in Patagonia "impossible to stop"

DIREKTION Webinar on "Resilient Communications for Responders" - Recording available

This DIREKTION webinar explored how resilient communication systems can support coordination, situat...

DIREKTION Webinar on "Resilient Communications for Responders" - Recording available

The 25th CTIF International Youth Fire Brigade Competition in Šumperk (Czechia)

Please find attached the announcement for the 25th CTIF International Youth Fire Brigade Competition...

The 25th CTIF International Youth Fire Brigade Competition in Šumperk (Czechia)

Screenshot of the WPRI.com YouTube video below

Three firefighters injured in a sudden flashover

The flashover forced incident commanders to pull crews from the structure and transition to a defens...

Three firefighters injured in a sudden flashover

EV Safety Inc. expands access to FireGuard barriers and training as EV thermal events rise

The goal is not to extinguish a lithium‑ion battery fire—something that often requires tens of thous...

EV Safety Inc. expands access to FireGuard barriers and training as EV thermal events rise

Sydney Bushfire. Photo Credit (above) Photo: A bushfire at Llanilo, western Sydney, 2016. (Twitter: @FRNSW)

Firefighters battle ‘emergency‑level’ bushfires as extreme heatwave grips south‑east Australia

Victoria’s emergency authorities warned that the situation is “changing rapidly”, urging residents t...

Firefighters battle ‘emergency‑level’ bushfires as extreme heatwave grips south‑east Australia

This image was originally posted to Flickr by Pierre Markuse at https://flickr.com/photos/24998770@N07/53001135624. It was reviewed on 26 June 2023 by FlickreviewR 2 and was confirmed to be licensed under the terms of the cc-by-2.0.

Canadian study warns fewer forest fires are now causing greater destruction

The study, released by the Canadian Forest Service, examined six decades of national fire data and f...

Canadian study warns fewer forest fires are now causing greater destruction

Explosion at Greek cookie factory kills five and injures seven in explosion

According to fire service spokespersons, eleven employees were inside the affected production wing at the time. Rescue crews recovered the bodies of five women from the debris.

Explosion at Greek cookie factory kills five and injures seven in explosion

An imagined scene of people protesting the Palisades report. Executed by MS CoPilot from a prompt by Bjorn Ulfsson

New LAFD chief rejects probe into edits that softened Palisades fire report

Newly appointed Fire Chief Jaime Moore announced he will not investigate who altered the department’...

New LAFD chief rejects probe into edits that softened Palisades fire report

By Indonesian National Board for Disaster Management - https://www.bnpb.go.id/berita/upaya-percepatan-penanganan-darurat-bnpb-berikan-pendampingan-banjir-di-aceh, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=179111951

Indonesia landslide leaves villages buried and more than 80 people missing in West Java

One of the most devastating revelations is that 19 members of Indonesia’s elite marine force were ca...

Indonesia landslide leaves villages buried and more than 80 people missing in West Java

Collapsed exterior of Gul Plaza after the fire which destroyed it. Date 22 January 2026 Source Press Conference on Saniha Gul Plaza Karachi, Dr Ashraf Asif Jalali, 22 January 2026 Author Dr Muhammad Ashraf Asif Jalali Camera location 24° 51′ 54.36″ N, 67° 01′ 26.76″ E Kartographer map based on OpenStreetMap.

Karachi mall fire becomes one of Pakistan’s deadliest as confirmed death toll climbs to 67

The fire started Saturday evening January 24, 2026, at a time when most shopkeepers were closing fo...

Karachi mall fire becomes one of Pakistan’s deadliest as confirmed death toll climbs to 67

On 15 October, flash floods hit the north coast of Crete.[4] Extensive damage was reported in many seaside areas.[5] Settlements affected included Agia Pelagia, Lygaria, Chania and Lasithi.[6] By Ontheway Advice - Agia Pelagia, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=58372044

Flooding brings deadly chaos to Attica as storms overwhelm Greece’s capital region

Meteorologists recorded more than a month’s worth of rain in just a few hours, overwhelming drainage...

Flooding brings deadly chaos to Attica as storms overwhelm Greece’s capital region

Illustration executed by MS CoPilot, based on this Creative Commons image on Wikipedia: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Brain_Cancer_Regions.png

Firefighters & brain cancer: A silent occupational threat

For generations, firefighters have accepted visible dangers—flames, collapse, smoke—as part of the w...

Firefighters & brain cancer: A silent occupational threat