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Ryan Heinsius

@ryanheinsius.bsky.social
363 followers 489 following 411 posts

News Director & Managing Editor, KNAU Arizona Public Radio. @knauazpubradio.bsky.social. www.knau.org. Reporting for NPR

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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
Grand Canyon National Park officials have implemented water restrictions on the South Rim following a break in the Transcanyon Waterline.
knau.org
Water restrictions put in place at Grand Canyon after pipeline break
Grand Canyon National Park officials have implemented water restrictions on the South Rim following a break in the Transcanyon Waterline.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
The Navajo Police Department says an empty uranium transport semi-truck rolled over Tuesday afternoon during heavy rain on U.S. 160 near Black Mesa on the Navajo Nation.
knau.org
Rollover of uranium ore truck on Navajo Nation prompts calls for investigation
The Navajo Police Department says an empty uranium transport semi-truck rolled over Tuesday afternoon during heavy rain on U.S. 160 near Black Mesa on the Navajo Nation.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Officials say the remains of celebrated Grand Canyon hiker Bill Ott, missing since 2012, have been positively identified.
knau.org
Remains of renowned Grand Canyon hiker ID'd
Officials say the remains of celebrated Grand Canyon hiker Bill Ott, missing since 2012, have been positively identified.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
The remains of renowned Grand Canyon hiker Bill Ott, who went missing while on a solo trek nearly 15 years ago, have been found. KNAU contributor Scott Thybony was Ott's friend and wrote about him in 2017 for the Canyon Commentary.
knau.org
Canyon Commentary: A Canyon Disappearance
Five years ago, commentator Scott Thybony joined the search for a friend who went missing in the Grand Canyon. He’d been looking for thousand-year-old…
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
After finishing an assessment of the 27,000-acre Pocket Fire, the Burned Area Emergency Response team says 70% burned at either low or very low severity.
knau.org
Scientists say a majority of the Pocket Fire burned at low severity
After finishing an assessment of the 27,000-acre Pocket Fire, the Burned Area Emergency Response team says 70% burned at either low or very low severity.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
It's pretty safe to say monsoon season is upon us here in northern Arizona. On Thursday a significant band of thunderstorms moved through the Flagstaff area bringing an inch or more of rain to parts of the city and beyond.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
President Donald Trump has slashed the size of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments in souther Utah by about 90%, unraveling protections established by former presidents.
knau.org
Trump reduces size of 2 national monuments in Utah as Republicans reshape land management
President Donald Trump has slashed the size of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments in souther Utah by about 90%, unraveling protections established by former presidents.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 09/07/2026
Crews battling the Pocket Fire north of Sedona had contained 69% of the blaze as of Thursday morning. Incident managers say firefighters have made considerable progress containing the wildfire but there’s still work to be done.
knau.org
Containment on Pocket Fire nears 70%
Crews battling the Pocket Fire north of Sedona had contained 69% of the blaze as of Thursday morning. Incident managers say firefighters have made considerable progress containing the wildfire but the...
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Law enforcement officials at Grand Canyon National Park are searching for a man who allegedly damaged a historic Hopi headpiece at the Desert View Watchtower last month.
knau.org
Historic Hopi headpiece damaged at Desert View Watchtower
Law enforcement officials at Grand Canyon National Park are searching for a man who allegedly damaged a historic Hopi headpiece at the Desert View Watchtower last month.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
The Pocket Fire has grown to more than 20,000 acres and is 21% contained. Smoke continues heavily impact Flagstaff but fire officials say crews continue to make solid progress.
knau.org
Crews make progress on Pocket Fire but heavy smoke to continue
The Pocket Fire has grown to more than 20,000 acres and is 21% contained. Smoke continues heavily impact Flagstaff but fire officials say crews continue to make solid progress.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Crews on the Pocket Fire have stopped northward progress as they continue to conduct burnout operations and strengthen lines on the blaze that's grown to more than 15,000 acres.
knau.org
Northward progression on Pocket Fire stopped as crews continue burnout operations
Crews on the Pocket Fire have stopped northward progress as they continue to conduct burnout operations and strengthen lines on the blaze that's grown to more than 15,000 acres.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
Officials from the Coconino National Forest, City of Flagstaff and Coconino County will implement stage 2 fire restrictions on Tuesday at 8 a.m.
knau.org
Stage 2 fire restrictions to take effect on Coconino National Forest, Flagstaff, Coconino County
Officials from the Coconino National Forest, City of Flagstaff and Coconino County will implement stage 2 fire restrictions on Tuesday at 8 a.m.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
Saturday’s heavy winds caused the Pocket Fire to nearly double in size to 5,547 acres as Kachina Village and Forest Highlands remain in Set status.
knau.org
Pocket Fire doubles in size amid heavy wind; Kachina Village remains in Set status
Saturday’s heavy winds caused the Pocket Fire to nearly double in size to 5,547 acres as Kachina Village and Forest Highlands remain in Set status.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has placed all zones of Kachina Village and Forest Highlands in Set status because of the Pocket Fire burning north of Sedona.
knau.org
Set notification issued for Kachina Village, Forest Highlands because of Pocket Fire
The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has placed all zones of Kachina Village and Forest Highlands in Set status because of the Pocket Fire burning north of Sedona.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 28/06/2026
A wildfire has triggered evacuations north of Parks in Pumpkin Center while crews have responded to another fire 7 miles south of Tusayan. Meanwhile, activity on the Pocket Fire has increased amid the heavy winds, but it's mainly stayed south of the Woody Mountain Road containment line.
knau.org
Wildfire triggers evacuations north of Parks; new wildfire near Tusayan; Pocket Fire update
A wildfire first detected Saturday afternoon has triggered evacuations north of Parks in Pumpkin Center while crews have responded to another fire 7 miles south of Tusayan.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
Crews battling the Pocket Fire north of Sedona were preparing for another day of ferocious winds Saturday that are likely to put their fire lines to the test.
knau.org
Crews on Pocket Fire gear up for more heavy wind, red flag conditions
Crews battling the Pocket Fire north of Sedona were preparing for another day of ferocious winds Saturday that are likely to put their fire lines to the test.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 27/06/2026
Arizona Public Service Co. began its public safety power shutoff on Saturday morning because of high wildfire danger. Officials have opened numerous cooling centers and water and ice distribution points in Flagstaff, Grand Canyon National Park and elsewhere.
knau.org
Resources for APS public safety power shutoff
Arizona Public Service Co. began its public safety power shutoff on Saturday morning because of extreme wildfire danger. Officials have opened numerous cooling centers and water and ice distribution p...
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
Several fire crews along with helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft worked Saturday to contain a 500-acre wildfire north of Sedona that prompted the evacuation of Oak Creek Canyon the day before.
knau.org
More resources arrive to fight Pocket Fire north of Sedona
Several fire crews along with helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft worked Saturday to contain a 500-acre wildfire north of Sedona that prompted the evacuation of Oak Creek Canyon the day before.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has issued evacuation orders for Oak Creek Canyon because of a wildfire burning 7 miles north of Sedona in the Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness.
knau.org
Wildfire north of Sedona prompts evacuation orders for Oak Creek Canyon
The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has issued evacuation orders for Oak Creek Canyon because of a wildfire burning 7 miles north of Sedona in the Red Rock-Secret Mountain Wilderness.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
Grand Canyon National Park officials say three hikers have died of heat-related causes over the last week.
knau.org
Three hikers die of heat-related causes in Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon National Park officials say three hikers have died of heat-related causes over the last week.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
State fire managers say activity on a 40-acre wildfire north of the San Francisco Peaks has decreased as it's moved into flatter terrain with less fuel.
knau.org
Activity on wildfire north of the San Francisco Peaks diminishes
State fire managers say activity on a 40-acre wildfire north of the San Francisco Peaks has decreased as it's moved into flatter terrain with less fuel.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
An art exhibit at Northern Arizona University explores the legacy of Black workers who helped cement the enduring western icon of the lumberjack in the region.
knau.org
An art exhibit reveals the hidden history of northern Arizona’s Black lumberjacks
An art exhibit at Northern Arizona University explores the legacy of Black workers who helped cement the enduring western icon of the lumberjack in the region.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Crews are working to contain two lightning-sparked wildfires in northwestern Arizona including a 1,000-acre blaze east of Fredonia on the Kaibab Plateau.
knau.org
Crews work to contain two lightning-caused wildfires in northwestern Arizona
Crews are working to contain two lightning-sparked wildfires in northwestern Arizona including a 1,000-acre blaze east of Fredonia on the Kaibab Plateau.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 16/06/2026
Crews with the Coconino National Forest are working to contain a half-acre wildfire on Mormon Mountain about 18 miles southeast of Flagstaff.
knau.org
Crews working to contain lightning-caused wildfire on Mormon Mountain
Crews with the Coconino National Forest are working to contain a half-acre wildfire on Mormon Mountain about 18 miles southeast of Flagstaff.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 14/06/2026
NWS issued a flash flood warning for Supai and Havasu Creek after local law enforcement reported a 6-foot water level rise. Flash flooding is expected at Mooney Falls and on the Havasupai Reservation along with Colorado River miles 156 and 158. forecast.weather.gov/showsigwx.ph...
forecast.weather.gov
WWA Summary by Location for 36.24N 112.69W with AZZ006/AZC005/AZZ106 emphasis Flash Flood Warning
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
Crews on the Coconino National Forest worked to contain a 30-acre wildfire about 13 miles east of Flagstaff near Leupp Road on Monday amid heavy wind and dry conditions.
knau.org
Crews working to contain wildfire east of Flagstaff during red flag conditions
Crews on the Coconino National Forest worked to contain a 30-acre wildfire about 13 miles east of Flagstaff near Leupp Road on Monday amid heavy wind and dry conditions.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
Kaibab National Forest managers want to reduce the threat of dead and damaged trees from last year’s Dragon Bravo and White Sage fires.
knau.org
USFS proposes thinning dead, damaged trees from North Rim fires
Kaibab National Forest managers want to reduce the threat of dead and damaged trees from last year’s Dragon Bravo and White Sage fires.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 05/06/2026
The Trump administration is making another legal bid to get the records of Arizona’s more than 4.3 million registered voters.
knau.org
Trump administration tries again to get Arizona voter data
The Trump administration is making another legal bid to get the records of Arizona’s more than 4.3 million registered voters.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
The Arizona Supreme Court has denied Attorney General Kris Mayes' appeal of an order that the state’s fake elector case over the 2020 presidential election be sent back to a grand jury.
knau.org
Arizona Supreme Court denies Mayes' appeal against sending fake elector case back to grand jury
The Arizona Supreme Court has denied Attorney General Kris Mayes' appeal of an order that the state’s fake elector case over the 2020 presidential election be sent back to a grand jury.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 03/06/2026
Grand Canyon National Park officials will shut off water service in the inner canyon for a week as crews work on the Transcanyon Waterline and the Havasupai Gardens pumphouse.
knau.org
Grand Canyon to shut off backcountry water for pipeline work
Grand Canyon National Park officials will shut off water service in the inner canyon for a week as crews work on the Transcanyon Waterline and the Havasupai Gardens pumphouse.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 02/06/2026
Health officials in Mohave County say a resident has died from the sin nombre strain of hantavirus.
knau.org
Mohave County resident dies from hantavirus
Health officials in Mohave County say a resident has died from the sin nombre strain of hantavirus.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 29/05/2026
KNAU has won a 2026 Regional Edward R. Murrow Award for excellence in writing. It's for a story about AI-powered cameras that help detect wildfires and what the technology means for human lookouts who've kept watch over forests for decades. Listen and read here: bit.ly/4nZaq2w
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 26/05/2026
Federal officials are considering cool water releases for the third consecutive year at Glen Canyon Dam in Northern Arizona this summer to safeguard the humpback chub, a federally protected fish.
knau.org
Releasing cool water protects fish in the Grand Canyon. That comes at cost to hydropower
Federal officials are considering cool water releases for the third consecutive year at Glen Canyon Dam in Northern Arizona this summer to safeguard the humpback chub, a federally protected fish.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
President Donald Trump made inroads with Latino voters in 2024. But as Republicans gear up for the midterms in the fall and the 2028 presidential election, all eyes are on whether they can maintain it, especially after the administration's immigration crackdown.
knau.org
Trump won over more Latino voters in 2024. Can he keep them?
President Donald Trump made inroads with Latino voters in 2024. But as Republicans gear up for the midterms in the fall and the 2028 presidential election, all eyes are on whether they can maintain it...
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
A Coconino County grand jury has returned a 21-count indictment against a Flagstaff woman accused of murdering her 16-month-old child.
knau.org
Grand jury returns 21-count indictment against woman accused of murdering her child
A Coconino County grand jury has returned a 21-count indictment against a Flagstaff woman accused of murdering her 16-month-old child.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
Scientists and research organizations are urging Congress and federal officials not to overturn the management plan for the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in southern Utah.
knau.org
Researchers urge Congress not to scrap Grand Staircase-Escalante management plan
Scientists and research organizations are urging Congress and federal officials not to overturn the management plan for the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in southern Utah.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 19/05/2026
A Flagstaff woman has been arrested after her 17-month-old baby was found dead in a hotel room over the weekend.
knau.org
Mother charged with first-degree murder in infant hotel room death
A Flagstaff woman has been arrested after her 17-month-old baby was found dead in a hotel room over the weekend.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
The North Rim of the Grand Canyon reopened Friday eight months after the Dragon Bravo Fire burned 145,000 acres and destroyed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge.
knau.org
Grand Canyon officials reopen North Rim after last summer’s Dragon Bravo Fire
The North Rim of the Grand Canyon reopened Friday eight months after the Dragon Bravo Fire burned 145,000 acres and destroyed the historic Grand Canyon Lodge.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
Coconino National Forest official will implement stage 1 fire restrictions on Thursday, May 21 at 8 a.m. ahead of Memorial Day Weekend.
knau.org
Coconino National Forest to begin fire restrictions Thursday
Coconino National Forest official will implement stage 1 fire restrictions on Thursday, May 21 at 8 a.m. ahead of Memorial Day Weekend.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
NAU police have declared Ardrey Auditorium safe following a bomb threat Thursday afternoon. They completed a sweep of the building and found no hazardous devices or materials.
knau.org
Bomb threat prompts evacuation near NAU’s Ardrey Auditorium
Northern Arizona University officials say police are investigating an unconfirmed bomb threat in the area around Ardrey Auditorium Thursday.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
The U.S. Department of the Interior is canceling a rule that put public lands conservation on equal footing with development as part of President Donald Trump's attempt to boost drilling, logging, mining and grazing on taxpayer-owned land.
knau.org
Trump administration cancels rule that made conservation a 'use' of public lands
The U.S. Department of the Interior is canceling a rule that put public lands conservation on equal footing with development as part of President Donald Trump's attempt to boost drilling, logging, min...
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
Grand Canyon National Park officials say they've found the body of 26-year-old Sandarsh Krishna who'd been missing since late April.
knau.org
Body of missing man recovered at the South Rim of Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon National Park officials say they've found the body of 26-year-old Sandarsh Krishna who'd been missing since late April.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
The Navajo Nation Department of Criminal Investigations does not have an on-site medical examiner, forcing criminal investigators to take on duties they are not properly trained for and slowing down murdered and missing persons investigations.
knau.org
Navajo Nation lacks funding for medical examiner – and that’s hindering MMIP cases
The Navajo Nation Department of Criminal Investigations does not have an on-site medical examiner, forcing criminal investigators to take on duties they are not properly trained for and slowing down m...
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
A consultant for Essential Minerals says the proposed project near Coppermine is only being explored. But Navajo residents are still skeptical.
knau.org
Navajo Nation residents push back on possible copper mine
A consultant for Essential Minerals says the proposed project near Coppermine is only being explored. But Navajo residents are still skeptical.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 07/05/2026
Rachel Entrekin has become the first woman to win the Cocodona 250 ultramarathon while shaving two hours off the course record.
knau.org
Rachel Entrekin becomes first woman to win Cocodona 250 ultramarathon
Rachel Entrekin has become the first woman to win the Cocodona 250 ultramarathon while shaving two hours off the course record.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office is warning about a potential rabies outbreak after a string of aggressive bobcat attacks near Prescott earlier this week.
knau.org
Officials investigating possible rabies outbreak after bobcat attacks near Prescott
The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office is warning about a potential rabies outbreak after a string of aggressive bobcat attacks near Prescott earlier this week.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
Another severe wildfire season is forecast for the Western U.S. due to record-breaking heat and an abysmal snowpack, but some states and utilities are trying to get ahead of that threat using AI.
knau.org
States across the wildfire-prone Western US are using AI for early detection
Another severe wildfire season is forecast for the Western U.S. due to record-breaking heat and an abysmal snowpack, but some states and utilities are trying to get ahead of that threat using AI.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Meteorologists say the drought in Arizona will likely continue to worsen with warm, dry conditions in store and after the Flagstaff area received less than a third of its seasonal snowfall.
knau.org
Forecasters expect Arizona’s drought to worsen after dry winter
Meteorologists say the drought in Arizona will likely continue to worsen with warm, dry conditions in store and after the Flagstaff area received less than a third of its seasonal snowfall.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
Crews from the Coconino National Forest are trying to contain and extinguish a 115-acre wildfire burning near the Mogollon Rim.
knau.org
Crews working to contain wildfire near Mogollon Rim
Crews from the Coconino National Forest are trying to contain and extinguish a 115-acre wildfire burning near the Mogollon Rim.
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Ryan Heinsius @ryanheinsius.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Officials at Grand Canyon National Park are searching for a missing 26-year-old man who's last known location was on the South Rim earlier this week.
knau.org
Officials search for missing man at Grand Canyon National Park
Officials at Grand Canyon National Park are searching for a missing 26-year-old man who's last known location was on the South Rim earlier this week.
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