The US Forest Service has confirmed that the wildfire it has been battling for over a week near Los Angeles was started deliberately. The blaze has claimed two lives, destroyed scores of homes, and burned almost 60,000 hectares.
Firefighters have made progress against the wildfire raging in Los Angeles, the largest in LA County's history. Two people are dead, 64 homes have been destroyed and fire officials worry that shifting winds could drive the blaze in new directions.
Firefighters have taken advantage of a turn in the weather to launch a fight back against the wildfires devastating the region. Despite this change for the better, officials warned that it was too early to believe that they had the upper hand.
Hurricane Jimena has developed into a dangerous Category Five storm and is racing towards the Baja California peninsula on Mexico's Pacific coast. Officials have planned emergency evacuations for 20,000 families in its path.
The six-day-old wildfire burning out of control in the forestland around Los Angeles has doubled in size, forcing 10,000 residents to leave their homes. Authorities estimate the blaze will not be brought under control until September 15.
The five-day-old wildfire burning out of control in the Los Angeles foothills and forest has doubled in size, forcing 10,000 residents to leave their homes. Two firefighters were reported dead.
Hurricane Jimena grew in strength off the western coast of Mexico, reaching dangerous category four status on Sunday and threatening to make landfall near the upscale resort of Los Cabos on Tuesday.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency for two southern counties over four separate wildfires that have "burned approximately 13 thousand acres" in the state of California, forcing hundreds of people to evacuate.
Taiwan's Defence Minister Chen Chao-min (left) and the cabinet secretary have offered to resign after acknowledging mistakes in their response to Typhoon Morakot, which struck on August 8 leaving hundreds dead or displaced.
A 6.7 magnitude earthquake shook Taiwan and spurred Japan to issue a tsunami warning, although no immediate casualties or damage were reported. Taiwan is still recovering from a devastating typhoon that may have killed up to 500 people.
