Salem-News.com Arizona articles Page 11

Western Heavy Rain, Dry Lightning Risk (VIDEO)

Prolonged exposure to the extreme heat could result in potentially deadly heat stroke or dangerous heat exhaustion.

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) - Forecasters at AccuWeather.com, say they are monitoring two areas of thunderstorms across the West over the next day or two that have potential to create new wildfires over California. Temperatures in the central valley and the high desert today will soar above 110 degrees, with highs in the 80s and 90s spreading east to the western Plains and north into western Canada.

Storms associated with the Southwest monsoon will bring drenching rainfall to portions of New Mexico and Arizona through Thursday. The rainfall will be enhanced by a southeasterly flow off the Gulf of Mexico. Where thunderstorms are persistent and slow-moving, flash flooding can occur.

While some of this moisture will not make it over the Sierra Madre Oriental, there is copious moisture flowing from this direction, as evidenced by the very heavy rainfall in recent days across South Texas and eastern Mexico.

Weather Experts Predict Extreme Heat Danger in Western States

More than 1,700 fires have scorched nearly 1,000 square miles of California in the past two weeks. More than 300 of those fires are not fully contained.

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) - The extreme heat building through the West could reverse gains made by firefighters battling dozens of wildfires in California, AccuWeather.com forecasters say. Extreme Heat Warnings are in effect again today across many areas of California.

Temperatures in the central valley and the high desert will soar above 100 degrees, with the heat spreading north and east into western Canada and the western High Plains.

It has been three and a half weeks since an unprecedented number of lightning strikes sparked over 1,700 fires across northern and central California.

Long, Hard Job Ahead for Wildland Firefighters in California

National Guard forces are working with firefighters in an effort to bring the hundreds of early season fires to a close in this dry state.

(SACRAMENTO, Calif.) - Dry and hot weather conditions across central and northern California are increasing the difficulty for firefighters. They continue to battle hundreds of wildfires sparked by dry lightning and thunderstorms two weeks ago. So far, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reports hundreds of fires have been contained, but hundreds of other fires continue to burn and they now threaten a number of communities.

Accuweather.com forecasters report that the fire in Santa Barbara County is threatening as many as 200 homes in Goleta. Farther to the north, the Big Sur fire has scorched more than 60,000 acres, and it is only 3 percent contained at this point. Among the communities and homes threatened by the wildfires, is the historic town of Big Sur and the town of Lucia. The Associated Press reports that authorities ordered the remaining residents of the communities to leave after the out-of-control wildfire jumped a fire line and threatened more homes Wednesday.

Son of Salem-News.com Founder Graduates from Law Enforcement Academy

Nate is no stranger to a uniform. He has served not one, but two combat tours in Iraq with the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division, earning the rank of sergeant.

(TUCSON, Az.) - The son of Salem-News.com's Tim King, Nate (King) Tasch, graduated from a 17-week program at the Southern Arizona Law Enforcement Academy and is now a sheriff's deputy in Cochise County, Arizona.

"I am extremely proud of Nate and I know he will serve people in Arizona well. He made it through a very rigorous program and has again proven that he has what it takes to rise to a challenge and meet or exceed it," Tim King said.

4 Killed After News Helicopters Collide in Phoenix

The NTSB and FAA are investigating the crash.

(PHOENIX, Ariz. ) - Two TV news helicopters following a police car pursuit collided over central-north Phoenix on Friday killing four people.

Killed in the crash were KTVK-TV pilot Scott Bowerbank and photographer Jim Cox along with KNXV-TV pilot Craig Smith and photojournalist Rick Krolak.

The crash occurred around 12:45 PM in Steele Indian School Park near Third Street and Indian School Road.

Wolves Bang Out 24 Hits in 16-7 Win Over `Lopes

Lepley hits two grand slams as Western Oregon tops Grand Canyon

(Phoenix, AZ) - Tom Lepley hit two grand slam home runs and Western Oregon rattled off 24 hits as the Wolves rolled to a 16-7 baseball win over Grand Canyon on Sunday afternoon at Brazell Stadium.

Wolves, `Lopes Split Baseball Doubleheader

8th inning rally gives hosts win in first game, WOU bats do damage in nightcap

(Phoenix,AZ) - Grand Canyon scored five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to rally for a 9-7 victory in game one, but Western Oregon rapped 13 hits in the second contest to roll to a 10-3 victory in baseball doubleheader action on Saturday afternoon at Brazell Stadium in Phoenix.

Wolves Bash Five Home Runs in Win

Western Oregon tops Grand Canyon 10-4 in series opener

(Phoenix, AZ) - Western Oregon found desert air to its liking, at least in today`s opener of a four-game series with Grand Canyon University.