US: Gas Line Explosion Reported Near Willow River in Minnesota, Forcing Evacuations

A large gas line explosion was reported on Friday, January 16, near Willow River in Pine County, Minnesota, forcing nearby residents to evacuate. Minnesota Energy Resources said customers in the area could be without natural gas for days, though authorities reported no injuries and suspect no criminal activity at this time.

US: Gas Line Explosion Reported Near Willow River in Minnesota, Forcing Evacuations 2

A large gas line explosion was reported on Friday, January 16, near Willow River in Pine County, Minnesota, forcing nearby residents to evacuate. Minnesota Energy Resources said customers in the area could be without natural gas for days, though authorities reported no injuries and suspect no criminal activity at this time.

US: Brush Fire Burns 10 Acres in Antioch, California, Prompts Health Advisory

A three-alarm brush fire known as the Willow Fire broke out in Antioch, California, on Tuesday, July 15, burning at least 10 acres near Oakley Road and Willow Avenue. Thick black smoke spread across the area, prompting Contra Costa County officials to issue a public health advisory at 5:45 p.m. for nearby communities. By around 6 p.m., firefighters managed to contain the fire's perimeter, and the advisory was lifted at 8 p.m. No serious injuries were reported.

Xinjiang, My home: A forest ranger devotes himself to protecting trees

STORY: Xinjiang, My home: A forest ranger devotes himself to protecting trees DATELINE: June 6, 2022 LENGTH: 00:02:17 LOCATION: URUMQI, China CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of Amantu Jumebek packing up 2. SOUNDBITE (Kirgiz): AMANTU JUMEBEK, Forest rangers 3. SOUNDBITE (Kirgiz): AMANTU JUMEBEK, Forest rangers STORYLINE: Trekking through mountainous terrains, patrolling forests and publicizing fire-prevention knowledge... a forest ranger in northwest China's Xinjiang makes his work meaningful. SOUNDBITE (Kirgiz): AMANTU JUMEBEK, Forest ranger "Dad, where are you going? I'm going to patrol the mountains, my son. Bye bye. My name is Amantu Jumebek. I work as a national-level forest ranger in the Forestry and Grassland Bureau of Akqi County, China's Xinjiang. My daily work is to patrol the public welfare forests. This is the national wetland park in Akqi County. It covers an area of more than 20,000 mu (1,333 hectares). Here are mainly apple trees apricot trees sea-buckthorn trees willow trees and some