MWNB

When conditions allow for it to be done safely, research strongly suggests that land managers should let some fires burn to reduce the risk of catastrophic blazes. But making that decision can be complicated. A new study highlights ways to incentivize that often difficult call.

On the Flathead Indian Reservation in Northwest Montana, picking apples means there’s less food to attract bears.

It wasn’t a typical fall day at one of the most popular national parks in the country. The night before, the federal government shut down, leaving fewer workers on the job. Yet the Trump Administration decided that national parks should largely remain open, nonetheless.

Measles cases decline in recent weeks, doctors encourage prevention.

Before the federal government shut down on Wednesday morning, the U.S. Geological Survey said it would team up with Mountain West states to study mine waste for critical minerals. Trump administration officials hope the effort will strengthen national security and support emerging technologies.

Wildfire and other emergency response personnel will continue working during the federal government shutdown that began this week, but advocates warn that those workers could still be impacted.

The attorneys general allege Amazon, Google, Meta and Microsoft are misleading customers about how much clean energy they’re actually using.

The estimate includes tickets and food sales, hotel stays, workers’ wages, advertising and more, but not the revenue made by concessionaires and other businesses at the fairs.

Park road and trails will mostly be open to visitors, but buildings and sites that can lock during non-business hours will stay inaccessible.

A new study finds the iconic whitebark pine, which spans several Mountain West states, could lose most of its habitat to climate change in the coming decades. Scientists say the loss could impact wildlife – and people.