CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The sun released its largest flare in nearly two decades Tuesday, only days after strong solar storms battered Earth and caused stunning northern lights in unexpected places.

“Not finished yet!” the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration stated in its update.

Sun Shoots Out Biggest Solar Flare In Almost 2 Decades, But Earth Should Be Out Of The Way This Time

According to NOAA, it is the largest flare of this 11-year solar cycle, which is nearing its peak. The good news is that Earth should be safe this time since the flare erupted on a portion of the sun that rotates away from Earth.

NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory caught the dazzling flash of the X-ray flare. It was the strongest flare since 2005, with an X8.7 rating.

Sun Shoots Out Biggest Solar Flare In Almost 2 Decades, But Earth Should Be Out Of The Way This Time

Bryan Brasher of NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center in Boulder, Colorado, believes it may have been much stronger after scientists gathered data from other sources.

It comes after nearly a week of coronal plasma flares and mass ejections that threatened to disrupt power and communications on Earth and in space. Brasher stated that an ejection connected with Tuesday’s flare appeared to be directed away from our planet, and further investigation is underway.

Sun Shoots Out Biggest Solar Flare In Almost 2 Decades, But Earth Should Be Out Of The Way This Time

According to NASA, the weekend geomagnetic storm forced one of its environmental satellites to rotate unexpectedly due to reduced altitude from space weather and enter a precautionary slumber known as safe mode. The seven astronauts on the International Space Station were urged to stay in places with strong radiation shielding. The crew was never in danger, according to NASA.

SOURCE – (AP)

As a wildfire rages uncontrollably south of Fort McMurray, Alberta, over 6000 inhabitants have been told to evacuate their homes. The wildfire, which was discovered on Thursday around 25 kilometers southwest of the city, has expanded into an 11,000-hectare storm.

As of 4 p.m. Tuesday, it was approximately 7.5 kilometers from Fort McMurray’s dump and 6.5 kilometers from the intersection of Highways 63 and 881 according to Fort McMurray Today.

According to Alberta Wildfire spokesperson Josee St-Onge, the fire has grown in size and spread to the northeast since the last estimate.

She stated that the wind is driving it towards Fort McMurray. According to St-Onge, the fire is approximately 13.5 kilometers from the Fort McMurray landfill, but “smoke is impacting visibility” and making it difficult to identify actual distances.

“We’re seeing extreme fire behaviour,” she stated. “Smoke columns are developing.” Firefighters have been removed from the fire lines for their own safety, according to St-Onge, but the aerial onslaught continues.

“We understand that this is a very stressful time for the community.” We’re doing everything we can,” she explained.

People in the Abasand, Beacon Hill, Grayling Terrace, and Prairie Creek communities have been asked to leave. Abasand and Beacon Hill lost the majority of the 2,579 properties burned by the Horse River wildfire of 2016.

Rush to evacuate Fort McMurray

People in Fort McMurray have been urged to prepare for an evacuation since Friday afternoon, when the wildfire, known as MWF-017, reached 200 hectares. A same warning applies to Anzac, Gregoire Lake Estates, Saprae Creek, and the Fort McMurray First Nation.

“If you live in an area not subject to these evacuation orders, please allow these communities to evacuate first.” “It’s critical that we approach this in a safe, orderly, and respectful manner,” said Jody Butz, the RMWB’s regional fire chief and emergency director, at a press conference.

“It’s critical for me to understand that this fire activity is completely different from the 2016 Horse River wildfire. We have a plethora of resources and are well positioned to handle this crisis.”

Despite Butz’s warnings, many individuals from other communities clogged Highway 63 as they rushed to evacuate Fort McMurray. The Wood Buffalo RCMP stopped the route between route 881 and Highway 69, limiting transportation to persons in evacuation zones.

It will take awhile for emergency personnel to determine the real number of people that evacuated Fort McMurray.

High Winds Fueling the Fire

Butz stated at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon that he is sure that no additional evacuation orders would be issued for the Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo region. He also stated that there are currently no signs that the wildfire would cross the Athabasca River.

Winds are moving the wildfire northeast toward Fort McMurray. Current forecasts indicate that winds will begin to carry the blaze west and northwest around 8 p.m. However, Butz also stated that the weather has shifted from beneficial to combative for firefighters fighting the wildfire.

“The previous days’ forecast was highly good. The favorable winds carried the fire and smoke away from the neighborhood. There were also projections for precipitation. That has changed, and they are factors over which we have no influence,” Butz explained.

Butz expressed “a high, high level of confidence” that firefighters will succeed in keeping the wildfire away of Fort McMurray. Butz mentioned benefits that firemen now have that did not exist in 2016, during the press conference, earlier interviews, and a council meeting.

There are less fuel sources for the fire because the 2016 Horse River wildfire burnt through dead and dry vegetation that had accumulated over time. The fire is now burning through dead grass and burned trees from 2016.

In the past eight years, wildfire combat strategies and methods have also improved. In comparison to 2016, there are more fire guards closer to Fort McMurray and more workers fighting the blaze.

Many emergency management leaders are veterans of the 2016 wildfire. People also have more experience dealing with evacuations.

“This fire is much different than 2016,” Butz added, expressing hope that reentry will be “quite quick.” “We are far more prepared and we have definitely reduced the impact of welfare on our communities.”

The Fort McMurray municipality advises people to:

• Follow rmwb.ca/alerts for evacuation information
• Be aware and stay informed by following official and trusted channels such as alberta.ca/wildfire-status
• Download the Alberta Emergency Alerts App
• Check road updates at 511.alberta.ca
• Follow local media sources
• Arrange with neighbours to advise one another of an emergency notification
• Prepare an emergency kit for your household
• Make an emergency plan for your household
• Evacuees should register online. Anyone needing accommodation or support should report to the Parkland One registration centre in Lac La Biche.

Wildfires in Fort Nelson BC Expands to 17 Square Miles Forcing Evacuations

Wildfires in Fort Nelson BC Expands to 17 Square Miles Forcing Evacuations

Indianapolis — Jimmie Johnson will attempt his version of “The Double” by becoming the first driver to join the Indianapolis 500 broadcast crew hours before competing in NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600.

Jimmie, who will race in the Indy 500 in 2022, worked in the NBC Sports broadcast booth in 2021, when he only competed on the road and street circuits on the IndyCar season. He added ovals to his second and final season of American open-wheel racing.

Jimmie Johnson To Attempt His Own Version Of Indy 500 & NASCAR Doubleheader

Jimmie will join NBC’s broadcast team for the May 26 race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the network said on Tuesday. This will be Jimmie’s first regular analyst opportunity with the network this year.

“To have the opportunity to experience ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing’ once again is such an honor,” Jimmie stated. “Being a member of the NBC broadcast team in 2021 just increased my desire to make my childhood dream of competing in the Indianapolis 500 a reality. Competing in this event as a driver was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so being able to relive the pageantry is quite special.”

Jimmie will fly to Charlotte, North Carolina, following the Indy 500 to compete in NASCAR’s longest race. The Hall of Famer won the Coca-Cola 600 four times during his full-time NASCAR career. Johnson now races a limited schedule as a co-owner of Legacy Motor Club.

Jimmie Johnson To Attempt His Own Version Of Indy 500 & NASCAR Doubleheader

Johnson will also be an analyst for NBC later this season at NASCAR events in Daytona and Talladega, as well as races in which he is scheduled to compete.

“Any time you can add one of the greatest drivers of all time and an icon of the sport, you jump at the opportunity,” said Sam Flood, NBC Sports’ motorsports lead producer. “We are thrilled to be working with Jimmie and adding his unique perspective on every race he covers, as well as having him become the first person ever to do the ‘Double’ — history awaits.”

Jimmie Johnson To Attempt His Own Version Of Indy 500 & NASCAR Doubleheader

Kyle Larson will be the fifth driver to attempt the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. In 2001, Tony Stewart became the only driver to finish all 1,100 miles of racing.

SOURCE – (AP)