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Umair Irfan

Umair Irfan

Former correspondent

    Latest articles by Umair Irfan

    Politics
    Ryan Zinke blamed environmentalists for California’s massive wildfires. Again.Ryan Zinke blamed environmentalists for California’s massive wildfires. Again.
    Politics

    Zinke said “lawsuit after lawsuit” from environmental groups blocked logging that would have reduced fuel in the forests.

    By Umair Irfan
    Explainers
    California’s wildfires are hardly “natural” — humans made them worse at every stepCalifornia’s wildfires are hardly “natural” — humans made them worse at every step
    Play
    Explainers

    We fuel them. We build next to them. We ignite them.

    By Umair Irfan
    The Paradise fire is catastrophic. And the wildfire threat to California is only growing.
    Climate

    The ingredients that fueled the deadly wildfire were brewing for years. Residents only had minutes to flee.

    By Umair Irfan
    California’s newly homeless fire victims face the state’s severe housing shortage
    Climate

    Thousands who lost their homes to the Camp Fire must contend with one of the tightest housing markets in the country.

    By Umair Irfan
    Climate
    Why the wildfire in Northern California was so severeWhy the wildfire in Northern California was so severe
    Climate

    Heat, wind, and drought — and long-term climate trends — conspired to create the deadly Camp Fire.

    By Umair Irfan
    Climate
    Deadly wildfires are still threatening Northern and Southern CaliforniaDeadly wildfires are still threatening Northern and Southern California
    Climate

    The Camp Fire is now the most destructive fire in state history, and has claimed at least 29 lives.

    By Umair Irfan
    Climate
    New Delhi is once again the most polluted city on EarthNew Delhi is once again the most polluted city on Earth
    Climate

    After the Diwali celebrations, the city is suffering from dangerously smoky air.

    By Umair Irfan
    Climate
    A major climate change lawsuit is on hold. Again.A major climate change lawsuit is on hold. Again.
    Climate

    Children are suing the government for contributing to climate change, but the Trump administration wants to stop the case.

    By Umair Irfan
    Climate
    Governors could drive the next wave of climate change actionGovernors could drive the next wave of climate change action
    Climate

    With Congress divided, newly elected Democrat governors are poised to charge ahead with clean energy.

    By Umair Irfan
    Climate
    A major anti-fracking ballot measure in Colorado has failedA major anti-fracking ballot measure in Colorado has failed
    Climate

    Proposition 112 would have forced new oil and gas wells to be placed further away from homes, schools, and water sources.

    By Umair Irfan