It's heating up in Alaska—and we're not just referring to the approaching summer. Over the past 20 years, Alaskans have seen a dramatic increase in wildfire activity across the state. From bigger fire seasons and more smoky days, to increased lightning and wildfires burning in unusual regions of the state, it is clear that Alaska's wildfire environment is changing. Understanding these changes is crucial to keeping Alaska communities safe. Research conducted at the University of Alaska in collaboration with the state's fire managers is exploring how climate affects wildfires and improving data and resources to keep fires—and the costs of fighting them—from getting out of control. Recently, the University of Alaska Fairbanks International Arctic Research Center and the Alaska Fire Science Consortium released a new report that highlights the impact of climate change on wildfire and emphasizes why scientists and wildfire managers need to continue working together to improve wildfire resources tailored to Alaska.  

VIDEOS: At least 16 people were displaced Thursday night when a large fire destroyed a condominium building in Lawrence, Massachusetts. The three-alarm blaze broke out around 8 p.m. on Shawsheen Court. Flames were already going through the roof before fire crews arrived. The roof collapsed, and smoke could still be seen rising from the rubble hours after the fire began. No injuries were reported, but some pets have gone missing, fire officials said. Crews had trouble getting water on scene, Lawrence Fire Chief Brian Moriarty said, and had to use a thousand feet of hose across multiple streets. "It's not good water in this area so we had long lays down to Osgood St., Market and Osgood, Salem and Osgood, to try and get good water and that's a good three, four pump leg - 1,000 feet of hose on a truck - each one," Moriarty said. "So that was the challenge - getting the water to get the ladder pipes fed."  

The city is creating a multi-agency task force to crack down on illegal fireworks this summer, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced earlier this week. The task force will be comprised of 32 agents — 10 officers from the NYPD Intelligence Bureau, 12 fire marshals from the FDNY and 10 deputy sheriffs from the Bureau of Criminal Investigation. The officers will also collaborate with the Port Authority, New York State Police, Yonkers Police, New Jersey State Police and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to share intel and resources. The task force will aim to prevent fireworks from entering New York City by targeting major suppliers. "We're going after the people who bring these fireworks into New York City to begin with," de Blasio said. "We're getting right at the source." New York City residents lodged thousands of complaints regarding illegal fireworks last summer, including in Queens.  

Photos obtained by News4 Investigates show two massive fires, nine years apartment, at the Brentwood Oaks apartments show both buildings had a sprinkler system that did not prevent it from burning to the ground. Additional documents obtained by News4 Investigates show that firefighters also faced additional problems during the May 24th fire, including a delay in getting through the gates. On June 26, 2012, a fire at the apartment complex burned more than two dozen units. In the May 24, 2021 fire at the complex, more than 18 apartments were destroyed. News4 Investigates obtained photos from inside one of the units in 2012 before it burned, showing two sprinklers on the wall. We also obtained a photo from inside one of the units in 2021 before it burned, where two sprinklers can be seen in the background.  

PHOTOS: A 7-year-old with a big heart wanted one thing for her birthday, and it wasn't anything to keep for herself. The Superior and Duluth Fire Department's teamed up with 7-year-old Monroe Kroll, to give extra comfort to those in the community who may need it most. For Kroll's 7th birthday, instead of gifts to keep for herself, she requested that her friends buy stuffed animals to give to children in need of comfort. Both fire departments jumped on board with the plan to help distribute the toys to the less fortunate. The 7-year-old hugged each stuffed animal, before giving the toys away so each child receiving the stuffy also receives a hug from her. The departments are grateful for Kroll's donation and send their appreciation.  

VIDEO: Tom Hill is also known as "Bull" where he's from. A retired firefighter for Orange County Fire Rescue in Central Florida, Bull has walked close to 3,000 miles now for firefighters who have passed. He came up Highway 17 and made a stop in Richmond Hill on Saturday, and said for the 33 years he was a firefighter, there was no help for families who lost firefighters due to cancer, and that's why he's walking to Charleston now. The walks began with a walk that started at mile marker zero in Key West Florida, and close to 50 days later he walked up the Florida capitol steps carrying 74 items from firefighters who have passed. Bull and his fellow walkers now have over 1,500 items, including helmet shields that were the only thing recovered of firefighters who died in 9/11. They have ashes, even sobriety coins.