Read the latest positive news, breakthroughs, and inspiring stories about wildfire recovery, curated daily by BrightWire.
Eight endangered orangutans are swinging through protected forest canopy again after wildfires destroyed their home. The rescued apes received medical care before their emotional release back into the wild in Indonesian Borneo.
Three years after devastating wildfires destroyed much of Lahaina, Maui's historic town is reopening to visitors with healing events, rebuilt homes, and restored businesses. While full recovery will take years, the community is ready to share their beloved town again.
After the catastrophic 2020 Bobcat Fire nearly wiped out an entire frog species, zoos and aquariums joined forces to raise and release hundreds of rescued tadpoles back into California's mountains. The Southern mountain yellow-legged frog is fighting its way back from the brink.
Oregon volunteers are bringing back fire-ravaged forests one tree at a time. The Umpqua National Forest is hosting a community planting day where anyone can help restore the landscape with sugar pines.
After a wildfire destroyed much of their Summerland facility, the Interior Wildlife Rehabilitation Society has raised 92% of their rebuilding funds thanks to 808 donors rallying to save wildlife care. The nonprofit is already back to rescuing beavers, otters, birds, and turtles across the Okanagan.
Red Cross volunteers have responded to more than 14,000 disaster calls this year, from wildfires in Washington to typhoons in Guam. Their stories show how everyday people are becoming the help their communities desperately need. ---
A 13-year-old inventor from Massachusetts transformed kitchen trash into a breakthrough tool for replanting forests destroyed by wildfires. Her biodegradable seed pods made from citrus peels protect seeds while naturally breaking down in soil.
After wildfires destroyed 60,000 hectares of forest in 2023, Kazakhstan launched a billion-tenge program to plant 9 million trees built to survive for generations. The project has already planted over one million seedlings with survival rates up to 97%.
When wildfire destroyed Maverick Mountain's only chairlift, the small Montana ski area faced an uncertain future. Now the community is fighting to bring it back for their kids.
A 13-year-old from Massachusetts turned kitchen scraps into a breakthrough for reforestation. Her biodegradable seed pods made from lemon peels help seeds survive wildfires and environmental disasters.
Forest Service crews just planted 40,000 trees across 300 acres of fire-scarred land near Ruidoso, New Mexico. The seedlings will restore wildlife habitat and protect water quality for generations.
When Spokane residents fled August wildfires, some left behind urns with loved ones' ashes. Now a team of volunteer "disaster archaeologists" is coming to help recover what matters most.