EMP denial

[Gerard Zwaan]

On December 8–9, 2025, the Sun unleashed multiple X-class and M-class solar flares, the most intense categories of eruptions.

[M. Difato]

Major fire at power substation that provides electricity supply to Noida Metro

https://www.hindustantimes.com/noida/fire-breaks-out-at-power-subst...

A major fire broke out at the power station in Sector 148 of Greater Noida on Wednesday morning, officials said. This sub station provides electricity supply to Noida Metro.

“We received information that a 500 MV transformer has caught fire.The power department officials swiftly moved into action to bring the fire under control and informed the police and the fire department,” said V N Singh, chief engineer, Pashchimanchal Vidyut Vitaran Nigam Limited (PVVNL).

The fire was reported around 8.30am (Aug 19) in a transformer at the power station of Noida Power Company Limited (NPCL). Ten fire tenders were rushed to the spot to and the fire was brought under control.

Other the Sector 48 metro station, the sub-station supplies power to Sector 93 and Sector 84.

~

Phoenix firefighter hurt while crews battle transformer fire at junkyard

https://www.azfamily.com/news/phoenix-firefighter-hurt-while-crews-...

PHOENIX (3TV/CBS5) -- A fire fighter of the Phoenix Fire Department was hurt Monday night (Aug 17) while helping his crew members battled a transformer fire that sparked at a junkyard.

The flames broke out at a waste disposal yard near 15th Street and Broadway around 8 p.m.

Reportedly, due to heavy winds and blowing dust, a power line fell into a large puddle of water that transferred an electric current to the firefighter's body. It caused the firefighter to pass out, but he was eventually able to regain posture and walk to the ambulance alert and oriented, fire officials say. 

The firefighter was taken to the hospital in stable condition for more evaluation. 

~

1,600 people without power in Ricardo after NEC substation catches fire

https://www.kiiitv.com/article/news/local/1600-people-without-power...

RICARDO, Texas — 1,600 people are without power in Ricardo Tuesday morning after a Nueces Electric Cooperative substation caught fire, according to the company's Facebook page. 

The company reports the entire substation has been de-energized and crews are enroute to fix it.

Published: 7:26 AM CDT August 18, 2020

~

Fire caused by exploding transformer near SR-18 100% contained

https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/news/archive/2020/08/16/asd-exploding-...

ST. GEORGE — Smoke rose into the sky Sunday morning after a wildfire ignited near the south Red Butte Substation about a mile west of Central.

At approximately 7:25 a.m. Sunday morning, a fire now known as the Central Fire was reported burning uphill through grass, brush and juniper trees near mile marker 27 off state Route 18 by the Red Butte Substation.

Washington County Fire Warden Adam Heyder told St. George News at 9:45 a.m., the fire had grown to 10 acres and was 5% contained. There are 20 fire engines, a 1T3 helicopter, two single-engine air tankers (SEATS) and Air Tactical on scene.

After an on-site investigation, the fire was determined to have been caused by an exploding transformer at the Red Butte Substation, Heyder said. No injuries or road closures have been reported at this time.

At 11:24 a.m., Heyder said the fire was at nine acres with a dozer line around it. Firefighters are continuing to work on containment and starting mop-up operations.

An excessive heat warning has been issued for much of Utah, with temperatures expected to reach 112 degrees in St. George and 100 degrees in Central.

The fire was 100% contained by 5 p.m., Heyder said. Engines are on scene and will be mopping up until dark.

Updated Aug. 16, 5:34 to reflect fire being contained.

~

[M. Difato]

'Explosion' in electrical substation in early hours in Poole

https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/18653517.explosion-electrica...

Fire crews rushed to Hill Street in the town centre following calls reporting an explosion with a witness who contacted the fire service reporting flames. 

Residents in the area reported hearing a bang early this morning (Aug 16).

The incident was reported at 1.28am with the fire service receiving a number of calls in relation to it.

SSE said it was made aware of reports of an explosion and loss of power supply at 1.36am.

A spokesperson said around 6,000 customers were affected but power was restored within five minutes after it was switched through another line.

An investigation into the cause will take place after further repairs have been carried out to the Poole primary transformer which are due to take place on Monday. 

Three fire engines from Poole attended along with the aerial ladder platform from Westbourne and an officer.

Police also attended the scene. Fire crews left the scene at around 3am.

Dorset Police have been contacted for further details.

~

Power Restored In Gloucester Township After Fire

A fire Saturday morning resulted in mass power outages in Gloucester and Washington townships.

https://patch.com/new-jersey/gloucestertownship/3k-without-power-gl...

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — Power has been fully restored to customers in Gloucester and Washington townships following a fire at an Atlantic City Electric substation Saturday morning (Aug 15).

Earlier in the day, there were more than 6,000 outages between the two townships combined. Power had been fully restored by 11:45 a.m., according to the electric company.

The fire started after a squirrel came into contact with the equipment at the substation, according to an electric company spokesperson. The incident remains under investigation.

New Haven firefighters extinguish blaze at United Illuminating substation

https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/New-Haven-firefighters-battling...

NEW HAVEN — City firefighters extinguished a blaze at the United Illuminating substation on Water Street Wednesday (Aug 12), officials said.

Firefighters reported a working fire had been called for a transformer-related blaze at 1:34 p.m. on Twitter.

Emergency Management Director Rick Fontana said the fire was brought under control shortly before 3:13 p.m.

It involved a “large capacitor device” at the substation, which serves more than 30,000 customers downtown and in the Hill neighborhood, he said.

The fire didn’t affect residential electric customers, but some large facilities such as Yale New Haven Hospital moved to generator power, he said. A nearby medical facility was evacuated, he said.

~

Transformer Explosion In Valley Glen Knocks Out Power To Thousands

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/transformer-explosion-in-valley-g...

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA) – More than 12,500 Los Angeles Department of Water and Power customers in the San Fernando Valley were without power for several hours early Thursday morning (Aug 13) following a transformer explosion.

Aug. 13, 2020. (CBSLA) At around 2:30 a.m., a transformer exploded and caught fire at an LADWP electrical distributing station at Fulton Avenue and Burbank Boulevard.

The explosion immediately knocked out power to approximately 12,500 customers in the surrounding neighborhoods of Sherman Oaks and Van Nuys.

LADWP worked throughout the morning to complete repairs and restore electricity. Power was fully restored a little before 11:30 a.m.

There was no word on what caused the explosion.

~

Norfolk Broads village and pub left without power as fire crews battle sub-station blaze

https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/ferry-inn-and-stokesby-homes-without-p...

An electrical transformer fire in Stokesby saw the entire village plunged into darkness and people told to leave their homes. Engineers are working to reconnect people to the grid. The Ferry Inn has had power restored and will open at 11am today (Saturday, August 15) Picture: Alison Brewster/Ferry Inn 

"..Emergency services rushed to the scene at Stokesby, in the heart of the Norfolk Broads, on Friday at around 8.30pm amid reports of a large fire in an electricity sub-station close to a tight cluster of homes.

Police at the scene closed the road and residents closest to the blaze were asked to leave their properties.

Alison Brewster, landlady at the nearby Ferry Inn, said they first realised something was wrong when lights started flickering and they saw huge plumes of smoke coming from near The Green.

She said: “All the food had gone out and we were sitting outside just to cool down and we saw all the lights in the pub started flickering.

“There was this incredible noise and we could not work out where it was coming from.

“We looked over to The Green and saw these huge plumes of smoke and this massive fire behind double gates.

“We went out and my daughter and her boyfriend started banging on doors to get everyone out.”

Mrs Brewster added that by chance a police officer was already at the pub on another matter and was able to act instantly, cordoning off the road.

The noise and scale of the response which included fire crews from Acle, Gorleston, and Carrow as well as police drew people from their homes, worried about what was going on.

For a time the whole village was plunged into darkness but those closest to the electricity sub-station were still cut-off this morning.

The latest information from UK Power Networks said engineers had been able to carry out some repairs.

Damage to overhead network equipment, however, needed a specialist team expected to arrive in the village at around 9am.

They estimated those still without power would be reinstated by 12.30pm today, Saturday..."

~

Steelworks site blaze: Seven engines and three hours to battle massive fire at Bulk Terminal

Electrical substation confirmed as the seat of the fire, the fire brigade has confirmed

Seven fire engines were sent to battle a blaze near the former SSI site which sent a massive smoke plume into the skies above Teesside.

Firefighters were on scene for just over three hours on Friday, one of the hottest days of the year.

Cleveland Fire Brigade have confirmed the fire involved two transformers at an electrical substation on the still-operational Redcar Bulk Teminal site, close to the former SSI plant on the Trunk Road in Redcar.

Crews from Coulby Newham, Grangetown, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough and Stockton were sent to the scene after the blaze broke out just after 11.30am.

A cordon was set up but there were no reported injuries or casualties in the fire.

Cleveland Fire Brigade have since confirmed they were called at 11.35am and left the scene just before 3pm that afternoon.

The fire was at the Redcar Bulk Terminal.

"The fire involved two transformers in electrical substation. One transformer 100% fire damaged and one 80% fire damaged," said a spokesman for the brigade.

"Two jets, one ground monitor and six breathing apparatus were used.".."

[Starr DiGiacomo]

Comment by Tracie Crespo 10 hours 

https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/nyc-crime/ny-fire-jfk-building...

FDNY responds to blaze in power generator building at JFK

(Go Nakamura/for New York Daily News)

FDNY firefighters raced to John F. Kennedy Airport after a small fire broke out in a power facility Monday night, officials said.

Firefighters responded to Building 49, a backup generator building, at the Queens airport after getting a report of a fire in a second-floor machine room, an FDNY spokeswoman said.

Port Authority sources told the Daily News the building was evacuated as a precaution, and the fire, which was reported at 8:50 p.m., was put out six minutes later. No one was injured, and the blaze didn’t affect any flights, sources said.

[Starr DiGiacomo]

https://www.obxtoday.com/top-stories/explosion-rocks-substation-in-...

Explosion rocks substation in Nags Head, cutting power to thousands

August 2, 2020

An explosion Sunday evening at a substation in Nags Head knocked out power to thousands of customers from the Jockey’s Ridge area south, including much of Roanoke Island and the Dare mainland.

The explosion happened at 7:16 p.m. at the substation located on West Lakeside Drive in the Whalebone Junction section of Nags Head.

A Dominion Power spokesperson said they experienced “an equipment failure”, but did not have details yet on what happened.

Dominion was originally reporting just over 8,000 customers without power, but had that number down to about 5,500 by 9:30 p.m.. Tideland EMC reports all customers on the Manns Harbor circuit, including East Lake and Stumpy Point, are in the dark.

Firefighters were still working the scene at 8:25 p.m. The Dominion spokesperson said crews were on their way to assess the damage and perform repairs, but there was no estimated time for restoration

[M. Difato]

Thank You, Manatat

Fire in southwest Las Vegas valley leads to widespread power outage

https://www.fox5vegas.com/news/fire-in-southwest-las-vegas-valley-l...

UPDATE (FOX5) -- A power outage that impacted about 8,500 NV Energy customers Thursday night was resolved early Friday morning.

The outage was caused by a transformer fire near Edmond and Pyle near Southern Highlands around 11:15 p.m. July 30.

Those households affected Thursday night had power restored Friday morning.

ORIGINAL STORY: LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -- Crews were responding to a large fire in the southwest valley which led to a power outage for about 8,500 NV Energy customers on Thursday night.

The fire was reported near Edmond Street and West Pyle Avenue, in Southern Highlands, about 11:15 p.m. on July 30. 

 

[M. Difato]

The Red Cross wants to be sure you're prepared for Space Weather, and could be commended. However they are embracing A  MAIN ESTABLISHMENT LIE: BLAMING THE SUN.

American Red Cross works to educate people on space weather

https://www.koco.com/article/watch-mars-mission-nasa/33468355

Space weather isn’t a term you hear every day. In fact, you may not even know how to prepare for this kind of “weather.” That’s where the American Red Cross comes in to help.

TRANSCRIPT: 

the American Red Cross is finding a way to help keep your kids entertained and learning. This summer, meteorologist Sabrina Bates reports that they're posting educational content online just for your family. The American Red Cross wants to bring everyone into the discussion of preparedness. I spoke with a Red Cross volunteer today to get some insight on this local stem series that will leave a larger impact, starting with the discussion about something you may not have heard of before. We have preparedness pods, educational pods for hurricanes and earthquakes and fires and tornadoes. But we really haven't addressed space weather. And we're hoping toe introduce area students and families not only to the vulnerabilities but the way that they can prepare for a solar storm. Space weather refers to the space environment between the sun and earth that can affect our technology. Solar storms could even impact us here in Oklahoma. If we were in a have a severe solar storm. It doesn't just potentially impact a county or a coastline. It could impact the entire northern portion of the United States. The Red Cross wants to be sure you're prepared for this. If it were to happen But with this new home school environment, they're also hoping that you sit down with your kids to teach them something new. Starting today, the American Red Cross of Oklahoma is sharing links, homework assignments and suggested subjects on their social media pages. Here you can follow links to NASA and FEMA. You'll be guided through science and safety topics to learn more on how to prepare your family, but also get a cool science lesson in for the kids. My hope is that even after this awareness campaign ends this week, that that people will continue to study space, whether hopefully we will inspire some future scientific minds and leaders in the community. If you do participate in these lessons, they're hoping you take three things away. Better preparedness knowledge and a desire to get involved with community service in the first alert. Weather Center Sabrina Bates, Ko Seo five News

Space weather refers to the space environment between the sun and earth that can affect our technology. Solar storms could even impact people in Oklahoma.

The Red Cross wants to be sure people are prepared for a potential space weather event. But with the new home-school environment, they’re also hoping parents sit down with their children to teach them something new.

The American Red Cross of Oklahoma has shared links, homework assignments and suggested subjects on its social media pages. If you do participate in the lessons, the American Red Cross hopes you take away three things:

better preparedness, knowledge and a desire to get involved with community service.

Updated: Jul 24, 2020

https://www.facebook.com/AmericanRedCrossOklahoma/

[Juan F Martinez]

Cargo plane catches fire at Shanghai airport  Xinhua   17:47, July 22, 2020

SHANGHAI, July 22 (Xinhua) -- A Boeing 777 cargo plane of the Ethiopian Airlines caught fire at the Shanghai Pudong International Airport on Wednesday afternoon, the airport said.

https://peoplesdaily.pdnews.cn/2020/07/22/china/cargo-plane-catches...

[Juan F Martinez]

WARNING SIGNS Pentagon developing ways to detect electromagnetic pulses to prevent ‘Pearl Harbor-style’ surprise nuclear EMP attack   Jul 18 2020, 15:28 ET

THE Pentagon is developing ways to detect electromagnetic pulses in a bid to prevent a 'Pearl Harbor-style' surprise nuclear EMP attack.

The nation's defense headquarters is working on ways to detect and analyze EMP sensors amid reports China may be plotting to use an electromagnetic weapon to wreck havoc on the US.

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency is working on plans to counter a possible attack under its Conventional Nuclear Integration/Battlefield Nuclear Warfare program, Forbes reports.

https://www.the-sun.com/news/us-news/1161074/pentagon-detecting-ele...

[Starr DiGiacomo]

https://heavy.com/news/2020/07/fire-uss-bonhomme-richard-san-diego/

An Explosion & Fire On the USS Bonhomme Richard Leaves 57 Injured

An explosion caused a three-alarm fire at a San Diego naval base, which was concentrated aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard and has resulted in dozens being injured.

Several hours after the fire started, reporter Tim Arvier said that San Diego Fire Department Chief Colin Stowell said the ship would likely “burn down to the water.” According to reporter John Dissauer, the chief said, “This fire could go on for days.”

According to the SDFD, the first alarm was called at 9 a.m. on July 12, a second alarm was called at 9:09 a.m. and the third alarm was called at 9:51 a.m. PDT. As of 9:30 a.m. PDT July 13, the fire has been burning for at least 24 hours.

The U.S. Naval Surface Forces initially announced on Twitter that 11 sailors had experienced minor injuries in relation to the incident, but otherwise, all crews were accounted for. An updated report noted that 34 sailors and 23 civilians had been hospitalized in the fire’s wake.

Krishna Jackson, the base’s spokeswoman, told Stars and Stripes that an estimated 200 sailors were aboard the ship when it caught fire and that the ship itself was undergoing routine maintenance when the fires started. The ship, also referred to as an “assault vessel,” acts as a vehicle to deploy and land helicopters, small boats and other water-related vessels.

---

The Fire Started with An Explosion July 12

Local TV station NBC-7 reporter Allison Ash noted that a “loud explosion” was heard from an “inferno” coming from the ship at around 10:51 a.m. PDT on July 12.

By about 11:05 a.m. PDT, firemen said they had located the fire, but had not extinguished it yet, instead requesting more water lines, according to fire radio transmissions. Another said they would need to start moving people back due to the fumes.

It is unclear what started the explosion. According to what one firefighter said on radio transmissions, an officer aboard the ship told him that there are no “heavy ordinance” (large firearms such as mortars and machine guns) above the ship, but only small arms (pistols, guns, etc.).

One firefighter seemed to indicate that the explosion came from the hatch. “The fire looks like it’s moving further to the bow and there’s a lot more smoke coming out of the hatch were the explosion started,” that firefighter said around noon over radio transmissions.

NBC San Diego assignment editor Bill Feather reported on Twitter that Rear Admiral Phillip Sobeck said the fire started in the lower cargo hold and that the earlier explosions were caused by a backdraft.

“Our conditions are getting worse here and I’m going to start pulling people out. We’re going to wait until the sprinkler system is active and then put people back in,” one firefighter noted on radio transmissions.

“Conditions on my end are not getting any better and are looking a lot worse, so I’m looking to go defensive,” another firefighter replied.

Firefighters determined it would be best to pull everyone out at roughly 11:24 a.m. PDT and noted that a sprinkler/hose system would likely be ready by in half an hour.

“All units, we are going defensive. Start evacuating the ship,” SDFD announced over a loudspeaker.

The SDFD reported on Twitter that multiple agencies, including Federal Fire, reported to the scene.

“We have an explosion, we have no injuries at this time, right now we are taking all personnel and gear off the pier,” one firefighter reported on radio transmissions at roughly 11:38 a.m. PDT Five more ambulances were requested to the scene as firefighters cleared the pier.

---

Firefighters Received Reports From Sailors That The Fire May Have Reached Fuel

At around noon, a firefighter reported over radio transmissions that there was heavy smoke coming from the ship. “We’ve got heavy smoke and we’re no longer putting water in the hole because of the explosion,” a firefighter said over radio transmissions.

At 12:02 p.m. PDT, firefighters set up a continuous foam operation.

Half an hour later, a dispatcher noted over radio transmissions that, “Engine One reporting multiple sailors running from the ship reporting that the fire was getting in the fuel.”

“We had a mass of sailors run toward us when the smoke turned black and they said it had gotten into the fuel,” the firefighter from Engine One reported before mentioning that a broader area might need to be evacuated.

As night fell on July 12, the “#shipfire” showed no signs of slowing down and people posted on Twitter that more explosions were heard.

Firefighters are still battling the smoke and some residents have posted images on Twitter of helicopters being used to drop water on the vessel.

Audra Stafford of the San Diego’s NBC station tweeted that she spoke to people as far as away as Escondido, San Marcos, Vista and Rancho Penasquitos said they could smell the smoke. The National Weather Service San Diego Station has confirmed that the smoke is far-reaching, explaining to residents via Twitter, “Noticing a fairly acrid smoke smell this morning? It’s likely related to the #shipfire aboard the USS Bonhomme Richard.”

The San Diego Naval Base released a statement via Facebook advising people that they are not accepting donations and warning people to be aware of scams offering to provide financial support for those impacted by the fire.

[M. Difato]

Ryanair Flight Makes Emergency Landing in Greece

ATHENS — A Ryanair flight en route from Berlin to Athens made an emergency landing at Thessaloniki airport on Friday with 164 people on board, Greek authorities said.

The flight issued a distress signal and sought permission to make an emergency landing while flying over the Halkidiki region of Greece, the civil protection ministry said.

The ministry said the crew had reported a fire, but a Ryanair spokeswoman said the emergency had been triggered by an "unidentified odour in the cockpit and cabin" and that there had been no fire.

Emergency protocols were deployed and the aircraft landed safely at Thessaloniki's Macedonia airport, where 157 ticketed passengers, an infant and six members of the crew disembarked, the ministry said.

Reuters, July 3, 2020

https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2020/07/03/world/europe/03reuters-g...

~

Aircraft Type : Boeing 737-800 (twin-jet) 

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/MAY170/history/20200703/1145Z/E...

Friday
03-Jul-2020

02:18PM CESTBerlin - SXF

Athens Int'l, Eleftherios Venizelos - ATH

B738

[Diverted]