Fire of all kinds is raging around the world today.

Editor’s Warning: Mentions of Death

Happening in the World: Russian artillery fire near the city of Sumy, Ukraine, hit a chemical plant, causing a large ammonia leak. As the gas is corrosive in large amounts, Ukrainian citizens in areas around the plant were told to shelter indoors. The governor of the region, Dmytro Zhyvytskyy, has since said that the leak has been contained. Only one injury has been reported so far. (BBC)

Happening in the US: Several wildfires continue to rage in Central Texas today, while the residents of Lipan, a city around 55 miles west of Fort Worth, were ordered to evacuate. Many other cities have already received the same order as the Eastland Complex fire, a group of wildfires that has burned over 54,000 acres already, continues to grow. The state’s lead wildfire-fighting agency, the Texas A&M Forest Service, has blamed wind gusts and warm temperatures for the optimal fire conditions. (NYT)

Happening in NYC: Mayor Adams signed a new executive order on Sunday as part of a plan to increase fire safety around the city. The order will increase communication between the FDNY and housing inspectors and will require the fire department to inspect buildings violating NYC’s fire code more frequently. The mayor’s push for fire safety is brought on by the tragic Bronx high-rise fire in January: 17 tenants died due to poor fire code enforcement in the building. (Gothamist)

Happening in Our Community: On Thursday, March 24, at 12:30 pm, join ILAS for “Superfoods, Agrobiodiversity & Food Security.” The online discussion will focus on the documentary Hatun Phaqcha, The Healing Land, which portrays the culture of Peru to promote a healthier lifestyle and diet for the world’s population. The discussion’s panelists will focus on how superfoods originating in Peru—such as potatoes and quinoa—are put in danger by climate change.

Wildfire via Flickr