Extent of the Sawmill Fire

The Sawmill Fire was a wildfire that burned almost 47,000 acres (19,000 ha) of the U.S. state of Arizona. It began on April 23, 2017, at a gender reveal party held in the Coronado National Forest with the detonation by gunshot of a target packed with blue powder and tannerite. Because of hot and arid conditions in the area, the fire spread rapidly and forced the closure of Arizona State Route 83 and Interstate 10 and the evacuation of 100 people. By April 30, the fire was fully contained and evacuation orders were lifted. No injuries or fatalities resulted from the fire, which cost $8,200,000 and required the deployment of over 800 first responders to contain and suppress. No buildings were destroyed by the fire, though the flames were as little as 50 feet (15 m) from the historic Empire Ranch at times. When the source of the fire became public knowledge, it resulted in widespread ridicule of gender reveal parties in concept and practice. (Full article...)

Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption

• ... that after the Basilica of St. Mary of the Assumption (pictured) was named a minor basilica by Pope Francis in 2022, this was announced on the vigil of the Assumption of Mary?
• ... that a Carolingian military sermon promises soldiers victory, provided they do not engage in sexual activity or looting?
• ... that the slopes near
  Flat Top Manor
  in North Carolina were covered with hundreds of apple trees?
• ... that Rockstar Vancouver developed most of the "Beta 5" update for Counter-Strike?
• ... that Iraqi psychologist Nuri Ja'far, in his youth, was denied admission to the College of Medicine University of Baghdad by Harry Sinderson?
• ... that Billie Eilish and Finneas O'Connell wrote the melody for their four-time Grammy-nominated song "Happier Than Ever" on an $80 guitar?
• ... that South African politician Speedy Mashilo was kidnapped for seven hours?
• ... that The Random Years includes a version of strip poker played to Antiques Roadshow?