From the southwestern U.S. to Minnesota, Iowa and even parts of New Jersey, it seemed that winter never materialized.Many communities marked their driest winters on record, snowpack was nearly nonexistent in some spots, and vegetation remains tinder dryall ingredients for elevated wildfire risks.More than 1,000 firefighters and fire managers recently participated in an annual wildfire academy in Arizona, where training covered everything from air operations to cutting back brush with chain saws and building fire lines. Academy officials say theres consensus that crews will be busy as forecasts call for more warm and dry weather, particularly for the Southwest.The lack of moisture and warm temperatures can combine to increase the rate of spread and intensity of fire, said Roy Hall, the prescribed fire officer for the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management. He says its been dry in his state for months.We would be remiss to not acknowledge that changes how we might see fire behavior come out of the blocks at the beginning and through fire season, he said.How dry has it been?Experts with NOAAs National Centers for Environmental Information reported in early March that total winter precipitation in the U.S. was just shy of 6 inches (15.24 centimeters)or nearly an inch (2.54 centimeters) below average. The period of December through the end of Februarywhat forecasters consider the meteorological winterranked the third driest on record.Flagstaff, nestled in the mountains south of the Grand Canyon, has long been on the list of quick escapes for desert dwellers looking to build snowmen or go sledding. The northern Arizona city finished the winter period with a 50-inch (1.27 meter) snowfall deficit. A major storm hit the area in mid-March, forcing the closure of Interstate 40 and stranding motorists for hours. It wasnt enough to erase the shortfall.In New Mexico, there were at least 17 sites that marked either their driest winters on record or tied previous records. Albuquerque set a new low by logging just 0.12 inches (0.30 centimeters) of precipitation over a three-month period.The tap just turned off and the drought conditions have been proceeding, Andrew Mangham, a senior hydrologist with the National Weather Service in Albuquerque, said during a recent call with state and federal drought experts.What does that mean for wildfire conditions?Arizona, New Mexico and parts the Midwest already have had their share this spring of red flag warningswhen low humidity couples with windy, warm weather to heighten wildfire risks. Those threats materialized in mid-March inOklahoma, where fires destroyed hundreds of homes. Crews inNew Jersey and the Carolinasalso battled flames amid dry conditions.In the West, land managers and firefighting forces are concerned that without adequate snowpack in many mountain ranges, theres less moisture to keep fires from ballooning into fast-moving conflagrations.April 1 typically marks the peak of the snowpack, but forecasters say many areas already are melting out. Strong spring winds that deposit dust onto the snowpack help to speed up the process.Even southern Alaska is experiencing a snow drought at lower elevations, according to the National Integrated Drought Information System. The Anchorage airport recorded its driest February on record, while large areas in southwest Alaska and low elevations in the south-central part were nearly snow-free as of March 1.Recent stormsbrought some moisture to California, pushing snowpack levels there to just shy of average. But most of the southern region isdealing with moderate to extreme drought.A newwildfire outlookwill be released Tuesday. While California isnt among those areas facing significant potential for wildfires at the moment,deadly fires in Januarytorched more urban area than any other fire in that state since at least the mid-1980s.How are communities dealing with the threat?Seeing flames race through Los Angeles earlier this year prompted municipal leaders throughout the West to host community meetings to raise awareness, including in New Mexicos San Juan County.The Four Corners regionwhere Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah meetis among those on the radar for high fire potential given the unfavorable conditions. Firefighters in San Juan County responded to 25 bushfires in the first 27 days of March and two more were reported on Friday, said county spokesperson Devin Neeley.In Arizona, the Phoenix Fire Department have warned the mayor and city councilors about increasing risks. They have a plan for surging department resources to help contain fires before they escalate, particularly in areas where urban development intersects with wildland environments.In neighboring Scottsdale, Mayor Lisa Borowsky recently floated the idea of creating a volunteer brigade to bolster wildfire prevention, pointing to invasive species and overgrown vegetation within the McDowell Sonoran Preserve that could pose risks. A fire department crew has been clearing and trimming brush along roadways.Christopher Reed, a fire prevention captain with the Arizona forestry department, said some people think of wildfire as a macro problem that involves vast landscapes beyond their suburban borders. He said people should prepare on a micro level, ensuring their own homes are defensible before its too late.We always say Day 1 of firefighting is now, Reed said.Ty ONeil and Susan Montoya Bryan, Associated Press

This White Marble Bookmark is by British designer Paul Cocksedge. It pushes the boundaries, to say the least; the thing is 30cm 22cm 90cm (11.8" 8.7" 35.4"), and not easy to move at 110 kg (242.5 lbs). "The Bookmark splits the room and I enjoy the fact that it elevates the book. It becomes a focal point. Books tend to be hidden on shelves where you can't really appreciate them. I added this curve at the bottom so it gently rocks and it's counter-intuitive to what a heavy piece of marvel should really do but it's quite playful." "The Marble Bookmark is everything a bookmark is not: heavy to lift, difficult to carry, and bigger than the book itself. The work alters the power balance between page keeper and book, tethering it to its place on lamp can create long or wide shapes, and be adapted to fit into various interior spaces."If you're into the concept but can't spare the floor space, Cocksedge also offers a tabletop model. This smaller version is "just" 22cm 10cm 24.5cm (8.7" 3.9" 9.6"), and weighs 13 kg (28.7 lbs).Unsurprisingly, these will not see mass production; Cocksedge is only making 20 of each.

Pets bring immeasurable joy to our lives, but ensuring they stay properly hydrated can be a challenge for many pet owners. Traditional water bowls quickly become stagnant, collect dust and hair, and require frequent refilling, often at the most inconvenient times. As technology continues to enhance various aspects of pet care, innovative solutions like the Smart Pet Drinking Fountain are transforming how our furry companions stay hydrated, making the process cleaner, healthier, and more convenient for both pets and their humans.This revolutionary drinking fountain, specifically designed for cats and small dogs, represents a significant advancement in pet hydration technology. Utilizing cutting-edge Micro Nano Bubble Technology and dual-effect sterilization systems, it ensures your pet receives clean, fresh water that actively supports their oral health. The fountains intelligent features monitor water quality and consumption patterns while its sleek design seamlessly integrates into modern home environments, proving that functional pet accessories can also be stylish additions to your living space.Designers: Jianshen Yuan, Dingyu Xiao, Boyuan Pan, Ziyang Xie, me me (Suosi Design)The fountains biggest advertised feature is its advanced Micro Nano Bubble Technology, which works continuously to inhibit microbial growth in the water tank. Unlike standard pet fountains that merely filter water, this technology actively prevents biofilm formation, that slimy substance that typically develops in standing water. The dual-effect sterilization system takes protection further by eliminating harmful bacteria that could potentially cause oral infections or digestive issues in your pet, effectively creating a protective barrier against common pet health problems.Pet owners will appreciate the thoughtful infrared surveillance system that detects when your furry friend approaches the fountain. This smart feature automatically activates the water flow, ensuring fresh water is always available exactly when your pet needs it. The convenience extends to the fountains impressive battery life, offering up to 30 days of standby time on a single charge, making it ideal for busy households or weekend trips away. Plus, with its IP67 waterproof rating, you never need to worry about electrical safety or water damage to the unit.The fountains aesthetic appeal hasnt been overlooked in favor of functionality. Its distinctive diamond-shaped design element combines with smooth, graceful curves to create a sophisticated look that complements contemporary home dcor. The cool white high-gloss and matte plastic finishes, accented with gray and black translucent acrylic, give the fountain a high-tech appearance while remaining visually appealing to pets. This careful balance of form and function ensures the fountain becomes an attractive addition to your home rather than an eyesore youd prefer to hide.User-friendly features make maintenance simple and intuitive. The water volume reminder alerts you when its time for a refill, eliminating the guesswork of pet hydration. The quiet yet powerful water pump provides a steady, enticing flow that encourages pets to drink more frequently, a crucial benefit for animals prone to urinary tract issues or dehydration. The subtle backlight adds both visual appeal and practical functionality, making nighttime water trips easier for your pet without disturbing your sleep with harsh lighting.What truly sets this fountain apart is its holistic approach to pet wellness. Beyond simply providing water, it actively contributes to your pets overall health by promoting proper hydration habits and protecting against common oral diseases. The gentle flow mimics running water and is naturally appealing to cats and dogs who instinctively prefer moving water sources. By encouraging more frequent drinking, the fountain helps prevent urinary tract infections, kidney problems, and other health issues associated with inadequate hydration in pets. From its sophisticated sterilization system to its elegant appearance, this fountain transforms a basic necessity into an enhancement for your pets well-being.The post Smart Pet Drinking Fountain Keeps Your Furry Friends Hydrated and Healthy first appeared on Yanko Design.

Ampler is well known in the industry for its reliable e-bikes, and also takes the crown for one of the first makers of e-bikes for commercial use. Now the Estonia-based company has created an e-bike that adapts one of the most widely used charging standards. Their latest two-wheeler comes with a USB-C charging port to make it easier for eco-conscious users to charge their ride.While the idea might seem like an April Fools joke, this is not. Ampler revealed the Nova e-bike at the Cyclingworld, which is Europes finest bike and ebike show. This unique functionality is the first of its kind, and most bike riders will appreciate the liberty and ease-of-use, especially when you are not home or find it hard to plug in to a compatible bike charger. Standardizing the port eliminates redundancy and reduces e-waste, which all goes well for the planet. The electric bike will be sold in Europe for starters, but given its distinct appeal, users in the US and other regions will be eyeing the Nova.Design: AmplerThe e-bike will come in two variants, Nova base version and Nove Pro, with the latter having added features including larger 28-inch wheels, 10-speed Shimano Deore drivetrain integrated into the hub and Gates Carbon belt drive system. Compared to the base version, which has 27.5-inch tires, a nine-speed transmission having an oily chain and derailleur the Pro is a no-brainer. Both versions come integrated with 48V 336Wh integrated batteries that can be charged via the USB-C PD 3.1 charger in approximately three hours. That is impressive, as batteries the same size charged with contemporary connectors take almost five hours to max out.The 140 W charger can also juice your power-hungry gadgets, and if youve got a suite of fast charging devices, theyll be charged at a normal speed of 15W. There are 240W USB-C chargers on the market, so that time canbe further reduced when you get hold of one in the near future. Older chargers supporting USB-C PD 3.0 can also fill up the Nova bike, but those will obviously take more time. Both models are available in step-through and step-over frames that come with the option of three sizes to satisfy any kind of rider. The e-bikes can reach a top speed of 25km/h, which is good considering other features Ampler is offering on them.Nova and Nova Pro can be pre-ordered at 2,990 (approximately $3,230) and 3,490 (about $3,770) respectively in the UK, EU, and Switzerland. The e-bikes boasting a two-year warranty will start shipping in June. Availability in other regions is not confirmed yet, so youll have to keep a watch on any developments in the future.The post Ampler Nova Pro is a USB-C charged e-bike designed for hustlers first appeared on Yanko Design.

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MacworldHeres something you may not know: Hackers can sign up for phishing-as-a-service platforms. In other words, there are businesses that put together a PhAAS software package that hackers can buy and run phishing schemes. A new PhAAS called Lucid is now available and is used to target iPhones, according to a report by security researcher Catalyst.Whats alarming about Lucid is that it involved phishing messages sent via Apples iMessage, which uses end-to-end encryption that allows the messages to bypass spam filters. Lucid also sends messages via encrypted RCS, which allows for attacks on Android devices. Apple has announced support for encrypted RCS that will arrive in a future iOS update.To be able to send out phishing messages via iMessage, iPhone farms are in place. XinXin, the business behind Lucid, claims it can send over 100,000 messages daily using temporary Apple IDs with impersonated display names, according to the report. The PhAAS package offers templates so attackers can create legitimate-looking websites and messages. The phishing messages urge the reader to pay for unpaid toll fees, shipping costs, or taxes, and the links route users to websites that look like legitimate sites, such as a site that masquerades as the U.S. Postal Service.iPhone phishing farm used to send phishing messages.CatalystSome iPhone users may feel a sense of security when receiving an iMessage because of Apples measures, but Catalyst notes that it is this sense of security that hackers are taking advantage of. Lucid has a success rate that makes the operation cost-effective. How to protect yourself from hacker attacksText messaging is convenient, but it also leaves you vulnerable to attack. Dont use links in text messages whenever possible; always check the URL if you absolutely need to use the link. Attackers will disguise fake domains to look like legitimate ones. If a message is poorly written, has typos, misspellings, and poor grammar, dont trust it. Macworld has a guide to avoid smishing attacks. Apple releases security patches through OS updates, so installing them as soon as possible is important. If you use a third-party browser, Macworld has several guides to help, including a guide onwhether or not you need antivirus software, alist of Mac viruses, malware, and trojans, and acomparison of Mac security software.

MacworldEven without the latest processor, the M3 MacBook Pro is still an incredibly thin and powerful machine. And today its incredibly cheap too: B&H Photo is selling the M3 MacBook Pro with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage for $1,299, an amazing discount of $800, and the best price weve ever seen.When we reviewed the MacBook, we loved so many things about it, from the excellent display to the speakers to the overall performance of the M3 chip. We didnt love the specs of the base model, however, but with this configuration, youll have more than enough power to complete any task you want and loads of storage space to hold apps, games, files, and whatever else you need.The 14-inch Liquid Retina display is absolutely gorgeous, with vivid colors and great contrast, as well as a stunning 30241964 resolution that will make every image crossing your screen look fantastic. When it comes to connectivity, the M3 MacBook Pro has a great collection of ports, featuring two Thunderbolt 3/USB 4 ports, a HDMI, a MagSafe port, and a headphone jack, as well as an SDXC card reader. These are all going to make it easy to hook up to extra screens, transfer files, charge devices, and more.Youre really only missing out on a newer chip and improved front camera, so why not take the perfect opportunity to save a bundle and get your hands on a 14-inch MacBook Pro for $800 off? But hurry because this deal wont be around forever.This MacBook Pro is down to $1,299Buy now at B&H