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New Hampshire

When leaf peepers pile onto New England trails, it can ruin fall foliage for all

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When leaf peepers pile onto New England trails, it can ruin fall foliage for all


Midway into October, the vibrant fall colors have drawn thousands of visitors to New England’s trails eager to capture the beauty of autumn. But the influx of hikers has led to concerns about overcrowding and safety, especially in popular spots in New Hampshire.

State park officials are excited to see so many people enjoying the outdoors, but they urge hikers — both new and experienced — to come prepared and be respectful of nature and others on the trails.

Tamara Breau, who recently hiked New Hampshire’s Artist Bluff Trail, described a chaotic scene caused by overcrowding.

“We saw people pushing each other, going off-trail to bypass crowds,” Breau said. “A few hikers came down from the summit saying they were terrified by how packed it was.”

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Tamara Breau

A crowd of hikers on an Artist’s Bluff trail in New Hampshire.

Crowded conditions aren’t just frustrating, they can be dangerous. On Saturday, heavy traffic on I-93 delayed rescuers trying to reach a hiker who had slipped and injured her leg on the Franconia Ridge Trail.

Oliver Pierson, director of forestry for Vermont’s Agency of Natural Resources, highlighted the importance of common sense and communication on busy trails.

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“It’s really about being respectful and enjoying both the scenery and your fellow hikers,” Pierson said.

Fall foliage is a New England staple. NBC10 Boston meteorologist Tevin Wooten tells us what to expect this year based on the summer’s hot and dry weather.

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He also reminded hikers to be well-prepared for changing weather, especially in mountainous areas where temperatures can drop quickly. Pierson recommends packing extra layers, including wool socks, rain gear, a hat and gloves.

As days grow shorter, Pierson encouraged hikers to start their adventures early to ensure they have enough daylight to complete their hikes safely.

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“Give yourself plenty of time to enjoy the foliage and get down before dark,” Pierson advised.

In the recent rescue, New Hampshire Fish and Game said the injured hiker had limited cell service and was fortunate that nearby hikers were able to call for help. Park officials, and other hikers, hope to see that same spirit of consideration as more people head out to enjoy the season’s beauty.

“If there’s a line, wait your turn. Don’t try to go off-trail,” Breau said. “If people keep damaging the trails, they’ll eventually have to close them.”

Officials say everyone can enjoy the stunning fall scenery while keeping trails safe by coming prepared and staying mindful of others.

The Green Mountain Club is a resource hikers can use to learn more about what to pack and what to expect, as well as trail options and route updates. You can check out the Green Mountain Club here: greenmountainclub.org/hiking.

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The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, in partnership with the White Mountain National Forest, offers a mountain safety education program called Hike Safe that aims to educate hikers on essential outdoor preparedness. Hikers can support search and rescue operations by purchasing a voluntary Hike Safe card. 

Those with a card are not required to repay rescue costs if an emergency occurs in most situations.

The Hiker Responsibility Code was developed and is endorsed by The White Mountain National Forest and New Hampshire Fish and Game. You can learn more about the program here: wildlife.nh.gov/get-outside/hiking-safety.

Visit New Hampshire advises all travelers to practice Leave No Trace when they are visiting.

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New Hampshire

Woman dies in Wilton, NH house fire – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News

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Woman dies in Wilton, NH house fire – Boston News, Weather, Sports | WHDH 7News


WILTON, N.H. (WHDH) – A woman died in a Wilton, New Hampshire, house fire Wednesday morning, according to the New Hampshire State Fire Marshal’s Office.

At 9:08 a.m., Wilton firefighters responded to Burns Hill Road after a caller said their home was filling up with smoke. When they arrived, a single-family home was on fire and they found out two people were still inside on the second floor.

A man and a woman were both taken out of the house by firefighters and taken to Elliott Hospital. The woman was pronounced dead and the man is in serious condition.

Officials have not released the name of the victim at this time.

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At this time, investigators are looking into the cause of the fire and are trying to determine if a power outage in the area played a factor. The fire is not currently considered suspicious.

(Copyright (c) 2025 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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N.H. woman accused of civil rights violation after allegedly shooting at lost man because he was Black

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N.H. woman accused of civil rights violation after allegedly shooting at lost man because he was Black


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Diane Durgin, 67, is accused of shooting at a Black man who inadvertently drove to her property after a prearranged truck part sale, prosecutors said.

A New Hampshire woman is accused of violating the state’s Civil Rights Act four times after she allegedly shot at a man because he was Black, prosecutors said.

Diane Durgin, 67, of Weare, N.H. could face up to a $5,000 fine for each violation she is found to have committed, the office of New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella said in a press release Tuesday.

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Durgin is also charged with criminal threatening against a person with a deadly weapon and attempted first degree assault with a deadly weapon, Michael Garrity, a media representative for the New Hampshire Attorney General, said in an emailed statement to Boston.com.

Durgin had a final pre-trial conference last week, Garrity said.

In a civil complaint filed Tuesday, Durgin is accused of threatening physical force against the victim, the AG said. Prosecutors asked the court to issue a preliminary injunction barring Durgin from repeating her alleged behavior and from contacting the victim and his family.

During the morning hours of Oct. 20, 2024, the victim claims, he “mistakenly” drove to Durgin’s home after a prearranged purchase of a truck part with a seller online, prosecutors wrote as part of their request for an injunction.

When the man — whom prosecutors identified in court documents as X.G. — arrived, Durgin allegedly stepped out of her home and approached his car with a gun “holstered by her waist,” prosecutors wrote. 

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Upon noticing that X.G. was Black, Durgin allegedly “removed her gun and pointed it at X.G.,” prosecutors said in the injunction request.

While X.G. explained that he was lost, Durgin called the victim a “Black mother[expletive],” and threatened to “kill him,” prosecutors allege.

As the victim attempted to drive away, Durgin allegedly took her gun and fired two shots at the fleeing man’s car, missing both times, the AG’s office said.

While on the phone with a dispatcher, Durgin allegedly said she shot the man’s car because the victim is Black, the AG said.

“The guy is Black. And he, he…he says he’s meeting someone here and I think he’s coming here to steal,” Durgin allegedly said.

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Police located X.G. and brought him to the Weare Police Department, stopping along the way at the correct seller’s home to complete the truck part purchase, prosecutors wrote in court documents.

To prove a violation of the New Hampshire Civil Rights Act, the AG must show that Durgin “interfered or attempted to interfere with the rights of the victim to engage in lawful activities by threatening to engage in or actually engage in physical force or violence, when such actual or threatening conduct was motivated by race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, or disability,” prosecutors said.

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Up to 4 inches of snow expected in NH tonight. See latest forecast

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Up to 4 inches of snow expected in NH tonight. See latest forecast


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It may be March, but winter in New Hampshire is far from over. Just one week after a blizzard tore through the state with heavy snow and high winds, the state is getting another round of snowfall.

The state will get three to five inches during the evening and night of Tuesday, March 3, says the National Weather Service (NWS) of Gray, Maine. While the accumulation will not be significant, the snowfall may cause dangerous road conditions and a layer of ice on the ground in certain parts of the state.

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Here’s what to know before tonight’s snow in New Hampshire, including snow totals and timing.

When will it snow in NH tonight?

According to the NWS, it will start snowing in New Hampshire during mid-afternoon or early evening and continue through the night. Specifically, snow will arrive to the southern part of the state around 2-3 p.m., spreading northwards through the rest of New Hampshire by 5 p.m.

Rain or freezing rain will mix in later this evening across southern New Hampshire, creating a wintry mix. All precipitation should move out of the state by midnight.

Due to the timing of today’s snowfall, the Tuesday evening commute will be affected, with the NWS warning to slow down and exercise caution while driving.

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How much snow will NH get tonight?

New Hampshire will get one to four inches of snow tonight, with one to two inches in northern New Hampshire, two to three inches in southern New Hampshire and three to four inches in the center of the state, with the possibility for five inches in localized areas.

In the Seacoast specifically, Portsmouth, Rye, Hampton and York are expected to get between two to three inches of snow, while Dover, Exeter and Rochester may get up to four.

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The wintry mix may also cause a light glaze of ice across southern New Hampshire.

NH weather watches and warnings

The NWS has issued a winter weather advisory for the state of New Hampshire, in effect from 1 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3 through 4 a.m. on Wednesday, March 4.

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