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Cherry tree caught on fire as blossoms near peak bloom

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2 years ago

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Cherry tree caught on fire as blossoms near peak bloom


The day the cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin reached the stage known as “puffy white,” one of the trees nearly went up in smoke.

D.C. firefighters at Engine Co. 23 in Foggy Bottom got the call for “tree on fire” at 12:16 p.m. Friday and raced to the east side of the Tidal Basin where the pedal boats are docked, skirting the Washington Monument.

By the time firefighters arrived minutes later, department spokesman Vito Maggiolo said someone had extinguished a small fire at the base of the cherry tree with a dry chemical, possibly a fire extinguisher.

Firefighters doused some smoldering embers and departed. The cause of the fire is undetermined.

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“The tree is expected to survive,” said Mike Litterst, a spokesman for the National Park Service. On Friday, officials announced the buds had reached Stage 5 of 6, and that peak bloom is three to five days away.

D.C.’s cherry blossoms — first gifted by Japan in 1912 — are beloved by visitors and residents alike. The National Cherry Blossom Festival runs from March 20 to April 14, and is expected to draw upward of 1.5 million people.

On Wednesday, the Park Service said it plans to remove 158 cherry trees around the Tidal Basin and West Potomac Park during a three-year construction project to rebuild a sea wall. Litterst said the tree in question is on the opposite side of the Tidal Basin and is not among those targeted for removal.

The spokesman said an arborist inspected the tree, described as unusually tall for a cherry tree, and reported “there is no structural damage” and will remain in place.

Maggiolo said it appeared someone had stuffed trash or debris into part of the tree that had undergone decay. He said authorities do not know whether there is any connection to the small fire. Maggiolo said officials did not dispatch a fire investigator.

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“There is no way to determine a cause,” the fire spokesman said.

Sgt. Thomas Twiname, a spokesman for the U.S. Park Police, said there is “no information that this was an intentional act.”



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Washington

Parsing Trump’s claims about Washington’s reflecting pool

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5 hours ago

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June 24, 2026

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Parsing Trump’s claims about Washington’s reflecting pool


US President Donald Trump wanted to mark the US’s 250th birthday with a renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on the National Mall.

The makeover, including a new coat of “American Flag blue,” cost taxpayers $16 million (€14.1 million).

But the water is covered in green algae. The blue paint is already peeling. Trump has blamed vandals, while his critics question the project’s transparency and cost.

DW’s Brent Goff and Washington correspondent Janelle Dumalaon unpack the whole fiasco.

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Social media reacts to former BYU star AJ Dybantsa going No. 1 in 2026 NBA draft

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15 hours ago

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June 23, 2026

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Social media reacts to former BYU star AJ Dybantsa going No. 1 in 2026 NBA draft


Former BYU basketball star AJ Dybantsa fulfilled his dream of going No. 1 overall in the 2026 NBA draft.

The Washington Wizards selected Dybantsa with the first pick.

Immediately after the pick, reactions poured in on social media about the Wizards drafting Dybantsa.

Social media reactions to the Washington Wizards selecting BYU star AJ Dybantsa

Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSL and hosts the Cougar Tracks Podcast daily on KSL Sports YouTube and KSL NewsRadio (SUBSCRIBE). Harper also co-hosts Cougar Sports Saturday (12–3 p.m.) on KSL NewsRadio.

Follow Mitch’s coverage of BYU athletics in the Big 12 Conference on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram: @Mitch_Harper.

Want more coverage of BYU sports? Take us with you wherever you go.

Download the new and improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. Allows you to stream live radio and video, keeping you up to date on all your favorite teams.

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Washington Commanders announce 2026 training camp schedule

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1 day ago

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June 23, 2026

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Washington Commanders announce 2026 training camp schedule


ASHBURN, Va. – The Washington Commanders have released their 2026 Training Camp schedule, with eleven open practices between August 1 and August 19, including five open to all fans and six reserved for season ticket members.

For the fifth straight year, training camp will take place at the team’s football operations headquarters in Ashburn, Virginia. 

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Open practices for all fans are scheduled for August 1, August 7, August 8, August 18 and August 19.

 Season ticket member practices will be held August 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12. 

All sessions begin at 8:30 a.m., with gates opening at 7:30 a.m.

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Fans can claim free tickets beginning June 23 at 10 a.m. General admission fans may request up to six tickets and one parking pass for a single day of camp. Season ticket members can claim tickets for two member‑exclusive days in addition to one general admission day. All parking will be on site at the BigBear.ai Performance Center and requires a parking pass.

The team plans several themed events throughout camp, including Back Together Weekend on August 1, Military Appreciation Day on August 7 and Kids Day on August 8. Local youth football and community groups will also be hosted throughout the summer.

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For more information visit the Washington Commanders online.

The Source: Information in this article comes from the Washington Commanders.

SportsWashington CommandersWashington, D.C.
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