More Than 40 Dogs Killed in Fire at US Rescue Group's Kennels

This picture made available by Canton Fire Department FaceBook, shows a building on fire in Canton, N.Y., Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. (Canton Fire Department via AP)
This picture made available by Canton Fire Department FaceBook, shows a building on fire in Canton, N.Y., Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. (Canton Fire Department via AP)
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More Than 40 Dogs Killed in Fire at US Rescue Group's Kennels

This picture made available by Canton Fire Department FaceBook, shows a building on fire in Canton, N.Y., Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. (Canton Fire Department via AP)
This picture made available by Canton Fire Department FaceBook, shows a building on fire in Canton, N.Y., Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024. (Canton Fire Department via AP)

More than 40 dogs were killed Thursday when a fire swept through a rescue organization's kennels in northern New York, authorities said.
The fire at the No Dogs Left Behind building at the Maple Ridge Kennels in Canton was reported at about 1 a.m. by a person who saw the flames while passing by the property, fire officials said. Flames overran the structure and killed the animals before firefighters could save them, the Canton Fire Department said in a Facebook post.
According to The Associated Press, No Dogs Left Behind said its members were heartbroken.
“Each dog was a member of our family,” the group said in a social media post. “Tragically, they are victims once again. We have no words to express our grief.”
The cause of the fire was not immediately clear and was under investigation by St. Lawrence County officials. No firefighters or other people were injured, authorities said.
The house-like building included kennels inside with a play area outside. No Dogs Left Behind has video on its website showing dogs also running around grassy fields with paths on the large property.



Still No Snow on Japan’s Mount Fuji, Breaking Record

Mount Fuji is seen from Enoshima island, in Fujisawa, south of Tokyo, Japan, August 11, 2021. Picture taken August 11, 2021. (Reuters)
Mount Fuji is seen from Enoshima island, in Fujisawa, south of Tokyo, Japan, August 11, 2021. Picture taken August 11, 2021. (Reuters)
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Still No Snow on Japan’s Mount Fuji, Breaking Record

Mount Fuji is seen from Enoshima island, in Fujisawa, south of Tokyo, Japan, August 11, 2021. Picture taken August 11, 2021. (Reuters)
Mount Fuji is seen from Enoshima island, in Fujisawa, south of Tokyo, Japan, August 11, 2021. Picture taken August 11, 2021. (Reuters)

Japan's Mount Fuji remained snow-less as of Monday -- the latest date that its majestic slopes have been bare since records began 130 years ago, the weather agency said.

The volcano's snowcap begins forming on October 2 on average, and last year snow was first detected there on October 5.

But because of warm weather, this year no snowfall has yet been observed on Japan's highest mountain, said Yutaka Katsuta, a forecaster at Kofu Local Meteorological Office.

That marks the latest date since comparative data became available in 1894, he said beating the previous record of October 26 -- seen twice, in 1955 and then in 2016.

"Temperatures were high this summer, and these high temperatures continued into September, deterring cold air" which brings snow, Katsuta told AFP.

He agreed that climate change may have a degree of impact on the delay in the snowcap's formation.

Japan's summer this year was the joint hottest on record -- equaling the level seen in 2023 -- as extreme heatwaves fueled by climate change engulfed many parts of the globe.

Mount Fuji is covered in snow for most of the year, but during the July-September hiking season, more than 220,000 visitors trudge up its steep, rocky slopes.

Many climb through the night to see the sunrise from the 3,776-meter (12,388-foot) summit.

Fewer climbers tackled Mount Fuji this year however after Japanese authorities introduced an entry fee and a daily cap on numbers to fight overtourism.

The symmetrical mountain has been immortalized in countless artworks, including Hokusai's "Great Wave".

It last erupted around 300 years ago.