Crowning occurs when wildfire flames advance from treetop to treetop more or less independent of the fire burning on the ground. Torching is the burning of the foliage of a single tree or a small group of trees, from the bottom up. Spotting is when strong winds carry embers ahead of the main perimeter of the fire and smaller spot fires are ignited. Check AP's Wildfire Tracker to keep up on the status of fires: apnews.com/wildfire-tracker

Yes, the AP Stylebook covers punctuation, capitalization and numerals. But there’s so, so much more to AP style. Join the AP Stylebook Workshop 201: Refine Your Content course to learn how Stylebook guidance can help you tell a clearer, more compelling story. Our first live session is Oct. 7. Sign up now. store.stylebooks.com/ap-styl…

Artificial intelligence systems do not think, feel, want or understand. Avoid language that gives them human characteristics. This is called anthropomorphizing, when we ascribe human traits, emotions or behaviors to non-human things, such as animals or inanimate objects. Instead, explain what a system does, how well it performs, who built it and who could be affected by it. apnews.com/article/openai-sa…

The AP Stylebook team discusses and debates AP style changes all year. One of the many ways possible additions or changes make their way to the list for consideration is your suggestions. We value ideas from our users, so add your input here apstylebook.com/suggestions

Fall is here and Halloween decorations are already popping up everywhere. If you're eager to get spooky season started, watch out for the punctuation as you carve your jack-o'-lantern.

In general, use only last names on second reference. When it is necessary to distinguish between two people who use the same last name, generally use the first and last name on subsequent references. Generally use the name a person prefers: Thomas or Tom, depending on preference; Martine McCarthy Chang may prefer McCarthy Chang or Chang on second reference.

Use the abbreviation "No." for number in conjunction with a figure to indicate position or rank: No. 1 pick, No. 3 choice. Do not use with street addresses, with this exception: No. 10 Downing St., the residence of Britain's prime minister. apnews.com/article/azzi-fudd…

Electoral systems that allow voters to cast ballots before the day of an election are broadly known as advance voting. Each state has its own procedures for advance voting, which may include voting by mail, voting absentee or voting in person before Election Day. apnews.com/article/trump-sup…

The apostrophe goes in front of a decade, not between the numbers and the S. It stands in for the additional two digits, so 1970s becomes '70s. apnews.com/article/bob-macki…

We offer a wide range of products to help you write and edit consistently. But we haven't forgotten the one that started it all. store.stylebooks.com/ap-styl…

Both High Holidays and High Holy Days are acceptable to refer to the period of the Jewish calendar that includes Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashana.

We kick off Refine Your PR Pitch with the AP today at 2 p.m. EDT, with an overview of the most important AP style guidance for public relations pros. You still have time to join us for Week 1, but if you're booked up today, no problem. Sign up and you'll have access to the online classroom through January so you can watch a replay at your convenience. Come freshen up your AP style knowledge with Colleen Newvine, the Stylebook's product manager, and Stylebook Editor Anna Jo Bratton. store.stylebooks.com/pitchin…

Do not add an apostrophe to a word ending in s when it is used primarily in a descriptive sense: citizens band radio, a Cincinnati Reds infielder, a Teamsters request, a writers guide.

Subscribe to AP Stylebook Online to keep up with additions and changes to AP style guidance. You can get emails when we make style changes, and you can check new entries and recent changes from your subscriber dashboard. The AP style you learned in college might help you some of the time, but if you want guidance that's keeping up with changing language, you need our up-to-date searchable content. store.stylebooks.com/apstyle…

Daycare and childcare are both now one word, no hyphen. We made those changes this spring when we updated health care to healthcare. apnews.com/article/childcare…

Public relations professionals, join us for a new three-week course covering: * The AP style rules you need to know to write your releases in the language journalists use * Updates on the state of the PR industry from pros who are paying attention * Feedback from working journalists on what they want from you The first live session is next week. See you there!

For the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, 9/11 is acceptable in all references. (Note the comma to set off the year when the phrase refers to a month, date and year.)

Go back to the basics and refresh your knowledge of AP style in Week 1 of our new course, Refine Your PR Pitch with the AP. We'll go over the AP style guidance you're most likely to need in your pitches, and Stylebook Editor Anna Jo Bratton will be there to answer your vexing style questions. PRSA members get a 20% discount, and we offer group rates, too. store.stylebooks.com/pitchin…