WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 031512

First up in wildfire news today, Wildfire NOTD subscriber Walt Darran, Safety Committee Chairman for the Associated Aerial Firefighters, sent along a letter drafted by CAL FIRE Chief Pimlott to US Forest Service Chief Tidwell expressing his concerns over the federal heavy air-tanker plan. US Forest Service Aviation Chief Tom Harbour responded to some inquiries on the current state of the heavy air-tanker fleet in the next article from San Bernardino, California (1); even as firefighters in San Bernardino County battled a 20-acre wildfire in Yucca Valley that briefly threatened homes (2); while Pacific Gas & Electric has agreed to settle nearly $30 million in lawsuits for wildfires sparked by their equipment (3). As wildfire experts fear that fire conditions which saw 1,000,000 acres scorched last year in Arizona could be repeated this year, the 10th annual Arizona Wildfire Academy is winding down (4). The next article provides information on a number of wildfires across Colorado (5); but firefighters deliberately lit a 600-acre blaze in the Pawnee National Grassland (6). Although firefighters have reached 60% containment on a wildfire burning in Clay County, Texas, they fear it could be several more days before they have full containment (7); while fire officials in Bandera County will host a wildfire seminar next week (8). Firefighters battled a 210-acre wildfire on South Dakota's Standing Rock Reservation (9); and a trio of grass fires reminded Nebraskans of the wildfire danger across their state (10). Homeowners in Michigan's Upper Peninsula were reminded that the departure of snow signals the arrival of wildfire season (11); while firefighters in Overton County, Tennessee, grappled with a wildfire which briefly threatened a pair of homes (12). Pennsylvania's governor has proclaimed next week as Wildfire Prevention Week (13); and the New Jersey State Forest Fire Service will be conducting controlled burns today and tomorrow on the border between South Brunswick and Monroe Township (14). Nature Conservancy and Forest Service firefighters will oversee 5,700 acres of controlled burns near Hot Springs, Virginia (15). A 12-acre wildfire was contained this morning in Fairview, North Carolina (16); while South Carolina Forestry Commission investigators are looking into a suspicious 50-acre wildfire in Florence County (17); and a 25-acre blaze was brought under control in Sarasota County, Florida, with a little help from above (18). Despite assertions from the oil industry that replanted forests in the tar sands region of Alberta, Canada, are just as good as the boreal forest they replace, a new study from the University of Alberta takes exception with that theory (19); followed by an article from the Caribbean archipelago of Trinidad and Tobago which examines the effectiveness of the Fondes Amandes Community Re-Forestation Project at preventing forest fires (20). As Spain and Portugal suffer through unusually dry conditions, forest fires which normally don't appear until summer are already breaking out (21); and an Op-Ed piece from India takes an in-depth look at wildfires in the Koraput Forest Division (22). A 5-hectare bushfire burning in Tapawera Forest near Nelson, New Zealand, drew the attention of a trio of firefighting helicopters (23). The Black Saturday bushfire trial of an Australian accused of setting a deadly blaze outside of Churchill, Victoria, is winding down (24); while Western Australian bushfires appear to have become a political football in Federal Parliament (25). And finally, another silver lining from wildfires in Montana is being provided in a bounty of mushrooms!

(1) Air Fleet Ready, Forest Service Says

(2) Yucca Valley Wildfire Briefly Threatens Homes

(3) PG&E settles forest-fire suits for $29.5 million

(4) Arizona firefighters prepare for wildfire season

(5) Wildfire threatens homes in Parker south of Denver

(6) Pawnee National Grassland on fire Wednesday in controlled burn

(7) Wildfire keeping units busy

(8) Fire marshals host wildfire seminar

(9) Firefighters battle wind, residents

(10) Danger made real in area grass fires

(11) Wildfire season just around the corner in U.P.

(12) Crews Battle Ten Acre Forest Fire In Overton County

(13) Governor Corbett Proclaims March 18-24 Wildfire Prevention Week

(14) State Forest Fire Service Conducting Live Burn Near Dayton

(15) Controlled forest fire scheduled today

(16) Firefighters Battle Fairview Brush Fire

(17) Wildfire investigated as arson

(18) UPDATE: Fire on Fruitville Road under control

(19) Reclaimed land drier than original forests: study

(20) Fondes Amandes to launch annual ‘gayap’

(21) Troubled Spain, Portugal now desperate for rain

(22) Community based organizations fighting forest fire: A study on koraput forest division

(23) Fire burns through Tapawera forest

(24) Jury retires in Black Saturday arson trial

(25) Randall blasts Rob Johnson over 2011 bushfires, law and order

(26) Bitterroot National Forest prepares for morel mushroom harvest

WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 031412

Wildfire NOTD reader Darren Webb, Phos-Chek's Distributor for Australia & New Zealand, sent along an announcement about their LC-W product becoming available to homeowners in the southwestern US, just in time for fire season (1); while a controlled burn northeast of Fort Collins, Colorado, scorched over 200 acres after it broke containment lines (2). Firefighters in Wood County, Texas, contained a wildfire which burned between 60 and 70 acres (3); and firefighters in El Paso knocked down a large wildfire in less than an hour (4). In the aftermath of a 150-acre wildfire outside of Rapid City, South Dakota, local fire officials are counseling that residents take steps to prepare for future wildfires (5). A number of wildfires have burned thousands of acres in northern Montana (6); where Firewise workshops will be offered by two fire departments (7). A wildfire in Viola, Missouri, burned between 400 and 500 acres, destroying a trailer in the process (8). Fire officials in Western Massachusetts worry about the wildfire hazard posed by storm debris (9); however, they successfully conducted over 100 acres of prescribed burns in Myles Standish State Forest (10). Connecticut's "one hour fuel" spring wildfires are examined by the next article (11). Wildfires were reported in Brunswick County, North Carolina (12); and firefighters contained a 70-acre wildfire burning in Marion County, South Carolina (13). A wind-driven wildfire forced evacuations near Maple Creek, Saskatchewan, Canada, yesterday (14); and a regional forestry officer in the African nation of Gambia has kicked off an anti-bushfire campaign (15). The impact of wildfires on India's medicinal plants industry is examined by the next article (16); while the ongoing drought in Thailand contributed to a wildfire which broke out in Mae Hong Son Province (17). Australian environmentalists are up in arms about plans to begin logging in Toolangi, northeast of Melbourne, Victoria, because of the impact on the endangered Leadbeater's possum habitat which has already been severely depleted by the Black Saturday bushfires (18); and a 20-hectare bushfire burning near Framlingham was assaulted from the ground and the air by Country Fire Authority (19); while the state government is being lobbied to extend the bushfire buyback program to homes in the Dandenongs (20). In Western Australia, the Augusta-Margaret River Shire Council is seeking funds from the Department of Environment and Conservation to help restore areas hard hit by an out-of-control prescribed burn ignited by DEC last year (21); even as Opposition figures in the government are asking those who petitioned the Keelty Commission about wildfire losses to send those letters to emergency services leadership (22). And finally, a supermarket chain in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, is going the extra mile to help a wildfire-ravaged farm recover!

(1) Phos-Chek to be available to homeowners this season

(2) Wildfire northeast of Fort Collins burns hundreds of acres

(3) County firefighters battle large wildfire

(4) Firefighters battle large brush fire

(5) Clearing path to wildfire safety

(6) Wildfires burn in northern Montana

(7) Fire departments to address wildfires

(8) Viola wildfire destroys trailer and other property

(9) Massachusetts fire officials concerned by large amount of debris left in woods in wake of storms

(10) MYLES STANDISH STATE FOREST:Prescribed burn offers protection for neighborhoods near Forest

(11) Spring brings higher risk of brush fires

(12) Wildfires flare up in Brunswick County

(13) Forest fire scorches 70 acres in Pee Dee

(14) Woman, baby flee wildfire

(15) Gambia: Forestry Officer Leads Anti-Bushfire Campaign

(16) ‘Unscientific exploitation led to depletion of medicinal plants’

(17) Drought Causes Wildfire in Many Areas

(18) Logging to resume in Vic possum habitat

(19) Air, ground blitz on Framlingham fire

(20) HAVE YOUR SAY: Extend buy-back call for Dandenongs

(21) Post-bushfire petition will be heard

(22) Margaret River bushfires: Opposition turns up heat

(23) Co-op staff pitch in to help tomato supplier rebuild after wildfire

WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 031312

A USA Today article highlights the fire danger posed by an early spring in the US (1); the following article looking at the impact of climate change on fires worldwide (2). In Southern California, the Los Padres National Forest Fire Management Officer provides a forecast on California's fire season in the next article (3); while property owners in Grant County, New Mexico, received training on how best to protect their homes from wildfires (4). Officials in Rapid City, South Dakota, credit fast responses by firefighters in preventing numerous wildfires from burning out of control as Red Flag conditions continue across the region (5); but South Dakota Wildland Fire is bracing for more (6). An article from Michigan takes a look at the weather picture across North America as it relates to wildfires (7); followed by an Op-Ed piece from a wildland firefighter that gives a first-person perspective on battling wildfires in Missouri (8). Having responded to 103 wildfires which burned 1,400 acres over the weekend, the Arkansas Forestry Commission warned of the heightened fire danger (9); and firefighters near Dauphin, Pennsylvania, battled a small wildfire in hilly terrain Monday night (10). Officials in Massachusetts warned homeowners conducting backyard burns of the elevated fire danger (11); even as residents of upstate New York were reminded by the Department of Environmental Conservation of the residential burn ban which begins March 16th (12). The New Jersey Forest Fire Service has dispatched an arson investigator to a wildfire that burned near Clinton Township which has been deemed suspicious in origin (13); but in the meantime, fire wardens are keeping an eye on things in Passaic and Bergen counties (14). Officials are seeking public input in developing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan for Augusta County, Virginia (15); while a wildfire was reported in Botetourt County (16). Georgia Forestry Commission officials are investigating a suspicious 671-acre wildfire which burned near the Tennessee border last week (17); but runaway debris fires in Clay County, Florida, are now 60% contained after burning nearly 150 acres (18). In Canada, a new wildfire operations center has been unveiled in British Columbia's Robson Valley (19). The Central American nation of Costa Rica continued to grapple with wildfires which have burned 700,000 ha so far (20); while fire managers in Spain are remarking on the unusual number of wildfires for this time of year (21). In India, the Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister is concerned about a forest fire which is threatening water supplies for the cities of Itanagar and Naharlagun (22); and several homes have been destroyed as a wildfire continues to rage out of control in the Himalayan nation of Nepal (23). An update from Australia on a bushfire arson case in the Victorian Supreme Court dealing with a Black Saturday bushfire which killed 10 people is provided by the next article (24). Western Australia's Police Commissioner is under fire over his whereabouts during the bushfires in Perth Hills which destroyed 71 homes last year (25); but a 200-hectare bushfire which briefly threatened Donnybrook-Balingup and Nannup has been contained (26). And finally, art workshops set up by Monash University Gippsland in towns ravaged by bushfires in Victoria, Australia, have yielded unexpected benefits to the participants!

(1) Early spring is a mixed blessing from N.J. to Wyoming

(2) Climate change could increase fires, logging, and hunting in rainforests

(3) Chief: Calif. wildfires may signal busy season

(4) Residents learn how to protect their home from wildfire

(5) Preparing For Quick Response

(6) South Dakota Wildland Fire jumps into action to prepare for Red Flag warning

(7) Warm winter leads to fiery forecast

(8) Wildfire fight: Who does this?

(9) Forestry Commission warns of fire danger

(10) Crews tackle mountain fire near Dauphin

(11) Officials: Be Careful with Backyard Burnings

(12) DEC: State Ban on Residential Brush Burning Begins March 16

(13) Clinton Township brush fire believed to be arson

(14) Fire Warden Keeps Watch On Passaic, Bergen Counties

(15) County to hold public input sessions for community wildfire protection plan

(16) Crews battle wildfire on Purgatory Mountain

(17) Dade, Marion border fire called 'suspicious'

(18) Caribbean Circle Fire in Keystone Heights Still Burning, 60% Contained

(19) New wildfire facilities coming to Valemount and Merritt

(20) Forest Fires All Over Costa Rica

(21) Forest fires in Spain come early

(22) Tuki directs departments to take actions against forest fire

(23) Wildfire rages on in Dhankuta

(24) Black Saturday bushfire accused prosecuted on circumstantial evidence, court told

(25) Police Commissioner Karl O'Callaghan probed over bushfire 'lies'

(26) Bushfire contained in WA's southwest

(27) More than art on show

WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 031212

An Op-Ed piece from Southern California's San Bernardino Press Enterprise laments the current sorry state of the US heavy air-tanker fleet (1); but Wildfire NOTD subscriber Walt Darran, Safety Committee Chairman for the Associated Aerial Firefighters, offers an insightful article he wrote for the International Association of Wildland Fire discussing the future of the US air-tanker fleet (2); while the next article takes a look at how plants bounced back from wildfires along California's Central Coast (3); however, rural Californians are once again up in arms about Gov. Brown's proposed $150 fire protection fee (4). The fire danger in some of Santa Fe, New Mexico's, suburbs is summarized in the following article (5). The slow recovery efforts in Bastrop County, Texas, is chronicled by the next article (6); where, having been overwhelmed by wildfires last September, Austin is determined to have all their firefighters cross-trained in wildland firefighting techniques (7). Firefighters in southwestern Montana grappled with a 104-acre wildfire burning in the Lee Metcalf Wilderness (8); while fire crews set controlled burns over the weekend in Michigan's Orion Oaks County Park (9). A number of wildfires were reported in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, over the weekend (10); and a 10-acre blaze was reported in Deer Grove Forest Preserve as well (11). A wildfire along the shores of Lake Michigan forced residents of Ogden Dunes, Indiana, to evacuate over the weekend (12); while a 30-acre wildfire in Pennsylvania's Horseshoe Curve National Historic Site underscored the fact that this winter's lack of snow could lead to worsening wildfires (13). A photo montage of nearly 3 dozen images tells the tale of wildfires outside of Boston, Massachusetts (14); and wildfire scorched several acres in Montgomery County, Maryland, over the weekend as well (15). A wildfire in Scott County, Virginia, blazed across several acres Saturday night (16); even as $117,000 in grants were received to help rehydrate peat blogs which have burned for months in the Great Dismal Swamp (17). Firefighters in Flagler County, Florida, are using a new portable dip-tank system to enhance aerial firefighting (18); while the impact of wildfires in Brazil's Amazon rainforest was examined by a recent study (19). The efforts of firefighters aided by rainfall is beginning to turn the tide on wildfires raging in Phayao, Thailand's, Muang District (20). Fire managers in the Indian state of Karnataka fear that religious ceremonies in which thousands of candles are lit will also light tinder-dry forests (21); while the impact of recent wildfires on Project Tiger, an effort to preserve that country's dwindling tiger population, is examined by the next article (22). In Australia, firefighters planned to conduct controlled burns in Yarrambat, Victoria's, Plenty Gorge Park (23). The danger from a 170-acre bushfire burning near Nannup, Western Australia, has been downgraded (24); and another by John Forrest National Park has also been contained (25); but one burning near Donnybrook is threatening homes (26); while air-tankers swung into action on Sunday when a pair of suspicious blazes were reported near Collie (27). And finally, Britain's Environment Agency warned that people filling kiddie swimming pools will be fined due to the wildfire danger in that normally rain-soaked European nation!

(1) NATION: Fire-plane failure

(2) AVIATION: Air Tankers — Where Do We Go From Here?

(3) Life After Wildfire: Studying How Plants Bounce Back

(4) Rural California homeowners blast protection fee

(5) Wildfires pose threat in northeast subdivision

(6) Recovery from Bastrop fires faces many obstacles

(7) Firefighters Across Texas Getting Certified For Wildfires

(8) Crews make progress fighting Bear Trap fire in SW Montana

(9) Wildfire crews set fires at Orion Oaks County Park

(10) Brush Fires Burn in Chicago Suburbs Over the Weekend

(11) Brush Fire Burns 10 Acres in Deer Grove Forest Preserve

(12) UPDATE: Forest, brush fire displaces residents in Ogden Dunes

(13) Brush fire burns 30 acres near Horseshoe Curve

(14) 35 Epic Photos of the Fire in the Fens

(15) Montgomery County firefighters battle brush fire in Gaithersburg

(16) Wildfire burns several acres in Scott County

(17) Efforts begin to put water back into Great Dismal Swamp peat bogs

(18) Bunnell firefighters ready for wildfire season

(19) Birds' diverse traits survive Amazon fires

(20) Wildfire Suppression Barriers Built in Phayao Province to Ease Smog Situation

(21) Forest Department fear more fire mishaps

(22) After forest fires, it’s a tiger-eat-tiger world out there

(23) Burn-offs planned for parks in Eltham and Yarrambat

(24) Bushfire north of Nannup downgraded to Watch and Act

(25) Fire near John Forrest National Park contained

(26) Bushfire threatens homes near Donnybrook

(27) Two suspicious bushfires

(28) Households to be fined for filling paddling pools as Environment Agency warns of forest fires

WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 031012

US Forest Service reported a wildfire in Southern California's Los Padres National Forest Friday afternoon (1); and in preparation for the wildfire season, Arizona Wildfire and Incident Management Training Academy is providing training to firefighters from across the state in Prescott (2); but an Op-Ed piece from New Mexico laments the fire danger produced by a lack of forest thinning (3). A 150-acre wildfire outside of Rapid City, South Dakota, forced the evacuation of some homeowners (4); and a larger blaze near Fort Pierre was labeled suspicious by fire authorities (5). Loggers have salvaged 145 acres of trees burned in Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness wildfire last year (6); but warming conditions in Wisconsin Rapids signal the onset of that state's spring wildfire season (7). As humidity drops and winds increase in Connecticut's Ohio Valley, the National Weather Service has issued a special advisory about the wildfire danger (8); while the benefits of controlled burns in New Jersey's pinelands is the topic of the next article (9). Firefighters in Florida worried that unless they get some heavy rain, wildfires are going to be fierce (10); although they had a 149-acre blaze in Clay County 60% contained (11). Wildfire NOTD subscriber Walt Darran, Safety Committee Chairman for the Associated Aerial Firefighters, sent along an article on how Saskatchewan, Canada's, aerial firefighting fleet has been improved with the upgrade of one of their four CL-215 aircraft from piston engines to turbines by Conair and Arizona-based Aero Flite (12). Firefighters in the British town of Bracknell extinguished a small wildfire believed to have been started by arsonists (13); and a number of wildfires were reported in Spain as well (14). The Australian national debate over wildfires and controlled burns is examined by the next article (15); while flying embers were causing headaches for FESA firefighters in Gosnells, Western Australian (16). And finally, firefighters in San Pablo, California, proved to be a dog's best friend!

(1) Firefighters Battling Wildfire Near Rancho Oso In Los Padres National Forest

(2) Bills Daily Newscast: Wildfire Academy

(3) Fire danger higher than normal this year

(4) Rapid City Wildfire Contained

(5) Firefighters Battle Blaze Near Fort Pierre

(6) 145 acres of trees charred by Pagami fire salvaged for mill

(7) Local wildfire season starting early this year

(8) Wildfire Dangers Increase With Gusty Winds

(9) Flames help lick fires in New Jersey pinelands

(10) Forest service: Bad fire weather 'around the corner'

(11) Gusty winds a concern for Clay firefighters

(12) Northern Air adds to firefighting fleet

(13) Bush fire in Bracknell town centre

(14) Planes battle forest fires in Spain

(15) Australians at odds over how to control wildfires

(16) Gosnells bushfire danger to homes

(17) Firefighters revive pit bull after San Pablo fire

WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 030912

An Op-Ed piece from the National Fire Protection Association tackles the ticklish issue of developers building homes in areas frequented by wildfires in the US (1); while San Diego Gas & Electric is protesting that they actually increased powerline maintenance prior to the 2007 wildfires in that Southern California area, contrary to charges that they had reduced powerline maintenance in that period (2); and Mendocino National Forest will conduct controlled burns on several hundred acres in the Grindstone Chaparral Burn today (3). Washington state's Department of Natural Resources has begun seasonal firefighter hiring (4); while a 40-acre blaze in southern Arizona's Baboquivari Mountains is one of several that have broken out as the wildfire danger elevates (5). The Bureau of Land Management cited a failure in leadership for abuse of wildfire funds as the scandal spreads from Utah to other states (6); the wildfire outlook for Texas being provided by the next article (7). Due to a seasonal lack of precipitation coupled with warming temperatures, Red Flag wildfire warnings have been issued for much of Central Montana (8); and although a 2,000-acre wildfire burning on the Tennessee-Georgia border has been contained, it's not out yet (9). In these tough financial times, Mississippi Forestry Commission has learned to make do with less to fight wildfires (10); but a retiree who lit six debris burns in Windham, New Hampshire, simultaneously sparked a wildfire yesterday (11); and windy conditions made for some tough firefighting on a 2-acre blaze in Southington, Connecticut (12). A wildfire that was reported by New Jersey Forest Fire Service in Morris County was apparently sparked by teenagers playing with matches (13); and a 50-acre blaze was also reported in Cumberland County (14). Florida Forestry Service has determined that a 108-acre wildfire along Interstate 10 at Garçon Point, Pensacola, may have been caused by a meth lab fire (15); while another 100-acre wildfire burning in Brevard County forced closure of Interstate 95 for a while (16). In Australia, the prosecutor in a court case regarding an alleged arsonist accused of starting a 36,000-hectare Black Saturday bushfire near Churchill, Victoria, that destroyed 156 homes and claimed 10 lives has issued his closing arguments (17); but the Mountain Cattlemen's Association of Victoria weighs in on the issue of cattle grazing in Alpine National Park to reduce the bushfire threat (18). Continued mild weather has prompted New South Wales Rural Fire Service to announce the end of the Bush Fire Danger Period (19). Western Australia's Premier has ordered an independent investigation of bushfires which blazed through Margaret River and Nannup last November (20); very hot conditions prompting FESA officials to issue bushfire warnings around Perth (21). And finally, the next time you fight a barn fire, be careful where you get your water from!

(1) Does Regulation Work?

(2) ENERGY: SDG&E increased powerline maintenance in years leading up to wildfires

(3) Helitorch prescribed fire planned on National Forest

(4) DNR looking to hire seasonal firefighters

(5) Wildfire Danger Soars; Small Blazes Break Out

(6) BLM confirms abuse of wildfire funds

(7) Wildfire outlook improves for 2012

(8) Extreme fire danger this afternoon & evening; Red Flag Warning in effect

(9) Wildfire along TN-GA state line

(10) Fire agencies rely more on teamwork during tough economy

(11) Windham brush fire gets out of control

(12) Strong winds complicate firefighters' battle with blaze in Southington

(13) Firefighters battle brush blaze in Riverdale

(14) Forest fire destroys 50 acres in Lawrence Township, Cumberland County

(15) Meth lab potential cause of Garcon Point blaze

(16) Fire crews monitor smoldering Brevard wildfire near I-95

(17) Black Saturday fire deliberately lit, jury hears

(18) Alpine grazing fight a national issue, cattlemen warn

(19) Bushfire danger period ends early

(20) Bushfire reviews may stay secret

(21) Perth prepares for record breaking heatwave

(22) Firefighters' Parasites Came from Barn Fire, Report Finds

WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 030812

The impact of the reduced heavy air-tanker fleet on Southern California, as revealed by US Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell in a presentation to the US Senate yesterday, is analyzed by our first article today (1); the current situation making Air National Guard firefighting aircraft even more important for the region (2); while San Diego Gas & Electric is under the microscope again in regards to budget cuts to powerline maintenance prior to the wildfires of 2007 which killed two people and destroyed 1,300 homes (3). A five-acre wildfire destroyed several structures near Tucson, Arizona, yesterday (4). Six months after devastating wildfires burned 4 million acres statewide, residents of East Texas are being cautioned about the danger of winter wildfires (5); while FEMA reminded wildfire survivors that their phone lines are still open (6). Although 15 counties in Arkansas are under a burn ban, another thousand acres went up in smoke (7); and a 2,000-acre wildfire burning along the Tennessee/Georgia state line appears to have been deliberately set (8). Wildfires in Missouri's Dallas and Laclede counties scorched thousands of acres (9). The New Jersey State Forest Fire Service reported a pair of wildfires on Wednesday as it remains on high alert (10); while the importance of fire lookout towers to help them spot wildfires is examined by the following article (11). North Carolina Forest Service's Landowner Hazard Reduction Burning Program is the topic of the next item (12); and Fort Benning, Georgia, plans to conduct controlled burns on 30,000 acres to improve the habitat while also reducing the danger of wildfires (13). Firefighters were able to bring a 150-acre wildfire in Clay County, Florida, to 75% containment (14); while firefighters are investigating a pair of wildfires which closed Interstate 10 near Pensacola (15); fortunately, a bald eagle nest in the midst of the fire was spared after delicate work by firefighters putting out the blaze (16). Wildfires burned 500 ha in two Indian nature preserves (17); but the hunt is on for wildfire arsonists in Thailand as that Southeast Asian nation continues to suffer from excessive air pollution caused by the blazes (18). A new study from Victoria, Australia, shows that bushfires and elevated violence against women seem to go together (19). And finally, meet the latest firefighting technology: a robot who can throw extinguisher grenades!

(1) More Wildfires, Fewer Firefighting Aircraft

(2) Air National Guard firefighting planes could be in demand this season

(3) SDG&E Cut Spending On Powerlines Before 2007 Wildfires, Say Lawyers For Homeowners

(4) Tubac Firefighters put out hotspots to prevent another wildfire

(5) Just a spark: Winter wildfires a reminder we all must exercise caution

(6) FEMA: Helplines are Still Open for Wildfire Survivors

(7) Another 1K acres burn in Arkansas wildfires

(8) Wildfire contained on Tenn., Ga. Line

(9) Fighting wildfires took up to 200 firefighters, 25 departments

(10) District 1 Fights Two Brush Fires Wednesday

(11) Forest Fire Service Depends on Eyes in The Sky To Help Detect Fires

(12) North Carolina Forest Service burns potential wildfire fuel

(13) Fort Benning to burn 30,000 acres this year to prevent wildfires, help manage longleaf pines

(14) Clay wildfire about 75 percent contained

(15) Investigation Continues Into Wildfire That Closed I-10

(16) Garcon fire contained; bald eagles OK

(17) Forest fire engulfs Similipal, Kuldiha areas

(18) Forest office orders hunt for those behind fires

(19) Natural disasters increase violence against women

(20) Robot Firefighter to Throw Extinguisher Grenades: Big Pic