WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 072408

In today's news, the Marines are heading off to the Combat Firefighting World Championship, while the Montana Guard readies their aircraft for the fire season. Contracted 'hired guns' are being brought in increasingly to help fight fires. Meanwhile, blazes are increasing in Canada and Greece. Kansas is moving forward with a fire surcharge on insurance that provides funds for firefighters. A blaze in Washington State that chewed up over 1,000 acres is being brought under control, and Colorado legislators decide what to do about future wildfires. Two stories that are polar opposites relate how different forestry management philosophies affect fire management.

Heating things up: Station ARFF qualifies for combat firefighting world championship

Montana Guard helicopters readied for fire season

Firefighting’s hired guns

N.W.T. forest fires affect road conditions

Fire moves closer to Edgewood

Greece under threat of new wildfires

Insurance surcharge aids firefighter relief

Firefighters battle Trinidad blaze that forced evacuation of 300

Colo lawmakers target wildfire

A lack of forestry management in the state becomes fuel for wildfires

U.S. Forest Service report on 2007 Inland fires lauds dead-tree removal program

And finally, another cautionary tale about the wisdom in making sure your apparatus is secure:

Stolen Jewett City fire truck recovered