WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 101408

Needless to say, the wildfires in Southern California dominated the news today, but only a representative sampling is offered, beginning with one from the LA Weekly Blog in which Tony Morris of Wildfire Research Network is quoted discussing the current fire situation and touches on the absence of the Martin Mars from the fight due to the fact it has not been called in by fire agencies as of yet, even though it's less than an hour's flight away at Lake Elsinore. After chaos yesterday, the Ronald Reagan Fwy has been reopened. A trio of stories recount the hard fight firefighters have had dealing with the wind-driven wildfires, and, with lots of evacuees, the Red Cross is opening up shelters away from the firelines and offering tips to nervous homeowners waiting to evacuate. Down south, San Diego has had its own brush with wildfires at Camp Pendleton, in Oceanside, and inland by Lake Morena, as the next four articles show. The Inland Empire was also beset by fires, embers from which ignited buildings in downtown San Bernardino. Moving out of state, Colorado fire managers are attempting to be pro-active in their emergency planning, while Kentucky struggles with over a dozen out-of-control fires, and Virginia had to close a some recreational areas due to a forest fire. Moving overseas, South Australia is bracing for an early start to their fire season in three districts, and Lebanon is struggling with forest fires in the face of inadequate resources. Foresters in Europe are arguing for an overhaul of forestry practices in order to reduce CO2 emissions. Finally, you may have been told to watch for flying squirrels, but I doubt many of us have ever had to worry about frying squirrels! (Let's hope SDG&E doesn't adopt a 'squirrel defense' in their lawsuits in San Diego).

Sylmar fire in Los Angeles could become a 'siege'

118 freeway reopened after flames briefly threaten

Erratic winds hinder, help S. Calif. firefighters

Wind-whipped LA wildfire doubles in size

California battered by 3 wind-whipped wildfires

Red Cross Throws Open Shelter Doors to Wildfire Evacuees

Firefighters knock down Campo fire, Oceanside still a battle

Pendleton wildfire forces evacuations

Fast-moving Campo fire 50 percent contained

Filner gets $400,000 to help ward off wildfires

Firefighters contain blazes in San Bernardino; part of 215 Freeway remains closed

Fire plan outlined for Glen Haven as pine beetle infestation looms

Forest Fires Burn Across Kentucky

Fire closes portion of Appalachian Trail in Va.

Early start for SA fire danger season

Forest fires scorch woodlands near Beirut

Nordic Forest Management Would Help Cut Global CO2, Soedra Says

Flaming squirrel blamed for small Calif. wildfire