WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 082008

First up in the news today, two articles from Nevada, one about arsonists being blamed for the Reno wildfire that destroyed six homes, the second about USFS letting a remote fire burn for 12 days. The two following articles deal with wildfire issues in Washington state, one where rain is helping contain a wildfire and another warning residents in the rainier western part of the state about wildfire danger there as well. Rain is also helping quell wildfires in southern Oregon, but folks in Montana are being warned about breathing smoky air. A cautionary tale appears in the next article, which discusses fuel moisture levels as they relate to wildfire danger. On the international scene, Australian firefighters are returning home after helping out with the California wildfires (their fire season is beginning a month early this year, so their help is needed there), while fires are burning in Macedonia and Georgia (the Georgians accusing the Russians of having set them). The fires in Macedonia and Georgia may add impetus to the formation of the international wildfire fighting force being put together by the European Union now. With over 50 air-tankers already in place across several Mediterranean countries (Italy, France, Greece, and Spain), it could provide some serious punch for future wildfires in that region.

Arson was cause of brush fire that destroyed 6 Reno homes

Feds watch as Nevada wilderness burns unchecked for 12 days

Rain helps firefighters at Lincoln County wildfire

Wildfires: Western Washington is at risk, too

Rain expected to help quell fires in Southern Oregon

Smoke from wildfires turns air ‘unhealthy' in region

Tracking wildfire danger

WA firefighters returning home from US

Wildfires still raging across Macedonia

Key Georgian forests ravaged by fires