WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 090308

Leading off the news today, California is getting upset with perceived obstruction by San Diego Gas and Electric during an investigation of the 2007 wildfires - not good. Meanwhile, two stories discuss the P-2 crash up north and some of the oddities involved (editor's note: since the aircrew were considered contractors, not firefighters, their families will not be eligible for the $275,000 Public Safety Officer Death Benefit provided to all full-time firefighters' families, which adds insult to injury), and a third discusses the dangers posed by aging air-tankers to their crews (hopefully we aren't going to see another mass-grounding a la 2002). Next up, a story about a grass fire near Rocklin, CA, followed by one about the Tehipite Fire in the Sierras. Virginia weighs in with a small blaze in tinder-dry conditions, and the fire on Fort Dix in New Jersey continues to chug along. The Rattle Fire is burning back on itself in Oregon, giving air-tankers an opportunity to hit it hard before it can advance again. Reports out of Utah and Eureka, CA, are looking more favorable. Finally, an op-ed piece discusses the beneficial effects of wildfires overall.

State accuses SDG&E of trying to delay report on 2007 wildfires

Firefighters mourn loss of aircrew

Fed investigators perplexed by Reno tanker crash

Firefighting aircraft at risk

Wind whips wildland fire

Tehipite fire spreads into Sierra National Forest

Forest fire consumes 35 acres

Slow-moving forest fire keeps burning on Fort Dix

Firefighting efforts reduce threat to homes

Firefighters monitoring three WFU fires

Fire update from U.S. Forest Service

A friend, not an enemy