WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 120308

In wildfire news today, FEMA once again gets stuck with the bill for Southern California wildfire damage, and since it's the season for giving, the Crystal Cathedral in Orange County will be donating some of the proceeds from their world-famous Christmas show to wildfire victims. Good news for fire managers in Southern California: the fall weather is reducing the fire danger somewhat, as detailed in the next pair of articles on the San Bernardino and Los Padres National Forests. Fall weather is also extinguishing a wildfire near the Grand Canyon in Arizona, and allowing firefighters in Utah to burn some debris, but it looks like they had better keep an eye on the debris after the burn, else they may end up with something like the Wizard Fire, which started out as an extinguished burn that magically restarted. Despite the record amount of acreage burned in the southern US this year, Virginia is reporting below-normal fire activity in their state this fall. An interesting study from USFS Pacific Northwest Research Station highlights some statistics on woodlands in the far north. Moving to Australia, Victoria state police and firefighters are gunning for arsonists, while a 'chopper chick' in South Australia is ready to lead the heli-tankers into the fray this bushfire season. Finally, a squad of quick-thinking Marines is once again recognized for courage under (or, more correctly, in the face of) fire.

FEMA announces wildfire funds

"Glory of Christmas" to benefit Santa Barbara wildfire relief

Fire restrictions reduced on the San Bernardino National Forest

Cooler weather and rains decrease fire risk

Cooler temperatures, precipitation halts activity

Forest Service Will Burn Slash Piles

Lack of patrols sparked Wizard wildfire, review says

Virginia Enjoys Quiet Fire Season

Forest inventories in California include more than trees

Stamping out Yarra Ranges firebugs

Aerial attack

8 Marines again honored for motel fire heroism