WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 121008

In wildfire news today, USFS is reporting on the recovery operations in Angeles National Forest in Sylmar Thursday night, and Ventura firefighters are thankful that a blaze this morning was quickly suppressed. Texas fire chiefs are bracing for an 'active winter' fire season, and Florida firefighters are warning residents to be cognizant of any open fires they have burning as well. An Op-Ed from Montana calls a forest management plan into question, while two groups are suing the Forest Service outright over their plans for another section of that state. Several articles showed up concerning Australia today, leading off with one about an arsonist who doesn't distinguish between vegetation or trash bins as targets, followed by one in which New South Wales is worried about being sued for damages due to 2003 bushfires, another dealing with fire awareness in West Australia, and finishing up with an early Christmas present for firefighters that even comes gift-wrapped! Finally, a story from England of a severe case of musophobia that left a fire station temporarily unmanned (but not unmoused!)

Forest Service Holds Sayre Fire Information Meeting

Helicopter helps douse wildfire near CSUCI

Fire chiefs seek help battling winter blazes

Fla. Division of Forestry: Watch controlled burns

Questions About Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship

Groups sue US Forest Service on Mont. logging plan

Bins on fire

State challenges bushfire action

Warning over threat of summer fires

Wonder what that is? Shrink-wrapped helicopters arrive in Australia in time for festive bushfire-fighting season

Mice caused firefighter to abandon station