WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 121708
In wildfire news today, an article from the LA Times underscores the fact that, despite earthquakes and wildfires, Southern California is still probably one of the safer places in which to live, while two articles offer differing viewpoints on President-Elect Obama's cabinet picks, who will have a profound influence on U.S. forest and fire management for the next four years. Reflecting serious wildfire damage in the area, Los Padres National Forest, normally a winter playground, is being closed off in some areas, and Farmers Insurance is suing Santa Cruz County for lack of fuel clearance, something that could set an ominous precedent for other jurisdictions. Washington state is considering allowing forest owners to log in previously-protected areas, and a man who was charged with setting the largest wildfire in Minnesota in nearly 100 years committed suicide. Although wildfire news is becoming scarce in the Northern Hemisphere with the onset of winter, the Southern Hemisphere is far from placid, leading off with an article from New Zealand about a raging bushfire on North Island, while another from Victoria, Australia discusses the large investment the government is making to prepare for bushfires. A suspicious fire destroyed a 440 acre plot of canola oil plants in South Australia, while classes on spotting and dealing with bushfires are being conducted in Victoria state. West Australia is building up a sizeable air force to deal with bushfires, including five heli-tankers and eight fixed-wing air-tankers, but an article that echoes concerns in San Diego County underscores Australian scientists' concerns about massive wildlife habitat destruction due to vegetation clearance. And finally, a feel-good story of firefighters in Oklahoma rescuing a litter of puppies from a fire (just in time for Christmas!)
Disaster area? Southern California has it made in the shade
A new direction
Environmentalists Wary of Obama’s Interior Pick
Winter Closures in Los Padres National Forest
Farmers Insurance blames wildfire damage on county
Wash. to allow logging in some spotted owl habitat
D.C. Man, 64, Charged in Fire Apparently Kills Himself
Far North bush fire continues to blaze
Rudd Government To Provide Victoria $965,000 To Help Bushfire Preparation
Fire in mid-north canola crop
Fire risk high in Macedon Ranges
US chopper to boost WA bushfire capability
Scientist fears prescribed burning wildlife impact
Tulsa firefighters rescue puppies
In wildfire news today, an article from the LA Times underscores the fact that, despite earthquakes and wildfires, Southern California is still probably one of the safer places in which to live, while two articles offer differing viewpoints on President-Elect Obama's cabinet picks, who will have a profound influence on U.S. forest and fire management for the next four years. Reflecting serious wildfire damage in the area, Los Padres National Forest, normally a winter playground, is being closed off in some areas, and Farmers Insurance is suing Santa Cruz County for lack of fuel clearance, something that could set an ominous precedent for other jurisdictions. Washington state is considering allowing forest owners to log in previously-protected areas, and a man who was charged with setting the largest wildfire in Minnesota in nearly 100 years committed suicide. Although wildfire news is becoming scarce in the Northern Hemisphere with the onset of winter, the Southern Hemisphere is far from placid, leading off with an article from New Zealand about a raging bushfire on North Island, while another from Victoria, Australia discusses the large investment the government is making to prepare for bushfires. A suspicious fire destroyed a 440 acre plot of canola oil plants in South Australia, while classes on spotting and dealing with bushfires are being conducted in Victoria state. West Australia is building up a sizeable air force to deal with bushfires, including five heli-tankers and eight fixed-wing air-tankers, but an article that echoes concerns in San Diego County underscores Australian scientists' concerns about massive wildlife habitat destruction due to vegetation clearance. And finally, a feel-good story of firefighters in Oklahoma rescuing a litter of puppies from a fire (just in time for Christmas!)
Disaster area? Southern California has it made in the shade
A new direction
Environmentalists Wary of Obama’s Interior Pick
Winter Closures in Los Padres National Forest
Farmers Insurance blames wildfire damage on county
Wash. to allow logging in some spotted owl habitat
D.C. Man, 64, Charged in Fire Apparently Kills Himself
Far North bush fire continues to blaze
Rudd Government To Provide Victoria $965,000 To Help Bushfire Preparation
Fire in mid-north canola crop
Fire risk high in Macedon Ranges
US chopper to boost WA bushfire capability
Scientist fears prescribed burning wildlife impact
Tulsa firefighters rescue puppies
Labels: air-tankers, bushfires, firefighting, forest fires, wildfires
posted by Michael Archer @ 8:13 PM
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