WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 092509

Our first wildfire article today takes an inside look at CAL FIRE in Riverside County, California; followed by an update on the wildfire that has been burning near Moorpark, which is now 75% contained and is expected to be fully contained by the weekend. The difficultly of evacuating alpacas from a fire zone is examine an article from the LA Times; while another takes a closer look at teenage arsonists, who, surprisingly, account for over half the arson fires in the US. In another case of good intentions having bad consequences, a tractor that was clearing vegetation in Murrieta yesterday accidentally sparked a 25-acre wildfire. Mercury Insurance Company provides tips on how to protect your home from wildfires and how to file a claim if any damage is done in the next item. Firefighters in Oregon have their hands full with a 10,000 acre blaze that is sending smoke as far north as the Canadian border; while a contractor's workshop will be conducted in New Mexico next week to educate people interested in clearing vegetation around property. Firefighters in Montana's Bitterroot National Forest are setting backfires to bolster their fire lines; followed by an update on a pair of wildfires burning near Helena; while two new lightning-sparked wildfires burning in Yellowstone National Park will be allowed to continue, since fire is part of the ecosystem there. Fire officials in West Virginia are nervously watching the weather as that state enters its fall fire season; but Florida will be receiving millions of dollars in stimulus funds to help replant burn areas and clear vegetation in threatened areas. With a number of wildfires still burning and tinder dry vegetation everywhere, British Columbia is not out of its fire season yet; something with which residents of Calgary, Alberta, will become intimately familiar this weekend, as smoke from prescribed burns will be causing some scratchy throats and itchy eyes; except for one Canadian who will probably be snapping pictures of it from the International Space Station! The Discovery Channel is producing a program that will showcase the CL-415s that fight fires in Ontario, Canada. Spanish fire scientists have come up with a new technique for measuring the flammability of building materials. The first national bushfire briefing has been held in Canberra, Australia, and was attended by fire agencies and scientists from across Australia; but one problem they will have to overcome is official red tape and conservationists, who are blamed for the extreme fire danger from uncleared vegetation in Australia by a new report. An Op-Ed piece decries the lack of progress on curbing Global Warming, with the consequence of worsening bushfires; and some $80 million in bushfire relief funds remain unclaimed by survivors for a variety of reasons. A foursome of articles come to us from Queensland: the Rural Fire Service provides some useful bushfire tips - before, during, and after the event; but confusion over the evacuation of residents threatened by bushfires yesterday has sparked an angry debate; and as a number of bushfires continue to burn, fire agencies are warning residents of the danger, as the next two articles show. And finally, firefighters in a Florida community had to wait just a little bit longer for a brand-new fireboat being brought down from Canada after it ran a ground on its way into port!

CAL FIRE Looking for a Few Good Vets

Southern California wildfire 75 percent contained

Ventura County alpaca ranchers wait out Guiberson wildfire

Boy, 16, suspected in a dozen arson fires in San Bernardino County

MURRIETA: La Cresta fire burns 25 acres

Mercury Insurance Moves Swiftly to Assist Wildfire Victims

Tumblebug fire: 'We're just not getting a break'

BLM issues contracts for wildfire work

Crews Work to Strengthen Fire Lines

Two fires near Helena under control

Yellowstone fires have potential to grow much larger

State officials worry about coming fire season

Stimulus money targets Florida wildfire risk

Forest fire season not over

Health advisory issued due to controlled forest fire near Canmore

Alberta Forest Fire Seen From Space

Waterbombers to be on Discovery Channel

Plants' Response To Fire Tested

Authorities meet for bushfires briefing

Inadequate prescribed burning poses bushfire threat: expert

Business as usual

Bushfire survivors fail to claim $80m

What to do in a bushfire

Authorities deny bushfire warning system failed

High alert across Queensland as bushfires monitored

Firefighters battle seven bushfires

Fire Boat Runs Aground On Vilano Beach