WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 011009

In wildfire news today, a feel-good article from San Diego about an elderly couple who received help rebuilding their home that was lost in the 2007 wildfires, followed by one about how CAL FIRE is gearing up for a breezy weekend in San Diego County. Two articles out of San Bernardino, the first discusses the visit of a Lebanese delegation to the region for tips on firefighting in the Middle East, the second updates information on the impending trial of an arsonist whose handiwork cost the lives of five USFS firefighters. A California man rues the day he was sharpening a wood-splitter, a chore which will end up costing him a cool million dollars, but there are questions as to whether the California Conservation Corps will be around to fight wildfires next season. An Op-Ed piece from Arizona laments the changes a warming climate have wrought on wilderness areas there, while one from Salt Lake City celebrates an apparent defeat to the Bush Administration's last slap at the environment. A number of public officials support firefighting bills, but few of them have the commitment of a state senator from Colorado. The largest wildfire in North Carolina history is now officially out, but more warnings are coming out of Florida and Missouri about the fire danger there. Reports of death and destruction from bushfires in Uganda, Africa, are provided in the next article. Firefighters in Australia's Morton National Park are still battling a stubborn blaze in difficult terrain, while a rapid response on the ground and in the air prevented a similar occurrence outside of Adelaide. Finally, firefighters are known for risking their lives to save people from burning buildings, aiding at accident scenes, and rescuing cats from trees, but in Duluth, Minnesota, they are adding another skill to their repertoire: digital TV troubleshooting (soon to be offered in firefighter training courses?)

Couple get a hand from volunteers

REGION: Forecasted Santa Ana winds boost firefighter staffing

Lebanese officials learn from U.S. firefighting efforts

Jury selection set to start in Esperanza Fire deaths

Homeowner pays $1 million for accidentally starting a wildfire

California Conservation Corps could disappear in budget cuts

Forest on the edge

Summit County senator misses ceremony to fight wildfire

Last summer's N.C. wildfire officially declared out

Commissioner Warns Of Increased Wildfire Threat

Wildfire danger greater because of ice storms

Bush fires ravage the north

Crews continue to battle Bundanoon bushfire

Kuitpo forest saved from fire

Duluth firefighters to help with digital TV