WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 031609

Leading off the wildfire news today, more details of the governor's plans to limit fire protection due to budgetary shortfalls; followed by another interesting article from Rich Brooks about the fire danger in the San Bernardino National Forest. A small wildfire in San Diego County was quickly contained Sunday; and a small wildfire by a high school near Colorado Springs drew a multi-agency response. As the Bureau of Land Management announces plans to conduct controlled burns in New Mexico, Senator Udall discusses the FLAME Act; and eight fire agencies responded to a wildfire just outside of Chicago... yes, Chicago! Calhoun County, Texas, debates the wisdom of debris fires in light of current fire conditions there; followed by two articles from Florida: the first talks about a few small blazes to deal with; the second provides details about the wildfire in the Ocala National Forest, which has exceeded 10,000 acres and is about 80% contained. Two stories from India, where fires continue to break out in Sikkim; but, looking for new and better ways to fight increasing wildfires, India is moving firefighting into the space age. The Philippine government plans to hire nearly 60,000 forest guards as fire season approaches; while a small wildfire in northern China drew an overwhelming response from both military and civilian firefighters. Victoria, Australia's, bushfire relief efforts have scared up $250 million dollars so far; but a South Australia community is on edge as a bushfire forces a hospital on the outskirts to evacuate. With over 900 kilometers of waterways bordered by bushfire damaged vegetation, the danger from bushfire sediment contaminating water could have a major impact on both wildlife and people downstream. Another bushfire con man was caught in Australia; but drawing on information collected from survivors of previous bushfires and natural disasters in Australia, the following article provides some tips on what could help survivors of the Black Saturday bushfires recover quicker. Tasmania is looking to invoke elements of Victoria's tougher building codes, but support for a fire bunker in each home will probably not be one of the innovations included. And finally, a British USAR team was successful in their latest rescue attempt!

State scrambles for funds with fire season looming

S.B. Mountains' Miller Canyon target of major fire prevention project

OCEANSIDE: Firefighters douse small brush fire

Wildfire in Security now under control

BLM to start fuel reduction burns

Brush fire hits 100 acres of forest preserve in Chicago suburb of Lake in the Hills

Grass fires worry county officials

Firefighters Contain 150-Acre Brush Fire In Ruskin

Juniper Fire at more than 10,000 acres

Forest fire razes in Sikkim

Call to leverage NREGP to tackle forest fires

DENR raises vigilance vs forest fires

Forest fire in N China roughly under control

Australia raises AU$250 million for wildfire victims

Mt Barker under threat from bushfire

Authorities monitor waterways in wake of fires

Accused Bushfire Fraud Man Caught

Lessons From The Past Will Help Bushfire Victims, Australia

Tougher building rules for bushfire areas

Firefighter rescues trapped frog