WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 040909

First up in wildfire news today, a host of fire agencies are battling a blaze near Ligurta, Arizona; and three Idaho colleges are teaming up with one in Washington state to study how global warming could affect Idaho. Despite snow on the ground, Montana has already had several small wildfires; but a Madison, Wisconsin, pilot was killed when his spotter plane crashed while supporting firefighters on the ground. The Great Lakes Forest Fire Compact, a confederation of agencies for several states, has announced Fire Prevention Week starting 4/19. Wildfires in Oklahoma are already causing firefighters some grief; as is the case in Texas next door. FDNY had to respond to a brush fire outside of New York City today; and firefighters in North Carolina saw some wildfire action as well. As parts of the US experience the driest 2009 in a century, some pointers for older folks needing to evacuate are given by the next item. Roughly 1,000 firefighters have been dispatched to battle a blaze in China's Liaoning Province. An innovative Australian firm has designed some unique housing for bushfire survivors who lost their homes; but another side effect of the fierce Black Saturday bushfires: cataract problems for wildlife. Aviation assets pounced on a couple of bushfires near Perth, in West Australia; while a seminar on the culture clash that can occur when dealing with emergencies among different ethnic groups will open in Melbourne later this month. The Yarra Valley Visitor Information Centre is being overwhelmed by calls for reservations now that the Australian government has announced that Victoria's bushfire areas are open to tourists again; and the silver lining in Australia's natural disasters could be a stronger sense of community.

Firefighters focus on containment of brush fire

Climate Change In The Gem State

Recent wildfires from controlled burns serve as reminder for caution

UPDATE on DNR Plane Crash: Sheriff's Dept. Says Fire Started Accidentally

Fire Prevention Week approaching

Tornado watch issued for eastern half of Oklahoma

Wildfires raging in Parker, Palo Pinto, across West Texas

All-hands brush fire in New Springville section of Staten Island

Firefighters Battling Cleveland County Brush Fire

2009 Drought Sparks Concern Over Surge In Wildfires: Older Americans At Risk

Forest Fire Breaks out in NE China

Small concrete boxes to house bushfire victims

Fighting to restore sight to sore Koala eyes

Bushfires start in Hazelmere, Martin in Perth's south-east

Seminar Cultural responses to emergencies: Bushfires, safety and crises

Tourists return to Victoria's bushfire areas

Tragedies a turn for the better