WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 050909

As the Jesusita Fire continues to burn in Santa Barbara, California, our first dispatch provides details and statistics on the fire so far; and Rick Halsey of the San Diego Regional Fire Safety Forum weighs in on what this bodes for the future. As Marin County firefighters headed south to Santa Barbara, fire agencies provided tips for homeowners in Central California who face a similar set of fire conditions. The debate about reducing the effectiveness of the Santa Maria Air Attack Base is outlined by the next two articles; and an article from the Santa Maria Times relates the terror of trying to deal with Sundowner winds on the fireline. Oprah Winfrey's $50 million home in Montecito was evacuated as the Santa Barbara wildfires burned to within a few miles of it. The DC-10 air-tanker is highlighted in an article from the San Jose Mercury News; but the debate about its cost effectiveness continues in Sacramento. The 8,700 acre blaze has been tamped down a bit as cool sea breezes aid firefighters, who have it 30% contained; and evacuees began returning home. Helicopters aggressively water-bombed a small wildfire to the west of Los Angeles Saturday morning; but, seeking to save over $2 million, Riverside County is planning to reduce staffing at several fire stations. A low-cost alternative to the $3 million lease of two CL-415s and a Turbo Commander by San Diego last year is being considered by the County Supervisors. Bureau of Land Management crews are concerned about southern Nevada heating up early this year. A mountain wildfire was blazing in Arizona; in addition to a wildfire burning in New Mexico's rugged Manzano Mountains, which is just about roped in by firefighters. In a region that has lost 300,000 acres to wildfires in the past, loggers are conducting thinning operations in Montana. A Massachusetts community is considering fire preparations in the wake of several arson wildfires. A small wildfire in Florida was quickly snuffed out; and two major wildfires in that state are just about done. Fearing underground fires that could reignite a wildfire outside of Edmonton, Canada, fire authorities are keeping homeowners evacuated until they can do a thorough search for hotspots from the air. A network of fire towers will be constructed along the border between Greece and Bulgaria at a cost of about 500,000 Euros; but firefighters in southern India are concerned about forest fires in the region. Heading to Australia, Melbourne will be the scene of bushfire hearings beginning tomorrow; while the gruesome task of identifying all 173 Black Saturday bushfire victims has finally been completed in Victoria.

Firefighters Gird for the Worst

Jesusita Fire likely a sign of things to come

Marin firefighters help fight Santa Barbara blaze

Fire response is diminished

Rising from the ashes

Fire battle a race against the wind

EXCLUSIVE: Source: Oprah Winfrey's Home Evacuated Due to Wildfires

Big air tanker fights Santa Barbara wildfire

CBS13: Is The DC-10 A Needed Resource This Season?

Calif coastal wildfire is 30 percent contained

Most Santa Barbara fire evacuations being lifted

Brush Fire Burns Near Homes in Woodland Hills

Cuts to County Firefighting Agencies Expected

REGION: Supes to offer new plan to bring more firefighting aircraft

Wildfire Crews Worry of Early Heat Wave

Wildfire burns high in the Huachuca Mountains

Manzano Mountains fire nearly contained

Logging approved to limit fire threat

Is Falmouth prepared for a forest fire?

North Fort Myers brush fire contained

Big Cypress, East Naples fires are burning out

Wildfires held but evacuation order remains in Sturgeon County

Watch towers against forest fires along Bulgarian-Greek border

Efforts to contain forest fires in Tirupati zone: CCF

Bushfire public hearings begin tomorrow

Coroner completes Black Saturday identifications