WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 060309

Southern California is receiving some unwanted lightning strikes from a passing storm, as our first two wildfire news stories show: a number of wildfires have been sparked in rugged terrain in the San Bernardino National Forest; and firefighters were scouring the Cleveland National Forest for the source of a smoke column spotted earlier today. A Santa Barbara filmmaker will be screening a documentary she made on the Zaca Fire this weekend; while a bill submitted to the California legislature that would help people clearing defensible space around their homes has passed the Assembly. An Op-Ed piece from California argues the virtues of logging to thin forests to reduce the wildfire threat; even as residents and fire agencies in Northern California are breathing a sigh of relief that scores of lightning-sparked wildfires remained small, unlike last July's lightning fire siege. A summary of wildfires in Oregon is up next; followed by an update on a 250-acre blaze in Central Washington that was brought under control with some assistance from heli-tankers. A couple from New Mexico discuss the value of clearing defensible space and of Firewise information for homeowners; and Michigan fire authorities provide advice on protecting homes from wildfires in the next article. Salvage logging in areas burned in Horry County, South Carolina, are providing a useful resource (and income) for locals; while the rejuvenation of Florida's Big Cypress Swamp after recent wildfires is covered next. Weather has played a significant part in damping down a wildfire in Alaska's interior. A trio of stories from Canada today: a news crew covering the fire near Prince Rupert, British Columbia, got an unexpected lesson in how quickly a wildfire can brew up; fire agencies in Alberta are geared up for the impending fire season; and a wildfire in Newfoundland attracted the attention of air-tankers as well as firefighters on the ground. A small wildfire in Norway was brought under control. A question of responsibility for alerting the public to bushfires was the topic of debate at the Royal Bushfire Commission hearings in Melbourne, Australia; while a question has arisen about where the three top emergency leaders were during the initial phases of the Black Saturday bushfires. The tragedy of a town destroyed by the Black Saturday bushfires was recounted by a resident; followed by the harrowing recollections of a Country Fire Authority captain caught in that disaster. Local groups in Victoria are calling for a bushfire alert system to be put in place immediately; but as reconstruction continues in the burn areas of Victoria, one firm is advocating that new construction should have more of a 'green' tint to it. And finally, firefighters in Knoxville, Tennessee, are adding an arson inspector with a nose for fires to their team.

Lightning ignites fires in Southern California

Smoke reported in Cleveland National Forest

Inside the Firefight

Proactive, Environmentally-Friendly Wildfire Protection Bill Passes Assembly

My View: State fortunes will grow if forests are thinned

Lightning strikes continue, but fires are small

Local crews continue attack on dozens of lightning fires

Firefighters control 250-acre Wenatchee wildfire

Timberon couple creates defensible fire space

Keeping house safe from wildfires

Charred timber salvaged after Myrtle Beach area wildfires

Big Cypress National Preserve in the Everglades is undergoing rebirth

State Scaling Back on Response to McGrath Wildfire

Canwood-area forest fire now 60 per cent under control

Forestry towers fully staffed, crews ready

Forest Fire Near Roaches Line

Forest fire under control

Warnings up to fire services, not police – emergency boss

People charged with protecting Victorians absent during Black Saturday

Whole community gone: Kinglake resident

'At one stage I literally begged for help'

Action urged on bushfire alert system

Build it back green

Knoxville firefighters get K-9 co-worker