WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 061309

First up in wildfire news today, Rick Halsey of the San Diego Regional Fire Safety Forum passed along a link to a San Diego Union-Tribune article about a lawsuit to which he is a signatory; followed by another article about the impending return of the Martin Mars to Lake Elsinore. Facing a $76 million shortfall for CAL FIRE, California lawmakers are searching for an equitable solution to the problem; while a Northern California service provides mechanical thinning of vegetation, as portrayed in the next article. A pair of articles from Nevada recount firefighting drills that took place this past week. An update on wildfires near Arizona's Grand Canyon National Park is provided by the next item; followed by a story about First Responders in Colorado who conducted a wildfire drill. An interesting case study on how emergency declarations pay firefighting bills comes to us from Florida; while a wildfire in Hawaii came within 100 feet of homes before firefighters stopped it. As if they didn't already have enough to do, air-tankers and firefighters had to tackle a wildfire in mountainous terrain in British Columbia, Canada. The Zajac Ranch For Children was put on evacuation alert due to a small wildfire in BC; but evacuees want to go home after being chased out by wildfires. Wildfires in Malaysia are running about double of previous years; but that hasn't stopped Malaysia from offering assistance to Indonesia to fight wildfires that are sullying the air in both countries. More wildfires in the Pacific island nation of Brunei broke out, as the drought there continues; and another religious festival was disrupted by a forest fire in India. Emergency equipment suppliers in Australia fear that bidding on the national alert system may be favoring one provider over the rest; while a man regarded as a Black Saturday hero will be honored by Queen Elizabeth at her birthday celebration. Fearing that massive bushfires could skew their carbon quota from greenhouse gasses, Australian officials are seeking a variance; even as demonstrators in Australia are demanding action on Climate Change. And finally, a bushfire chaplain from Down Under shares his experiences.

Group sues, wants tree removal plan reviewed

Vintage firefighter makes return to Lake Elsinore

State funding impasse remains on fighting wildfires

Mastication prevents forest fires

Practice Makes Perfect

On the hot SEAT

Wildfire near Grand Canyon gains strength

Wildfire drill being conducted at Pinewood Reservoir

Feds expected to pay most of wildfire overtime costs

Makakilo brushfire extinguished

Update: Firefighters battle blaze on Saltspring peak

Fire contained after summer camp put on evacuation alert

Dozens of B.C. Interior forest fire evacuees are itching to get home

More bush, forest fires in Keningau

Malaysia ready to help Indonesia douse forest fires

Two forest fires spew ash

Forest fire at Vaishno Devi suspends yatra from old track

Shut-out fears on emergency system

Queen’s Birthday gong for ground zero hero

Australia demands bushfire exemption in carbon treaty

Australians demand climate action

Bushfire chaplain shares his expertise