WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 071409

We lead off wildfire news of the day today with a fascinating look at the Ikhana fire spotting aircraft, along with some video of flight operations and a pilot's-eye-view of the action; followed by two articles about wildfires burning north of Los Angeles, California. A small wildfire that broke out in Beaumont yesterday is under investigation. State and local governments appear ready to settle with San Diego Gas & Electric and Cox Communications over the 2007 wildfires sparked by power lines operated by those companies; followed by a breakdown of the costs resulting from the 2003 wildfires in San Diego County provided in an article from Los Angeles Times reporter Bettina Boxall. A wildfire in Central California is nearing containment; but a wildfire was burning in steep terrain in Washington state. 15-20 acres burned on the Nevada side of the Sierras; while New Mexico officials warned people living near Los Alamos National Laboratory about smoky breathing conditions due to wildfire activity nearby. A National Public Radio program explores the benefits of Economic Stimulus funds on fire protection in Northwestern US states like Idaho; followed by info on a wildfire in Utah's Dixie National Forest that was nearing 3,000 acres in size as it was considered 25% contained. National Guard air units were helping fight wildfires in Texas and Oklahoma; even as climate studies show that parts of the US, such as New Mexico and Texas, are having hotter than expected weather, contributing to wildfires there. A summary of wildfires burning in Montana's Bitterroot National Forest is up next; followed by a look at wildfires across Alaska (now numbering about 70). A small wildfire was reported in British Columbia, Canada; while Canadian firefighters and air-tankers, with an assist from Mother Nature, managed to quell a wildfire at an industrial site in Newfoundland. Fire officials in India believe wildfires in the Western Ghats region were deliberately set; but wildfires, both accidental and deliberate, that are burning on the Indonesian island of Sumatra are creating smoke that is reaching as far as the Malay Peninsula. Australian government officials have once again misstepped in the reconstruction efforts in Victoria state by constructing a modern, Class-A building for government officials instead of buildings residents feel are more important; and the following article discusses just how the rebuilding in that community should be done. Country Fire Authority is being tasked with overseeing fire refuges in Victoria's backcountry; followed by an article that provides details of the proposed bushfire early warning phone plans. And finally, a contest to come up with an innovative home design that would survive bushfires is offering a $25,000 award to the winner.

Firefighters to get help this summer from a modified Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

Brush fire near Pyramid Lake burns 350 acres [Updated]

Osito fire in Angeles National Forest 65% contained

Brush fire contained near state Route 60 and I-10 freeway

State plans to settle with SDG&E, Cox over 2007 wildfires

San Diego County's 2003 wildfire losses top $2 billion

Noon update: Jordan Hill fire 90 percent contained

Wildfire Burning Near Wallula Junction

No active flames reported now in Topaz Lake fire

Wildfire smoke prompts health warning

Stimulus Reduces Wildfire Risk in the Northwest

Wildfire near Panguitch has grown to 2,600 acres

Guardsmen Battle Wildfires in Two States

Hot stuff: 2009 unusually warm in Plains, Southwest

Five fires burn in the Bitterroot National Forest

Interior Alaska bakes and burns

Small wildfire erupts near Mahood Lake

Rain Helps to Knock Down Long Harbour Fire

Forest fire in W Ghats in TN, officials suspect foul play

Haze from Riau forest fires may drift to Malaysia, Singapore

Is it a new school? No, Marysville's first building for bureaucrats

From the ashes

CFA to control last-resort fire refuges

Victorian phones to send out emergency bushfire warnings

Jury announced for $25,000 bushfire design competition