WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 081209

A tribal firefighting crew, the Sycuan Golden Eagles Flycrew, from San Diego, California, is profiled in our first wildfire news item today; followed by a trio of stories about the La Brea Fire burning in the Los Padres National Forest: US forest service has closed off large sections of the forest due to the wildfire; a detailed report on the fire is provided in the next article; and the Martin Mars has been tasked to assist. A wildfire east of Oakland was burning vegetation near a reservoir yesterday; while the next article provides useful tips to California homeowners on fire protection for homes located in fire areas. A Central California wildfire that burned over 100 acres has been contained; and A small wildfire in the Sierras was quickly doused by CAL FIRE aircraft, with an assist from ground firefighters. An update on the wildfires burning in Oregon is provided by the next article. A number of wildfires continue to burn in Arizona, as related by the next two items. A number of suspicious wildfires broke out near a New Mexico community yesterday. As the weather turns hotter and drier in Utah, officials are providing warnings to residents in the area; even as several lightning-sparked wildfires have cropped up over the past few days. An Op-Ed piece from Idaho savages the powers-that-be about not having a modernized aerial firefighting force in place; while The Headwaters Economics organization has published a new paper that shows that Montana's wildland firefighting costs will nearly double within the next few years. South Dakota fire officials reported a pair of wildfires today. Florida firefighters will be getting some detailed information on fighting wildfires from firefighting experts. Environmentalists have charged that Indonesia's erratic policies in regards to forestry have led to the destruction of many acres by wildfires. The long-awaited report from Australia's Royal Bushfire Commission will be published on Monday; followed by a story that shows that communications failures during Black Saturday caused problems for ambulances in addition to the problems for civilians. One community in Victoria is having a forum to discuss new bushfire building rules intended to better protect homes from bushfires in the future. And finally, a New South Wales, Australia, home had some electrical problems when a possum got entangled in their power lines, so who do they call: the fire brigade, of course!

Tribe's crew ‘tip of spear’ on fire lines

Calif. wildfire closes 111 square miles of forest

After slow night, La Brea fire picks up again

La Brea firefighters could soon be getting help from 7,000-gallon tanker

Wildfire Spreading Through Dense Vegetation East Of Oakland

Protecting yourself and your home from wildfires

Wildfire Near Gilroy Contained

Grass fire near Nevada City held to 1 acre

Choppers rejoin the firefighting efforts east of Glide, Ore.

Sitgreaves National Forest fires update

Woodchute Fire grows to 632 acres

Multiple wildfires erupt in Rio Rancho

Lydia's Canyon fire burning on BLM and forest service lands

Lightening causes wildfires

‘Fire bombers’ needed now

Cost to protect homes from wildfires may jump, study says

UPDATED - Fires In Northern And Southern Hills

New UF-housed wildfire ‘strike team’ teaches safe burning techniques

Inconsistent policies accelerate forest destruction: NGOs

Vic bushfires report due out on Monday

Kinglake ambos not prepared for bushfire

Council hosts bushfire building forum

Fire Brigade rescue possum from Caringbah Home