WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 091909

The seamy underside of firefighting in Southern California's Angeles National Forest, marijuana plantations, is explored in our first wildfire article today; even as retardant drops were ordered once again near Mount Wilson by fire managers fearful that hotspots might stir to life. In addition to the hundreds of millions of dollars spent fighting wildfires in California, there could be substantial costs from a loss of tourism, as the next article shows. A wildfire near Temecula burned over 200 acres and threatened dozens of homes, according to CAL FIRE; while Orange County Fire Authority is bracing for double-digit temperatures and consequent fire danger this coming week. CAL FIRE threw air-tankers, bulldozers, and over half a dozen engine companies at a blaze which broke out in San Diego's interior; but a contentious lawsuit launched against CAL FIRE by residents of San Diego County who lost a family member in the 2007 wildfires could set a dangerous precedent for litigation against fire agencies. Residents in a San Diego County community are joining several other Fire Watch programs around the area in keeping an eye out for wildfires; and a small wildfire near Santa Barbara was quickly doused by airtankers and firefighters on the ground yesterday. The usefulness of goats in cutting down combustible vegetation in wildfire-prone areas of California is discussed in the next article. A wildfire near Klamath Falls, Oregon, forced evacuation of a score of homes; while firefighters along the Montana-Idaho border are nervously watching an approaching cold front. Ontario, Canada, which has had a fairly quiet fire season so far this year, is getting an increase in activity. Sheep and goats, normally a benefit for reducing wildfire danger, are actually hampering rehabilitation efforts in Greece. Residents of bushfire-prone areas in Victoria have been encouraged to alert fire officials to properties in their areas which have not implemented proper vegetation clearance. Queensland's spring is heating up, with estimates of temperatures soaring 10°C above normal being forecast. And finally, bees are in the news again, this time in Killeen, Texas, where a firefighter being attacked by bees found a new use for Class A foam: bee extermination!

Pot goes up in smoke in wildfire above L.A.

Air crews drop retardant on LA-area wildfire

California Tourism Hit by Wildfires

Homes evacuated as wildfire burns near Temecula

Fire weather watch goes into effect Monday

Brush fire breaks out off Highway 94 and Millar Ranch Road

Family of man killed in Harris wildfire sues

Fire Watch Program Established For Rose Canyon

Paradise Fire Knocked Down

Goats Can Help Prevent Wildfires

Klamath Basin fire forces evacuations

Weekend cold front could bring "significant" growth to wildfires on Montana-Idaho border

A bunch of new fires reported in the area

Grazing damages burned forest

Dob in fire fools

Queensland faces spring heatwave

Bees attack lawn workers, firefighter