WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 092109

First up in wildfire news today, containment of the Station fire has reached 94% after a weekend of aggressive airdrops; but they're not out of the woods yet because Santa Ana winds will make their debut midweek. Residents of areas burned by the Station Fire are fearful of the winter rains bringing down mudslides, since they are already seeing regular rock falls onto their property; even as US Forest Service scientists are examining parts of the Angeles National Forest burned in the recent wildfires and will provide a full report on flood and mudslide danger to various government agencies this Thursday. A mystery involving a sponsor pulling back funding for vegetation clearance in Big Tujunga Canyon is explored in the next article; followed by a closer look at the arsonist database proposed by several California political leaders in the wake of recent arson fires. It appears that an automobile's catalytic converter sparked a wildfire which burned over a dozen homes east of Temecula this past weekend, as told in the next two articles. Newly-appointed Santa Barbara County Fire Chief Mike Dyer discusses his past with Los Angeles County Fire Department and his future with his new job. An ambitious plan to help fight Global Warming - having industries that cause pollution replant forest areas burned in wildfires - is being implemented in California. A wildfire burning in Plumas County has passed the 60% containment point; a wildfire in Oregon's Ochoco National Forest is nearly contained; and the planning, science, and tools of controlled burns is discussed in an article from Washington state. Like Southern California, the area around Las Vegas, Nevada, is bracing for red flag conditions tomorrow. Firefighters on the Hawaiian island of Kauai had a 100-acre wildfire to deal with over the weekend. Firefighters in British Colombia, Canada, are finally breathing a sigh of relief as wildfires diminish in number and severity with the advent of fall; even as a Canadian firm is showcasing their software which helps air-tankers determine suppression drop effectiveness and cost at a European helicopter show. A man who has been charged with setting arson fires that destroyed 30 homes in Victoria, Australia, has been released on bail; but rather than wait for the Royal Bushfire Commission's final report next year, its leadership has decided to release structure and bunker building standards much sooner. The story of one couple that decided to stay and defend their home during the Black Saturday bushfires was given to the Royal Bushfire Commission; while an Australian power company decided not to effect repairs on questionable equipment a matter of days before the Black Saturday bushfires broke out, some of which may have been caused by faulty power equipment. The government of New South Wales is bracing the population for a very bad bushfire season. And finally, how do you suppose the dispatcher relayed this call to firefighters in Mississippi?

Station Fire 94% Contained as Santa Ana Winds Begin

Crews at L.A. wildfire brace for Santa Ana winds

Miles of denuded hillsides threaten foothill communities as a result of wildfires

Station Fire studied by experts looking at the forest's future

AP Enterprise - Fire funds pulled before blaze

Our View: Another tool for catching arsonists

Authorities: Overheated catalytic converter caused fire east of Temecula

Authorities mopping up at Southern Calif. wildfire

Mike Dyer Settling In as Santa Barbara County Fire Chief

State forest restoration plan fights global warming

Plumas County Wildfire 60 Percent Contained

New Wildfire Starts Northeast of Prineville 9/20

Prescribed burn near Yakima covers 4,500 acres

Cold front to bring gusty winds, wildfire danger

Kauai firefighters contain brush fire on Grove Farm property

Forest fires on wane in British Columbia

AFS to Debut New Firefighting Tracking Technology to European Market

Accused arsonist granted bail

Bushfires Royal Commission makes early recommendations for fire bunker standards

Commission hears of couple's attempt to fight bushfire

Repairs rejected five days before Black Saturday bushfires

Worst bushfire season approaching: Rees

Raw Video: Firefighters Capture Rogue Lizard