WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 092309

The Guiberson Fire, burning in Moorpark, should reach the 10,000 acre mark today, prompting the governor of California to declare an emergency in that area, which will free up more firefighting resources; but despite the Santa Anas, firefighters still are projecting full containment of the Station Fire by Thursday night. Although it was a catastrophe for the Angeles National Forest, the Station Fire could have been much worse if Santa Ana winds had pushed it farther down into residential areas. The first day of autumn brought some unwelcome wildfire activity to the Inland Empire, as the next three articles show. As the Santa Ana winds blow through Southern California again, CAL FIRE San Bernardino Unit Fire Prevention Battalion Chief Bart Chambers provides tips on how homeowners can protect their homes from wildfires. A physicist who lives in Ramona in San Diego County discusses his invention to protect homes from wildfires. The Pine Fire, which is burning in Sonoma County, is expected to be contained by CAL FIRE this evening. A wildfire in Oregon that burned over 600 acres is now in the mop up stages as homeowners count the cost; but residents of Eugene were subjected to smoky skies due to local wildfires. Firefighters in northern Idaho quickly doused a small wildfire Tuesday. An 80 acre wildfire has brewed up in Montana; even as the Crow Nation there is receiving stimulus funds to help prevent wildfires on the reservation. A new $3.9 million firefighting base was opened in northern Ontario, Canada; but Firefighters in the UK had a small forest fire in Wales to deal with yesterday. Victoria's Premier will be meeting with the Queen of England in October to discuss the aftermath of Australia's Black Saturday bushfires. The Royal Bushfire Commission is examining the details on what happened in the community of Churchill on Black Saturday; followed by more details on the evacuation's casualties and survivors. A community in Adelaide, South Australia, has been branded a fire trap. Bushfires in Queensland are chronicled in the next five stories: firefighters not only had bushfires to deal with yesterday, but dust storms which grounded firefighting aircraft as well; even as bushfires burned in inaccessible terrain; and a bushfire broke out last night in a community along Queensland's Gold Coast; but clearer skies today promised a renewed air attack to take down the fires quickly. And finally, here's a use for airbags that most firefighters have probably never considered: lifting an elephant!

Guiberson fire in Moorpark expected to reach 10,000 acres today

Firefighters expect full containment of Station fire by Thursday night

Low Winds Kept California Wildfire Loss Low, Says AIR

Wildland firefighters rise to the occasion

Brush Fire Breaks Out In Santa Ana River Bottom

Fire Blackens 260 Acres In Norco, Riverside

Return of the 'Devil Wind' stirs fears of wildfire, arson

Ramona Man's Invention May Protect Homes From Wildfires

Pine Fire nears full containment

Firefighters clean up Roxy Ann; residents assess damage

Wildfires obscure the sun in Eugene

Crews douse Wonderful Creek fire

Firefighters attack new 80-acre wildfire east of Lincoln

Stimulus cash funds work to prevent wildfires on reservation

New fire attack base opens

Discarded cigarette causes 24-hour forest fire in Carrog

Premier, Queen to discuss fire aftermath

Bushfire commission continues Churchill probe

Accounts of survival and death on bushfire road are retold to Royal commission

Mitcham labeled a fire hazard

Dust hampers fire fighters in Queensland

Gympie bushfires anger

Bushfires inaccessible

Bushfire at Upper Coomera

Clearer skies to help bushfire efforts

Firefighters Called To Help Elephant Savannah Stand