WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 100709

In our first wildfire article today, the Sheep Fire is nearing full containment as plummeting temperatures in Southern California helped firefighters get a handle on the blaze; while a small wildfire broke out near a zoo in Oakland Hills yesterday. Law enforcement officials are circulating a composite sketch of an arson suspect who may have set some of the wildfires in British Columbia, Canada, this summer. But news from Australia dominates today, leading off with an article that outlines the dangers of using language which doesn't convey the urgency of the situation, in this case bushfire warnings from Country Fire Authority in Victoria during the Black Saturday bushfires. An apparent lack of urgency on the part of fire spotters and officials during the critical early stages of the Black Saturday bushfires led to a lack of predictive planning on where the bushfires would go; nor was evacuation considered at that time. Local officials are asking that recovery efforts in areas ravaged by the Black Saturday bushfires be thought out more completely before implementation; while an entrepreneur who operates a scenic railway in Victoria is concerned that bushfire fears may keep the tourists away this summer. Country Fire Service is urging Australians to use their website to be better prepared during a bushfire; and a new website for bushfire readiness has been announced in a press release. As the inquiry into a fatal bushfire in West Australia in 2007 continues, the daughter of one of the victims complained about government indifference; while a number of bushfires are burning in Queensland, including one that was caused by mechanical failure on a truck.

Sheep fire crews get a break from the weather

Fire Crews in the Oakland Hills

West Kelowna fires: Have you seen this man?

Corporate lingo 'clouding communication'

Little work done to predict path of Marysville fire

Marysville evacuation 'not considered during Black Saturday fires'

Call for bushfire recovery review

Puffing Billy’s bushfire fears

Website to help bushfire response

Fire safety educator launches web community for bushfire readiness

Family vents anger over fatal Goldfields bushfire

Truck starts bushfire in SE Qld