WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 101409

Residents of burn areas in Southern California were bracing for mudslides in the wake of the first major storm of the season; but Southern California is not the only burn area worried about mudslides, as residents of Santa Cruz have also been evacuated; and though most burn areas seem to have avoided mudslides, at least one has been reported along the Central Coast. A think tank in Chicago, Illinois, decries the linking of California's Station Fire to Global Warming. Three cities in eastern San Diego County have taken a step closer to a unified fire service by signing a partnership agreement. An article from Arizona explores the multifaceted topic of forest fires; while an 8-acre wildfire in the northern part of that state was contained by firefighters. A report from a forestry advocate cites fewer fires this year, but an aging air-tanker fleet to fight them in the future; even as Virginia fire officials notified the public of the fire danger now that fall wildfire season has arrived. A photo of aircraft fighting a wildfire on the Greek island of Evia yesterday is provided with the next article. Police assisting in rural areas during Australia's Black Saturday bushfires are fortunate not to have become bushfire victims due to faulty communications, as testimony to the Royal Bushfire Commission asserted; while protests about the slow pace of rebuilding in bushfire-ravaged Victoria are being voiced by Opposition politicians. A bushfire guide has been provided by government officials in Victoria to help prepare for the upcoming bushfire season; and a town council in that state will be working hand-in-hand with Country Fire Authority to be ready. The death of an elderly man in Queensland shows another danger of civilians battling bushfires; even as a number of bushfires were being prosecuted in that state. Fire crews in New South Wales battled blazes to protect homes in the path of bushfires; but residents are being allowed to return to Broome, West Australia, after being evacuated when a wind-driven bushfire approached. Medical experts in Australia are counseling that in order to survive bushfires, civilians need to bring their 'A-game', psychologically. And finally, a firefighter in New South Wales performing controlled burns outside of Sydney got a shock when a pygmy possum stuck its head out of his shirt pocket during lunch!

SoCal's Fears Turn from Fires to Floods

Mudslide concern leads to Santa Cruz evacuations

Heavy rain triggers mudslide near Watsonville

California Wildfires Falsely Linked to Global Warming

El Cajon, La Mesa join fire-service partnership

Forests fires: friend or foe?

Freidlein Fire Contained

Timber: Few fires, lawsuit updates, protest damages

State officials warn against wildfires

Forest blaze...

Police radio network used on Black Saturday 'could have killed'

Bushfire rebuild process too slow: Hockey

Bushfire guide aimed at tourism businesses

Casey Council and CFA join forces in wildfire fight

Elderly man dies during Qld bushfire

Bushfire threatens shopping centre

Bushfire crews fight to defend homes

Broome bushfire threat eases

Preparing Psychologically For Bushfires - Updated Resource For The Public, Australia

Possum's safe haven a surprise for firefighter