WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 102309

First up in wildfire news today, frogs that are in danger from mudslides in Southern California's Angeles National Forest areas that have been burned by the Station Fire are being relocated by wildlife biologists; while the USDA Office of the Inspector General is still compiling information on the 2006 Esperanza fire that killed five Forest Service firefighters, much to the chagrin of the firefighters' families. A new, hard-line approach to arson wildfire penalties may be set by a court case that's being tried in California at the moment; just as fire officials are easing restrictions in the San Bernardino National Forest, however, with Santa Ana conditions predicted for next week, that decision could change. A wildfire researcher from UC Santa Cruz will be giving a talk in Pescadero tomorrow about living with wildfires along California's Central Coast. There is a bit of a spat between the US Forest Service and a Washington State fire protection district over road use; while another article from that state tells us that Smokey the Bear has some new assistants: goats! A forest ecologist from Northern Arizona University dispels some myths about trees curbing climate change; but a curious situation has developed in a Michigan community where a man was charged for the services of more firefighters than actually showed up to handle a wildfire! The Florida Division of Forestry is conducting a small controlled burn in Collier County. Heading Down Under, a new report shows that hundreds of volunteer firefighters have left Country Fire Authority in Victoria; while fire refuges are still being selected in that state, but the process is a difficult one; even as the police are stepping up arson patrols in some districts. The next article explores the lives of Black Saturday survivors who still live like refugees within sight of Melbourne. A child has been charged with starting two bushfires in Queensland; firefighters had 'eyes in the sky' to monitor bushfire activity; something that has been very useful, considering the fact that these are considered the worst fires to be seen in that state for generations. Although a fire in New South Wales' Blue Mountains is generating a lot of smoke, fire officials are advising residents there is no danger to homes; but South Australia's Country Fire Service is letting residents know that firefighters won't defend properties that have not been properly prepared for bushfire season. And finally, firefighters in St. Petersburg, Florida, are getting all dressed up for a haunted house at their fire station this Saturday (let's hope they remember to take the makeup off before they go on a call!)

Saving the Frogs from the Station Fire's Damage

Federal investigation into the deadly 2006 Esperanza Fire drags on

Arson-related heart attacks murder? DA says yes

Fire restrictions reduced today in San Bernardino National Forest

Wildfire lecture, Saturday in Pescadero

Fire district files suit over road use

Only you — and goats — can prevent forest fires

Using Trees To Curb Climate Change Not So Simple

Man billed for no-show firefighters

Five-acre prescribed burn underway in Collier County today

CFA volunteers thin on ground after bushfires

Last-ditch zones for fire towns

Fire season: Police ramp-up arson patrols

Bushfire survivors 'living like refugees'

Child charged with lighting bushfires

Chopper used to monitor bushfire

Qld fires worst in generations

Fires fill mountain sky with smoke

SA volunteer firefighters won't defend the undefendable

Firefighters turn fire station into haunted house