WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 012210

Although the worst of the thunderstorms have passed, residents in burn areas of Southern California are still keeping alert for mudslides in the rain-drenched hills (1); while San Bernardino County's District Attorney will be requesting that a man accused of having started a deadly wildfire in 2003 be given the death penalty (2). An Op-Ed piece from San Diego lays out a possible legal approach to dealing with SDG&E in the continuing battle over power lines and wildfires (3); but youngsters in Central California will get the opportunity to see what wildland firefighting is all about at a wildlife refuge near Sacramento (4). The war of words over a forest management plan in Ashland, Oregon, continues with one of the plaintiffs in a lawsuit weighing in on the issue (5). A number of groups including environmentalists, public officials and firefighters are coming together to ensure that a 400,000 acre parcel of wilderness in Colorado doesn't become a fire hazard for nearby homeowners (6); but firefighters in Colorado Springs fear that a serial arsonist may be operating in their area after a rash of wildfires (7). A profile of the next director of the Texas Forest Service is provided by an article from Texas A&M (8); and a Firewise program will be implemented in a North Carolina community, one of hundreds that have been carried out across the US (9). Firefighters on Hawaii's Big Island continue to monitor hot spots in a wildfire burn area in inaccessible terrain (10). Turkey is providing a good example of how to control wildfires in the Mediterranean, officials there crediting public education as a key component in their strategy (11); while a regional fire chief in Ghana is asking that bushfire laws be strengthened in that African nation (12). A wildfire in India's Kashmir caused damage and injuries (13). In Australia, an iconic Victoria tourist attraction is in danger as a bushfire in Grampians National Park approaches (14); but with $1 billion spent and 1,400 building permits issued, the reconstruction of bushfire-ravaged parts of Victoria are proceeding (15). Residents of Western Australia are being warned once again about the severe bushfire threat in parts of that state over the next few days (16); while an official report on the cause of the Toodyay bushfire is expected to cite a fallen power line as the culprit (17). Rural Fire Service reports that the threat to homes in New South Wales' Hunter Valley has eased, but bushfires are still out of control, as shown in the next two items (18)(19). In a followup to yesterday's story about researchers at University of Adelaide unveiling a new bushfire alert device, South Australia's Country Fire Service will begin evaluations of the gizmo (20) ; where three bushfires are currently burning on the Fleurieu Peninsula (21); and a man out mowing his lawn caused a panic among his neighbors when it sparked a small bushfire (22). And finally, firefighters in Toledo, Ohio, had to battle a blaze on familiar territory: their own firehouse!

(1) Storm departs L.A. with a bang

(2) DA seeks death penalty in 2003 SoCal wildfire

(3) It is about time, isn't it?

(4) Junior Firefighter Days coming to wildlife refuge

(5) Ashland forest plan ignores collaboration

(6) Summit County officials concerned about fire risk in proposed Hidden Gems wilderness lands

(7) Firefighters investigate possible arson fires

(8) Boggus named sole finalist for Texas Forest Service director and state forester

(9) Project Helps Protect Property From Wildfires

(10) Kealakekua forest fire update (Jan. 21)

(11) Turkey Becomes Model to Neighbors in Fight against Forest Fires

(12) Brong-Ahafo Regional Fire Officer

(13) Fire in forest, house and hut damaged, 1 injured in Kashmir

(14) Bushfire out of control in State's west

(15) Communities rebuilding as Black Saturday anniversary approaches

(16) Bushfire danger threatens large parts of the state

(17) Toodyay bushfire cause probed

(18) Out-of-control bushfire in Hunter

(19) Kearsley and Aberdare residents flee before bushfire

(20) CFS considers bushfire warning device

(21) Three bushfires burning in South Australia

(22) Lawnmower fires almost mows down homes

(23) Firefighters battle blaze inside area firehouse