WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 022510

The issue of the consequences from the US Forest Service response to the Station Fire is revisited in our first wildfire-related article today (1); while the American Association for the Advancement of Science conference that met in San Diego on 2/19 focused on the environmental impact of wildfires worldwide (2). The El Dorado County Fire Safe Council is urging residents of one California community to have fallen trees and other storm debris removed to diminish the fire hazard (3); and residents of Prescott, Arizona, will be informed tonight of the extreme fire danger from nearby forest which has become too dense (4). An Op-Ed piece from Michigan reflects on the consequences of a wildfire started by a train (5); while a leading expert on wildfires will be the keynote speaker at a symposium at Penn State University on fires east of the Mississippi on April 1st (6). A resident of Louisiana accused of setting wildfires that destroyed 179 acres of timber in 2008 could receive a sentence of up to 15 years in prison (7). Forecasters in Birmingham, Alabama, are warning of increased wildfire danger today in that area (8); and cold, dry air is also prompting a Red Flag warning for Central Florida (9). An article from the Caribbean island of St. Vincent outlines the danger from wildfires faced by islands throughout that region (10). A massive bushfire that has been racing through forests on New Zealand's Otago Peninsula is finally abating slightly as temperatures cool (11); but it appears that an arsonist may now be at work nearby (12). Australians living in Victoria's Yarra Valley have been advised of controlled burns in the area producing smoke today (13); while the Victoria Farmers Federation indicated in testimony before the Royal Bushfire Commission that vegetation along roadways was a serious bushfire hazard (14). Although Castlemaine is listed as one of the 52 towns in Victoria most endangered by bushfires, they have decided not to designate a pair of schools as bushfire refuges (15); but sports teams will put on a charity match to provide funds for a Black Saturday survivor who lost her family in the blaze (16). The site of yesterday's bushfire in Kwinana, Western Australia, is being closely watched for flareups (17). And finally, firefighters in Ohio can add a moo-ving new talent to their repertoire: rescuing freezing cows!

(1) Fuel for the fire

(2) Fired up

(3) Wildfire experts to foothill homeowners: Clear downed trees, branches

(4) Meeting Thurs. to discuss forest thinning

(5) Editorial: Wildfire concerns

(6) World’s Foremost Fire Historian to Keynote Symposium on April 1

(7) Man convicted of setting fire to timberland in 2008 could get up to 15 years

(8) Birmingham metro forecast: Sunny and cold

(9) Freezing night ahead

(10) Drought, bush fires and environmental consciousness

(11) Cool weather comes to aid of firefighters

(12) Suspicious fires in Wenita block

(13) Smoke expected in Yarra Valley

(14) VicRoads feels heat at Bushfire Royal Commission

(15) Schools snubbed as last resort bushfire refuges

(16) Diamond Valley’s mighty match for Maddison

(17) Crews monitor Kwinana fire site

(18) Firefighters Rescue Cows From Frozen Pond