WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 030410

As we begin Wildfire News Of The Day, legislators are making a third attempt to pass a property tax measure to fund firefighting in California (1); while an Arizona resident who was accused of starting a 2008 wildfire near Prescott National Forest has been convicted (2). Fire agencies in Arizona applauded the opening of a brand new Interagency Fire Center in Tucson yesterday (3); even as USFS is predicting that heavy rains this winter will increase the moisture level in that state's vegetation, lessening the fire danger (4). The trials and tribulations of Texas wildfire survivors' temporary housing (FEMA trailers) is told in the next article (5); and the progress on a Wildfire Response Guide being developed by USFS's Bitterroot National Forest and residents of Montana is examined next up (6). US Forest Service has announced more controlled burns in Montana, this time at the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest (7); and a retiring USFS employee looks back on a long career that included more than a few problems caused by wildfires (8). The Arkansas Forestry Commission is providing training with air-tankers for state firefighters to emphasize the important role aircraft play in battling wildfires (9); but whereas western states battle invasions of highly-flammable cheatgrass, in Mississippi they try to eradicate cogongrass for the same reason (10). A wildfire that broke out in southwestern China earlier this week is now threatening Zhongshan National Nature Reserve, home to a rare breed of pheasant (11). A man with a grudge led to the loss of hundreds of trees at a forest fire in western India (12); while in the mountainous nation of Nepal, workers have constructed a substantial fire break around Kankai Community Forest (13). Firefighters from Australia's Rural Fire Service were appalled at the lack of participation by Victorians at a bushfire risk management meeting in Tamworth (14); but botanists in Yarra Ranges National Park rejoiced when they found an extremely rare plant species which they thought had been wiped out in the Black Saturday bushfires (15). An arson investigator contends that a destructive bushfire that hit Toodyay, Western Australia, may have started in a different location than originally thought (16). One of the major plaintiffs in a lawsuit against the governments of New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory in regards to bushfire losses in 2003 has pulled out of litigation (17); but as hearings get underway, the Chief Justice is advising court participants of the need for some unusual gear to attend proceedings: wide-brimmed hats and hiking boots! (18) And finally, as forest fires continue to rage in the Philippines, two endangered birds were rescued from the flames, but their ordeal may just be beginning, since they will be cared for at Davao Crocodile Park (a 'meet and greet' with the neighbors is definitely not recommended!)

(1) Battle over ‘fire tax’ heating up in Capitol

(2) Cygan convicted of six counts related to Crown King wildfire

(3) New Interagency Fire Center brings firefighting under "one roof"

(4) Wildfire experts say wet weather could help control fires this season

(5) Relief trailers not installed

(6) Forest Service developing fire response guide

(7) Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest plans prescribed burns

(8) Fires, bears, lawsuits: Retiring forest leader has seen them all

(9) Air tanker training for local firefighters

(10) Help Available for Battling Cogongrass

(11) S China forest fire threatens nature reserve

(12) Victoria park fire: Two thieves held

(13) Fire breakers to fight forest fire

(14) Firies disappointed by poor turnout at bushfire risk management meeting

(15) Forget me not: enigmatic plant back in the park

(16) Re-open Toodyay probe: investigator

(17) Insurance company pulls out of bushfire compo case

(18) Chief Justice tours bushfire hot spots

(19) 2 endangered birds saved from forest fire