WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 111210

California's Six Rivers National Forest is getting a new fire chief (1); but as money from Western States Fire Managers Grant dries up, Oregon Department of Forestry is advising homeowners in St. Helens to do their part to protect their property from wildfires (2). A low-intensity wildfire that scorched 400 acres in Illinois' Shawnee National Forest appears to finally be under control (3); while a 20-acre wildfire has been contained in North Pulaski County, Arkansas (4); and US Forest Service has reopened some hiking trails in Kentucky's Red River Gorge following a wildfire earlier this month (5). Even small-town budgets are being impacted by an increase in wildfires, as evidenced by the next article from Massachusetts (6); while fire authorities in Virginia provide some pointers for homeowners trying to determine whether their home is safe from wildfires (7). Firefighters from the Georgia Forestry Commission will let a wildfire continue to burn in a swamp in Clinch County (8); but as Baby Boomers age in the US, National Volunteer Fire Council data shows that it's having an impact on firefighters serving smaller communities (9). An ecologist from Australian National University feels that more needs to be done to protect old growth forests stressed by bushfires (10); and in order to reduce arson bushfires (750 were reported in Victoria last year), Greater Dandenong Neighbourhood Watch and Noble Park CFA are teaming up to educate the public (11); but a bit of a controversy is brewing in the Otways after it was announced that no additional firefighters will be assigned to that area even though eight high-risk towns reside there (12). New South Wales' Rural Fire Service has announced that it will spend $50 million on controlled burns throughout the state (13). Fire officials in Western Australia fear that the destruction wrought in Toodyay may be a harbinger of things to come for this fire season (14); but despite the fact that rain is expected over five eastern Australian states this weekend, the bushfire danger remains (15). And finally, an article from Stockton, California, shows that retired firefighters don't fade away, they just keep putting out fires!

(1) New fire chief to take reins at national forest

(2) With greater wildfire risk, county pushes prevention

(3) Fire at Shawnee National Forest burns 400 acres

(4) Wildfire in north Pulaski County contained

(5) Some trails reopened at Red River Gorge

(6) As budget season gears up, fire chief sounds siren

(7) Wildfires: Is your home at risk? Take this test to find out.

(8) Wildfire burns Clinch County swamp

(9) NVFC: Latest U.S. Fire Department Profile Shows Aging Trend in Firefighters Serving Small Communities

(10) Labor's forest talk is cheap: ecologist

(11) Turning up the heat on firebugs

(12) No new firies for Otways

(13) Dodging bushfire disaster

(14) Grim outlook for bushfires this summer

(15) Widespread rain expected across five states

(16) Retired firefighters put out blaze