WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 122210

Texas Forest Service assisted local firefighters battling a 350-acre blaze outside of Hawley yesterday (1); and 30 acres burned in Bastrop County as well (2); this at a time when the wildfire situation in San Antonio is worsening as drought conditions continue in the area (3); prompting the Texas Forest Service to provide debris burning safety tips to homeowners (4); Denton County to impose burn bans (5); and the governor to declare 244 counties to be a disaster area due to the wildfire conditions (6); but volunteer firefighters in Taylor County will be getting some much-needed funds to help with firefighting costs (7). Florida Division of Forestry spotters took to the air to get a better idea of fire perimeters in areas burned by recent wildfires (8); and they probably got an eyeful flying over Alchua County, where an estimated 1,000 acres burned (9). The next article provides some useful links to Alaska Division of Forestry's new webpages (10). In the wake of this past summer's horrific wildfires, Russia is increasing the penalties for forest arson (11). The Israeli Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee is weighing a proposal put forth by the Israeli Defense Forces to provide $280 million to create an air-tanker force (12); while donors from San Diego sent hundreds of thousands of dollars to help wildfire survivors in that Middle Eastern country (13). As winds dropped in South Canterbury, New Zealand, firefighters were able to get a handle on a blaze at Waimate (14). A pair of Canadian-based Convair 580 air-tankers have been contracted by Victoria, Australia's, government to augment helicopters and other aircraft forming their bushfire-fighting force (15); but in the aftermath of heavy spring rainfall, Central Australia is bracing for a very busy fire season (16). Wildfire NOTD subscriber David Cant, Manager of Aviation Services for South Australia's Country Fire Service, sent along a video of their aerial firefighting fleet in action as they gear up for what promises to be a very busy bushfire season (17). Tasmania Fire Service is warning residents not to become complacent about bushfires due to the abundance of moisture so far this year (18). And finally, Galveston County Wildland Task Force is taking the war on wildfires to new heights by employing armored personnel carriers!

(1) Wildfire North Of Abilene Burns 350 Acres

(2) Bastrop County fire threatens homes, burns 30 acres

(3) Drought getting worse, wildfire risk increasing

(4) Forest Service issues safety tips for holiday season

(5) County implements burn ban

(6) Perry issues disaster declaration for threat of extreme wildfires in 244 counties

(7) Volunteer Firefighters Get Much Need Money

(8) Forestry Officials Get Birds-Eye View

(9) Fire near Lochloosa could scorch 1,000 acres

(10) Division of Forestry has a new look online

(11) State Duma tightens punishment for forest arsonists

(12) IDF wants NIS 1B for firefighting squadron

(13) Wildfire in Israel sparks San Diego donors to act

(14) Firefighters contain Waimate blaze

(15) Convair 580 water bomb planes arrive in Melbourne for bushfire season

(16) Busy bushfire season predicted for Central Australia

(17) Aerial assault

(18) Time is ripe to tidy up

(19) Group uses old military vehicles for storm cleanup