WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 091010

Several California utilities are trying to hedge their bets against future wildfires by appealing to the Public Utilities Commission for the option to raise their customers' power bills to stave off losses in excess of their projected insurance payouts (1); while CAL FIRE crews quickly knocked down a small wildfire in San Diego County (2). Air tankers and engine crews from CAL FIRE were battling a wildfire in San Bruno which was sparked by an exploding gas line (3); killing four people and destroying dozens of homes (4). A wildfire was reported in Napa County, California, yesterday (5); while some burn permits will be issued in Florence, Arizona, where the wildfire threat has eased (6). As the Fourmile Fire burned with renewed strength due to high winds, there was fear that downtown Boulder, Colorado, could be threatened (7); but another article takes a look at the pine beetle epidemic's impact on Colorado forests (8). Broomfield served as a key air-attack base during the Fourmile Fire, but also suffered from some smoky skies (9); however, the local population showed their support by providing food for crews working at the air-attack base (10). The insurance toll in Boulder, where over $4 million in claims have already been filed, is examined by the next item (11); and the governor of Colorado plans to tour the burn area (12). As thousands of people were evacuated from the Colorado wildfires, pet hospitals were offering free boarding for their pets (13). A wildfire that has been burning in Utah's Fishlake National Forest for several weeks has now reached 11,000 acres (14); while an article from Nebraska provides more details on how firefighters determine that a fire is completely out (15). A storm system that moved through South Dakota sparked a number of small wildfires (16); and Maryland continues to have Red Flag warnings as winds and dry conditions offer prime wildfire weather (17). Firefighters in Gaston County, North Carolina, quickly doused a small wildfire (18); while a wildfire in Onslow County that scorched 42 acres was also reported (19); and a wildfire was reported outside of Augusta, South Carolina (20). A number of wildfires have been reported in Spain (21). The Russian Emergency Situations Ministry has concluded a $330 million purchase of eight of Beriev's BE-200 firefighting aircraft to bolster their air-tanker numbers in future wildfires (22). The National Fire Authority of the Pacific island of Fiji has had a plague of over 200 wildfires in the past month, many due to runaway debris fires (23). The promise of nearly $100 million to Australia's Bureau of Meteorology has boosted hopes that better bushfire prediction is on the horizon (24). The danger from drought and bushfire in New South Wales' Murray River red gum forest is prompting the harvesting of more trees (25); while residents of Eurobodalla are being advised about the bushfire danger in the area (26). And finally, a firefighter from Washington state has an interesting summer job: air attack specialist!

(1) Utilities ask to charge ratepayers for future fires

(2) Crews fighting brush fire near Valley Center

(3) Fire crews pouring into San Bruno as huge blaze continues to rage

(4) Four Dead; 38 Homes Destroyed In San Bruno Fireball

(5) Firefighters battle blaze near Lake Berryessa

(6) County to allow open burning in areas with reduced wildfire risk

(7) Colorado wildfire may threaten Boulder

(8) Fourmile Canyon Fire: A Sign of Things to Come in Pine Beetle-Ravaged Colorado? Maybe Not

(9) Fourmile Fire has Broomfield impact

(10) Fourmile Fire slurry crews get support from Broomfield residents

(11) Firefighters Battle 'Most Destructive Wildfire in Colorado History'

(12) Colorado Gov. Ritter plans visit to wildfire area near Boulder

(13) VCA Animal Hospitals Offers Free Boarding for Pets Affected by Colorado Wildfires

(14) Twitchell Canyon wildfire swells to 11,000 acres

(15) Estimate of Aristocrat fire's size cut

(16) Storms lead to flooding, wildfires in Dakotas

(17) Wildfire risk warnings in effect in state

(18) Crews working to extinguish forest fire in Gaston Co.

(19) UPDATE: Officials: Forest fire stopped at 42 acres

(20) Firefighters on Bergen Road in North Augusta

(21) EFFIS - Current Situation

(22) Russia buys planes to aid firefighters

(23) NFA attends to more than 200 bushfires

(24) Budget 09: Seven-day forecasts for the bush

(25) Be cruel to be kind to red gums, say foresters

(26) Think before you light up

(27) Arlington business owner helps extinguish wildfires during the summer