WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 092310

CAL FIRE’s annual reports on California's forest and rangelands have just been released (1); followed by an Op-Ed piece from CAL FIRE's San Diego Unit Chief Howard Windsor which touches on the critical need for more support of firefighters and defensible space clearance throughout that region (2). The Sheep Fire, which has burned several thousand acres in Central California since beginning in July, is slowing down a bit with cooler temperatures (3); and fire restrictions are being lifted in several national forests in Northern California as the weather changes more towards fall (4). Firefighters in Oregon will allow the Scott Mountain Fire to burn itself out for ecological purposes (5). The fire situation in Colorado is the topic of the next item (6); while authorities have decided not to file charges in regards to the Fourmile Fire, Colorado's most destructive (7). A 100-acre wildfire in Huerfano County, Colorado, has been contained by firefighters (8); and the US Forest Service will be conducting controlled burns in Chaffee and Lake Counties, weather permitting (9). An Op-Ed piece from Aspen, Colorado, by a deputy volunteer chief addressed the ongoing debate about the Hidden Gems Wilderness Area (10); while fire crews have begun vegetation clearance in Dillon Ranger District (11). National Weather Service text bulletins are seen as a key to preventing any future wildfires at a National Guard base in Utah (12); but neighbors just wish they would stop the live-fire exercises altogether! (13) An associate professor at Utah State University feels that, although Utah had a relatively quiet fire season, climate change may make that the exception rather than the rule in the future (14). A controlled burn planned for Wisconsin's Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest was postponed due to rain (15); and Minnesota's Chippewa National Forest Resource Advisory Committee, a group appointed by Agriculture Secretary Vilsack earlier this year, will be meeting at the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center in early October (16). Continued drought in several counties in Northern Kentucky have fire agencies concerned about wildfires (17); and after 459 wildfires have burned nearly 5,000 acres in Alabama, the state forester has put all 67 counties under a fire alert (18). The Florida Division of Forestry felt that a fire which threatened homes in Walton County is controlled (19); while the next article provides details on a wildfire discussion being held on Hawaii's Big Island later this month (although the writer of the article might have come up with something a little less intimidating than "meeting in Volcano!") (20) British Columbia's Minister of Forests and Ranges has unveiled a new Strategic Wildfire Prevention Program, Community Wildfire Protection Plan for the Canadian province (21); while residents of Northern Ontario looked back on an interesting year fire-wise (22). Dozens of wildfires have been reported across South Africa this past week, most of them caused by human negligence (23); but the bushfire season in Australia Capital Territory may start a little later this year, thanks to a wet winter (24). VicForests announced that by harvesting just 0.1% of the trees in its jurisdiction, it's been able to show a profit of $3.6 million (25); while the results of a coronial inquiry into the cause of a 2007 bushfire in Crowdy Bay National Park, New South Wales, will be unveiled soon (26). Conservationists in Western Australia are claiming victory over loggers who wanted to harvest trees in Margaret River (27). And finally, as bedbug-mania sweeps North America, Canadian firefighters from Windsor, Ontario, are prepared!

(1) CAL FIRE’s Fire and Resource Assessment Program Releases Forest and Rangelands: 2010 Assessment

(2) Commentary: Firefighters need our help

(3) Cool Weather Helps Slow Sheep Fire

(4) Six Rivers and Klamath National Forests to lift fire restrictions

(5) Forest fire allowed to burn to fight future fires

(6) Fire officials turn attention to Beaver Flat Tops Fire

(7) No charges filed in Colo.’s most destructive blaze

(8) 100 Acre Wildfire In Huerfano County Contained

(9) Forest service plans prescribed burns

(10) Gems will cause firefighting problems

(11) Road and trail clearing continues in Dillon Ranger District

(12) Texting of weather warnings may help National Guard avoid causing future wildfires

(13) Neighbors hope Camp Williams in Utah ceases firing

(14) After quiet season, USU expert says wildfires will likely increase

(15) Wet weather postpones U.S. Forest Service prescribed burns this fall

(16) Chippewa National Forest Resource Advisory Committee to hold first meeting Oct. 7

(17) Northern Kentucky counties approach drought status

(18) State of Alabama under fire alert

(19) Morning Wildfire in Southern Walton County No Longer a Threat to Upscale Homes

(20) Wildfire prevention strategy meeting in Volcano (Sept. 28)

(21) New Wildfire Strategy Released

(22) Dry, wild fire season in North

(23) 67 wildfires this week

(24) Wet winter pushes back ACT bushfire season

(25) VicForests $3.6 mill in the black

(26) Crowdy Bay bushfire inquiry findings loom

(27) Conservationists claim forest victory

(28) Windsor firefighters wary of bedbug menace