WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 120811

Contrary to popular opinion, forest fires are not bad for all wildlife, as illustrated by a story about the endangered Kirtland's warbler (1); while US Forest Service firefighters will be igniting several controlled burns in Arizona's Coconino National Forest today (2). The Insurance Council of Texas revealed figures yesterday that show the insured losses from the wildfires in Bastrop County totaled $325 million, making it the costliest fire in that state's history (3); even as FEMA provides psychological counseling to children traumatized by those wildfires (4); but the deadline for applying for federal aid is approaching (5); while residents of San Antonio received training in wildfire prevention as part of the national “Ready, Set, Go!” program (6). Timber owners in South Dakota's Black Hills complained about the lack of coordination of plans to battle the pine beetle infestation which worsens the wildfire situation (7); and a radio segment discusses the US Forest Service report on Minnesota's 150 mi.² Pagami Creek Fire (8); but as the Arkansas Forestry Commission continues to cut firefighter jobs, there are fears the air-tankers may be next (9). Their effectiveness in communicating with the general public during the UK's Swinley Forest wildfire earned the Bracknell Forest Council an award from the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (10). Following the failure of mediation in the Victorian Supreme Court, a new class-action suit against Australian power utility PowerCor is about to get underway (11); and Crime Stoppers Victoria has launched a new program entitled "Help Catch Bushfire Arsonists Before They Strike" (12); but the Bushfire Co-operative Research Centre feels that people are complacent about the bushfire danger due to a late, wet spring (13); even as a bushfire outside of Melbourne yesterday drew the attention of 114 fire trucks (14). New South Wales' Rural Fire Service urged residents of the Muswellbrook district to prepare for bushfire season (15). The West Australian Premier is feeling the heat caused by the damage done by runaway controlled burns (16); and has cleared the way for bushfire survivors to sue the government for compensation (17); but the Fire Fighters Union of Western Australia says it's already too late for towns in the southwest to prepare for bushfires (18). And finally, an article from Australia serves as a reminder to computer owners faced with bushfire evacuations: save the hard drive!

(1) Satellites help save warblers' forest homes

(2) Prescribed burn planned near Flagstaff today

(3) Texas wildfire insured loss estimate increases to $325M

(4) FEMA: Free Counseling Available for Children Affected by Wildfires

(5) Deadline looming for Labor Day wildfires recovery assistance

(6) Wildfire prevention training session Wednesday night

(7) Drawing battle plans

(8) Forest Service releases report on Pagami fire management

(9) The Bigger Picture of the Forestry Commission Job Cuts

(10) Award for council's PR after Swinley fires

(11) Bushfire case heads to court after mediation fails

(12) If you see something, say something

(13) Rainy days won't save us from bushfires

(14) First taste of summer fire threat

(15) Be bushfire ready for when the weather heats up

(16) Bushfires keep pressure on WA Premier

(17) WA's bushfire victims free to sue govt

(18) South west towns unprepared for bushfires: Union

(19) Bushfires Pose A Major Threat To Hard Drives