WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 122711

CAL FIRE reported a 15-acre wildfire burning in Central California's Eldorado National Forest near Georgetown (1); and also suspended outdoor burns in several other areas due to ideal wildfire conditions (2). An article from Oregon provides an overview of wildfire activity in the US, contrasting the paltry few fires in the Pacific Northwest with the massive blazes which scorched Texas and the Southwest (3); followed by an Op-Ed piece that discusses fuel management to promote forest health (4). In Nevada, the Spring Creek Association decided to do some vegetation clearance in areas inaccessible to air-tankers (5). Texas wildfire survivors were reminded that they have until January 6th to file for relief support (6); but despite having lost their homes in the summer wildfires, 15 firefighters are optimistic that things will improve next year (7). Homeowners in three Montana counties will have over $1 million available to pay for vegetation thinning ahead of the 2012 wildfire season (8); while a wildfire burned 8 acres outside of Havelock, North Carolina (9). Firefighters in the UK warned homeowners of the dangers of Chinese sky lanterns which can drift into fields and ignite wildfires (10); and video footage from the firelines in Italy is provided by the next item (11). Following yesterday's revelation that Turkish agents had ignited wildfires in Greece in the 1990s, Greece's top prosecutor has begun an investigation (12); the next article providing a Turkish Op-Ed piece on the affair (13). Israeli fire officials will be conducting wildfire training for dozens of Druse teenagers to help reduce the incidence of wildfires such as the one that destroyed much of Carmel Forest last year (14). Heading to Australia, a drinking party apparently sparked a bushfire which scorched 80 km² near Alice Springs, Northern Territory (15); but after a pair of bushfires were accidentally started in Banjup, Western Australia, fire authorities warned homeowners of the early onset of bushfire season this year (16); where, in something of a turnabout, winds are aiding firefighters battling bushfires (17). And finally, firefighters called to an illegal fire in Key Largo, Florida, got more than they bargained for when they reported coming under fire!

(1) Cal Fire: Blaze Burning In Georgetown Area

(2) Calfire suspends open burning in the county

(3) Gov. Kitzhaber’s mixed messages on our forests

(4) Fire fuel management is essential to forest health

(5) Spring Creek looks at prevention, amenity boost

(6) Wildfire relief deadline Jan. 6

(7) 15 firefighters who lost homes optimistic about 2012

(8) Wildfire preparedness: Money is available to landowners who want to thin property

(9) Firefighters extinguish 8-acre brush, woods fire

(10) Firefighters warn of dangers of Chinese lanterns

(11) Italian firefighters tackle Liguria woodland fires

(12) Greece: Top prosecutor probes Turkey-arson claim

(13) Turkish deep state and Greek forest fires

(14) 50 Druse to partake in fire prevention seminar

(15) Illegal grog party blamed for cattle station fire

(16) Can Do attitude works

(17) Weather helps crews contain Gascoyne fire

(18) Man arrested after Key Largo firefighters report shots fired on Christmas Eve