WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 061311

A retrospective on the longest wildfires in US history leads off the news today (1); while firefighters from Alameda County Fire Department advised residents of Central California about a 100-acre training blaze they plan to set early this week (2); and an 1,880-acre wildfire burning in Modoc National Forest is now 90% contained (3). Although Arizona's massive 400,000-acre Wallow Fire is still only 6% contained, firefighters were optimistic about gaining the upper hand (4); but the difficulties firefighters face battling blazes in the dark are explored by the next article (5); while a 2,500-acre wildfire has been reported near Sierra Vista (6); and while some evacuees from areas threatened by Arizona's wildfires have been allowed to return home, others are still waiting for the 'all clear' (7). A series of photos show the DC-10 and helicopters in action over Arizona's wildfires (8); and a musical program in Summerhaven drew a crowd, while firefighters took precautions to reduce the danger that the event would spark additional wildfires (9). Even though Arizona's Wallow Fire has burned 5,000 acres in New Mexico, no towns are currently threatened (10); but a 2,700-acre wildfire in northeast New Mexico closed Raton Pass over the weekend (11). A 125-acre wildfire in Custer County, Colorado has crossed into Fremont County (12); while a 1,200-acre wildfire burning northwest of St. George, Utah, has been fully contained (13). A 100-acre wildfire was reported in Comanche County, Oklahoma, over the weekend (14); even as other parts of that state braced for more wildfires (15). Wildfire activity in Jefferson County, Texas, prompted officials to close Sea Rim State Park (16); while fifteen fire departments battled a 141-acre wildfire burning in Liberty County (17); and wildfires burning in Southeast Texas created smoky skies for residents (18). Wildfire NOTD subscriber Tony Morris, Communications Director for Wildfire Research Network, sent along an article from the Washington Post about US Forest Service's aging large air-tanker fleet, with comments from two other wildfire NOTD subscribers: Tom Eversole, Executive Director of the American Helicopter Services and Aerial Firefighting Association, and Rick Hatton, CEO of Ten Tanker LLC (19). A wildfire that has burned 70-square-miles in North Carolina's Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge is now considered to be 75% contained (20); but firefighters are still grappling with some four dozen wildfires that have burned thousands of acres in Southern Georgia (21). Florida Division of Forestry warned residents of Miami that smoke from a 68,000-acre blaze burning to their west will sully the skies for some time to come (22); even as firefighters in Volusia and Flagler Counties fretted about a wind shift which started blowing wildfires towards homes (23); but firefighters in Gulf County brought an 850-acre wildfire up to 85% containment (24). An article from Alaska provides a behind-the-scenes look at the importance of fire camps, which provide the support firefighters need to battle wildfires (25). Heading to Canada, a 25-ha wildfire burning in northern Saskatchewan has forced the evacuation of hundreds of residents (26); while Alberta's largest wildfire in 60 years, the 561,250-hectare Richardson Fire burning north of Fort McMurray, is still considered to be out of control (27); and has cost Penn West Petroleum Ltd an estimated $60-$70 million due to lost production (28); but 40 Mexican firefighters arrived to help the 700 already battling the blaze (29). The magnitude of the wildfire problem in Russia is conveyed by the next article: over 12,000 wildfires have burned 752,500 hectares so far this year! (30) Pakistan's Capital Development Authority announced its plans to keep Margalla Hills National Park safe from wildfires (31). And finally, a Polish expatriate living in Australia found a unique commodity to help Black Saturday bushfire survivors: books!

(1) Longest Wildfires in U.S. History

(2) Wildfire Training Burn Scheduled

(3) Modoc County forest fire nearly contained

(4) Firefighters 'Turn a Corner' Against Arizona Blaze

(5) Firefighting nightshift poses unseen dangers

(6) New wildfire burning rapidly near Sierra Vista

(7) 'All clear' for some in Ariz. fire — but not others

(8) PHOTOS: Aerial attack on Wallow Fire

(9) Music on the Mountain draws a crowd, as firefighters take precautions

(10) N.M. town believed safe from wildfire

(11) Wildfire near Raton burns at least 1,500 acres

(12) Duckett Fire Forces Evacuations

(13) Crews Fully Contain Utah Wildfire

(14) Firefighters battle massive wildfire

(15) Parts of Oklahoma Brace for Wildfires

(16) Hwy 87 to Sea Rim State Park closed due to wildfire

(17) Authorities battle forest fire near Cleveland

(18) Hazy skies over Southeast Texas as forest fires linger on

(19) Firefighting planes have perhaps been too long on job

(20) Wildfire near North Carolina coast has now burned 70 square miles

(21) Busy Ga. wildfire season shows no sign of slowing

(22) West Miami-Dade wildfire 85% contained

(23) Volusia, Flagler firefighters keep watch on wind shift

(24) Giant wildfire about 85 percent contained

(25) Fire camp crews provide huge support service for Alaska firefighters

(26) 500 flee fire in northern Sask.

(27) Fire north of Fort McMurray continues to grow

(28) Penn West sees cash flow hit from wildfires

(29) Mexican firefighters arrive to help battle fire

(30) Russia reports 180 wildfires in a day

(31) CDA vigilant to overcome forest fire in Margalla Hills

(32) Learning lights the path out of darkness