WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 061811

Although CAL FIRE's boss said that the wildfire season will be off to a slow start in Northern California, an "average" fire season typically results in 700,000 acres burned statewide (1). A wildfire arsonist has been indicted for lighting Flagstaff, Arizona's, Hill Fire (2); and three young men were arrested for lighting an illegal campfire during a burn ban in the Coconino National Forest (3); but ironically, Coronado National Forest's Monument Fire is burning in areas where firefighters had planned to conduct controlled burns over a 10-year period (4). Members of a Buddhist retreat near Bowie, Arizona, were probably having some difficulties meditating peacefully as the Horseshoe Two Fire neared their facility (5); and although wildfires are still raging in the Southwest, some evacuees got to go home in Arizona and New Mexico (6). As high winds and soaring temperatures invigorated wildfires in New Mexico, the head of US Forest Service discussed paying a visit to the firelines (7); just as new wildfires were reported in the vicinity of Santa Fe and Clovis (8); and visitors remarked about how much a wildfire that burned 30,400 acres in Carlsbad Caverns National Park had altered the landscape (9); but with 40% of their equipment and 30% of their firefighters battling blazes across the state, one small town should get a windfall in compensation for its firefighters (10). High winds made containing a 27,000-acre wildfire burning on the New Mexico-Colorado state line near Raton even more difficult for firefighters (11); the blaze apparently having been sparked by an ATV (12); but as wildfire season begins in Summit County, Colorado, the next article provides homeowners with some useful tips on preparing for the blazes of summer (13); while the Duckett Fire, which is burning in San Isabel National Forest, is now at 15% containment after burning 4,000 acres (14); and the trial of a man accused of starting a 2,940-acre wildfire outside of Fort Collins is the topic of the next article (15). Several wildfires are currently burning in Utah (16). Air-tankers swarmed over a 50-acre wildfire in northern Harris County, Texas, yesterday (17); and a 35-acre blaze in that county was reported today as well (18); while a 3,500-acre fire burning on the Trinity-Polk County line went from 80% containment yesterday to only 20% today due to high winds (19). The fire situation around Shreveport, Louisiana, where a two-year drought is underway, is covered by the next article (20); and strike teams from Pennsylvania headed to Florida to help battle wildfires (21). As the 45,000-acre wildfire burning in North Carolina's Alligator National Wildlife Refuge is brought to 85% containment, health officials are warning residents of Dare County and the Outer Banks about the breathing hazard due to the resulting smoke (22); that article followed by a summary of wildfire activity in Southern Georgia, where a wildfire in the Okefenokee Swamp has burned 203,581 acres (23). Florida Division of Forestry has issued a statewide ban on campfires until drought conditions abate (24); while rain, wind, and lightning from a passing storm front brought a mixed bag of results to wildfires burning in Flagler and Volusia Counties this afternoon (25); firefighters in Volusia County alone having 58 wildfires to deal with (26). And finally, researchers in New York state have found another use for wildfires: tick extermination!

(1) Officials offer wildfire outlook

(2) O'Brien Kee indicted for Flagstaff Hill

(3) Three men charged with fire ban violations

(4) Burning area was to be thinned

(5) Meditating in Silence as the Fire Draws Near

(6) Some evacuees in AZ, NM return home from wildfires

(7) Forest Service chief to survey wildfires

(8) Wildfires burning near Santa Fe, Clovis

(9) Wildfire changes landscape at national park in NM

(10) Angel Fire remote fires keep local firefighters busy

(11) Winds hamper firefighters on NM-Colo line

(12) Investigators believe engine exhaust from ATV likely started wildfire near Raton last weekend

(13) Wildfire season is upon us: Are you prepared?

(14) Firefighters battle blaze, conditions

(15) Crystal Fire suspect blames power line, emergency responders

(16) Zero Containment on Utah Hill / Apex / Cottonwood Wildfire

(17) Wildfire Contained; Evacuation Lifted

(18) Wildfire burning right now in Tomball

(19) Polk County wildfire forcing residents to evacuate

(20) Grass, forest fires up this month in Shreveport

(21) PA Fire Fighters Heading to Florida to Assist in Massive Wildfire

(22) Air quality unhealthy for Outer Banks communities

(23) Not enough rain to help douse Southeast Georgia fires

(24) Forestry Division bans open campfires

(25) Firefighting efforts continue in Flagler, storms help and hurt in Volusia

(26) Volusia firefighters still busy with 58 wildfires

(27) Pine Bush fires cut tick threat