WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 062811

An ill-advised debris burn in Butte County, California, spread into a two-acre wildfire (1); while the National Fire Protection Association announced a milestone in Washington state: their 700th Firewise Community! (2) Evacuees are being allowed to return home as firefighters battle a 650-acre wildfire near Fredonia, Arizona (3); but as firefighters begin mopping up several major wildfires in that state, the next article provides some statistics on how much has burned (4); and officials in Northern Arizona's Coconino National Forest reiterated the penalties for lighting campfires: $5,000 fines and possible jail time (5). Although high winds grounded aircraft, firefighters in New Mexico made a stand around Los Alamos Nuclear Lab as a 50,000-acre wildfire forced the evacuation of 12,000 people (6). A 100-acre wildfire burning outside of Boulder, Colorado, is now 40% contained (7); and may have been started by a campfire (8). As Boise, Idaho, prepared for Fourth of July, fire officials reminded residents of the wildfire danger (9). A summary of wildfire activity across the Lone Star State is provided by the next item (10); where US Forest Service banned fires in all of East Texas' national forests (11); while Texas Forest Service officials advised homeowners in West Texas to be pro-active about preparing their homes for wildfires (12). The Alabama Forestry Commission reminded property owners that a total burn ban has been enacted in all 67 counties until further notice (13); and firefighters roped in a 325-acre wildfire near Gautier, Mississippi (14); prompting an editorial reminding people of the wildfire danger (15). Full containment of a 100-acre wildfire burning in New Jersey's Burlington County is expected to be completed later today (16); while the wildfire in Dare County, North Carolina, has finally been contained after burning nearly 50,000 acres (17). A 30-acre wildfire was reported in Bloomingdale, Georgia, yesterday (18); but even though the rainy season has arrived in Volusia and Flagler counties, spotty coverage has not totally extinguished some 30 wildfires in that part of Florida (19). It was Calgary's turn to choke on smoke from wildfires burning in Alberta and other northern Canadian provinces (20); while wildfires continued to burn in Ontario province, including a major blaze in Mishkeegogamang First Nation which drew the attention of two CL-415 waterbombers, three fixed wing aircraft, 14 helicopters and 278 firefighters (21); followed by a summary of wildfire activity in the Yukon (22). Wildfire NOTD subscriber Johann Goldammer, Director of the Global Fire Monitoring Centre in Germany, discusses the impact of wildfires on emerging countries (23); while numerous European wildfires were reported in Spain and Italy, as well as one in France's Sarthe province (24). Heading to Australia, Victoria's Powerline Bushfire Safety Taskforce is busy investigating means of reducing the bushfire danger, including solar panels and generators that would allow some homes to be removed from the power grid completely (25); where the Macedon Ranges Council is in the process of determining whether $1.1 million will be enough for a bushfire refuge (26). Fire and Emergency Services Authority is reevaluating bushfire risk in a number of areas in Western Australia (27). And finally, firefighters in Livonia, Michigan, were probably used to getting cats out of trees, but this time it wasn't a cat, it was a poodle!

(1) Unpermitted burn chars two acres

(2) NFPA Firewise Communities Program Reaches Milestone

(3) 6 Mile Wildfire on Kaibab Indian Reservation – Evacuations Urged – Containment Likely

(4) Firefighters mopping up at five big Arizona wildfires

(5) New fire restrictions in Flagstaff, on forest

(6) Firefighters beat back flames near nuclear lab

(7) Maxwell Fire 40 Percent Contained

(8) Maxwell Fire: Lefthand Canyon blaze caused by unattended campfire

(9) Don't let fireworks spark a wildfire

(10) WINDMILL COUNTRY: Volunteer firefighters event planned for July 9

(11) U.S. Forest Service bans all open fires in East Texas' national forests

(12) Forest Service stresses prevention for residents in fire-prone areas

(13) Statewide burn ban remains in effect

(14) Firefighters battle hot spots in Gautier wildfire

(15) No kidding: Use extreme caution (editorial)

(16) 100 acres burn in Burlington County forest fire

(17) Dare County wildfire 100% contained

(18) UPDATE: Bloomingdale forest fire contained

(19) Firefighters monitor fires as wet season starts

(20) Wind blows forest fire smoke to Calgary

(21) MNR reports progress on efforts to control major forest fire

(22) Lightning sparks five weekend forest fires

(23) GLOBAL: Developing countries hardest hit by wildfires

(24) EFFIS - Current Situation

(25) Solar an option in bushfire trials

(26) Bushfire refuge plans get tick of approval

(27) Report urges bushfire plans revamp

(28) Firefighter saves tree-climbing poodle in 35-foot fall