WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 092011

The National Fire Protection Agency has released a study which shows that 1,331,500 fires that burned in 2010 cost $11.6 billion in property losses (which makes one wonder how big the 2011 price tag will be with the Texas wildfires!) (1) A fatal helicopter crash on the grounds of Southern California's Camp Pendleton Marine Base sparked a 50-acre wildfire yesterday (2); while CAL FIRE firefighters and air-tankers battled a three-acre wildfire east of Lakeside (3). An update on wildfires burning in Oregon's Wallowa-Whitman National Forest is provided by the next article (4). As firefighters brought the massive 34,000-acre Bastrop County wildfire to 95% containment, Texas Forest Service identified the cause as electrical (5); but despite rains drenching East Texas, the wildfire danger is still a concern to local fire officials (6); nevertheless, some volunteer fire departments took advantage of the situation to regroup (7). Smoke and toxins from the Texas wildfires could be particularly harmful to children, according to the Centers for Disease Control (8); and with timber losses estimated at nearly $100 million, Texas AgriLife Extension Service at Texas A&M University has upped the agricultural damage done by that state's wildfires to $200 million (9); while the Insurance Council of Texas comments on the rebuilding effort necessary in Bastrop County (10); but although many have suffered loss from the wildfires, businesses in Abilene have profited from an abundance of firefighters spending their money in town (11); however, several articles show that help has been made available to many: organizations are working together to help car owners who suffered vehicle losses file insurance claims (12); FEMA is extending some help to residents of the community of Leander, hard hit by the wildfires (13); and disaster unemployment assistance has been offered to residents of 13 counties impacted by wildfires (14). As firefighters in Montana got a handle on the 41 Complex Fire, which has burned in the Bitterroot National Forest, portions of the Skalkaho Highway will reopen today (15). Firefighters are hopeful that a half-inch of rain expected for the next couple of days will help dampen down a wildfire that is 23% contained after burning 147 mi.² in Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (16); while wildfires have had an impact on the Kirtland Warbler population in Clare County, Michigan (17). A summary of wildfire activity in Ontario, Canada, is up next (18). Evacuations continued on Spain's Mediterranean island of Ibiza where their second major wildfire of the year has destroyed four homes (19); and a 132-hectare wildfire was reported in Crotone Province, Italy (20). Lebanese Civil Defense officials are still trying to tally the damage done by recent wildfires in that Middle Eastern nation (21); but 900 firefighters finally extinguished three major hotspots of a wildfire burning in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (22). Heading to Australia, the Victorian Supreme Court has scheduled hearings for a 900-member Black Saturday class-action suit for next year (23); while fire conditions in Victoria, Queensland, and New South Wales have reached catastrophic danger levels (24); but with 400 bushfires already reported since the weekend, firefighters in Queensland are bracing for an active fire season (25). A 100-hectare wildfire burning in Menangle, New South Wales, has been brought under control (26); while a five-hectare wildfire burning in the Blue Mountains is spreading on the wind (27); but with a history of bushfires, the community of Leura has learned a trick or two about dealing with them (28); which is probably a good thing, since the Rural Fire Service continues to emphasize the fact that fuel loads in that state are at the highest level seen in 15 years, urging residents to prepare (29); and the Australian Veterinary Association reminded people to consider the well-being of their animals in their bushfire preparations as well (30). Bushfires NT officials reported that they put out 17 blazes around Alice Springs, Northern Territory (31). And finally, residents of Hertfordshire, UK, have been warned to check credentials of firefighters coming to their homes after a recent burglary at a local fire station!

(1) 2010 Fires Caused $11.6B in Property Damage

(2) Brush fire at Camp Pendleton caused by fatal helicopter crash

(3) Fire burned 3 acres east of Lakeside

(4) Forest official pleased with fires' progress

(5) Cause of Bastrop fire likely electrical, officials say

(6) Rains offer only temporary relief from wildfire danger in East Texas

(7) Local VFDs take stock, prepare for continuing fire danger

(8) Texas Wildfires Leave Children At Risk

(9) Wildfires cost Texas agriculture nearly $200 million

(10) Bastrop, Texas, Wildfire Nearly Contained, Thousands Left Homeless

(11) Statewide fires boost air travel in Abilene, but locals are flying more too

(12) Industry Bands Together to Help Texas Wildfire Victims Get Vehicle Titles

(13) FEMA helping Leander wildfire victims

(14) Disaster unemployment aid now available in 13 Texas counties affected by wildfires

(15) Seven Miles Of Skalkaho Highway Will Reopen Tuesday

(16) Rain Expected To Prevent Forest Fire From Growing

(17) Kirtland Warbler population down in Clare County, stable overall

(18) Two new forest fires in Sault area on weekend

(19) Homes destroyed and 1,200 evacuated as fire ravages holiday island of Ibiza

(20) EFFIS - Current Situation

(21) Fires damage Akkar forests

(22) Forest Fire Extinguished in China's NW Border Region

(23) Black Saturday: Court sets trial for bushfire class action

(24) Extreme bushfire risk in eastern Australia

(25) Hot weather fuels bushfires as a third of the state burns

(26) Menangle bushfire under control

(27) Winds spread Blue Mountains bushfire

(28) Lessons learnt, and Leura is better prepared to fight

(29) Highest fuel loads seen in fifteen years

(30) Vets say prepare for bushfire, cyclone and floods

(31) More fires keep Outback emergency services on run

(32) Firefighters' uniforms stolen in Hertfordshire burglary