WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 110811

As the 60th anniversary of the devastating Bel-Air fire passes, the next article looks back at how Los Angeles Fire Department battled the destructive blaze, one of three burning at the same time in Southern California (1); but after two years being staffed only on an as-needed basis, the federal air-tanker base at Santa Maria Airport will be staffed full-time beginning next year (2). Wildfire NOTD subscriber Chuck Bushey, President of the International Association of Wildland Fire, sent along a call for papers on diverse social elements of wildland fire management for their upcoming conference in Seattle next April (3); while some 2,000 wildfires just added to Oklahoma's woes in a year that has seen numerous natural disasters (4). Concerns over staffing shortfalls in wildland areas protected by Austin Fire Department are aired in the next article (5); this at a time when Emergency Conservation Program grants have been made available to 48 more Texas counties to help replace fencing destroyed by wildfires (6). A South Dakota firefighter discussed his close call with death when caught in a burnover in this past summer's Coal Canyon Fire (7); and a photo spread demonstrates the destruction done to Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness by the 95,000-acre Pagami Creek Fire (8). A number of wildfires were reported in Ottawa County, Michigan (9); while Ohio's Wayne National Forest plans to burn 791 acres to improve the ecology of the area (10); and firefighters in Missouri expect to have a 5,000-acre wildfire that has been burning in the Mark Twain National Forest contained within two days with a little help from some rain (11). A forest fire was reported burning in southwestern Tibet near the borders with India and Burma (12). The Australian Broadcasting Corporation is offering useful information to residents of southeastern Australia (13); as well as those in Hobart, Tasmania, to help them cope with bushfire season (14). An Australian pump manufacturer urged farmers to develop a bushfire survival plan as the season arrives (15). Meter-high grass has residents of Narre Warren, Victoria, concerned about the bushfire danger (16); while a photo spread of lightning-sparked bushfires that have covered 280 km² in Queensland's far west is provided by the next article (17). Western Australia has leased an Erickson S-64 for $4 million to help with the bushfires of summer (18); as a statewide fire drill is also being organized (19). And finally, some lucky dogs and cats displaced by the Bastrop County, Texas, wildfires won't have to worry about a free meal for a while at least!

(1) Bel-Air Once A Hurricane Of Fire

(2) SM federal air tanker reload base to be full service next year

(3) 3rd Human Dimensions of Wildland Fire Conference

(4) Oklahoma Sees Triple Disasters in 2011

(5) AFD talks wildfire preparedness for Jester neighborhood

(6) USDA opens wildfire assistance sign up to 48 additional counties

(7) Hot Springs Firefighter Talks About Deadly Wildfire

(8) Photos: Boundary Waters wildfire aftermath

(9) Wildfires keep area fire departments busy

(10) Prescribed Burn Planned for Wayne National Forest

(11) Firefighters continue to patrol 5,000-acre wildfire

(12) Forest Fire Breaks out in SW Tibet

(13) Understanding ABC South East's online emergency coverage

(14) ABC Hobart; your emergency station

(15) Farmers encouraged to prepare bushfire survival plan

(16) Bushfire fears rekindled

(17) Bushfire photos: Far west

(18) Western Australia hires water bomber for $4m for the summer

(19) Statewide FESA drill to 'test fire response' for bushfire season

(20) Chef Michael's Steps Forward To Feed Dogs in Need