WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 111411

Tangent Link sent along a reminder about their upcoming aerial firefighting conference in Sacramento, California, in January (1); while the next article takes a closer look at a forest restoration program underway in Arizona’s Coronado National Forest (2). Natural disasters, such as wildfires, have driven up insurance costs in Oklahoma (3). The financial toll this summer's wildfires exacted on volunteer fire departments in Angelina County, Texas, is examined in the next article (4); where the State Firemen’s and Fire Marshals’ Association warned residents that the wildfire threat across the state had not totally abated (5); while FEMA reminded Texans who suffered losses in this summer's wildfires that they have only until December 8th to register for wildfire relief (6); even as it provided a webinar aimed at helping them secure money from its Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (7); but San Marcos Baptist Academy is assisting wildfire survivors in Bastrop County (8). Firefighters in Indianapolis, Indiana, tackled a 10-acre wildfire over the weekend (9); while a wind-driven wildfire scorched 5 acres in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, Sunday (10). Nine counties in Northwest Iowa are at high risk from wildfires due to dry conditions and increased winds (11); and high winds caused some wildfire problems for firefighters in Maysville, Kentucky, as well (12). Fire crews in Tennessee labored to protect homes from an 80-acre wildfire burning on Roan Mountain (13); while Alabama Forestry Commission firefighters reported that a wildfire in Lawrence County is now 30% contained (14). A Pennsylvania native recounts what it's like to be a CL-215 air-tanker pilot for Arizona-based Aero-Flite Inc (15); assistance firefighters in Ontario County, New York, could have used yesterday as they fought a 12-acre wildfire near Bristol (16). Fire officials in West Virginia, commented on one of the quietest fall wildfire seasons in memory (17). Wildfires have burned 300 acres in Virginia's George Washington National Forest since late Saturday (18); while an Op-Ed piece from Marco Island, Florida, argues for more controlled burns to enhance the ecology and keep out invasive weeds (19). Government officials in the African nation of Ghana urged cocoa producers to be vigilant in regards to fire starters (20). Victoria's Deputy Premier reiterated the fire danger faced by that Australian state as fuels begin to dry out, urging homeowners to have a bushfire response plan ready (21); the Riddells Creek Fire Brigade offering some free advice on how to prepare (22); and Country Fire Authority unveiling a new smart phone app called 'FireReady' (23). Lightning-sparked bushfires that burned over 76,000 ha threatened a pair of nature reserves in Queensland (24); while a bushfire which briefly threatened homes near South Australia's Marino Conservation Park has been contained (25); that article followed by one that takes a look at aerial fire preparations Western Australia has made, including acquisition of the services of an Erickson S-64 (26). And finally, Malibu Presbyterian Church, whose buildings were destroyed in a 2007 wildfire, is rising phoenix-like from the ashes!

(1) Aerial Firefighting International Airshow & Conference

(2) A Win-Win-Win Arizona’s Wildfire-Prone Woods

(3) More claims send home insurance cost up

(4) Local volunteer fire departments struggling

(5) Wildfires Subside While Threat, Needs Remain Great

(6) One month left for Texans to register with FEMA

(7) FEMA: Webinar Offers Advice on Securing Wildfire Mitigation Grants

(8) Two SMA groups assist Bastrop wildfire victims

(9) Firefighters Battle 10-Acre Blaze

(10) Fire crews battle 5-acre forest fire near Fruitland

(11) Northwest Iowa at high risk of wildfires

(12) Winds keep firefighters on alert

(13) Forest fire contained after threatening nearby homes

(14) Wildfire Still Burning in Lawrence County

(15) Local man pilots water bomber

(16) Firefighters from 6 departments work to extinguish Bristol brush fire

(17) Fewer Fires This Fall

(18) Firefighters Battle Augusta County Forest Fire

(19) No fires! Is that really good for our ecology?

(20) Cocoa farmers urged to take collect step to avoid bushfire

(21) Grass fires pose risk this year, warns Ryan

(22) Grassfire risk tipped to be above average

(23) CFA release GPS enabled FireReady app

(24) Long battle saves nature reserves from bushfires

(25) Adelaide bushfire contained

(26) Major firefighting boost for Hills communities

(27) Groundbreaking for wildfire-ravaged Malibu church