WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 111911

Rainfall has allowed US Forest Service to lift fire restrictions on some parts of Southern California's San Bernardino National Forest (1); while US Forest Service is looking to restore the ecological balance in Northern California's forests, according to Pacific Southwest Regional Forester Randy Moore (2); but two small wildfires were sparked in the Lake Tahoe area by homeowners dumping hot ashes outdoors (3). Hurricane-force winds which spread a wildfire on the outskirts of Reno, Nevada, to 2,000 acres in size, destroying 32 homes and injuring 16 people, are finally subsiding, allowing firefighters to bring containment to 80% (4); but the fire already forced postponement of a football game (5); the trials and tribulations of one neighborhood being recounted by the next item (6); followed by some video from the firelines (7). Residents of Otero County, New Mexico, pointed out the need to thin parts of nearby Lincoln National Forest to reduce the wildfire threat (8). Three San Diego wildfire survivors shared their insights with some survivors of the Bastrop County, Texas, wildfires (9); but although burn bans were lifted in a number of Texas counties, restrictions in 188 out of 254 across the state were still in place (10); even as a building expo provided help for Texans determined to rebuild (11). Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Forestry Division will be conducting controlled burns at Forestville-Mystery Cave State Park (12); but winds gusting up to 40 mph quickly spread wildfires in the Michigan communities of Grand Haven and Spring Lake Friday afternoon (13). A wildfire damaged 500 acres of timber in Illinois' Pere Marquette State Park (14); while wildfires outside of New Orleans and in Caddo County cost Louisiana National Guard an estimated $1 million to suppress in September (15). Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission firefighters plan to set fire to 1,900 acres in the Guana River Wildlife Management Area in 2012 to help the ecology of the area (16). A high-altitude wildfire was reportedly burning in Bulgaria's Pirin National Park (17); and a pair of bushfires gave firefighters in Auckland, New Zealand, something to do (18). In a sign of continued recovery, Marysville, Victoria, unveiled its new community center, built to replace the previous structure which was destroyed by Australia's Black Saturday bushfires (19). And finally, elderly twins living on the outskirts of Melbourne, Australia, refusing to rebuild their home, destroyed in the Black Saturday bushfires, face the threat of eviction by the Victoria government!

(1) Forest Services Lifts Mountain Fire Restrictions

(2) Ecological Restoration is key priority for Northern California forests

(3) Ash from woodstoves start small fires off Pioneer Trail

(4) Fire officials say 32 homes destroyed in Reno fire; Gov. Sandoval surveys damage

(5) Reno wildfires force postponement of Northern 4A games, shift in small schools

(6) Residents along canyon witness surging wildfire

(7) Reno firefighters battle massive blaze

(8) Public rains on fire rule

(9) Bastrop residents hear advice from California wildfire victims

(10) Angelina County lifts burn ban

(11) Building expo helps Bastrop residents

(12) Burn help plants in park's forest

(13) Strong winds spread wildfires

(14) Fire closes part of Pere Marquette

(15) Firefighting costs Louisiana National Guard $1M

(16) Prescribed Fires Planned For Guana River Wildlife Management Area

(17) Valeri Mechev: Firefighting operation in Pirin Natural Park will begin tomorrow

(18) Firefighters attending two Auckland scrub fires

(19) Bushfire town gets new community centre

(20) We're just not ready to rebuild: Black Saturday survivors