WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 112311

A press release from California-based FireWhat discusses ways for seasonal wildland firefighters to keep in shape during the off-season (1); while recent rainfall has helped reduce the fire hazard in San Diego County's Cleveland National Forest (2). Now that Reno, Nevada's, Caughlin Fire is out, officials are concerned about the danger of mudslides in burn areas (3); and Wildfire NOTD subscriber Chuck Bushey, President of the International Association of Wildland Fire, sent along an invitation to an upcoming webinar which will discuss different fire management practices that have been utilized in New Mexico's Gila National Forest for decades (4). A resident of Texarkana, Texas, has been accused of setting numerous wildfires in Bowie County (5); but political bickering in Washington DC over the budget could impact the Assistance to Firefighter Grants program, money which is badly needed by fire departments in South Dakota (6). With the extinguishment of a wildfire burning in Virginia's Great Dismal Swamp, the next article takes a look back over the 111 days the fire was burning (7); while even rainfall didn't slow down a 700-acre wildfire burning in Putnam County, Florida (8). A New Zealand farmer who is being sued for over $1 million for starting a 2009 bushfire has received a reprieve (9); even as a 325-hectare bushfire burning in the Far North is believed to have been caused by crews clearing vegetation for a bike trail (10). In Australia, a Black Saturday class-action suit which could pay out $40 million will be decided by the Victorian Supreme Court very soon (11); while firefighters in Central Queensland are hoping that rainfall will diminish bushfire activity across the state, including in Mt. Maurice State Forest (12). Residents of South Australia are being told that a 50-hectare wildfire which burned in Marino Conservation Park last week was a harbinger of things to come (13); as evidenced by a 15,000-hectare wildfire still burning in Gawler Ranges National Park (14). Department of Environment and Conservation officials indicated that 20 homes were destroyed by a fast-moving bushfire in the Margaret River region of Western Australia (15); devastating homeowners who lost all their possessions (16); prompting a travel advisory for motorists heading into that area (17); but even though the Bureau of Meteorology is predicting a wetter than usual summer, more bushfires are also in the forecast (18). And finally, firefighters in Colorado Springs, Colorado, investigating a wildfire have a mystery on their hands after discovering a badly burned body in the flames!

(1) Laid Off? 3 Firefighter Training Tips to Stay Fire Ready for Next Year

(2) Recent Weather Helps Reduce Forest-Fire Hazard

(3) Crews mobilize to prevent further damage from Caughlin wildfire in Reno

(4) Using fire as a restoration tool: A case study in the Gila National Forest

(5) Volunteer firefighter charged with arson in Bowie Co. fires

(6) Federal cuts could impact firefighting efforts in South Dakota

(7) Officials declare Dismal Swamp fire out after 111 days

(8) Rain likely won’t make dent in Levy Prairie fire

(9) Partial Win for Farmer over Costly Forest Fire

(10) Govt workers may have started forest blaze

(11) Black Saturday bushfires settlement looms

(12) Hope rain will quell Rockhampton bushfires

(13) First bushfire sends warning

(14) National park blaze hard to tackle

(15) Western Australia: Homes threatened in South-West bushfire emergency

(16) Homeowners reeling after bushfire loss

(17) Police issue travel warning for out-of-control Ellen Brook bushfire

(18) WA's wet summer won't dampen fire danger

(19) Firefighters Investigating Wildfire Discover Homicide