WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 070912

For all you shutterbugs out there, the International Association of Wildland Fire, is soliciting videos of crown fire behavior for their JFSP crown fire synthesis project (1); while an editorial from Time Magazine revisits the question of whether climate change is involved in the West's wildfires (2). Fire officials reminded visitors to Southern California's Angeles National Forest to be careful with fire as temperatures increase (3); and KABC-TV interviewed Wildfire NOTD Editor Mike Archer in regards to C-130 MAFFS issues (4); but a San Bernardino County man suspected of starting a 2003 Southern California wildfire that resulted in five deaths will finally go on trial nearly 10 years later (5); even as preparations get underway for wildfire season with Ventura County Fire Department conducting a number of wildfire drills in Moorpark (6); while an 1,103-acre wildfire burning in Inyo County is now 85% contained (7); but a quintet of wildfires has burned 3,700 acres in Colusa County (8); wildfire activity in Northern California, where a 1,200-acre wildfire is burning in Mendocino National Forest, being provided by the next article (9). Rehabilitation of Oregon's Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest from the 2002 Biscuit Fire is continuing (10). A 675-acre wildfire burning near Chelan, Washington, has been determined to be human-caused (11); a reminder that fire season has finally begun in that state (12). Wildfire NOTD subscriber Rob Rosovich, Director of Technical Operations for GelTech System's FireIce, sent along an Op-Ed piece from a New Mexican blogger who is discusses the benefits of gels versus retardant in fighting wildfires (13). Colorado's governor appealed to Congress, specifically the House Committee on Agriculture, to pass a farm bill which has important forestry provisions in it (14); but as the governor lifts the statewide fire ban, fire officials from western Colorado met to discuss fire bans for their neck of the woods (15); the benefits of mutual aid agreements being underscored by an article from Vail (16); where wildfire workshops are of interest to residents (17); firefighters reflecting on lessons learned battling Colorado's Waldo Canyon Fire (18); Wildfire NOTD subscriber Ed Story, CEO of Aerial Fire Response & Research Network, sending along an article about how a cowboy musical group was impacted by Colorado Springs' Waldo Canyon Fire (19); the next article exploring the benefits of sports in helping Colorado's wildfire-ravaged communities recover from their losses (20); where Card Gnome is enabling wildfire survivors to express their thanks to firefighters who saved their homes (21); and Fort Collins breweries are even offering free beer! (22) A 150,000-acre wildfire burning near Twin Falls, Idaho, has earned the dubious distinction of one of the nation's largest current wildfires (23); where winds were not helping firefighters any at all (24); followed by a summary of wildfire activity in Utah (25). The next article takes a look at air-tanker activity at Billings Logan International Airport in Montana (26); while fire officials expect a wildfire in Polk County, Tennessee, will burn 1,600 acres before it's roped in (27). Firefighters in North Carolina finally pronounced full containment on a 21,000-acre wildfire that has been burning in Croatan National Forest since last month (28); followed by a Stars and Stripes profile of the Air National Guard's 145th Airlift Wing, whose C-130 crashed fighting wildfires in South Dakota (29). Wildfire NOTD subscriber Tom Wilson, a retired Canadian air-tanker pilot, sent along an article about the problems US wildfires are causing for residents of British Columbia (30); while a 1 km² wildfire burning in Alberta has closed a portion of Mackenzie Highway south of Edmonton (31); and an approaching warm front has fire officials in Fort McMurray worried (32); meantime, a 350-hectare wildfire on Newfoundland's West Coast knocked out electricity to 10,000 Newfoundland Power customers (33). Two Palestinian teenagers have been arrested for setting a wildfire on the outskirts of Jerusalem, Israel, two weeks ago (34); the next article taking a look at the rash of wildfires that have plagued the small Asian nation of Brunei on the island of Borneo (35). A Victorian helicopter pilot who rescued people from the Black Saturday bushfires has been reported missing over Papua New Guinea (36). And finally, officials at the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Northern Utah had only one explanation as to how a little golden eagle survived a big wildfire: it's a miracle!

(1) Links to Videos of Crown Fire Behavior Sought

(2) Climate Change Plays a Role in Wildfires—But Not the Only One

(3) Fire threat level raised for Angeles National Forest amid higher temperatures

(4) C-130 wildfire system lacks new parts, support

(5) Trial set for suspect in deadly 2003 Calif. fire

(6) Firefighters to Conduct Live Fire Training in Moorpark

(7) Eastern Sierra wildfire now 85 percent contained

(8) Wildfires burn about 3,700 acres in Colusa County

(9) Mill Fire reaches 1,200 acres; regional firefighting efforts continue

(10) Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest rebuilding after massive 2002 Oregon fire

(11) Officials: Chelan wildfire human caused

(12) Forest fire season officially begins in Washington woods; expect Oregon cautions, too

(13) Getting new planes for the US Forest Service won't save lives or property if the retardant used isn't replaced with something new

(14) Hickenlooper asks Congress to help tackle wildfire prevention (Video)

(15) Western forest officials reviewing fire bans

(16) Firefighters battle wildfires together

(17) Wildfire workshops ignite local interest

(18) Firefighters Recall Challenges of Waldo Canyon Fire

(19) After Wildfire, a Cowboy Band Fights to Keep a Heritage Alive

(20) Sports help wildfire recovery

(21) Colorado Wildfire Fundraiser Sends Thank You Cards to Firefighters

(22) Fort Collins' Breweries give back to firefighters

(23) Wildfire near Twin Falls one of nation's largest

(24) Winds vex crews battling southern Idaho blaze

(25) Crews gain ground on Utah wildfires

(26) Air tanker base helps fight Montana wildfires from above

(27) Park spokesman: Polk County wildfire 'uncommon'

(28) UPDATE: Croatan National Forest wildfire now 100% contained

(29) Unit of crashed firefighting C-130 quietly handles perilous duties

(30) Smoke from U.S. wildfires hazes up southern B.C.

(31) Major highway choked off by smoke from Alberta wildfire

(32) Wildfire danger may spike with hot weather

(33) Crews contain N.L. forest fire, dampen hot spots

(34) Palestinian youths arrested for setting J'lem fire

(35) 285 Emergency Calls Received During Dry Spell In June

(36) Pilot missing in Papua New Guinea crash is Black Saturday hero

(37) Miracle baby eagle survives wildfire