WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 081712

Wildfires continued to blaze across the western US (1); leaving some homeowners homeless (2). An update on wildfires burning in California is provided by the next article (3); followed by reaction from LA County Supervisor Mike Antonovich to US Forest Service's pronouncement that nighttime helicopter firefighting operations will commence in Southern California's Angeles National Forest again (4); while a 2,500-acre wildfire in Riverside County is now 90% contained (5); and a wildfire arsonist has been convicted of five heart attack deaths related to a wildfire he set in 2003 in San Bernardino County (6); but firefighters gained ground on a pair of lightning-sparked wildfires that have scorched 22,000 acres near the San Diego County community of Julian (7); allowing evacuees to return home (8); but in the meantime, over 200 lightning strikes in the Tahoe National Forest sparked 17 small wildfires (9); and heavy air-attack over the 1,025-acre Mill Fire was credited with helping bring containment to 15% (10); while an 1,150-acre wildfire in Calaveras County was 30% contained (11); however, a former Shasta-Trinity National Forest supervisor faulted National Park Service for its poor handling of a 27,163-acre wildfire in Lassen Volcanic National Park (12). A summary of wildfire activity in Oregon is up next (13); where firefighters in Lakeview were able to save a pair of homes by coating them with gel ahead of a 79,000-acre wildfire (14); current fire conditions prompting officials to warn homeowners to be proactive in preparing for wildfires (15). Firefighters in Kittitas County, Washington, hope to have a 22,000-acre wildfire fully contained by Sunday (16); while firefighters near Grand Coulee Dam have brought containment of a 7,800-acre wildfire to 70% (17). Firefighters have increased containment on a lightning-sparked 15-acre wildfire burning near Nevada's Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area to 60% (18); and firefighters in Arizona's Tonto National Forest announced 25% containment on a 4,800-acre wildfire (19). Fire crews battling a pair of wildfires in Utah are racing the clock as Red Flag conditions are forecast for the weekend (20). Firefighters in McIntosh County, Oklahoma, roped in a wildfire which has scorched 2 mi.² (21); while elsewhere in the state, officials have arrested three suspects in regards to wildfires that burned 90 mi.² in Creek County, destroying 380 homes in the process (22). Canadian firefighters quickly squelched a small wildfire burning in Port Alberni, British Columbia, home of the mighty Martin Mars (23); but wildfires are even making it to the far north, as polar bear habitat in Manitoba's Wapusk National Park is scorched (24). Wildfires were reported in Portugal, Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Albania, Serbia, Macedonia, Kosovo, Bosnia, and the North African nation of Algeria (25); firefighters on Spain's Canary Islands battling fires both above and below ground (26); heat and high winds hampering firefighting efforts on a 550-hectare wildfire burning outside of the French resort town of Lacanau (27). In Australia, Queensland Fire and Rescue Service reported a bushfire outside of Monduran (28); while residents of the Lockyer Valley are preparing for an active bushfire season (29). And finally, an article from Arizona takes a look at FIDO Bags, which once again prove that firefighters are a dog's friend!

(1) Officials keep eye on weather as wildfires burn

(2) 'Thankful we weren't in it': Wildfire evacuees return to find homes gone

(3) Firefighters gaining edge on California wildfires

(4) Antonovich Responds to News that U.S. Forest Service Will Allow Nighttime Aerial Firefighting Attacks

(5) Riverside County wildfire 90% contained, authorities say

(6) Wildfire arsonist guilty of 5 heart attack deaths

(7) FIRE: Wildfires east of Julian 85 percent surrounded

(8) Evacuation orders lifted for wildfires in San Diego County

(9) Thunderstorms create fires throughout Tahoe National Forest

(10) Aggressive air attack of Mill fire underway

(11) Ramsey Fire 30 percent contained

(12) UPDATED: Fire expert blasts Lassen officials for letting blaze grow

(13) Fire flares east of Waldo Lake

(14) Firefighting crews save houses near Lakeview

(15) Fire officials urge taking extra procautions near forested areas

(16) Lightning feared in Taylor Bridge wildfire fight

(17) Wildfire near Grand Coulee Dam held at 7,800 acres

(18) Lightning blamed for Pass Fire estimated at 15 acres

(19) Mistake Peak Fire in Tonto National Forest at 4,800 acres, 25 percent contained

(20) Crews mopping up two Utah wildfires, watch for new blazes

(21) Firefighters Bring McIntosh County Wildfire Under Control

(22) Creek Co. authorities have suspects in wildfires

(23) Firefighters tackle Cobble Hill blaze

(24) Rare wildfires threaten Canadian polar bear habitat

(25) EFFIS - Current Situation

(26) Spain Wildfire Burning Both Above and Underground

(27) Forest fire threatens Lacanau resort in western France

(28) Bushfire at Monduran, northwest of Gin Gin

(29) Lockyer Valley braces for bushfires

(30) Arizona firefighters save dogs using FIDO Bags