WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 121012

Southern California is once again under Red Flag warnings due to high winds, dry vegetation, and low humidity across the region (1); while San Diego Gas & Electric customers railed against what were perceived as "misleading" efforts by the utility to recover losses from the 2007 wildfires (2). As fire crews brought Colorado's 6 mi.² Fern Lake Fire to 88% containment, residents of Estes Park will be meeting for an update on the blaze (3); but although fire officials battling that fire thanked residents for their contributions, they offered two suggestions for how better to support their firefighters (4). An article from Montana takes a closer look at the federal government's National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy (5); while providential rainfall has shortened the life span of a 100-acre wildfire burning in Blount County, Tennessee (6). The UK's Bracknell Forest has seen a drop in arson wildfires, according to the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (7). Competing designs for bushfire-resistant houses in Australia are offered by the next article (8); but an 1,800-hectare bushfire near Seymour, Victoria, killed 20 sheep (9); while Victoria's Premier has released a white paper which outlines proposed overhauls to that state's disaster management system (10). A summary of some 30 bushfires in Queensland is provided by the next item (11); where numerous homes were destroyed by a fast-moving bushfire on North Stradbroke Island yesterday (12); even as crews continued to grapple with a 2,600-hectare blaze on the slopes of Mt Flinders (13); and three more were reported in Torbanlea and Toogoom (14). In South Australia, Country Fire Service reported a bushfire near Truro (15); while a radio segment discusses Forestry SA's role in fighting bushfires (16). Hobart, Tasmania, was inundated with smoke from a nearby bushfire (17). And finally, an allegedly drunken driver in Logan, Utah, got the surprise of her life when she was pulled over, not by a police car, but by a fire truck!

(1) Wildfire conditions prompt red-flag warning

(2) Ratepayers Say SDG&E Is Misleading State Regulators In 07 Wildfire Rate Case

(3) Community to get briefing on what to expect from Rocky Mountain National Park fire

(4) Gratitude From The Firefighters

(5) Let it burn? Federal agencies draft national wildland fire strategy

(6) Fire burns approximately 100 acres

(7) Steady decrease in deliberate fires

(8) Building In The Line Of Fire

(9) Victorian bushfire leaves 20 sheep dead

(10) Vic govt overhauls disaster management

(11) Fire crews battling 30 bush and grass fires across Queensland

(12) Bushfire destroys homes on North Stradbroke Island

(13) Firefighters feeling the heat after two weeks battling fires

(14) Firefighters at three bushfires in Torbanlea and Toogoom

(15) Firefighters battling serious Barossa blaze near Truro

(16) Forest fire crews ready to fight

(17) Smoke from bushfire fills Hobart

(18) Firefighter in fire truck pulls over driver in suspected DUI