WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 121912

Colorado US Sen. Udall has co-authored the Supplemental Appropriation for Disaster Assistance bill which would provide $653 million in wildfire funding (1). The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag warning for the Oklahoma counties of Comanche, Cotton, Greer, Harmon, Jackson and Tillman due to high temperatures and windy conditions (2); even the forecast of impending snowfall not reducing the fire danger in Tulsa (3). Texas Forest Service mapped out an area which is at high risk from winter wildfires as well (4); while a company in South St. Paul, Minnesota, unveiled a new foam firefighting system which can be used to protect ranch property from oncoming wildfires (5). Sky lanterns are being blamed for a number of wildfires burning in Vendimia Alta, Vendimia Baja and Camino el Cóndor, Chile (6); and there is a bit of a tussle in Greece over whether the government missed the deadline for applying for EU aid following a 15,000-hectare wildfire which blazed across the Aegean island of Chios this summer (7). Bushfires are raging through Ruvubu National Park in the African nation of Burundi (8). Australian utility Powercor has reached a settlement on a Black Saturday bushfire class-action suit for an estimated $10 million (9); and at least one plaintiff hopes the verdict will help others avoid losses from bushfires (10); but for now, many bushfire survivors still live in substandard temporary housing (11); even as a bushfire was burning out of control near Wahring (12); and Telstra indicated that the $60 million Emergency Alert system still was not compatible with its 4G mobile network (13). In New South Wales, the Wollombi Valley Community Firewise Program was recognized at the Resilient Australia Awards for their efforts to protect and educate residents in regards to bushfires (14); while a bushfire alert has been issued for workers at an Alcoa mine site east of North Dandalup, Western Australia (15). And finally, firefighters face many hazards in battling house fires, but firefighters in Portland, Oregon, had a new one to add to the list: a man wielding a sword and shield!

(1) Colorado: Udall pushes for additional wildfire funding

(2) NWS warns of wildfire danger for SW Oklahoma

(3) Wildfire danger remains high, coming snow won't help

(4) Conditions right for winter wildfires

(5) South St. Paul start-up devises firefighting system for use in remote areas

(6) Firefighters Battle Forest Fire in Manquehue Hills

(7) Chios fire aid a no-go, says ministry

(8) Bushfires ravage Burundi park

(9) Powercor settles bushfire class action

(10) Farmer hopes Vic bushfire case aids others

(11) Vic bushfire survivors in unstable housing

(12) Fire crews contain Vic grassfire

(13) Fears rise over bushfire emergency warning system flaws

(14) National award a great way to raise awareness of bushfire safety

(15) Alcoa site on alert as bushfire burns

(16) Man with sword stops firefighters; dog rescued from house fire