WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 022512

Firefighters in Napa County, California, fully contained a 200-acre wildfire Saturday morning (1). Firefighters got some first-hand experience battling wildfires at a live-fire training exercise held at the Central Texas Wildfire Academy at Camp Bowie National Guard Training Center outside of Brownwood (2); while Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has launched an appeal for donations as visitations to state parks have fallen due to wildfire damage and danger (3). With precipitation levels 70% below average, Brainerd, Minnesota, has had a number of grass fires already (4); and a wildfire in Little River County, Arkansas, burned nearly 60 acres (5). Virginia Department of Forestry braced for more wildfires as windy weather continued in parts of that state (6); while a wildfire burned between 40 and 50 acres outside of Walterboro, South Carolina, yesterday (7). Fallen power lines sparked a wildfire that closed US 84 west of Waycross, Georgia (8). As the drought worsens in Manatee County, Florida, residents are being warned of the extreme wildfire risk (9); while Florida Forest Service urged people in Palm Beach County to keep defensible space around their homes after a rash of wildfires (10); wildfires continuing to crop up in Volusia and Brevard Counties as well (11). Citing 76 wildfires that swept through the Scottish Highlands last year, the Scottish Land & Estates organization brought together 2,500 landowners to formulate better defense plans against future wildfires (12). Bushfires near Carnarvon once again closed Western Australia's North West Coastal Highway (13); while one of the ultra-marathoners who survived a deadly bushfire outside of Kimberley describes her horrific experience (14). With temperatures nearing 40° C and winds picking up, firefighters battled a bushfire northeast of Hobart, Tasmania (15); the elevated temperatures forcing fire officials to impose burn bans across the state (16). And finally, with a serious lack of equipment and over 100,000 km²s to protect, firefighters in Kerala State, India, fight fires the old-fashioned way: beating them to death!

(1) Napa wildfire fully contained

(2) Live-fire experience at Brownwood school prepares firefighters for new season battling blazes

(3) Texas state parks struggle with drought, wildfires, and fewer visitors

(4) Little snow leads to drought and wildfires

(5) Wildfire engulfs nearly 60 acres

(6) Windy Weather Raises Concerns Over Wildfires

(7) Chief: Colleton wildfire contained

(8) Fire close U.S. 84 west of Waycross

(9) Drought puts Manatee County among most at risk for wildfires

(10) Wake-up call after round of brush fires in Palm Beach County, Treasure Coast

(11) Wildfires burn in Volusia, Brevard counties

(12) Landowners plan chain of defence against devastating wildfires

(13) Bushfires close NW Highway

(14) Split second call ended in disaster as flames roared through

(15) Big bushfire rages to towns

(16) Hit the beach, it's a sizzler

(17) Dept ill-equipped to handle forest fires