WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 051112

Southern California's Ventura County Fire Department reminded homeowners to prepare for wildfires by clearing defensible space around their property (1); while four firefighters who battled a wildfire in the southern part of Modesto have been released from the hospital following treatment for smoke inhalation and dehydration (2). A 107-acre controlled burn west of Bend, Oregon, produced some smoky skies (3); and as Wildfire Awareness Week continues in that state, firefighters in Seaside are reminding homeowners of the danger (4). Meteorologists are still puzzling over the data to determine Arizona's wildfire season based on expected precipitation (5); but in the meantime, concerned citizens in Flagstaff vented their frustration with US Forest Service officials over efforts to ban campfires in the Coconino National Forest to reduce the wildfire threat (6). A US Geological Survey scientist comments on the slow recovery of New Mexico's Las Conchas Fire burn area in the next article (7); while a baker's dozen of neighborhoods in Harris County, Texas, have been designated at "high risk" from wildfires (8). Despite gusty winds, firefighters and homeowners kept a wildfire from burning into a Rapid City, South Dakota, subdivision (9); followed by an article that profiles Pennsylvania's Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Volunteer Fire Assistance grant program (10). As part of Forest Awareness Week in Louisiana, fifth graders were taken to the Kisatchie National Forest for a presentation that touched on the benefits of wilderness areas (11); and the Canadian Red Cross commemorated the one-year anniversary of the devastating Slave Lake, Alberta, wildfires with a breakdown of how $5.5 million was spent to deal with the disaster (12). A new fire severity model created by NASA and researchers points to a mild 2012 fire season for South America's Amazon Basin (13); but unexploded Vietnam War-era ordnance was blamed for a wildfire near Da Nang International Airport (14). An Australian artist has been chosen to prepare a bushfire memorial in Victoria's Daylesford Community Park (15); while residents of the Dandenongs eagerly await details of bushfire preparation money available through the 2012-13 State Budget (16); even as an additional $150,000 is being made available to the Yarra Valley Practitioners’ Project to continue operations (17). Residents of Waterfall, New South Wales, will get a few tips on preparing for bushfires from experts tomorrow (18); while light rain helped diminish a 750-hectare bushfire in South Australia's Wirrabara Forest which started as a controlled burn (19). And finally, our last article takes a look at Washington State's Columbia Breaks Fire Interpretive Center, which provides information to interested parties about one of the worst fire zones in United States!

(1) Prepare now for wildfire season

(2) Firefighters battling south Modesto blaze out of hospital

(3) Smoke Billows From Prescribed Burn W. of Bend

(4) Prepare now for wildfire season

(5) Wildfire severity uncertain this fire season

(6) Forest Service: Want a campfire ban? Try Congress

(7) 10 months after Las Conchas Fire, recovery a daunting task for devastated areas

(8) 13 Harris communities ID'd as facing the biggest wildfire risk

(9) Fire threatened Red Rock Meadows homes

(10) George Urges Fire Companies to Apply for DCNR Grant

(11) Fifth grade students attend forest awareness week

(12) Canadian Red Cross helped provide relief and assistance to thousands: one year after northern Alberta wildfires

(13) First Forecast Calls For Mild 2012 Amazon Fire Season

(14) UXO consumes forest in central Vietnam

(15) Artist appointed for bushfire memorial

(16) Wait for budget details

(17) Disaster help continues

(18) Residents urged to learn all about bushfire risks

(19) Drizzle boosts Wirrabara bushfire fight

(20) Gathering Our Voice: Fire interpretive center idea burns bright