WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 063012

NASA and the US Forest Service are teaming up to raise wildfire awareness with the signing of the Space Act Agreement, providing some striking video and photos from the International Space Station (1). As Fourth of July nears, many communities across the US may be finding other ways to celebrate than fireworks due to the wildfire danger (2); while a Washington Post article takes a look at three main reasons why wildfires in the West are getting worse (3); and Allstate Insurance points to recommendations by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety to protect homes across the West from wildfires (4). The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a $28.8 million judgment against a construction firm for starting a 2002 wildfire in Southern California's Angeles National Forest which burned 12,000 acres (5); while firefighters battled a 150-acre wildfire burning near Anza (6); and a 100-acre wildfire was reported near Taft (7); but being quite familiar with wildfires, California is sending help to Colorado (8); while Tahoe National Forest is imposing fire restrictions, especially in regards to fireworks, starting Sunday (9). An Oregon Public Broadcasting segment takes a look at a Bureau of Land Management crew filled with military vets that is training to fight wildfires in the West (10). Wildfire NOTD subscriber Mead Gruver, a reporter with the Associated Press, takes a look at the assistance National Guard troops are providing patrolling Colorado neighborhoods evacuated due to wildfires (11); and as wildfires forced evacuees out of their homes, one quick-thinking resident filmed her own evacuation (12); but more favorable weather was helping firefighters get the advantage over a 12,000-acre wildfire burning near De Beque (13); however, the 17,033-acre Waldo Canyon Fire, which has destroyed 347 homes so far, is only 15% contained (14); nevertheless, some evacuees are returning home (15); even as Pres. Obama pledged federal financial aid when he visited the fireline (16); and insurance companies like Aetna were doing their part as well (17); firefighters from as far away as Pennsylvania joining the fight (18); but a firefighter impersonator is facing additional charges (19); and the last evacuees from the High Park Fire will be returning home this afternoon (20); the next article asking what lessons have been learned in the 10 years since the devastating Hayman Fire (21); followed by an Op-Ed piece that points to "flaws in US Forest Service policies" which prevent Evergreen's 747 supertanker from battling Colorado's wildfires (22); while Aspen's city manager has been given considerable leeway in allocating resources to fight any wildfires that threaten the city (23). Firefighters in Utah continued to grapple with eight major wildfires (24); wildfire activity in Wyoming being summarized by the next article (25). Canadian air-tankers arrived to help with Montana's wildfires (26); but the Department of Natural Resources is bracing for wildfires in the west while fighting blazes in the east (27); meanwhile, fire authorities got an earful about the poor evacuation effort during the Ash Creek Fire (28); the difficult choices livestock owners face as wildfires approach being touched upon by the next article (29). South Dakota's Crow Peak Fire has been contained after burning 135 acres near Spearfish (30). Firefighters have brought containment on a wildfire in Missouri's Mark Twain National Forest to 40% (31); and in the meantime, Eureka Fire Protection District offered useful tips on how to protect their property from wildfires (32). Firefighters in central Arkansas were finally able to contain a wildfire burning in Lonoke County (33). A pair of unusual summer wildfires were reported in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley (34); the blaze on Massanutten Mountain proving to be difficult even to get to (35). With 11 active wildfires in Ontario, Canada, the Ministry of Natural Resources is advising residents to be cautious with fire and fireworks (36); but over two dozen Spanish air-tankers did battle with 1,000 ha worth of wildfires outside of Valencia (37). And finally, people in Colorado may have to worry about more than just smoke being driven by wildfires: bears chased by wildfires!

(1) NASA Partners With Forest Service To Highlight Wildfires, Science

(2) For parts of the nation, drought and wildfire fears mean a fireworks-free Fourth of July

(3) Western wildfires are getting worse. Why?

(4) Allstate encourages homeowners to take steps to reduce wildfire risk

(5) Court upholds $28.8 million penalty in Angeles National Forest fire

(6) Wildland Fire Destroys Anza Home

(7) Update: Fire in San Emidio Canyon up to 100 acres

(8) California Helping Battle Colorado Fires

(9) Fire restrictions effective Sunday in Tahoe National Forest; fireworks banned

(10) A New Fire To Fight

(11) National Guard helps patrol Colorado fire damage

(12) Colorado fire victim films her own evacuation

(13) Firefighters take the upper hand in De Beque blaze

(14) Colorado wildfire: Waldo Canyon fire at 30 percent containment

(15) Colorado wildfire roundup: More Waldo Canyon evacuees home

(16) Obama pledges federal aid on Colorado wildfire visit

(17) Aetna Helps Members Affected by Wildfires in Colorado

(18) Dauphin County firefighters among those helping to fight Colorado wildfires

(19) Suspected firefighter impersonator surrenders on new charges

(20) Colorado wildfire: All High Park evacuations lifted by noon

(21) Colorado wildfire: Have we learned any lessons? (+videos)

(22) Evergreen Air B-747 Tanker Missing in Action Not Fighting Colorado Fires

(23) Aspen getting proactive with wildfire threat

(24) Utah ablaze: Eight wildfires, unforgiving weather keep crews hopping

(25) 3rd wildfire in Medicine Bow Forest spreads fast

(26) Canadian air tankers added to Montana firefighting fleet

(27) No large fires in western Montana, but risk is rising

(28) Ash Creek Firefighting Efforts Criticized

(29) Wildfires Leave Livestock Owners With Tough Choice

(30) Firefighters contain Crow Peak Fire from running away

(31) Firefighters battling wildfires at Mark Twain National Forest

(32) Eureka Firefighters Take Steps to Prevent More Brush/Wildland Fires

(33) Crews contain forest fire in central Arkansas

(34) Firefighters battle blazes near Luray

(35) Firefighters brave heat, rough terrain

(36) Careful with fires, fireworks: MNR

(37) Spanish fires destroy vast forest tracts

(38) Colorado wildfire: Front Range blazes may mean bear trouble