WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 092512

We lead off today with a striking photo of wildfires burning in the western US and Canada as seen from space (1); while a 2,851-acre wildfire in San Diego County, California, that has killed one homeowner is now 55% contained (2). Northwest Interagency Coordination Center provided an overview of wildfire activity in the Pacific Northwest (3); a summary of wildfire activity in Central Washington state follows (4); smoke from wildfires in Wenatchee causing respiratory problems for people in Eastern Washington (5); but on top of the acreage burned and homes destroyed, the next article takes a look at the cultural losses caused by those wildfires (6). Wildfire NOTD subscriber Kate Dargan, CEO of Interra Group, sent along an article from Colorado about how they have outfitted USFS with a Fire Enterprise Geospatial Portal that merges satellite images with fire data to provide real-time information on an incident (7); but a man accused of impersonating a wildland firefighter during Jefferson County's High Park Fire appeared in court for the first time (8); while officials are pondering changes to Colorado laws to better handle wildfire preparation and rehabilitation in the future (9); but in the meantime, a 224-acre wildfire has been reported in the White River National Forest (10). The Bureau of Land Management is using lessons learned from Idaho's fire season to prepare for 2013 (11); however, the wildfire arson trial of a resident of Wayne County, Utah, has prompted some residents to blame US Forest Service for inadequate thinning to reduce the wildfire danger (12). Travis County, Texas, will be purchasing a military surplus helicopter to assist with firefighting (13). A 10,515-acre wildfire burning in Montana's Gallatin National Forest is now 81% contained (14); the next article comparing Montana's 5,962-acre Sawtooth Fire with Idaho's massive Mustang Complex (15). An update on wildfire activity in North Dakota is provided by the next article (16); followed by a pair of letters to the editor of the New York Times which discuss the double-edged sword that is wildfire (17). Firefighters in British Columbia, Canada, continued to grapple with a 20-hectare wildfire that is now 20% contained (18); and wildfires in northwestern Alberta are making for smoky skies in Edmonton (19). US Forest Service is assisting officials in Jamaica in the establishment of their new Forest Fire Management Programme (20); while an article from Scientific American takes a look at how scientists in Brazil's Amazon are flying into smoke clouds to better understand how burning biomass in South America is affecting the local weather and air quality (21). Thousands of Spaniards remained evacuated from areas around Valencia threatened by a 5,500-hectare wildfire (22). Australians in Brimbank, Victoria, are tussling with officials over a plan for electric utility companies to take over street tree trimming to reduce the bushfire danger (23); while fire officials in Queensland feel that a 15 km² bushfire may have been deliberately started (24); one of several that have been burning across the state (25); a radio segment from Brisbane reminding homeowners of the importance of a bushfire survival plan (26). Eleven bushfires were reported in New South Wales (27); while a bushfire which has scorched 130,000 ha has forced closures in Western Australia's Purnululu National Park (28). And finally, firefighters in New South Wales are hot under the collar about uncomfortable new fire suits!

(1) Wildfires in the Western US and Canada

(2) Firefighters make progress in Shockey fire

(3) Firefighters put out six new blazes as Northwest crews make progress

(4) Progress continues against Central Washington wildfires

(5) Smoke from Wenatchee-area wildfires remains problem in E. Washington

(6) In memorium: Naneum Rim Trail

(7) Real-time fire data system embraced by Forest Service

(8) Alleged firefighter impersonator appears in Jeffco court Monday

(9) Lawmakers review bills to address Colo. wildfires

(10) Fire near Buford Road grows to 224 acres

(11) Lessons learned will help prepare for next wildfire season

(12) Utah wildfire arsonist sentenced to jail time, probation

(13) Travis County to purchase firefighting helicopter

(14) Millie Fire 80 percent contained

(15) Smoky air keeps Sawtooth fire down; light rain falls on Mustang Complex

(16) Firefighters contain blaze

(17) Controlling Wildfires (2 Letters)

(18) B.C. crews still battling spreading forest fire west of Shawnigan Lake

(19) Smoke advisory for Edmonton due to fires

(20) US assists Forestry Dept in forest fire management

(21) Airborne Analysis of Burning Amazon Forests Could Close Climate Model Gaps

(22) Spanish forest fire sees thousands evacuated

(23) Hands off our trees: council

(24) Arson suspected in large bushfire

(25) Fire crews battle blazes in north, north-west and south-east of Queensland

(26) What's your bushfire plan?

(27) More Fires Continue to Burn Across Region

(28) Bushfire closes Bungle Bungle national park

(29) O'Farrell dismisses fire suit criticism