WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 102212

Although San Diego Gas & Electric was unable to win support from the California Public Utilities Commission for a plan to recover wildfire costs from ratepayers, they continued their lobbying efforts ahead of the November 29th deadline for a final ruling (1); while roads which were closed by the Mendocino National Forest's North Pass Fire should be reopening tonight (2). Following on the heels of Utah passing a law that aims to take back control of federal lands in that state, Arizona's leadership is pushing to reclaim wildfire control over 25,000,000 acres, including the Grand Canyon (3); and a wildfire burning in rugged terrain in Albuquerque, New Mexico's, Sandia Foothills is now 70% contained (4). Wildfire activity in southwestern Colorado is the focus of the next article (5); but as authorities continued to search for the man charged with starting a wildfire in Creek County, Oklahoma, people are trying to get their lives back on track (6). An increase in precipitation has allowed Teton County, Wyoming, to lift their fire ban (7); but after a year in which 1,300 wildfires burned 600,000 acres across that state, experts are asking whether this will become the norm (8). Residents of tiny Bucyrus, North Dakota, gathered for a prayer service after a wildfire destroyed 24 structures in their town (9); even as another North Dakota community recalled a wildfire that blazed through their town 10 years ago (10). An 83-acre wildfire near Chadron, Nebraska, is now 95% contained (11). A mock firefighting exercise in Missouri's St. Francois State Park provided some useful lessons for firefighters who may have to fight the real thing in the future (12); while South Carolina Forestry Commission reminded property owners that 40% of wildfires start out as debris burns (13). Wildfires were reported in Spain and Bulgaria (14); more details on a pair of wildfires in Bulgaria being provided by the next article (15). Heavy smoke from bushfires in Kenya, Africa, are impacting beekeepers in the Rift Valley Province (16). An overview of bushfire activity across Australia is provided by the next article (17); from whence Wildfire NOTD subscriber Nathan Maddock, Communications Officer for Bushfire CRC, sent along a fire note that documents a project which aims to develop a better understanding of the spot fire ignition potential of firebrands under a range of fuel and weather conditions (18). Homeowners in Victoria are being warned of an elevated bushfire danger as a hot, dry summer is in the forecast (19); but although current fires are under control, fire officials in Queensland fear that approaching thunderstorms could change that (20). Nearly 100 bushfires burned across New South Wales in windy conditions (21); air-tankers assisting firefighters on the ground battling a 30,000-hectare bushfire in the Macleay River region (22); but the threat of high winds could prevent air-tankers from dealing with the blaze near Casino (23); meanwhile, jewelry from a man's body found in a bushfire burn area is being used to identify its owner (24). South Australia's Country Fire Service Volunteers Association is lobbying to have its communications center return to 24-hour coverage (25). As Western Australia kicks off Bushfire Action Week, the next article takes a look at the fire danger across the state (26); even as the government got an earful from the Opposition over delays to a report on last November’s Margaret River and Millyeannup bushfires (27). And finally, firefighters from around the world will descend on Sydney, Australia, for the 2012 World Firefighters Games!

(1) SDG&E presses case on wildfire costs

(2) Mendocino National Forest to open fire-closed roads

(3) Wildfires Fuel Sovereignty Push as Arizona Claims Grand Canyon

(4) Forest Service: Chimney fire now 70 percent contained

(5) 222-acre wildfire burning in southwestern Colorado no longer considered a threat to 18 homes

(6) Creek County Wildfire Victims Move Forward; Suspect Still On The Run

(7) County fire ban lifted

(8) Experts wonder if forest fires will only increase in number, severity

(9) Bucyrus residents gather for prayer service in wake of wildfire that swept through ND town

(10) ND town still alive after wildfire 10 years ago

(11) Spotted Tail Fire nearing containment

(12) Firefighters learn forest fire skills

(13) Debris burns top cause of forest fires in SC

(14) EFFIS - Current Situation

(15) Firefighters keep on battling two wildfires in Bulgaria

(16) Pollution and bush fires choke honey output in the Rift Valley

(17) Bushfire battles continue

(18) Firebrand behaviour and the probability of fuel bed ignition

(19) Victorians warned about bushfire risk as hot, dry summer is predicted

(20) Thunderstorms loom as threat as fire crews on full alert

(21) Winds create state of chaos across Sydney

(22) Bushfire destroys 30,000 hectares in NSW

(23) Strong winds to fan forest fire

(24) Jewellery clue to dead man's identity

(25) Country Fire Service calls for 24-hour cover to aid volunteer firefighters

(26) Most of WA faces bushfire risk this summer

(27) No excuse for bushfire report delay

(28) Firefighters descend on Sydney for global games