WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 110612

In Southern California, firefighters brought a 350-acre wildfire burning in the Cajon Pass to 40% containment this morning (1); while Stanislaus National Forest will conduct controlled burns on 337 acres to reduce fuel loads (2). U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell received a letter from two Washington state Congressman urging the prevention of wildfires through better forest management (3); but heavy equipment will cause some traffic delays as they make repairs to roads damaged by wildfires in the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest near Mountain City, Nevada (4). New Mexico's Lincoln National Forest will be conducting controlled burns on 331 acres (5); while Gila National Forest will be offering training courses in December for those interested in pursuing a wildland firefighting career (6). Although Colorado's Waldo Canyon Fire destroyed 346 homes this past summer, it's expected to generate 750 new jobs as people rebuild (7); even as firefighters brought a 1,000-acre blaze near Vallecito Reservoir to 25% containment (8); and a 40-acre blaze was reported outside of Steamboat Springs (9). Wildfire survivors in Creek and Cleveland counties, Oklahoma, were reminded that only two weeks remain to apply for Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance (10). North Carolina Forest Service firefighters grappled with a 25-acre wildfire outside of North Wilkesboro yesterday (11); which helped underscore their warnings to homeowners about the dry forest conditions elevating the wildfire danger statewide (12). South Korean Park Forests Division has issued a nationwide wildfire warning that will be in effect through November 15 (13). A new study published in the journal New Phytologist recommends that Australia's giant Eucalyptus trees be classified as denizens of the rainforest even though they are bushfire-dependent (14); while scientists feel that Victoria's Mountain Ash trees may hold the secret of how forest giants survive heat waves and bushfires (15); but property owners in the Macedon Ranges who fail to properly clear vegetation ahead of bushfire season could suffer some heavy fines (16). Heli-tankers were called in to help fight a bushfire which threatened homes outside of Doolandella, Queensland (17). And finally, now that the wildfire season is over in Arizona and New Mexico, 150 wildland firefighters are heading to the East Coast to help folks impacted by Hurricane Sandy!

(1) San Bernardino County wildfire in Cajon Pass about 40 percent contained; I-15 reopens

(2) Bear Mountain Underburn, Stanislaus National Forest, Groveland Ranger District

(3) Jaime Herrera Beutler, Doc Hastings Urge Prevention of Devastating Wildfires through Better Forest Management

(4) Road repairs begin near Mtn. City

(5) Lincoln Forest picks Akers project for burn

(6) Firefighting courses to be offered in Truth or Consequences

(7) Colorado Springs wildfire expected to create jobs

(8) Several Wildfires Burn In Colorado

(9) Firefighters contain wildfire at base of Sleeping Giant

(10) Two Weeks Remain For OK Wildfire Victims To Apply For Assistance

(11) Forest fire off Browntown Road near Mertie Road burns about 25 acres

(12) Dry forest conditions prompt warnings

(13) South Korea issues nationwide forest fire warning until Nov. 15

(14) Giant Eucalyptus Trees Earn Rain Forest Stripes

(15) Key to survival of forest giants revealed

(16) Fines soar for untidy bushfire prone properties

(17) Water-bombing helicopters called in to fight fire near houses at Doolandella

(18) Arizona, New Mexico wildfire crews in NYC