WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 011513

Wildfire NOTD subscriber Jon Keeley, a Research Ecologist with California-based USGS Western Ecological Research Center, leads off today's news discussing how wildfire strategy has to change if we intend to save more structures from wildfires and preserve native vegetation (1). A banner year in air traffic will allow Oregon's Medford Airport to expand facilities around the US air-tanker base and improve the runway there (2); while Penn State University researchers published a new statistical model called "Random Forest" in the journal Forest Ecology and Management which may help with wildfire response (3). The International Association of Wildland Fire sent along a reminder that early registration for their upcoming 4th Fire Behavior and Fuels Conference in Raleigh, North Carolina, will be ending on 1/18 (4). Wildfire NOTD subscriber Nathan Maddock, Communications Officer at Victoria-based Bushfire CRC, shared their latest Fire Note which explains the importance of a knowledge management system for the development of bushfire communication products (5); while a bushfire survivor in Carngham, Victoria, reflected on the generosity of people helping her recover from bushfire damage (6); but Country Fire Authority is expecting another busy time ahead as temperatures in that state climb on Thursday (7); recent bushfire activity spurring sales of underground safety bunkers in the Yarra Ranges (8); meanwhile, a teenager accused of lighting a bushfire in Bendigo has had his day in court (9). Wildfire NOTD subscriber David Cant of BlazeTamer380 in Australia sent along an item covering the bushfire which torched 30 homes in New South Wales' Warrumbungle National Park (10); although crews are finally making some inroads (11); a radio segment recounting the efforts of farmers to save livestock from a bushfire near Yass (12); while others are using 21st century technology to spot bushfires encroaching on their range (13); and a racecar driver told of how bushfires were within five minutes of his Kurri Kurri home (14); but despite the devastation, the bushfires have brought out the best in some people (15); the following article taking a look back 30 years at an epic bushfire (16). Tasmania Fire Service credited bushfire warnings and better weather prediction with saving lives (17); but a radio segment discusses popular disgust with the Tasmanian Bushfire Recovery Taskforce (18); even as the family of a firefighter who died while setting prescribed burns is asking why he was working alone (19); while life is slowly returning to normal in bushfire-ravaged Dunalley (20); a benefit concert intended to help with bushfire recovery being planned for next Monday (21). And finally, we have a profile of a special rescue unit from California's Felton Fire Protection District that helps big victims - really big victims!

(1) Fighting Fires: You're Doing It Wrong

(2) Medford airport has second-best year ever

(3) PSU research may aid in wildfire response

(4) Early Registration and Hotel Rates Ending Soon

(5) Making knowledge visible

(6) 'Humanity is absolutely wonderful': Carngham bushfire victim

(7) Vic firefighters brace for scorcher

(8) Victorian residents invest in underground safety bunkers for bushfire season

(9) Youth accused of lighting bushfire faces court

(10) Over 30 homes destroyed in northern NSW blaze

(11) Crews make progress fighting major NSW bushfire

(12) Bushfire aftermath at Yass

(13) Pastoralists flock to bushfire website

(14) Ipswich/Australia: Witches star tells of shocking bushfires

(15) Generosity overwhelms bushfire victims

(16) Heat stirs memory of tragic bushfires

(17) Bushfire warnings preserved life: TFS

(18) Criticism comes early for Tasmanian Bushfire Recovery Taskforce

(19) Firefighter death in Tas raises questions

(20) Life returning to bushfire devastated Dunalley

(21) Bushfire benefit tickets on sale

(22) Large hearts for large animals: Felton firefighters specialize in rescues of large animal