WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 033013

With rainfall below average across Southern California, homeowners in Big Bear are being advised to complete a Wildfire Home Assessment and Checklist provided by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (1); and with seven wildfires already reported this month in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties, CAL FIRE is warning that the open burn season concludes at the end of April (2). The American Red Cross provided some tips on what to pack in the event of a wildfire evacuation in Arizona (3); but firefighters battling a house fire near Helena, Montana, were concerned that the blaze might spread to grass and timber nearby (4). As drier conditions prevail across parts of Michigan, the Department of Natural Resources is recommending that landowners chip their forest debris rather than conducting controlled burns which might spark wildfires (5). The Alabama Forestry Commission is redeploying fire crews with heavy equipment to the southern part of the state where the fire danger is greatest (6); arson being suspected in wildfires that broke out in Mobile and Washington counties this week (7); but a forecast of rain on Easter may bring some relief to the Mobile area (8). Having seen 1,865 wildfires destroy 20,056 acres during the 2011-2012 fire season, the Mississippi Forestry Commission cautioned property owners about the danger debris burns pose this time of year (9); while firefighters from Harford and Baltimore counties, Maryland, dealt with a quarter acre blaze outside of Joppatowne (10). Fire crews in North Carolina have brought containment on a 700-acre wildfire in the Croatan National Forest to 60% (11); even as South Carolina Forestry Commission fire crews lit a 30-acre controlled burn in Harbison State Forest to reduce wildfire fuel (12). Florida Highway Patrol warned motorists that smoke from a wildfire near Baker made driving conditions hazardous along State Route 4 (13); and Interstate 75 has reopened in Hillsboro County following a 50-acre wildfire that threatened nearby homes (14). Wildfires continue to break out in Scotland, the largest, a 120-acre blaze, was reported on the Isle of Lewis (15); but cash-strapped Greece is concerned about how their aging air-tanker fleet will handle wildfires in the coming summer (16). A wind-driven forest fire was reported near the Universiti Brunei Darussalam on the island of Borneo (17); while police in New South Wales, Australia, are inspecting a suspicious bushfire that blazed across 7 ha in St. George's Basin yesterday (18). And finally, scientists at the UK's University of Sheffield have developed a new tactile helmet which could help firefighters "feel" their way through heavy smoke or dark conditions!

(1) Wildfire Home Assessment & Checklist

(2) Wildfires High during March Drought

(3) Items to have in your house in case of emergency

(4) Wildfire destroys home, garage outside Helena

(5) Snow melt brings drier conditions and the wildfires

(6) Foresters Focused on Wildfire Threat in South Ala.

(7) Arson suspected in Mobile and Washington County wildfires as authorities prepare for more outbreaks Saturday (updated)

(8) Easter rains could bring wildfire relief

(9) Wildfire prevention highlighted in March

(10) Firefighters from three companies control woods fire in Joppatowne Friday

(11) Fire about 60-percent contained; spreads to more than 700 acres

(12) Sparking a fire to prevent a fire

(13) Forest fire could affect visibility on roads

(14) Southbound lanes of I-75 reopen after brush fire

(15) Crews tackle spate of wildfires

(16) Public order minister expresses firefighting concerns ahead of summer

(17) Forest Fire At Muara-Tutong Highway

(18) Arson suspected in NSW bushfire

(19) Sensory helmet could mean firefighters are not left in the dark