WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 042713

Wildfire NOTD subscriber Mikel Robinson, the Executive Director of the International Association of Wildland Fire, sent along an invitation to an upcoming webinar on how wood mulch can be used in post-fire restoration efforts to reduce erosion of burn areas (1). With the official beginning of fire season in Bakersfield, California, on Monday, Kern County Fire Department reminded property owners they have until June 15th to clear defensible space on their property (2); and CAL FIRE firefighters are making their own preparations in San Luis Obispo County (3). Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and Mark Udall introduced legislation to permanently reauthorize Stewardship Contracting authority for the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management (4); and proponents of a state-owned air-tanker fleet said it’s time to prepare for terrorist attacks in the forests (5); even as the Bureau of Land Management prepared for fire season along the Western Slope (6). Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson blasted a US Forest Service budget proposal that will cut funding for active forest management in favor of funding the fire budget and new land acquisition (7); while the Texas Legislature is considering a bill which would authorize $168 million to help with wildfire relief in Bastrop County (8). North Dakota Game and Fish Department closed a shooting range near Bismarck, North Dakota, after a wildfire (9); and an out-of-control debris burn was blamed for a wildfire near Sangerville, Maine (10). Fire crews were grappling with a wildfire outside of Johnsburg, NY, Saturday night (11); but a 100-acre wildfire in Transylvania County, North Carolina, is 20% contained (12). An update on a Canadian wildfire burning near Flatrock, Newfoundland, indicates that nothing is left but smoke, now (13). Several wildfires broke out across Israel, including one in the Ben Shemen Forest, near Modiin, which injured two hikers (14); and another in the United Nations compound in Jerusalem (15). The chief executive of Fiji's National Fire Authority commented on an alarming number of bush and rubbish fires on that Pacific island (16); while over 2,800 personnel manned the firelines as a wildfire scorched 200 hectares in southwest China's Yunnan Province (17). Heading to Australia, a Country Fire Authority firefighter who fell off a truck and was burned while fighting a bushfire in southwest Victoria has been evacuated to Melbourne's Alfred Hospital (18); but following a January bushfire which scorched 95% of New South Wales' Warrumbungle National Park, the forest is showing signs of rejuvenation (19). Fire crews across Tasmania are battling about a dozen bushfires, windy weather complicating their task (20). And finally, kids at Montana's West Yellowstone School got up close and personal with Smokey Bear as members of the Gallatin National Forest gave them some pointers on preventing wildfires!

(1) After the Smoke Clears: The Use of Wood Mulch to Reduce Post-fire Erosion Risk

(2) Fire officials warn county residents about fire season

(3) Local fire officials prepare for busy season ahead

(4) Bennet, Udall Fight To Secure Tools, Programs Needed To Fight Wildfires, Protect Communities

(5) Are terrorists targeting forests?

(6) BLM prepares for wildfire season

(7) Simpson: Reducing Fuels Prevents Catastrophic Fires

(8) Lawmakers endorse additional funds for schools, wildfire relief and West

(9) MacLean shooting range closed after wildfire

(10) Firefighters save home from wildfire in Sangerville

(11) Firefighters on scene of forest fire in Johnsburg

(12) 100-Acre Wildfire Burns Transylvania County

(13) Forest Fire in Flatrock

(14) Two lightly injured in Ben Shemen forest fire

(15) Firefighters battle blaze in J’lem UN compound

(16) Bushfires affect NFA response

(17) 2,800 battling Yunnan forest fire

(18) Vic firefighter burnt during grassfire

(19) Warrumbungle National Park sprouts regrowth after catastrophic bushfire

(20) Wild winds cause havoc across Tasmania

(21) Youngsters learn the bear necessities of fire safety, prevention