WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 112813

In Southern California, La Verne Fire Department is in the process of developing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (1). Controversy continues to swirl around the early hours of Colorado's deadly Black Forest Fire (2); the destruction of habitat caused by that blaze apparently leading to the relocation of coyote packs from the wilderness into urban and suburban areas (3); but the impact of that fire has brought a football team closer together (4). The New Jersey Forest Fire Service declared a 230-acre wildfire burning in Cheesequake State Park to be under control (5); and following a 2,800-acre wildfire in Burke County, North Carolina, hunters were advised to be wary of hazards left behind by the blaze (6); while the Director of the Florida Forest Service discussed lessons learned from the deaths of the 19 Granite Hill Hotshots in Arizona (7). A construction contractor in the African nation of Ghana has embarked on an anti-bushfire campaign ahead of Harmatan season (8). A new study published in the journal Nature Geoscience examines the impact of Indian Ocean temperatures on bushfires in Australia (9); while a CSIRO research scientist believes that Asian forest fires may have altered cyclone activity in Western Australia (10). A small bushfire was reported along Barden Ridge, New South Wales (11); even as the Police and Emergency Services Minister announced that cleanup operations of 200 homes destroyed by bushfires in the Blue Mountains will begin this weekend (12); and a music festival will raise donations for bushfire survivors at The Basement in Sydney December 15th (13). Lightning strikes in Victoria sparked at least one bushfire in Merino (14); but SP AusNet has installed covered power lines in the Yarra Valley to reduce the bushfire danger (15). And finally, firefighters in Lauderhill, Florida, gave one family something to be really happy about at Thanksgiving by rescuing their dog from a house fire!

(1) La Verne fire officials need public help on wildfire prevention

(2) Sheriff, Colorado Springs firefighter say there are 'what ifs' in wake of Black Forest Fire

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