WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 020513

The International Association of Wildland Fire sent along their February newsletter in which they identified their new board of directors (1). Malibu Presbyterian Church announced completion of its newly rebuilt facilities to replace those destroyed by a Southern California wildfire in 2007 (2); but a federal grand jury indicted two employees of Oregon-based Carson Helicopters in the 2008 deaths of nine people when one of their helicopters crashed transporting wildland firefighters (3); and a committee in the Utah Legislature shot down a wildfire prevention bill which would have enabled the Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands to better prepare for wildfires linked to climate change (4). The Texas Forest Service is partnering with Fort Hood to implement a faster response to wildfires on the base (5); even as crews continued to clear vegetation near the Davis Mountains Resort to reduce the wildfire danger (6); but Brown County commissioners refused to implement a burn ban, while voicing their support of the Central Texas Wildfire Academy that will take place at Camp Bowie February 14-18 (7). Firefighters in Rockport, Massachusetts, squelched a small forest fire yesterday (8). Florida Forest Service is bracing for a busy wildfire season due to continued dry conditions in that state (9); a wildfire in Flagler County providing a stark reminder of the danger (10). Tangent Link sent along a reminder about its upcoming Aerial Firefighting Conference to be held on the 10th-11th April in Aix-en-Provence, France (11). Heading to Australia, Wildfire NOTD subscriber Nathan Maddock, Communications Officer with Victoria-based Bushfire CRC, sent along their latest Fire Note which discusses how social networks can impact bushfire preparation (12); while two researchers discuss fire and forest management at the Sustainable Living Festival in the next article (13). Several endangered wallabies have been spotted in Warrumbungle National Park following bushfires that destroyed 90% of that park (14); meanwhile, Rural Fire Service will be conducting training sessions to educate homeowners on bushfire preparation in Tanja (15). Western Australia's Department of Fire and Emergency Services reported several bushfires along the Great Eastern Highway (16); however, fire crews managed to contain an 800-hectare bushfire burning outside of Boddington (17). Wildfire NOTD subscriber Colin Stewart, representing Thermo-Gel in Australia, sent along an article about the active role Australia's insurers are taking in Tasmania's post-bushfire cleanup (18). And finally, relief efforts in Tasmania received some star power assistance as the Victoria-based Hawthorn Football Club lent a hand!

(1) February 2013 Newsletter

(2) Domusstudio architecture finishes church destroyed by wildfire

(3) Employees of Oregon helicopter firm indicted in wake of fatal crash

(4) Committee votes down wildfire prevention plan bill

(5) State Agency Partners With Military Base to Improve Wildfire Response

(6) Crews try to head off more Davis Mountains fires

(7) Commissioners Take No Action On Burn Ban, Support Central Texas Wildfire Academy

(8) Rockport Police/fire: Crews quell forest fire off Hodgkins Road

(9) Dry trend increases risk of wildfires as season starts

(10) Wildfire Laps to Within Inches of P-Section House, a Reminder of Tinder Season

(11) Aerial Firefighting Europe > Aix-en-Provence, France > 10th-11th April 2013

(12) Understanding social networks for bushfire preparation

(13) Fire, forest management and the Sustainable Living Festival

(14) Endangered wallabies survive bushfire

(15) RFS wants people to learn more about bushfires

(16) String of bushfires on Great Eastern Hwy

(17) Firefighters contain blaze near Boddington

(18) Australia: Insurers take active role in bushfire cleanup

(19) Hawks assist with bushfire recovery