WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 022313

The threat of wildfires in Utah's Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest is discussed in our first article today (1). Residents of Midland County, Texas, were reminded by fire officials that wildfire season has begun (2); and as part of its preparations, the city of West Lake Hills has purchased a German-built wildfire camera system (3). Wildfire NOTD subscriber Mead Gruver, a reporter for the Associated Press, provides an update on the long-awaited heavy air-tanker contracts in the next article (4); but Nebraska's Legislature heard from the state forester about the hazard posed by invasive species like the eastern red cedar (5). Shooters have been blamed for a 65-hectare bushfire that closed roads north of Auckland, New Zealand (6); one helicopter pilot suffering eye injuries while fighting the blaze (7). Victoria's Fire Commissioner stated that, with no precipitation in the forecast, bushfire season could last until mid-March (8). And finally, firefighters from Thurston County, Washington, used to getting cats out of trees, had something a little larger to deal with this time: US Army paratroopers!

(1) Wildfire threats from beetle infestations

(2) Wildfire season begins for West Texas

(3) West Lake Hills buys wildfire monitoring system

(4) Tidwell: Long-delayed contracts to add up to 7 air tankers to firefighting fleet expected soon

(5) Highly Flammable Species Of Tree Blamed For Wildfires

(6) Firefighters worked into the night on Saturday to try to contain a large bush fire near Warkworth

(7) Ash gets in firefighting pilot's eyes

(8) Bushfire danger until mid March

(9) Wash. Firefighters Rescue Army Paratroopers from Trees