WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 052713

Fire crews in Moreno Valley, California, contained a 124-acre wildfire that broke out Saturday afternoon (1); while an 850-acre wildfire south of Julian in San Diego County is now 20% contained (2); and one firefighter was injured battling a wildfire on the outskirts of Chico (3); but fire crews brought a wildfire threatening apartments in Contra Costa County under control over the weekend (4). Wildfire NOTD subscriber Wayne Colson, CEO of Coulson Aviation USA, discusses his Oregon-based company's US Forest Service "Next Generation" air-tanker win in the next article (5). A wildfire expert from Arizona comments on the potential of unmanned aerial vehicles over wildfires, something that could become a reality in 2015 (6); the next article discussing the difference between containment of a wildfire versus control (7). Wildfire NOTD subscriber Dan Ware, Fire Prevention and Outreach Program Manager for New Mexico State Forestry, reported that a 10.8-acre wildfire was currently active in Mora County (8); while a series of meetings in Pitkin County, Colorado, next month will inform homeowners of how best to prepare for wildfires (9). Although late rains have helped the drought situation in Montana, the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation is still uncertain as to how the wildfire season will unfold (10); an article from the Missoulian chronicling the resistance US Forest Service encountered from the FAA while planning to deploy drones over forest fires in northern Idaho and Montana this fire season (11). Former Minnesota Vikings Head Coach Bud Grant reflects on a recent Wisconsin wildfire which scorched 400 acres of his property (12); and as firefighters brought an 80-acre wildfire in Escambia County, Florida, under control, evacuees returned home to get their Memorial Day activities under way (13). Heading to Canada, a burn ban remains in effect following a wildfire southwest of Edmonton, Alberta, that is now under control(14); the next article summarizing the fire situation around Thunder Bay, Ontario (15). Over the past few days, wildfires have cropped up in Sever do Vouga, Portugal, Messina, Cesine, and Policoro, Italy, and outside of Gällö, Sweden (16); while across the Mediterranean in North Africa, a wildfire blazed through Libya's Jebel Nafusa nature reserve (17). Wildlife in Indonesian Sumatra is suffering from wildfires, many deliberately set, impacting their habitat (18). And finally, a fire captain from Guam Fire Department's Tamuning Precinct demonstrated his inner-MacGyver in the ingenious rescue of a kitten trapped in a storm drain!

(1) Wildfire breaks out north of Moreno Valley

(2) Crews battle 850-acre brush fire near Banner Recreation Ranch southeast of Julian

(3) UPDATE: Human-Caused Fire Injures Firefighter

(4) Firefighters Quell Brush Fire That Threatened Concord Apartments

(5) 2 Oregon firms to get air tanker contracts

(6) Drones could play bigger role in future wildfires

(7) Wildfires: containment versus control

(8) Wildfire contained in Mora County

(9) Sheriff: Now is the time for wildfire mitigation

(10) Late May rainfall eases drought, but wildfire worries persist across Montana

(11) Missoulian: Forest Service Grounds Plan to Use Drones Over North Idaho Forest Fires

(12) Bud Grant among people touched by Wisconsin wildfire

(13) Officials keeping close eye on Escambia wildfire

(14) Wildfire that threatened homes southwest of Edmonton now listed as under control

(15) Two Forest Fires in District

(16) EFFIS - Current Situation

(17) Forest fire rages through Jebel Nafusa nature reserve

(18) Industry, fires and poachers shrink Sumatran tigers' last stronghold

(19) Firefighter saves kitten from drain