WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 062113

A CBS News video segment provides a summary of wildfires burning in eight Western US states (1); Wildfire NOTD subscriber Sue Russell, a Freelance Writer in San Diego County, California, sending along an article about an upcoming trial against San Diego Gas & Electric in regards to the 2007 Witch Creek/Guejito wildfires (2). Fire crews brought containment of a 6,379-acre wildfire outside of Prescott, Arizona, to 10% (3); a 5-acre blaze outside of Tucson requiring two hours to extinguish (4); while an editorial explores the virtues of a fee to offset firefighting costs as the bill for the Doce Fire tops $2.4 million (5). In an article from New Mexico, US Forest Service officials warned people to prepare for a destructive wildfire season across the West (6). A summary of wildfire activity across Colorado is up next (7); where the deadly Black Forest Fire is now 100% contained (8); the epic stand of firefighters to save two schools threatened by that fire being recounted in the next article (9); followed by firefighters' stories from the firelines (10); and an update on the 498-acre Lime Gulch Fire west of Denver (11); even as wildfires in Rio Grande County scorched 29,000 acres, forcing evacuations in the town of South Fork (12); the next article contrasting the rapid air attack on new wildfires in the region to last week's delayed aerial response (13); Wildfire NOTD subscriber Tom Lasser, a retired Lt. Colonel in the California National Guard, sending along an article about the assistance National Guard units are providing on the fire line in Huerfano County (14); while disaster relief crews from North Carolina-based Samaritan's Purse arrived to help with salvage operations in the Black Forest Fire burn area (15). Recovery efforts in Texas' Bastrop State Park provide lessons which could help other areas scorched by wildfires recover (16). Wildfire NOTD subscriber Tyler Miller passed along an article in which Wildfire NOTD subscriber Wayne Coulson, CEO of Coulson Flying Tankers, discusses British Columbia, Canada's, termination of the exclusive-use aerial firefighting contract for his venerable Martin Mars aircraft after many years of service (17); while in Europe, wildfires were active outside of Minervino Murge, Italy, Timpaki, Evia, Amaliada, and Ilia, Greece, Choirokitia, Cyprus, and near Anamur, Aydın, Hatay, and Mersin, Turkey (18). Military units assisted firefighters battling a 25-acre wildfire in Mihintale Forest Reserve on the Indian Ocean island nation of Sri Lanka (19). And finally, one of the perks of being a British firefighter is that you may get your own specially brewed beer!

(1) Wildfires tear across eight states in Western U.S.

(2) Court Sets Trial Date for Witch Creek/Guejito Wildfire Victims

(3) Crews gain hold on wildfire west of Prescott

(4) Tucson firefighters put out brush fire near Davis-Monthan

(5) Editorial: Fee would offset firefighting costs

(6) Western wildfires: Experts warn to expect destructive season

(7) Colorado wildfires burning at multiple sites, some at zero containment

(8) Colorado's devastating Black Forest Fire 100% contained

(9) 'A reason the schools survived:' Campuses feared lost in Black Forest fire are largely unscathed

(10) VIDEO: Firefighters stories from the front lines of the Black Forest fire near Colorado Springs

(11) Firefighters aim to keep Lime Gulch fire from jumping S. Platte River

(12) Town of South Fork ordered to evacuate because of wildfire

(13) Quick air response follows last week's fires

(14) Colorado Guard Helicopters Battle East Peak Fire

(15) Samaritan's Purse Helps 'Salvage' Remains From Colo. Black Forest Fire

(16) As Wildfire Season Burns On, Lessons Abound in Bastrop, Texas

(17) Hawaii Mars faces uncertain future

(18) EFFIS - Current Situation

(19) Forest fire at Mihintale

(20) Hero firefighter given his own specially brewed beer