WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 071313

We lead off today with an article from the National Fire Protection Association on Fire Adapted Communities (1). KPBS provides a retrospective on the Southern California community of Malibu's history with Santa Ana wind-whipped wildfires (2); while a memorial service for one of the 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots killed in Arizona is scheduled for today in the Inland Empire community of Hemet (3); but a 50-acre wildfire on the outskirts of Morgan Hill was 70% contained (4); Lassen National Forest indicating they will implement fire restrictions early next week (5). Drier conditions forced officials to tighten fire restrictions in Oregon's Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest beginning Monday (6). Cooler, wetter weather allowed firefighters to gain some ground on Nevada's wildfires (7); but as rain fell in some of the burn areas, US Forest Service workers were putting up barriers to prevent flooding (8); US Sen. Dean Heller commented on the effective teamwork of fire crews battling the massive Bison Fire on Mount Charleston (9); the next article taking a look at retardant mixing operations in the field (10); while volunteers did their part to help wildfire survivors (11). According to Bureau of Land Management records, six heavy air-tankers that were requested to fight the Yarnell Hill Fire before 19 Granite Mountain Hotshots were killed in a burnover were unavailable due to the national shortage of heavy air-tankers (12); meanwhile, mulching operations to reduce the chance of flooding from the Doce Fire burn areas is under way in the Prescott National Forest (13). An Op-Ed piece from Colorado re-examines the impact of climate change and pine beetles on wildfires (14); but despite a wildfire burning in the Pike National Forest, Douglas and Jefferson counties are reducing fire restrictions (15). A memorial luncheon for one of the 19 firefighters who died in Arizona will be held in Cedar City, Utah, July 20th (16); while a lack of rainfall coupled with increasing temperatures has several counties across Texas' Brazos Valley worried about wildfires (17). Wildfire NOTD subscriber Rick Hatton, CEO of 10 Tanker Air Carrier, discusses why his operation will not be moving to Casper, Wyoming, in the next article (18). An editorial from Massachusetts echoes the thoughts of a researcher from University of California's Center for Fire Research and Outreach that more innovation is needed in the fight against Western wildfires (19); while North Carolina Air National Guard's 145th Airlift Wing will be returning home this weekend after battling wildfires in Arizona (20). There was trouble in paradise as firefighters from Honolulu Fire Department battled a 10-acre wildfire in Haleiwa (21). With accusations of who is responsible for Indonesia's wildfires flying back and forth, Malaysian firm Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad denies any responsibility (22); but the political debate over climate change and bushfires is heating up in Australia (23). And finally, the 19 members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots will be immortalized with "Heroes 19", an American brown ale!

(1) Wildland fires

(2) Spitting Hot Fire: Malibu Wildfires and the Santa Anas

(3) Memorial service to be held for fallen AZ firefighter in Hemet

(4) Fire Near Morgan Hill Scorched 50 Acres

(5) Lassen Forest fire restrictions start Monday

(6) Forest rules tighten as fire danger spikes

(7) Weather helps firefighters battle Nevada wildfires

(8) Rain creates flooding in Vegas-area wildfire area

(9) Sen. Dean Heller visits area burned by wildfire

(10) Makeshift retardant operation crucial to firefighting efforts

(11) Volunteers helping out with relief efforts for wildfire victims

(12) APNewsBreak: Commanders asked for 6 air tankers 45 minutes before Arizona firefighter deaths

(13) Arizona wildfires: Seeds, mulch added to burned areas to help with flooding

(14) Robert Castellino: Forest fires -- Climate change fuels pine beetle epidemic

(15) Fire restrictions in Douglas and Jefferson counties lifted, while wildfire still burns

(16) Benefit planned for fallen Cedar City firefighter

(17) As Drought Worsens, Wildfire Risk Increases

(18) Aerial firefighting company cancels Casper move

(19) Editorial: Innovation needed in fight against wildfires

(20) N.C. firefighters to return home by the weekend

(21) Honolulu firefighters battled brush fire in Haleiwa

(22) Malaysian firm denies hand in haze

(23) Tony Abbott's climate policy is just a figleaf developed by deniers

(24) Arizona Breweries to Honor Hot Shots