WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 080913

Our first article today shows how US Forest Service is using technologies such as NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites as well as advanced fire and fuel software to assist fire managers on the ground (1); and the Red Cross is lending its services to evacuees impacted by wildfires in the West (2). Fire crews brought Southern California's 16,000-acre Silver Fire to 25% containment overnight (3); but Wildfire NOTD subscriber Janet Upton, Deputy Director of Communications at CAL FIRE, discussed how abundant fuel was causing erratic fire behavior (4); even as a 100-acre wildfire near the mountain community of Wrightwood reached 5% containment (5); both fires forcing evacuations, as chronicled by an NBC News video segment (6); the next article providing several striking photos of DC-10s heading out to battle wildfires in the Inland Empire (7); while an article from the mountain community of Idyllwild, which was threatened by the Mountain Fire weeks ago, discusses the importance of fuel-reduction burns to reduce the wildfire threat (8); and US Sen. Barbara Boxer charged that climate change is contributing to what could become one of the worst California fire seasons in a century (9); meanwhile, Northern California's 7,498-acre Butler Fire was 8% contained (10). Over 3,000 firefighters continued to battle the Douglas Complex in Southern Oregon (11); while a memorial service for a water tender driver killed in a rollover will be held on Saturday in Albany (12). Four lightning-sparked wildfires in Arizona's Kaibab National Forest continued to spread (13); but the City of Prescott has launched an inquiry into whether some of the Granite Mountain Hotshots were promised full-time positions prior to their deaths during the Yarnell Hill Fire (14); even as Arizona lawmakers considered bills that would extend full employee benefits to any firefighter who dies on state land (15). Lightning strikes started nearly 20 wildfires in Idaho's Boise National Forest (16); the Northwest Insurance Council offering some tips on how to fireproof your home (17). The next article provides an update on Montana's Indian Creek Fire, which has burned over 150 acres near Sheridan (18); while a 20-person crew that departed in July to fight wildfires in Oregon and Utah returned home to the Ohio Training Academy in Reynoldsburg (19). Heading to Europe, Portugal has arrested nearly 2 dozen people suspected of setting wildfires (20); while Italy reported nearly a dozen new wildfires and Greece reported one new one as well (21); but as 8,000 ha on the Italian island of Sardinia went up in smoke, some are asking why it took so long for enough firefighting aircraft to arrive (22). Seven months after bushfires devastated parts of Victoria, Australia, the next article takes a closer look at recovery efforts there (23); while a pair of articles discuss how two communities are dealing with the new bushfire risk mapping system being employed by the state (24)(25); a new novel portraying the conflict between environmentalists and developers leading up to the Black Saturday bushfires (26). And finally, our last article today examines the lives of a mother and daughter who are both wildland firefighters in California!

(1) NASA 'Fire Towers' in Space Watch for Wildfires On the Rise

(2) Red Cross Responding to Flooding and Wildfires Across U.S

(3) Officials fear Silver fire may burn deeper into San Bernardino forest

(4) Riverside County wildfire's speed shows growing risks

(5) Sharp Fire near Wrightwood 100 acres, 5 percent contained

(6) Thousands flee as 16,000-acre California wildfire spreads

(7) Air Tankers Heading Out To Battle Two Brush Fires

(8) Fire and Forest: Lessons

(9) Wildfires Spark Debate On Climate Change Among Calif. Politicians

(10) Air quality warnings remain in effect as firefighters continue to battle Butler Fire

(11) Scene from Oregon's largest, toughest cluster of wildfires: Tree skeletons and choking smoke

(12) Albany memorial service for dead firefighter

(13) Kaibab National Forest fires continue to burn

(14) Prescott launches inquiry on benefits for firefighters' families

(15) Arizona lawmakers to consider aiding families of fallen firefighters

(16) An estimated 18 fires started overnight near Mountain Home

(17) Protecting your home against wildfires: Insurance officials offer tips, inspections

(18) Fire near Sheridan estimated at more than 150 acres

(19) UPDATE: Local Firefighters Return After Fighting Wildfires

(20) Forest fires arrests made

(21) EFFIS - Current Situation

(22) Fires on Sardinia destroy 8,000 hectares of greenery

(23) Victims of summer bushfire hell try to move on

(24) Bendigo awaits details of bushfire mapping changes

(25) Changes to 'streamline' bushfire risk mapping

(26) A Gripping Drama in Australia's Deadliest Bushfire Season

(27) Wildland firefighting: A family affair