WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 100113

NASA's Ikhana UAV, which has been used to map forest fires over the past few years, is profiled by our first article today (1). As drought persists in Southern California's San Bernardino National Forest, some areas are closed to public access due to the fire danger (2); but looking back on the 2013 fire season, the Sequoia National Forest Fire Chief reflects that, despite a few wildfires sparked by lightning, it could have been much worse (3); however, the government shutdown could delay Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation efforts on areas impacted by the Rim Fire (4); while the Six Rivers National Forest has lifted fire restrictions (5); and a new study in the International Journal of Wildland Fire argues that wildfire severity has not increased in the Sierra Nevadas (6). Washington state's Naches Ranger District will hold a public meeting tomorrow to discuss fuel reduction plans (7). The importance of having wildland firefighters equipped with GPS locators in the aftermath of Arizona's Yarnell Hill Fire is explored by the next article (8); an ABC News segment revisiting the issue of the dwindling heavy air-tanker fleet (9). A commission organized by Colorado's governor has recommended that homeowner fees be levied and statewide building codes be adjusted to prepare for wildfires (10); those recommendations earning a ringing endorsement from the American Insurance Association (11); even as a high school in Monument donated $2,000 to the Red Cross to help with recovery efforts from the Black Forest Fire (12). The Army Corps of Engineers will conduct post-wildfire flood risk assessments in Idaho's Elmore and Blaine Counties (13). Today marks the beginning of Kentucky's fire season in a year in which 739 wildfires have already burned more than 17,000 acres statewide (14); and as the fall fire season approaches in Tennessee, Sevier County officials are urging residents to prepare (15). Seven wildfires continued to burn in Spain, Greece, and Turkey (16); while the Indonesia Climate Change Trust Fund pointed out that slash and burn agriculture and the draining of peat bogs is behind much of the forest fire problems in that East Asian nation (17). A persistent drought in Queensland, Australia, has graziers and farmers worried about the bushfire danger (18); even as firefighters in New South Wales had to contend with 69 bushfires burning across the state (19); one bushfire coming within 20 m of homes in Willmot (20); a Time Magazine article taking a closer look at the situation following the warmest winter on record (21); current conditions prompting fire officials in Hornsby Ku-ring-gai District to warn residents to prepare for the inevitable bushfires to come (22). And finally, Dallas firefighters apprehended an armed robbery suspect, showing once again that criminals should beware the long arm of the... fire service!

(1) Ikhana Pop: Meet NASA's Predator Drone

(2) San Bernardino forest fire-prevention strategy: Close it

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