WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 120613

Our first article today looks at the history of US Forest Service Fire and Aviation's interest in UAVs to patrol fires and keep tabs on marijuana farmers (1). A hunter accused of starting California's Rim Fire with an illegal campfire is facing federal charges (2); while the Stanislaus National Forest will host an open house on December 10th to discuss Rim Fire recovery plans with the public (3); and US Forest Service is conducting controlled burns in Plumas National Forest's Beckwourth Ranger District (4). A Christian Science Monitor article examines Arizona's Yarnell Hill Fire report in more detail (5). Wildfire NOTD subscriber John Simmons, Special Aide to Colorado State Senator Steve King, sent along a study that provides more details on the proposed Colorado Firefighting Air Corps (6); where the embattled Black Forest Fire Chief said that a report on the Black Forest Fire would probably be sent to the National Fire Protection Association within the next two weeks (7); but despite the anger of many towards the chief, others signed a petition supporting him (8). A letter to the editor in Ravalli County, Montana, argues for a facilitator to bring together various interested parties to discuss the best approach to living with wildfires (9); while volunteer fire departments in Pennsylvania, many of whom fight wildfires in that state, are waiting for clarification on how Obamacare could impact their bottom line (10). A new study from Natural Resources Canada posits that boreal forests, which traditionally have been carbon dioxide sinks, could become carbon dioxide sources as climate change breeds wildfires that set more trees ablaze (11). Heading to Australia, rainfall assisted Queensland Fire and Emergency Service fire crews in extinguishing a bushfire on North Stradbroke Island (12); while legal wrangling continued in Victoria's Latrobe Valley Magistrates Court over charges against a septuagenarian accused of lighting the Aberfeldy bushfire (13). And finally, firefighters in East Texas have found a way to reduce kids' fears of seeing firefighters in full gear coming at them in a smoky room: the hug a firefighter program!

(1) Forest Service Bought Drones To Keep Tabs On Pot Growers, Realized It Couldn't Actually Use Them

(2) Federal charges likely in Yosemite wildfire

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