WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 071808

Today's installment covers the wildfire news for both yesterday and today, including stories about how California wine crops may be spoiled by excessive wildfire smoke (something Australian vintners had problems with during bushfires down under), another on how weather could increase the severity of wildfires in Washington State and British Columbia, and more national and international wildfire news.

To lead off, here is a pretty nifty photo from Wayne Coulson, owner of Coulson Flying Tankers, showing President Bush flying over the Martin Mars in Lake Shasta.




Vintners Worry Wildfires May Smoke Their Harvest

Heat, wind may fuel wildfires around state

B.C. wildfires multiplying with hot weather

Bush surveys record-breaking Calif. wildfires

Attack on Calif fires one of largest tanker ops

Greek Firefighters Tame More Than 100 Blazes

Guard limiting training because of wildfire danger

State Guard sends two helicopters, crews to California to help fight wildfires

Some residents in path of wildfire frustrated

Beefed-up crews make dent in Mount Adams-area fire

FLAME Act may snuff out state fires

Coastal Big Sur bounces back from wildfires

WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 071608

The wildfire news was a bit more subdued today, leading off with an article from Bill Hoffman on San Diego government/fire officials' fire plans, followed by another article on California firefighting costs, with an interesting idea: tax homeowners in earthquake and flood zones as well as those in wildfire zones, since the same equipment can be used for those disasters. A Science Daily article on the assistance NASA is providing on fire mapping provides some interesting images. Greece has over 100 fires burning at the moment, as does Canada, forcing them to recall some of the Canadians manning firelines in California. Firefighters were making progress on the California wildfires, but another county was declared a disaster area (the twelfth so far) and another $41.5 million of public assistance money was used to help pay for suppression costs. A couple of stories from Redding chart firefighters' progress and also a spotters-eye-view of what the folks coordinating air attacks on wildfires see. Finally, another warning has been issued about how climate change could be increasing wildfires.

County fire chiefs, districts back recommendations from regional committee

California burns through its firefighting funds. Homeowner fees ahead

California Wildfires As Seen From Remotely Piloted Aircraft

Fires rage outside Athens

Raging blazes fuel precautions

Fire crews make progress on California wildfires

Sky captains - Directing air traffic, attacks a key component in firefighting

Firefighters make headway on blazes

You Think Wildfire Season Is Bad Now? Just Wait

WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 071508

In the news today, The Discovery Channel provides a more in-depth article on the Ikhana RPV used to map wildfires. Mudslides follow the rains near Sequoia National Park, while the governor's office gets into a dispute with newspapers over the historical significance of the recent wildfires. Some commentary about air-attack and mudslides in burn areas, followed by a couple of articles detailing the contribution of the Air Force and Navy to the battles. Many other stories detail the shifting tide of wildfires around the world. Enjoy!

Calif. Firefighters Get Backup From NASA Drone

Mudslides hit Calif. town near Sequoia forest

Governor calls wildfires worst in state history; well, not exactly

Bombing the blazes

Calif. mountain towns clean up mud flows

302nd AEG conducts its twentieth day of California wild fire support

Navy Helo Squadron Helps Tame Wildfires

Wildfire Preparedness Campaign Launches

Cooler weather allows progress on Calif. wildfires

County Firefighters Travel To Assist NoCal Fire Effort

Tackling heightened risk of forest fires examined in UN-backed meeting in Canada

Flames fill Alaskan tundra

Wildfire Covers 8,000 Acres Near Mount Adams

Greek forest fire threatens munitions factory

California Firefighting Bill Could Approach $1 Billion

Wildfires bring demand for private firefighters

Insurers, communities partner to reduce wildfire risk in Ariz.

Air tankers return home to B.C. fires

And finally, another cautionary tale, this one in regards to misrepresenting one's physical health after an injury:

Injured firefighter also a competitive bodybuilder

WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 071408

There was a fair amount of wildfire news today, but first some California fire stats:

Total State and Federal California Fires: 1,781
Total Contained: 1,493
84% of Fires in California Contained
Total Active Fires: 288

Per the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), 40 states have provided assets or personnel to assist California with fire fighting operations since the fires began on June 21, 2008.

There are currently 20 complexes that are actively threatening life and property.

There are a total of 839,343 acres burned, 21,255 personnel assigned, and 120 total rotary aircraft. Other resources include: 146 Strike Teams/Task Forces, 1,513 engines, 227 dozers, 482 hand crews, 391 water tenders and 4,128 overhead. 289 firefighter injuries reported.

Property threatened or destroyed includes: 8,180 residences threatened, 10 residences damaged, and 100 residences destroyed. There are 141 commercial properties threatened, 0 (zero) commercial properties damaged, and 1 (one) commercial property destroyed. 2,513 outbuildings threatened, 5 (five) outbuilding damaged, and 127 outbuildings destroyed.

Military and Out-of-State Resources:
* National Guard, Active Military and Reserve aircraft tasked to support firefighting activity totals 35 air resources, including:

Rotary Wing Aircraft – 26 total (includes USMC and NSN helos listed below)

Activated Type 1 helicopters: (16 total)
Type 1 helicopters have water dropping capability.
4 UH 60 – California National Guard
2 HH 60 – California Air National Guard
1 UH 60 – Arizona National Guard
1 UH 60 – North Dakota National Guard
1 UH 60 – Nebraska National Guard
1 UH 60 – New Mexico National Guard
1 UH 60 – Utah National Guard
1 CH 47 – Oregon National Guard
1 CH 47 – Washington National Guard
1 CH 47 – California National Guard
1 CH 47 – Nebraska National Guard
1 CH 47 - Nevada National Guard

Activated Type 3 helicopters: (2 total)
Type 3 helicopters are smaller helicopters used for reconnaissance.
2 OH 58 – California National Guard

Fixed Wing Aircraft - 9 total

Imagery (infrared) and Reconnaissance: (1 total)
Imagery aircraft provide infrared/reconnaissance support.
1 RC 26 – California National Guard

MAFFS (Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System): (8 total)
MAFFS (Modular Airborne Fighting Systems) is a pressurized 3,000 gallon tank installed on a C-130 aircraft used to drop fire retardant or water.
3 MAFFS – US Air Force Reserve (Colorado) - Federal
3 MAFFS – North Carolina Air Guard
2 MAFFS – Wyoming Air Guard

* The California National Guard has 1,104 Guardsmen on state status supporting the fires. In addition, there are Guard members from North Carolina in T10 federal status supporting MAFFS.

* OES has verified that National Guard Air Assets have been provided by 10 States: Arizona, North Dakota, Colorado, North Carolina, Washington, Oregon, New Mexico, Nebraska, Utah and Wyoming.

Federal Military Support - 8 rotary wing aircraft total
* Per Title 10, USMC and USN helos are being released.
* United States Marine Corps: 4 CH-46 helicopters and 2 CH-53 helicopters
* United States Navy: 2 MH-60 helicopters
* United States Air Force Reserve: 3 MAFFS (Colorado) – included in Fixed Wing Aircraft Total above.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The news leads off today with a conversation I had with Wayne Coulson, owner of Coulson Flying Tankers (the Martin Mars folks), via e-mail yesterday in regard to the fires the Mars is fighting up north:

Good Morning Michael,
I wanted to let you know that the Mars has been dispatched back to Lake Shasta as the USFS have some significant concerns in the area and we will be back in action up there this afternoon.
Cheers Wayne

Hi Wayne,
I imagine you wish you had all four Mars aircraft available to fight fires, right now. You could really make a splash in California. Pity there are only two left. Any chance you will be bringing the second one south?
Mike.

Hi Mike... Not at this time for number 2 as we only have one trained crew... They are moving us around like a type one helicopter which has shown the customer total flexibility especially with the Martin Mars, 3 support semis, a gel base and a bird dog is working excellent. They have given us a great opportunity to showcase a mobile Gel base.
Cheers Wayne


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Good news up north, where the Gap Fire is now 90% contained and firefighters are showing progress in Mendocino. The benefits and detriments on the fireline of the rains we had over the weekend were discussed. Firefighters were given a well-deserved party in Bonny Doon, while firefighters in Washington were having some problems. Internationally, British Columbia is having a bunch of small fires appear and a wildfire on a Greek island has brewed up again. On the technology front, a Bay area TV crew explores the Ikhana firefighting RPV and a soil sciences brief provides some insight on post-fire recovery. This fire season makes it into the record books for severity (and this is only July!), while Colorado also counts the cost for wildfires in their back yard.

Gap wildfire is now 90 percent contained

Big gains made against Mendocino fires

Big Sur wildfire slowly tamed

Rain, low winds, higher humidity aid firefighters across California

Heavy rains complicate Calif. firefighting efforts

Bonny Doon showers its firefighters with gratitude

Mount Adams blaze overpowers wildfire crews

3,600 acre wildfire erupts near Soap Lake

New fires burn in Eastern Wash.

Forest-fire numbers up, but blazes small

Forest fire rages on Greek holiday island

New Plane Helps On-Going Battle Against California Wildfires

Ecology, Economics and Soil Societies Brief Congress on Post-Wildfire Resource Management

Wildfires set state record for most acreage burned

Wildfire Costs Increase $200,000

WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 071208

Current California fire stats:

There are 1005 State Responsibility Areas Fires, 815 are contained.
81% of fires in State Responsibility Area are contained.

There are 776 Federal Responsibility Area Fires, 644 are contained.
83% of fires Federal Responsibility Area are contained.

Per the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), 40 states have provided assets or personnel to assist California with fire fighting operations since the fires began on June 21, 2008.

There are currently 22 complexes that are actively threatening life and property.

There are a total of 801,726 acres burned, 20,443 personnel assigned, 117 total rotary aircraft, and 0 fixed wing aircraft. Other resources include: 141 Strike Teams/Task Forces, 1,516 engines, 294 dozers, 447 hand crews, 423 water tenders and 4,145 overhead. 278 firefighter injuries reported.

Property threatened or destroyed includes: 9,146 residences threatened, 10 residences damaged, and 99 residences destroyed. There are 140 commercial properties threatened, 0 (zero) commercial properties damaged, and 1 (one) commercial property destroyed. 2,507 outbuildings threatened, 5 (five) outbuilding damaged, and 127 outbuildings destroyed.

Military and Out-of-State Resources:
* National Guard, Active Military and Reserve resources tasked to support firefighting activity totals 36 air resources, including:

Rotary Wing Aircraft – 27 total (includes USMC and NSN helos listed below)

Type 1 helicopters: (19 total)
Type 1 helicopters have water dropping capability.
7 UH 60 – California National Guard (1 Firehawk)
2 HH 60 – California Air National Guard
2 UH 60 – Arizona National Guard
1 UH 60 – North Dakota National Guard
1 UH 60 – Nebraska National Guard
1 UH 60 – New Mexico National Guard
1 UH 60 – Utah National Guard
1 CH 47 – Oregon National Guard
1 CH 47 – Washington National Guard
1 CH 47 – California National Guard
1 CH 47 – Nebraska National Guard

Type 3 helicopters: (2 total)
Type 3 helicopters are smaller helicopters used for reconnaissance.
2 OH 58 – California National Guard

Fixed Wing Aircraft - 9 total

Imagery (infrared) and Reconnaissance: (1 total)
Imagery aircraft provide infrared/reconnaissance support.
1 RC 26 – California National Guard

MAFFS (Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System) - 8 total
MAFFS (Modular Airborne Fighting Systems) is a pressurized 3,000 gallon tank installed on a C-130 aircraft used to drop fire retardant or water.
3 MAFFS – US Air Force Reserve (Colorado) - Federal
3 MAFFS – North Carolina Air Guard
2 MAFFS – Wyoming Air Guard

* The California National Guard has 1,086 Guardsmen on state status supporting the fires. In addition, there are Guard members from North Carolina in T10 federal status supporting MAFFS.

Federal Military Support - 8 rotary wing aircraft total
* United States Marine Corps: 4 CH-46 helicopters and 2 CH-53 helicopters
* United States Navy: 2 MH-60 helicopters
* United States Air Force Reserve: 3 MAFFS (Colorado) – included in Fixed Wing Aircraft Total above.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the news today, an NPR segment underscores the tremendous cost of the wildfires so far, and a Press-Enterprise article details the loss of family time overworked firefighters are suffering. A worrisome article about destructive pine beetle populations that are expanding their life cycle, which means more beetles and more tree kills. Greece once again had some wildfires, this time on some offshore islands (another topic for the international wildfire conference in Athens this fall). An update on the San Diego supervisors' struggle to fund a regional firefighting force is provided. And the DC-10, Martin Mars and National Guard C-130s are in demand by fire managers up and down the state, while Big Sur's economy hangs in the balance.

On the positive side, however, help is on the way, lots of it. Firefighters are coming from Australia, Canada, Greece, Mexico and New Zealand to help out. National Guard units from Arkansas, Louisiana, and Kansas are also being dispatched to help, as are four more Canadian air-tankers (bringing the total Canadian air-tanker contingent up to 18) and firefighters from Wisconsin and Minnesota are on the way as well. In addition, good news from Washington state fires may mean that some resources fighting wildfires in the eastern part of the state could soon be released for duty down south.

Wildfires In California Create Staggering Costs

Inland firefighters resigned to fire season's extended shifts

Little bug with a big bite

Wildfires in Skyros and Megara

Wildfire protection tax stalled by details

Jet, military planes help combat north state blazes

Wildfire turns Big Sur economy into a real cliffhanger

Crews Aid Firefight Thousands of Miles from Home

Overseas crews coming to battle Calif. wildfires

Arkansas National Guard Crew To Help Battle Wildfires

La. Sends Support To Combat Calif. Wildfires

Kansas Guardsmen to battle wildfires in California

California's Wildfire Fight Draws Help From Canada

Wisconsin sends firefighters, trucks to wildfires

Minnesota crews help battle California wildfires

Firefighters mopping up Spokane Valley fire

WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 071108

Lots of wildfire news today, beginning with some action shots from the firelines posted on Boston.com and available through a link relayed by San Diego Deputy Chief Fennessy (including an impressive shot of the DC-10 making a drop); and for some NASA photos taken high above the wildfires by Ikhana RPVs, go to this weblink for some striking images.

In the news, two articles about the Martin Mars making a splash in Lake San Antonio, while Chubb Insurance Company's wildfire protection service saved homes in two states, underscoring the value of private firefighting organizations at a time when firefighting resources have been stretched beyond the breaking point and agencies are admitting that some fires are just being left to burn because there simply aren't enough firefighters to go around. Yet there are still success stories, like the one outside of Paradise where firefighters fought a massive fire to a standstill. Fires in eastern Washington state grew worse, causing the governor to declare a disaster area. Science is lending a hand coping with fires, both from a medical standpoint on smoke inhalation studies and some help being provided by NASA, both to map wildfires from on high and also interesting smoke data being collected in Canada.

A couple of articles relate how National Guard units are increasing their presence both on the ground and in the air over fires. Firefighters on The Basin Fire Complex are getting some relief around Big Sur (Highway 1 should reopen tonight), but are still having a hard fight of it inland. Some hopeful signs from The Gap Fire as well, with that fire 70% contained, but not until it had consumed over $15 million in suppression costs. Meanwhile, Governor Schwarzenegger is ordering up 2,000 more National Guard troops and the President is flying out to look over the fire areas next week during a season that has seen an unprecedented number of fires ignite statewide.

On the international front, worrisome news of arson arrests in Portugal after a spate of fires broke out. And last but not least, another cautionary tale, this one from Germany, underscoring the importance of checking the ID of firefighters at a fire!

Air tankers attack 200 acre fire near Collbran

Calif. National Guard joins firefighting effort

Wildfires - Schwarzenegger Doubles California National Guard Firefighting Deployment

Smoke From Wildfires Could Damage Lake Tahoe

House Bill to Help Firefighter Fuel Costs

Calmer weather slows fires in Calif., Wash.

Heat, smoke and breezes hamper firefighting efforts in Butte County

Wildfire burns 7 homes in Spokane suburb

Wildfires breach Trinity County

Missoula Wildfire

Wildfires threaten Carmel Valley

Water bomber back on California duty

Air tanker sets up at Lake San Antonio to battle fires

Wildfire Defense Service Saves Homes in California and Montana

Gap Fire 70 Percent Contained

Not enough crews to fight fires

Bush plans visit to survey California wildfire damage

Air support counted on to slow fire near Arroyo Seco

Gregoire declares statewide emergency in fight against wildfires

NASA declares Canadian forest fire smoke study a success

Surveillance System Detected Increased Respiratory Problems During Wildfires

NASA Responds to California Wildfire Emergency Imaging Request

Firefighters halt flames outside Butte County town

Country reports first large forest fire of the year

Drunk infiltrates team of firefighters

WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 071008

The latest fire stats for California:

Overall Fire Containment:
There are 1005 State Responsibility Areas Fires, 815 are contained.
81% of fires in State Responsibility Area are contained.

There are 776 Federal Responsibility Area Fires, 644 are contained.
83% of fires Federal Responsibility Area are contained.

Total State and Federal California Fires: 1,781
Total Contained: 1,458
81% of Fires in California Contained
Total Active Fires: 323

Per the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), 40 states have provided assets or personnel to assist California with fire fighting operations since the fires began on June 21, 2008.

There are currently 24 complexes that are actively threatening life and property.

There are a total of 702,394 acres burned, 19,706 personnel assigned, 107 total rotary aircraft, and 0 fixed wing aircraft. Other resources include: 166 Strike Teams/Task Forces, 1,589 engines, 258 dozers, 414 hand crews, 406 water tenders and 4,008 overhead. 243 firefighter injuries reported.

Property threatened or destroyed includes: 13,067 residences threatened, 6 residences damaged, and 99 residences destroyed. There are 158 commercial properties threatened, 0 (zero) commercial properties damaged, and 1 (one) commercial property destroyed. 2,626 outbuildings threatened, 2 (two) outbuilding damaged, and 90 outbuildings destroyed.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In today's news, an article about the cause of some of the San Diego wildfires of 2007, along with a couple of others which show that firefighters are multi-lingual, speaking their own language as well as English, but may also have to learn Australian/New Zealand slang (G'day, barbie, kiwi, etc). Another useful article on firescaping was put out on CNN (let's hope homeowners in the WUI pay attention). Meanwhile, Florida and New York National Guard units are providing aircraft and crews to help fight fires in California and a large convoy of military equipment (Team Dozer) rolled through Santa Ynez bringing much needed help to the fireline. The US House of Representatives approved additional funding for wildfire suppression with passage of the FLAME bill and also called on USDA to formulate fire plans. For those of you into Zen, an interesting story about firefighting monks and the bitter fight to save Paradise while the temperatures make that a more difficult job by far. With fires starting to spread in Washington state and elsewhere, it looks like our friends in the air-tanker business are moving into what fighter pilots call a 'target-rich environment', if only the smoke and air turbulence quit playing hob with air-tanker operations. And hats off to the smoke jumpers and air tankers for breaking records on both fronts, and to the ground crews who load 'em and keep 'em flying! A couple of uplifting stories about inmate firefighters lending a hand on the fireline.

And finally, a cautionary tale for firefighters from Sweden - keep an eye on your turnout gear if you take a dip in the local pool!


Cal Fire: Power lines caused October firestorm

10,000 flee fires

Wildfire strategy: fighting fire with fire

Firefighting dozers roll through Santa Ynez Valley on their way to Gap Fire

New records for smokejumpers, air tankers

House approves boost in federal firefighting funds

NY National Guard To Help Fight Forest Fires

NZ firefighters off to US

Firefighting Lingo

Flames force Calif. residents to flee — again

Wildfires spreading in Eastern Washington

Landscaping that can stop wildfires

Battling California fires, inmates find a chance at better role

Female inmates doing time on Calif. fire lines

Tassajara monks practice Zen of firefighting

Weather not helping Calif. firefighters

Firefighters dig in to take stand against Sierra Nevada fire

Firefighters Race Through Town in Underwear After Thieves Steal Uniforms at Pool

WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 070908

Once again, wildfire news was plentiful. San Diego utilities are probably sweating blood today as Cal Fire posts the cause of several devastating blazes in San Diego in 2007 on their website and the lawyers representing nine lawsuits begin circling. A blistering response to recent comments by people on the forest industry's payroll was posted in CounterPunch today. Washington State may have to begin withdrawing some of their firefighting support to fight a blaze at Wenatchee. The Mediterranean can't seem to get a break from wildfires either, as Turkey and Greece suffer another outbreak of fires. Some news out of Australia offers hope of diminishing greenhouse gasses during controlled burns. A San Francisco Chronicle article provides some useful tips and frightening statistics to homeowners living in the WUI. San Bernardino National Forest welcomed a new Team 3 Incident Commander to the Interagency Management Team (Chief Fiorella) as fires north of Sacramento burned dozens of homes and the Gap Fire moved into more rugged terrain. While temperatures near Sacramento reached 108, a worrisome quote came from Thom Walsh, a USFS resource unit leader: "We do have a lot of fatigue because of the low numbers of resources in the state."

3 wildfires burning in NC forests

Wildland firefighting crews begin to see more action as Gap Fire moves into tougher territory

Wildfire near Sacramento burns dozens of homes

Fiorella is new Forest Service fire chief

Wildfire - Don't let this happen to you!

Indigenous rangers slashing savanna bushfire emissions

Wildfires rage through Kajmakcalan

Mersin forest fire rages on

Wenatchee wildfire covers 2,500 acres

Blowing Smoke

Cal Fire To Announce Origins Of Fall Wildfires

Thousands evacuate as flames near Paradise, Calif.

WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 070808

There were quite a few wildfire articles in the news today, including a couple on the economic fallout of wildfires. Australia is having more economic woes due to bushfires. Last year it was the wine crop that was impacted (grapes making sour-tasting wine due to absorbed smoke), and this year the honey crop is being impacted due to destroyed hives, this from a country that exports queen bees to hives all over the world - not a good sign. San Diego farmworkers are also suffering due to the damage from last fall's wildfires. On the other hand, there is good news for North Carolina on their month-long wildfire, but not-so-good news from another report on California's firefighting budget shortfalls just as temperatures go up, increasing the fire danger. Meanwhile, Tom Bonnicksen weighs in again on our current firefighting dilemma (if this trend keeps up, we may have to change our motto from 'The Golden State' to 'The Charcoal State') and gives a useful benchmark for CO2 emitted by fires: one acre of timber releases the equivalent of a year's worth of fumes from 48 cars. More help continues to arrive on the California firelines, including the National Guard's 649th Engineer Company. NASA has sent a team to Canada to study how smoke adds to global warming and Canada (specifically British Columbia) has sent more firefighters south, the Martin Mars weighing in on the fires around Big Sur. Lightning-sparked fires in Alaska have increased acreage burned to nearly 25,000. Some useful information is also provided on the science of firefighting, an article that gives important tips to homeowners on how to make sure their homes are defensible.

Not so sweet: Bushfires force honey imports

REGION: Report says farmworkers continue to feel effects of wildfires

Firefighters explain how they fight fires

Rain helps firefighters with eastern NC wildfire

State battles to fund firefighting

While California burns

B.C. water bomber moves south to tackle wildfires near Big Sur

Lightning-sparked blazes tie up Alaska firefighting resources

Dry, hot weather threatens California fire gains

NASA team lands in Yellowknife to study forest fire smoke

Team Dozer creates fire breaks in California wildfires

Butte County residents ordered to evacuate

WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 070708

Lots of wildfire news items today, leading off with two incendiary articles about USFS problems handling the current crop of fires around California. And there is concern about California running out of resources just as the heat goes up this week, along with other dire predictions on the fire season ahead. Edison is worried about damage to their power lines and Archaeologists are also concerned about the loss of historical sites to raging wildfires. Fires in Turkey and Greece have also caused those countries problems.

But amid all the bad news, hundreds of National Guard firefighters have completed their training and are beginning to relieve exhausted firefighters on the firelines while more help is on the way from British Columbia. Both the DC-10 and the Martin Mars continue to weigh in with tremendous effect statewide. Technology is also being harnessed by incident commanders, as an article on satellite mapping shows.


California Fire Stats:

There are 1005 State Responsibility Areas Fires, 807 are contained.
80% of fires in State Responsibility Area are contained.

There are 776 Federal Responsibility Area Fires, 643 are contained.
83% of fires Federal Responsibility Area are contained.

Total State and Federal California Fires: 1,781
Total Contained: 1,450
81% of Fires in California Contained
Total Active Fires: 331

48 Fires Unstaffed (meaning there are no firefighters/apparatus left to send to these!)

Per the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), 40 states have provided assets or personnel to assist California with fire fighting operations since the fires began on June 21, 2008.

There are currently 27 complexes that are actively threatening life and property.

To date, a total of 558,738 acres burned. Currently there are 20,382 personnel assigned, 109 total rotary aircraft, and 8 fixed wing aircraft. Other resources include: 151 Strike Teams/Task Forces, 1,623 engines, 314 dozers, 481 hand crews, 461 water tenders and 4,107 overhead. 190 firefighter injuries reported.

Property threatened or destroyed includes: 9,427 residences threatened, 5 residences damaged, and 36 residences destroyed. There are 410 commercial properties threatened, 0 (zero) commercial properties damaged, and 1 (one) commercial property destroyed. 1,787 outbuildings threatened, 1 (one) outbuilding damaged, and 50 outbuildings destroyed.


Wildfire News Items:

Preparedness under fire: Federal firefighting system understaffed, report shows

The Collapse of Federal Firefighting in California

California wildfires strain state's resources

Tired firefighters battle 330 Calif. wildfires

Hotter weather may bring ugly week for firefighters

Fires Pose Risks For Archaeological Sites

California Wildfires Threaten SCE Power Lines

Officials predict longer and stronger fire season

At root of most wildfires, by far: People

Two killed in forest fire in southern Turkey

Wildfires in several spots in southern Greece mostly under control

Success reported against Calif. wildfires

Weather helps crews battling Calif's biggest fire

National Guard Join CA Firefighting Efforts

Satellites Keep an Eye on Wildfires Around the World

Oroville Water for Firefighting Plane

DC-10 Air Tanker Joins Effort to Contain Big Sur Fire At Pico Blanco

With Pride, Californians Step Up to Fight Fires

WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 070508

Fires still rage throughout California. Stats are the following:

There are currently 26 complexes that are actively threatening life and property.

There are 1006 State Responsibility Areas Fires, 807 are contained.
80% of fires in State Responsibility Area are contained.

There are 777 Federal Responsibility Area Fires, 644 are contained.
83% of fires Federal Responsibility Area are contained.

Total State and Federal California Fires: 1,783
Total Contained: 1,451
81% of Fires in California Contained

Total of 520,504 acres burned, 20,206 personnel assigned, 109 total rotary aircraft, and 18 fixed wing aircraft. Other resources include: 155 Strike Teams/Task Forces, 1,607 engines, 329 dozers, 513 hand crews, 431 water tenders and 3,836 overhead. 174 firefighter injuries reported.

There are plans for a massive air attack on the Gap Fire in Goleta today, including drops by the DC-10. While winds are a concern (the notorious Sundowners), firefighters there are getting top priority on air-tanker support. Anything that can flee the fires is doing so, especially the wildlife up in Big Sur, where the fire is still only 5% contained after two weeks of concerted firefighting efforts. Although some San Diego residents have prepared to defend their homes in any new fires, few have gone to the extreme of renting a D-4 Caterpillar to cut firebreaks like one Big Sur resident! And once again, aircraft are forbidden from operating at night by CalFire/USFS, robbing them of the best time to knock fires down from the air. Meanwhile, the Canadians are having their own problems up north - a total of over 50 wildfires are burning in Saskatchewan:

Fire near Big Sur burns on, fire crews short

Firefighters staying in Merced set its economy ablaze

Those who won't evacuate may make battle harder for firefighters

Two fires roar across California national forest

2 fires still raging along Calif.'s Central Coast

Wind is the wild card in Goleta fire

'Critical day' dawns for Goleta fire, enlarged by overnight wind gusts

Thousands relocated by Canadian wildfires

Residents equip themselves to help in fighting wildfires

WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 070408

Fires were in the news again today, with increased air attacks and some Congressional fireworks over heavy air-tanker availability. And the cost is mounting, approaching $400 million (with just $82 million budgeted by California this year - what were they thinking?!?), raising the specter of a tax increase to cover costs. To add insult to injury, insurance companies are cancelling policies at a record pace (290 of 300 homes in Tahoe will not be renewed by Allstate), further increasing the danger wildfires pose to homeowners. Through it all, firefighters are being credited with doing a great job, but there are just not enough resources to go around, as is pointed out in an article about angry residents in Big Sur:

California neglected to save for a fiery day

Wildfire chases July 4th visitors from Big Sur

Goleta fire doubles in size overnight

Martin Mars bomber aids firefighting progress

Insurers drop policies over wildfire worries

Colorado reps turn up heat on air tankers

Bigger aerial attack planned today against wildfire above Goleta

Big Sur residents angry with firefighting

Firefighters gain ground on fire near Yucaipa

REGION - No relief in sight for firefighters

Mountain View: Moffett Field Based National Guard Helicopters Involved In Fire Fighting

WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 070308

As the Gap fire tears through vegetation in Santa Barbara County that hasn't burned since 1954 and Camp Pendleton is ablaze again, the fires across California continue to stretch firefighting resources thin, heading towards the 500,000 acre mark. The military is getting more heavily involved in the fight, with the California National Guard putting boots on the ground while units from the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing and the Air Force's 302nd Air Expeditionary Group tackle fires from the air.

Airmen support California firefighting for sixth day

Crews Battle Wildfire In Camp Pendleton

200 Soldiers Report For Firefighting Training

Big Sur evacuates as massive wildfire spreads

California wildfires intensifying

Goleta fire doubles to 2,400 acres

Saskatchewan Wildfires Send 2,000 Fleeing

Indiana firefighters head to California to battle wildfires

Most of Big Sur evacuated after wildfire spreads

Flawed fire strategy led to big blazes

WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 070208

There were a number of items in the news today, including the first story for those aspiring power-lifters among you and the second which cites a couple of historical precedents - National Guard troops relieving firefighters on the fireline for the first time since 1977 and the largest deployment of California Conservation Corps personnel to the firelines in history:

Ocala firefighter lifts SUV, frees crash victim's arm

Wildfire forces evacuations near Goleta in Santa Barbara County

National Guard troops set to relieve fire crews

Wildfires spark increase in doctor visits

Tankers working - but not staying – here

Massive increase seen in forest fires

Lingering smoke from California's wildfires finally clears in Santa Cruz

Firefighters on the front lines find haven in Merced

Gadget to stub out Forest fires

Storms ignite wildfires, cause power outages in Southwest Idaho

California National Guard Continues Battle against Northern California Wildfires

Wildfires threaten homes in Okanogan County WA

Sask. forest fires force more evacuations; brings total to over 1100 people

96 forest fires raging on 30,000 hectares of woodlands in Far East