WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 051912

"Air Fest 2012: Thunder over the Empire" at March Air Reserve Base in Southern California's Moreno Valley is expected to feature the DC-10 VLAT (1); but aside from one case of heat exhaustion, CAL FIRE announced that a 600-acre wildfire that burned across the Mexican border into San Diego County has been contained (2); one of two wildfires reported in the county (3). A 27 mi.² wildfire burning in northern Nevada is now 50% contained (4). As Arizona's Gladiator Fire neared 10,000 acres in size, evacuation warnings went out to the communities of Pine Flat and Cleator (5); firefighters on the ground getting an assist from air-tankers based at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport (6); the smoke from the wildfires causing visibility problems for motorists on Arizona's highways (7); drought conditions prompting fire officials to ban open fires in the Tonto National Forest (8); and a radio segment with US Sen. Jon McCain discusses the need to replace aging air-tankers in the federal fleet (9). Rugged terrain challenged firefighters battling a 410-acre wildfire in New Mexico's Gila National Forest (10). As temperatures dropped and humidity increased, firefighters battling a 12 mi.² wildfire outside of Fort Collins, Colorado, announced that they had achieved 45% containment of the blaze (11); said blaze apparently having been sparked by a camp stove (12). A 1,000-acre wildfire burning in Tooele County, Utah, was apparently sparked by a faulty catalytic converter (13); while the Dixie National Forest is asking for public comment on its proposed Fuelbreaks Improvement Project (14). Members of the Texas Wildfire Prevention Task Force are gathering data on wildfire damage incurred in that state last year to better prepare for wildfires of the future (15). A 216-acre wildfire burning in Minnesota's Superior National Forest is now 60% contained (16); the contribution of air-tankers in helping to corral it being chronicled by the next article (17); the BBC broadcasting information about the fire to 140 countries (18). It has been revealed that last year's wildfires moved faster than information conveyed to Alberta Sustainable Resource Development and other responding agencies (19); followed by an article that covers wildfire activity in Sudbury, Ontario (20). A bushfire in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, that briefly threatened a home was apparently started to clear land for a garden (21). And finally, Ontario, Canada's, Ministry of Natural Resources has a request for recreational boaters in areas near wildfires: just stay away from the water-scooping aircraft and nobody will get hurt!

(1) Nearby Moreno Valley Air Show to Draw Nearly 400,000 People This Weekend

(2) Crews close lines around border-area wildfire


(3) Two Wildfires in San Diego County Keep Fire Crews Busy


(4) Wildfire in Remote NV Range Burns 27 Square Miles


(5) UPDATE: Gladiator fire spreads to 9,900 acres


(6) Air tankers refuel at Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport


(7) Wildfire causes heavy smoke, reduced speed on AZ roads


(8) No fires allowed in Tonto National Forest


(9) McCain: "Looming serious situation" with old air tankers


(10) Wildfires heating up in N.M., neighbors


(11) Cool weather aids in fight against Colo. wildfire


(12) Colorado wildfire started on camp stove


(13) Rains help firefighting efforts in Tooele County


(14) Dixie National Forest Seeks Public Comment on Proposed Community Fire Fuelbreaks Project Adjacent to Central New Harmony and Pine Valley


(15) Staples tours western wildfire damage


(16) Forest fire in NE Minnesota 60 percent contained


(17) Rescue-ready aircraft helped save Ely from wildfire


(18) Thanks to BBC crew, Ely wildfire gained worldwide attention


(19) Alberta wildfires outstripping information


(20) Firefighters combat bush blazes


(21) Bushfire Extinguished Before It Could Reach Nearby House


(22) Watch for waterbombers, boaters advised

WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 051812

CAL FIRE firefighters have corralled a 600-acre wildfire that burned across the Mexican border into southeastern San Diego County (1); while the importance of controlled burns in Oregon's Wallowa-Whitman National Forest is examined by the next article (2). Another community has been evacuated from the path of the 10,000-acre Gladiator Fire burning in Arizona's Bradshaw Mountains (3); some details on the 2,145-acre Bull Flat Fire being provided by the next article (4); but on the 10th anniversary of Prescott National Forest's Indian Fire, the next article asks what would happen if that massive blaze broke out with today's resources to fight it (5); and an unexpected consequence of forest thinning to prevent wildfires was pointed out by cavers (6). Colorado's governor has declared a disaster emergency for a 7,673-acre wildfire burning outside of Fort Collins that is only 5% contained (7); as wildfire crews braced for worsening weather (8). Fire crews are grappling with a 500-acre wildfire burning in Tooele County, Utah (9); while smoke from wildfires in Colorado are causing health concerns for people with respiratory problems in Wyoming (10). A 150-acre wildfire outside of Ely, Minnesota, forced evacuations (11); where firefighters were concerned about winds influencing fire behavior (12). In a follow-up to yesterday's article about a teenage volunteer firefighter from Iowa accused of setting numerous wildfires, a second firefighter has been implicated (13); while a Washington Post article takes a look at the 2012 wildfire forecast across the West (14). Earthmovers were once again at work helping to squelch a Canadian wildfire, this time near Campbell River, British Columbia (15); but on the one year anniversary of Alberta's devastating Slave Lake wildfire, officials worried that more such incidents may happen across the great boreal forest stretching from British Columbia to Labrador (16); the long-awaited report on that blaze calling for enhanced prevention, protection and fire capacity to handle future such incidents (17); the next article providing more details on wildfires currently burning in Manitoba (18); while Natural Resources Canada has identified fire danger as being extreme in Southern Manitoba and northwestern Ontario (19); the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources providing an update on wildfire activity in that province in the next article (20). The mental anguish of Australians in the Black Saturday community of Kinglake, Victoria, is examined by the next article (21); but experts fear that Queensland faces a very bad bushfire season due to heavy vegetation left over from several very wet rainy seasons (22). Residents of Margaret River, Western Australia, are becoming increasingly frustrated with the state government over delays in compensation for their losses in a bushfire that began as a controlled burn (23). And finally, actor Bruce Campbell, who stars in the series "Burn Notice", received a burn notice of his own from Oregon Department of Forestry when a 20-acre wildfire broke out on his property!

(1) Firefighters Halt Wildfire that Began in Mexico


(2) Reintroducing fire into the forest


(3) Arizona wildfires: 2nd community evacuated near Gladiator Fire


(4) Bull Flat fire now burning 2,145 acres; 50 percent contained


(5) Better prepared... or worse? What would happen if the Indian Fire erupted today?


(6) Fires, forest thinning put caves at risk


(7) Hickenlooper Declares Disaster Emergency For Hewlett Fire


(8) Crews at CO Wildfire to Face Warm, Stormy Weather


(9) ‘Hot Shot’ crew leads fight against west desert wildfire


(10) Wildfire smoke can cause health concerns


(11) Firefighters douse hot spots in forest fire near Ely


(12) Winds worry fire crews as they battle to contain blaze near Ely


(13) 2nd Iowa volunteer firefighter facing charges related to arson case


(14) A look at 2012 wildfires and conditions in the West


(15) Raging wildfire averted


(16) Thomson: Expect more Slave Lakes as the climate warms


(17) Report on Slave Lake wildfire calls for more advisories and initial-response crews


(18) Winds, hot weather make wildfire fights uphill battle


(19) Manitoba has biggest fire risk in Canada


(20) Forest Fires continue to burn across Northeastern Ontario. Fire ban in effect across Northeast


(21) Ashes to ashes: forgotten fire town mourns again


(22) Horror fire season looms for Queensland following devastating floods


(23) Bushfire victims question compo delay


(24) Wildfire strikes actor's Applegate property

WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 051712

Although numerous wildfires are burning across the southwestern US, the National Interagency Fire Center indicated that wildfire activity was actually lower than expected so far this year (1); but the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration’s forecast of an unusually warm year portends an especially troublesome wildfire season across much of the country (2). With additional firefighting staff available from CAL FIRE and the Paso Robles Air Attack Base online, firefighters in San Luis Obispo County feel they're ready for fire season (3); and the Hollister Air Attack Base has also been spun up for wildfire season (4). The wildfire danger in Nevada is elevated today due to dry, high winds (5). Red Flag conditions are forecast for parts of Arizona where four major wildfires continue to burn (6); including the Bull Flat Fire, which is 50% contained after burning nearly 2,000 acres (7); and aggressive air attacks have slowed the 12,500-acre Sunflower Fire (8). Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team reported that a 5,090-acre wildfire burning north of Ft. Collins, Colorado, is now 5% contained (9); but in a state where 140,000 wildfires typically burn 14.5 million acres each year, the next article provides some safety tips to homeowners (10). Eastern Idaho Interagency Fire Center dispatched crews to fight numerous wildfires sparked by lightning (11). The Texas Wildfire Relief Fund honored Lt. Gov. Dewhurst for his support of volunteer firefighters across the state (12); while the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health reported that the death of a Texas firefighter who died battling wildfires last year was preventable (13). Fire officials in Montana indicated that the fire danger in the Bitterroot National Forest is the highest it's been in two decades (14); but a volunteer firefighter has been accused of setting several grass fires in Tama County, Iowa (15). Firefighters and earthmovers were used to protect the Manitoba, Canada, towns of Frenchman Butte and Onion Lake First Nation from encroaching wildfires (16); while firefighters managed to deflect a 5,300-acre wildfire that had been threatening the town of Badger (17). A controversial project being funded by Australia's Victorian Bushfire Appeal is examined by the next article (18); where the Investa Property Group has donated $300,000 for construction of a Black Saturday bushfire memorial hall in the town of Whittlesea (19). The International Association of Wildland Fire is calling for papers for their upcoming Wildland Fire Safety Summit in Sydney, Australia, this October (20); while Bushfires NT indicated that Alice Springs' new regional counter disaster plan takes into account bushfires for the first time (21). And finally, firefighters in Florida had to perform a tricky extrication: freeing a raccoon who got stuck raiding a dumpster!

(1) Feds: Fire Season Off to Slow Start Even As Wildfires Rage in Southwest

(2) After a year without winter, US forecast is for a summer without relief from heat, wildfires

(3) Agency is ready for fire season

(4) Hollister air attack base gets fired up for summer

(5) NV wildfire threats up Thursday; dry, high winds

(6) Arizona wildfires: Firefighters brace for swirling winds

(7) Bull Flat fire burning 1,900 acres; 50 percent contained

(8) Air attacks slow Sunflower's progress

(9) Hewlett Fire near Fort Collins grows to more than 5,000 acres

(10) Protect your home against wildfires

(11) Lightning storms ignite several wildfires in SE Idaho

(12) Texas Wildfire Relief Fund Honors Lt. Gov. Dewhurst as “Champion of the Axe”

(13) NIOSH: Texas Wildland Firefighter's Death Preventable

(14) Fire danger highest in 2 decades on Bitterroot National Forest, official says

(15) Tama firefighter, chief's son, accused of setting seven fires

(16) Wildfires spark evacuations in Frenchman Butte and Onion Lake First Nation

(17) Wildfire threat to Manitoba village subsides

(18) Track go-ahead

(19) Whittlesea bushfire memorial takes shape

(20) Wildland Fire Safety Summit

(21) Alice Springs to better prepare for bushfires

(22) Firefighters rescue trapped raccoon

WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 051612

Wildfire NOTD subscriber Chuck Bushey, Past President of the International Association of Wildland Fire, will be moderating a webinar on wildland firefighter heat illnesses (1); while a new tree ring study postulates that mega fires in the southwestern US may be rarer than initially thought  (2). El Dorado Hills Fire Department will be hosting an open house to discuss wildfire planning with California homeowners tonight (3); and Wildfire NOTD subscriber Susan Kocher, Natural Resources Advisor at the University of California Cooperative Extension, sent along a couple of items about Lake Tahoe Wildfire Awareness Week events (4)(5). A 5-acre wildfire in Lyon County, Nevada, is being treated as suspicious (6). Some 17,500 acres are now on fire in Arizona, where four wildfires continue to challenge firefighters (7); including one that could burn into the tourist town of Crown King (8); prompting advice for pet owners on how best to evacuate (9); while Tonto National Forest is now under fire restrictions due to drought conditions (10). A firefighter was injured battling a 982-acre wildfire that is burning in Larimer County, Colorado (11); a fire which arson investigators believe was human caused (12); where grateful residents provided some vittles for the firefighting crews (13). At least one community outside of Houston, Texas, has prepared for wildfire season via the Firewise Community program (14). Smoke from a nearby wildfire closed down a major highway along Florida's Space Coast (15); while fire officials kept close tabs on four wildfires in Brevard County (16). In Canada, British Columbia's Ministry of Forests is worried that increasing temperatures on Vancouver Island may lead to wildfires (17); followed by an update on wildfires burning in Alberta (18); where fire crews are working feverishly to contain them (19); along with a little help from some friends (20); but poor cell phone service in the region has hampered firefighting efforts (21); meanwhile, residents of Badger, Manitoba, were allowed to return home briefly to collect possessions after having been evacuated because of a 5,300-hectare wildfire nearby (22); but arsonists continue to spark small wildfires around Sudbury, Ontario (23); the situation not helped by a short winter that has already seen a number of wildfires across the province (24). A 2,238-hectare wildfire was reported in Tarragona Province, Spain (25); a summary of wildfire activity in Russia, where 21 wildfires are burning on 3,085-hectares, is up next (26). In the African nation of Ghana, bee keepers applauded the government's efforts to curb bushfires which have caused them tremendous losses annually (27). In Australia, an out-of-court settlement by Victoria's Department of Sustainability and Environment and SPI Electricity has earned Black Saturday survivors a $30 million windfall (28); but despite the danger, Yarra Ranges Council is allowing a New Zealand couple to build a home in a high-risk bushfire area (29). Margaret River bushfire survivors have welcomed Western Australia's plans to set up a separate burn-off assessment bureau (30). And finally, volunteer firefighters in Wray, Colorado, have been forced to remove beer kegs from their firehouse (so much for Miller Time after a call!)

(1) Wildland Firefighter Heat Illness Awareness and Prevention

(2) Ancient tree-ring records from Southwest US suggest today's megafires are truly unusual

(3) El Dorado Hills fire officials discuss wildfire plans with residents tonight

(4) Living With Fire In The Lake Tahoe Basin

(5) Fire Adapted Communities Webinar Series

(6) Brush fire in Lyon County on Tuesday being investigated as arson

(7) Arizona wildfires are growing; wind, low humidity add to trouble

(8) Photos: Firefighters fear Gladiator Fire could still hit Crown King

(9) Arizona Wildfires, Pets, Emergency Evacuations

(10) Fire restrictions on Tonto National Forest begin today

(11) Firefighter Injured At 982 Acre Hewlett Fire

(12) Wildfire burning near Hewlett Gulch in Poudre Canyon is human caused, 982 acres

(13) Grateful Poudre Canyon residents feed firefighters on Hewlett Gulch fire

(14) Community ready for fire season

(15) Wildfire closes busy central Fla. highway

(16) Officials keeping close watch on Beachline fires

(17) Fire risk raised with warm weather back

(18) Two Alberta wildfires listed as "out of control"

(19) Crews working all-out to keep wildfire from spreading in east-central Alberta

(20) Fire fight gets backup help

(21) Better Cell phone service not expected in SE Manitoba anytime soon

(22) Wildfire evacuees get brief window to go home

(23) 2 more Sudbury fires follow teen's arrest on arson charge

(24) Short winter might translate into long forest fire season — official

(25) EFFIS - Current Situation

(26) Forest fire burning 3085 hectares in Russia

(27) Bee keepers lauds assemblies' efforts at curbing bushfires

(28) Black Saturday settlement reached

(29) CFA nod for house

(30) Bushfire victims back burn-off review office

(31) Firefighters agree to remove beer kegs

WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 051512


A report from the National Wildfire Coordinating Group tallied up wildland firefighting casualties from 1910 and 1996, indicating that more than 669 people have died fighting wildfires across the U.S (1). CAL FIRE investigators have yet to determine what sparked a small wildfire in the Southern California community of Glen Ellen (2); and in Oregon, where 60% of the wildfires are caused by lightning and 40% by humans, Oregon Department of Forestry indicated that drying conditions could lead to an early start to the wildfire season (3); while two wildfires were reported in Clallam County, Washington (4). A quartet of wildfires continued to challenge firefighters in Arizona (5); where the situation caused worries over the depleted ranks of heavy air-tankers (6); the next article reflecting on the impact of mega fires on that state (7); while Department of Environmental Quality officials warned residents of Phoenix with respiratory problems that smoke from two wildfires could cause them some breathing problems (8). A 270-acre wildfire burning in Poudre Canyon near Fort Collins, Colorado, drew a sharp response from firefighters on the ground and in the air (9); and more help is arriving to help fight the blaze (10). GelTech Solutions, makers of FireIce, has teamed up with Wyoming-based Special Operations Group, Inc, to better support aerial firefighting efforts across the US (11). New life is appearing in parts of Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness burned in a massive wildfire last year (12); and the greening of Wisconsin's timber blowdown area has released firefighters for "browner pastures", since the wildfire danger is reduced (13). Folks in northern Michigan have been warned not to conduct any outside burning due to high wildfire danger (14); while New Jersey Forest Fire Service is bracing for a bad fire season comparable to several devastating seasons from the past (15). South Carolina Forestry Commission is receiving some heat over wildfire penalties residents feel are too lenient (16). Firefighters in Alberta, Canada, are grappling with a trio of wildfires (17); but smokers in Edmonton have been warned that they face a $250 fine for flicking cigarette butts into underbrush (18); while government critics complained that elections delayed a report on last year's devastating Slave Lake fire, information critical for communities trying to avoid the same fate (19). Although wildfires are burning across 900 ha of Manitoba, firefighters are hopeful that cooler conditions will help tame the fires (20); and British Columbia is sending crews to help (21); even as fire officials got a handle on a 5,000-hectare wildfire burning outside of Badger (22). Ontario is off to a rough start for their forest fire season (23); with fire crews continuing to douse hot spots from a wildfire that threatened mobile homes in Timmins (24); prompting an Op-Ed piece that reminds residents of the fire danger in that province (25). Two palm oil companies are under investigation by the Government of Indonesia over forest fires set to clear land through protected orangutan habitat on Sumatra Island for their plantations (26). Western Australia's government said that the new Office of Bushfire Risk Management would evaluate the risks posed by future controlled burns following the damage done by out-of-control prescribed burns (27); while residents of Kununurra want more funds made available for aerial firefighting (28). And finally, firefighters battling blazes in Arizona have more to worry about than just hot spots: mine shafts and rattlesnakes!


(1) Many perils, besides flames, kill wildland firefighters


(2) Firefighters report Glen Ellen's first wildland fire of season


(3) Wildfire danger on the rise in Oregon


(4) Firefighters extinguish two brush fires


(5) Arizona wildfires: Firefighters continue to battle 4 blazes


(6) Air tanker fleet for wildfires dwindling


(7) An era of mega fires


(8) Wildfires hurting Valley's air quality


(9) Hewlett Gulch fire near Fort Collins draws 80 firefighters, helicopter, air tanker


(10) More crews arriving to fight Colorado wildfire


(11) GelTech Partners With Special Operations Group's The Dip Source to Support Aerial Firefighting


(12) Pagami Creek Wildfire Burn Zone Showing Signs of New Life


(13) Contract firefighters leave Wisconsin blowdown area


(14) Wildfire alert: Fire danger high today as humidity drops, winds pick up


(15) Rain or shine, monitoring forest fire danger in New Jersey is 24/7 job


(16) Neighbors burned by wildfire want stricter penalties


(17) Alberta firefighters getting jump on wildfires


(18) Cigarette butts a fire hazard


(19) Alberta election delayed report into Slave Lake fire disaster, NDP alleges


(20) Wildfires spread across 900 hectares


(21) B.C. crews to assist Manitoba's firefighting efforts


(22) Residents forced out by wildfires, province puts backcountry travel and burn restrictions into place


(23) Forest fire season off to rough start


(24) Blaze still alive


(25) POV: We must all respect fire ban to keep our community safe


(26) Indonesia Investigating Palm Oil Companies Over Forest Fires


(27) Burn-offs scrutinised after Margaret River fires


(28) Locals call on State Government to fund aerial firefighting efforts


(29) Snakes, mine shafts challenge crews battling Arizona wildfire

WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 051412

In the Southern California seaside community of Malibu, firefighting technology from opposite ends of the scale are being used to combat the outbreak of wildfires (1); but even though US Forest Service stated that the wildfire season is 78 days longer than it was in the mid-1980s, fire officials in the Inland Empire are confident that they can still stay on top of wildfires (2); while a five-acre wildfire was battled by Orange County Fire Authority firefighters in Tustin over the weekend (3); and Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District expounded on ways to protect property from San Diego County wildfires (4). Despite having lusher vegetation than their neighbors to the east, residents of western Washington state are being reminded to maintain defensible space around their property (5). A wildfire which has scorched across 4 1/2 mi.² in Arizona's Prescott National Forest has forced some evacuations (6); and a 3,100-acre wildfire in the Tonto National Forest threatened several structures in its path (7); all of which signals the commencement of the 2012 wildfire season in that state (8); the impact of vegetation on wildfire size being explored by the next article (9). Fire officials in Las Cruces, New Mexico, are making their Community Wildfire Protection Plan available for public viewing and comment (10); while a wildfire near White Mountain, Colorado, has grown to 100 acres in size (11). A pair of wildfires in Michigan's Lower Peninsula burned nearly 400 acres between them (12). A 200-acre wildfire that raced through Horry County, South Carolina, has been contained (13); and a man has been charged with negligently starting the blaze (14). A pair of wildfires have scorched over 30 ha in northeastern British Columbia, Canada (15); while a 140-hectare wildfire burning near Pavilion Lake is now 85% contained (16). Next door, Alberta has 54 wildfires currently active, including three which are out of control (17); while the emotional scars left behind by Slave Lake's wildfire a year ago are explored by the next article (18). A 20,000-hectare blaze has forced evacuations in southwest Manitoba (19). Wildfire activity in Ontario is the topic of the next article (20); followed by another which takes a look at the life of a wildland firefighter in that province (21). Russia unveiled a new fire-spotting aircraft which can detect wildfires up to 60 km away (22). New South Wales faces an ominous future, including raging bushfires, according to the Australian Climate Commission (23); however, firefighters in Northern Territory made quick work of a bushfire (24). Lightning is believed to have been the cause of a bushfire burning in Western Australia's Owingup Nature Reserve (25); but as if folks in Margaret River didn't have enough trouble recovering from bushfires, flooding has made the situation worse! (26) And finally, firefighters in Canton, Ohio, decided that the next time their firefighters needed some training, they would practice BYOT (bring your own tower)!


(1) Big Rock Uses Goats, Technology to Combat Wildfires


(2) INLAND: Officials confident despite fewer wildland fire resources


(3) Firefighters contain grass fire in Tustin


(4) Wildfires a constant threat for Rancho Santa Fe


(5) Better weather brings return of wildfire risk


(6) Arizona wildfire grows, prompts evacuations


(7) Sunflower Fire grows to 3,100 acres


(8) Arizona wildfires: Five fires mark start of 2012 wildfire season


(9) Vegetation affects wildfire size, damage


(10) Public comment sought on wildfire protection plan


(11) Brushy Mountain Fire Burns in W. Colo


(12) 2 Michigan wildfires burn nearly 400 acres


(13) Myrtle Beach wildfire contained at 200 acres


(14) Man charged in Myrtle Beach-area fire


(15) Two forest fires burning near the Cecil Lake road


(16) Pavilion fire 85 per cent contained


(17) 3 wildfires burn out of control in Alberta


(18) Slave Lake fire a year ago leaves emotional scars


(19) Wildfires force residents from Manitoba community


(20) Two forest fires burning near Timmins


(21) Local crews prepare for forest fire season


(22) Unique Aircraft Spots Forest Fires 60km Away


(23) Heatwaves, bushfires predicted to hammer NSW


(24) Fire crew make light work of bushfire


(25) Blaze closes Bibbulmun Track


(26) Bushfire ravaged areas cop flood hit


(27) What's going on here? Portable tower for firefighter training

WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY - 051212

We lead off today with a survey sent along by the California Fire Science Consortium to help them better meet people's fire science needs (1). Although 313 wildfires burned 2,615 acres in California all of last year, 818 wildfires have already been reported this year, and it's not even summer yet (2); prompting CAL FIRE to urge residents of Riverside County to prepare (3); while Wildfire NOTD subscriber Jon Keeley, a Research Ecologist with US Geological Survey, commented on his new book, "Fire in Mediterranean Ecosystems" as San Diego Gas & Electric unveiled a network of weather stations across the County (4); and Barona Fire Protection District is practicing with fire agencies to prepare for wildfire season (5); but a man has been sentenced to six years in prison for starting the 14,000-acre Eagle Fire last summer at San Diego County's Los Coyotes Indian Reservation (6); while Kern County Fire Department firefighters trained for wildfires of the future on Pine Mountain (7). The Nevada Division of Insurance indicated that 1,100 wildfire claims totaling $35 million have been filed with insurance companies in regards to two wildfires which burned in the vicinity of Reno (8); and a wildfire has charred 400 acres in Arizona's Tonto National Forest (9). A replanting ceremony in Larimer County, Colorado, brought together a community to heal the damage done by 2011's Crystal Fire (10); while Montana's Department of Natural Resources and Conservation has decided to use Twitter to update residents on wildfire activity statewide (11). A house fire sparked a wildfire in Jackson County, Wisconsin (12); and a large quantity of deadwood in Freetown State Forest has prompted Massachusetts fire officials to plan controlled burns for the first time in that forest's history (13). A 4-acre wildfire was reported in Horry County, South Carolina's, Carolina Forest Saturday (14); and Alaska Division of Forestry reported a number of fires in the Fairbanks area where high wind was a concern (15). The next item provides photos from a 40-hectare Canadian wildfire reported by British Columbia's Prince George Fire Centre (16); where a 3.6-hectare wildfire reported south of Merritt is now in the mop-up stages (17). Fire officials in Alberta, Canada, warned property owners in the Slave Lake region of the extreme fire danger on the one-year anniversary of a fire which destroyed one third of the town (18); even as smoke from a wildfire hindered traffic near Fox Creek (19); nevertheless, there have been fewer wildfires in that province than normal so far this year (20). South India Plywood Manufacturer’s Association speakers at the "Innovative Technology for Wood and Panel Products" conference discussed the wastefulness of forest fires in that Asian nation (21); something underscored by a wildfire that was reported in Mapusa, Goa, which may have been set by land speculators trying to clear trees so that an area could be developed (22). And finally, although many people use tents for camping, firefighters in Minnesota have one of their own for rehab!

(1) Joint Fire Science Program Knowledge Exchange Consortia Evaluation

(2) Dry winter portends busy California wildfire season

(3) CalFire Urges RivCo Residents to Prepare for Wildfire Season

(4) New Tool Being Used To Protect County From Wildfires

(5) Southern California Firefighters Prepare for Wildfire Season -- and Urge Residents to Prepare Too -- During Wildfire Awareness Week

(6) COURTS: Man sentenced to six years in prison for starting massive wildfire last summer

(7) Kern Wildfire Crews Train West of Pine Mountain

(8) Claims valued at $35M filed over Reno wildfires

(9) 'Sunflower Fire' burning north of Valley

(10) Community, law makers plant trees on land devastated by Crystal Fire (Video)

(11) State wildfire officials turn to Twitter

(12) Home fire leads to wildfire in Jackson County

(13) Controlled burn planned in Freetown State Forest

(14) Carolina Forest wildfire evacuates Myrtle Ridge Road neighborhoods, closes three roads

(15) Wildfires reported in Delta Fairbanks areas as winds gust 

(16) Forest fire photos and update

(17) Brush fire south of Merritt dies down

(18) 'Extreme' fire threat in Slave Lake region

(19) Wildfire smoke hinders traffic near Fox Creek

(20) Fewer wildfires in Alberta this year

(21) Forest fires, national waste

(22) Siolkars save the day after fire strikes forest

(23) Tent helps firefighters battle heat or cold