Wildfire

New DHS/FEMA policy for funding wildfire mitigation

smccreary — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 10:38:52 -0400

From the Fire Safe Council: On September 8, FEMA Mitigation Chief David Maurstad issued a policy that describes how the post-disaster Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and the Pre-Disaster Mitigation grant program (PDM) can be used for wildfire mitigation activities by eligible grant applicants.

New guide empowers communities to prepare for wildfires

smccreary — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 15:19:52 -0400

NASF Press Release: Communities where homes are intermixed with forests and wildlands have a new fire-fighting tool that will help protect property in the event of a wildfire - the "Community Guide to Preparing and Implementing a Community Wildfire Protection Plan." Developed under the leadership of the Wildland Fire Leadership Council, the new Community Guide offers innovative strategies, case studies and other resources to improve coordination and communication a

Wildland Firefighter Foundation provides vital aid to wildfire fighters and their families

smccreary — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 08:55:38 -0400

Since 1999, Vicki Minor has dedicated herself to providing emergency assistance and ongoing support to injured and fallen wildfire fighters and their families nationwide through her Wildland Firefighter Foundation. Wildland firefighters are called into action when the United States' vast natural resources are threatened by fire.

Damaged power lines are blamed for destructive southern CA fires in 2007

smccreary — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 08:54:16 -0400

Improperly maintained power lines are to blame for some of the most devastating wildfires in Southern California last year, according to a report by investigators for the California Public Utilities Commission.

Wildfire spending puts the squeeze on budgets

smccreary — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:36:44 -0400

As the number and size of wildfires grows and fire seasons get longer, state and federal firefighting budgets are feeling the squeeze. From the Christian-Science Monitor:

Forest Service diverts money to pay for wildfires

smccreary — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:29:41 -0400

From the Associated Press: "The cost of fighting large fires in California and elsewhere is forcing the U.S. Forest Service to divert hundreds of millions of dollars set aside for work including roads, trails, recreational improvements — even fire prevention." More media coverage of the USFS transfers:

WY & MT see fewer wildfires this summer, say State Foresters

smccreary — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:42:28 -0400

Wyoming and Montana are seeing fewer and less intense wildfires this summer although there is still about a month and a half left in the fire season, state foresters in both states said last week. Wyoming State Forester Bill Crapser and Montana State Forester Bob Harrington both cited a cool start to the summer and fewer dry lightning storms as reasons for the relatively calm fire season.

Wildland fire courses now available online

smccreary — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 09:24:06 -0400

The classroom portions of the two basic fire training courses needed for qualification as a wildland firefighter can now be taken online. According to Dan Smith, Fire Director for the National Association of State Foresters, making these widely-used courses available online can be important to helping meet the training needs of local fire department personnel--and accomplishing that in a way that works well for departments with scarce funds and availability of time.

LA Times series explores the rising cost of fighting wildfires

smccreary — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 11:13:43 -0400

On July 27, the Los Angeles Times began a week-long series delving into the rising costs of fighting wildfires. The first two articles discuss the role of private contractors and the influence of political pressures. Next up: more and more people are living in remote, fire-prone areas, complicating evacuation and fire-fighting efforts.

CA governor requests more federal assistance to battle fires

smccreary — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 15:38:27 -0400

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger sent a letter to President Bush this week requesting additional federal resources to fight the ongoing wildfires in California, underscoring the increasing pressures states face in addressing mounting fire suppression challenges. CA's request includes: