Wish we could do more

Morning Wildfire Headlines

The following headlines are just a sampling of stories that are running accross the country this morning. You will note that ALL the fire news is not comming from the west.

In Nevada, a newspaper photographer covering a brush fire this week was roughed up, handcuffed and cited for obstruction, his editor said.

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/06/20/law-enforcement-restricts-media-wildfire-coverage/#ixzz1yJmjNNji

More wind and heat could hamper Colorado wildfire fight

The High Park Fire had consumed 59,500 acres of woodland by Tuesday, but it was about 50% contained.

Idaho wildfire destroys six homes southeast of Boise

A small but destructive wildfire driven by strong winds has destroyed six houses and five outbuildings in Idaho, while two much larger blazes threatened dozens of dwellings in Wyoming and Colorado, authorities said on Tuesday.

Wildfire hits and misses San Juan County residents

BLOOMFIELD - The path of the wildfire east of Bloomfield is a checkerboard of destruction and close calls.

Five family homes were destroyed in the County Road 4901 Fire, which was what first responders named the 352--acre wildfire that started east of Bloomfield on Monday afternoon.

UPDATE: Croatan National Forest wildfire grows to 21,000 acres

CROATAN NATIONAL FOREST, N.C. – The wildfire at Croatan National Forest has more than doubled in size from yesterday.

Officials say its now 21 thousand acres.

The U.S. Forestry has 100 people trying to control the wildfire.

Brush fire threatened Charlotte County homes

Shifting winds challenged firefighters

Charlotte County and Florida Division of Forestry firefighters spent nearly three hours Monday night battling a brush fire that threatened several homes.

New Mexico wildfire threatens Smokey Bear's home

The "Little Bear" fire is burning in the Smokey the Bear Ranger District, White Mountain Wilderness and Lincoln National Forest in southern New Mexico near Ruidoso. The forest is where the scared bear cub was rescued in 1950.

Massive NM Fire Threatens Endangered Fish
The wildfire that has ravaged southwestern New Mexico is the largest in the state's recorded history, and it's endangering an already threatened species of trout. Biologists say the ash, sediment and charred debris will wash into streams with summer rains and that's a deadly recipe for the Gila trout found in the Gila National Forest.

West to East, North to South wildfires and the threat of wildfires on the rise

From Colorado to Floridia and Micigan to Texas (see stories below) wildfire activity is increasing.

Here in Virginia we have been VERY fortunate since the few weeks of extreme wildfire activity in February. March was fairly wet with no real significant wildfire activity. BUT we still have April to go. Traditionally things start greening up in April and the strong cold fronts dont seem to materialise, in other words things begin to look-up for firefighters, HOWEVER we can still have a day here or there or several days of "fire weather" and need to stay VIGILANT.

http://www.dof.virginia.gov/fire/firewise-index.htm

Below are just a few of the educational material you will find at Virginia Firewise wesite (link above) 

Protect Your Home

Is Your Home Safe From A Wildfire? 2011 Edition (English; PDF format)

Tips and Suggestions

• 50 Things You Can Do To Protect Your Home

Evaluate

• Home Hazard Test - this easy online test will help you identify potential fire hazrads at your home and property.

Safety

• Create a barrier around your home - a Wildfire-Defensible Space
• Safety Precautions for Your Home

Preparing For Wildfires

• Checklist: When a Wildfire Approaches Your Home (English; PDF format).
• Prepare Your Home For Wildfire Season (English; PDF format).
• Evacuation Plan - plan and practice leaving your home during an emergency.

Landscaping

The Virginia Department of Forestry, in conjunction with the Virginia Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners and the National Park Service, provides the following Land Care Steward/FireWise information. Please visit

• Advanced Master Gardener | Master Gardener | National Park Service - Fire section

• The Homeowner's Role - If you already live in, or plan to build in, a rural area, you should take fire into account.
• Virginia Firescapes FireWise Landscaping for Woodland Homes - Lists of "More or Less" Forest Fire-prone Trees, Shrubs, and Ground Covers.
• Community Wildfire Plant List (English; PDF format)
• Community Wildfire Landscaping (English; PDF format)
• Community Wildfire Plants For Landscaping (English; PDF format)

Protect Your Community

• How To Become A FireWise Community

TEXAS - Hot, windy Sunday; potential for wildfire outbreak

We set a new record for the date Saturday at 92, previous record was 90. Showing the huge temp swings possible with dry air it warmed 48 degrees from the morning low of 44. The wildfire threat is the biggest issue with Sunday's forecast. Lubbock's high near 92, low to mid 90s across the area with a few upper 80s mixed in over the southern Panhandle. There may be some blowing dust with a SW/W wind 22-32mph, gusts at times over 45mph. Record high for the date in 90. Sunset 8:09 p.m.

Michigan: Below-average winter snow means greater wildfire threat up north this spring

CADILLAC, Mich. — Michigan authorities are warning of an increased wildfire risk in the northern part of the state because of below-normal snowfall.

Wildfires burn across northern Colorado

WELD COUNTY, Colo. -- Crews worked to control several wildfires Saturday including one burning south of Briggsdale. Flames burned eastward and multiple fire agencies were called in, some structures in the path of the flames were threatened but none were lost, officials said. Firefighters finally were able to get a perimeter around the fire Saturday evening and began a mop-up on the hot spots. The fire burned a mile wide area about 5 to 6 miles long, from Weld County Roads 74 on the south to 76 on the north and County Road 83 on the west to County Road 89 on the east.

Driest winter in decades fuels brush fires across S. Fla.; Palm Beach County sees 7-fold rise

Experts are calling for the spring to be active because of the current La Nina weather pattern that is bringing above-average temperatures and below-average rainfall — great for beachgoers but bad for the Florida Division of Forestry's rangers and command staff who serve as the main guard between residents and a catastrophic wildfire. Florida wildfire activity is highest from mid-March until June, when regular summer rains begin, and signs that the early predictions are correct already are evident.

PLEASE HELP SMOKEY PREVENT WILDFIRES

ONLY YOU CAN !!!

wildfires in CO, AR and GA & Video story on embers

 It might be cold and damp here in VA (Just what Smokey ordered) but fire season is in full swing elsewhere. ALSO check out the great video story on the dangers of embers during a wildfire. Learn what you can do.

Wildfire engulfs 1,600 acres in Denver

Denver, Colorado:  The second major wildfire to erupt this week in Denver has grown to 1,600 acres and prompted about 8,500 residents to flee their homes.

Read more at: http://www.ndtv.com/article/world/wildfire-engulfs-1-600-acres-in-denver-94139?cp

A Wildfire Update from the Arkansas Forestry Commission

Arkansas Forestry Commission crews suppressed 56 wildfires that burned 2,662 acres between 3:30 p.m. Wednesday and 3:30 p.m. Thursday.

With a high fire danger risk, there are a few things to remember:

*   Burning is strongly discouraged. This is especially true on days where humidity levels have dropped below 30 percent and winds are gusty. Fires can spread quickly in these conditions.
*   Be mindful that sparks from lawn mowers and hay baling equipment can start a wildfire.
*   Never discard cigarettes from vehicles.
*   Never park vehicles where grass or other vegetation can touch the exhaust system.

For tips on protecting your home from wildfire, visit www.arkansasfirewise.com.

To view current burn bans and wildfire danger ratings, visit www.arkansasforestry.org.

Georgia fire officials battling seven wildfires

Winds of 25 to 35 mph are pushing flames, but grounding the choppers.

BRUNSWICK, Ga. Georgia Forestry Commission resources were stretched thin Thursday as strong winds whipped up seven wildfires across Southeast Georgia.

Read more at Jacksonville.com: http://jacksonville.com/news/georgia/2011-03-25/story/georgia-fire-officials-battling-seven-wildfires#ixzz1HbmVcBwE

Wildfire Demonstration Shows Ember Danger

Thursday in Chester County, the Insurance Institute for Business and Safety demonstrated just how dangerous the wind-blown embers can be to homeowners.

http://www.wltx.com/news/article/129659/2/Wildfire-Demonstration-Shows-Ember-Danger

Tsunami, Earth Quakes and Wildfires in the news.

Devastation and heartache has no borders. The massive disaster which is still unfolding in Japan will affect us all before it is over. The stories and pictures are truly heartbreaking and our thoughts and prayers for all of Japan and other areas impacted by the earth quake and tsunami are with them all.

TOKYO -- Japan's northeastern coast was a swampy wasteland of broken houses, overturned cars, sludge and dirty water Saturday as the nation awoke to the devastating aftermath of one of its greatest disasters, a powerful tsunami created by one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded.

Today marks the 5^th anniversary (March 12, 2006), of the start of seven days of wildfire carnage that burned about a million acres in the eastern Panhandle. The fires killed 12 people and more than 1,000 cattle. They stretched from Borger to Skellytown, Pampa, McLean, Miami and Canadian. Other blazes burned out of control near Childress and in Oldham County.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vs3qW_Mu6-E

As we remember the past we must deal with the present and think to the future.

AP-Southwest Wildfires
March 11, 2011 21:47 EST

Grass fires destroy homes near Oklahoma City

UNDATED (AP) -- Firefighters are struggling to extinguish a number of wind-driven grass fires in the parched Southwest.

The fires have burned dozens of homes in the Oklahoma City suburbs and forced the evacuation of hundreds more. A fire in and around Harrah has forced the evacuation of two schools and a nursing home. Near Norman, a blaze is threatening a casino and surrounding neighborhood.

In Texas, a fire official says a wildfire threatening the town of Jacksboro in North Texas has grown to about 3,000 acres and forced the evacuation of 50 to 75 homes. The fire also closed two nearby highways. A 100-acre fire north of Fort Worth has forced the evacuation of about 24 homes.

In Colorado, crews are gaining ground on a wildfire in the foothills west of Boulder. It's scorched at least 200 acres and prompted the evacuation of more than 200 homes.

Wildfires scorch North Texas

A fast-moving wildfire burned about 7,000 acres in its 12-mile path across Jack County on Friday, destroying six houses and forcing the evacuation of 150 residences, officials reported.

"That was a hell of a fire," said Wise County Deputy Sheriff Doug Whitehead. "You could see those fire tornadoes build up. They were thick and a story tall."

Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/03/11/2915827/wildfires-scorch-north-texas.html#ixzz1GNZR535T

Wildfires In Oklahoma Force Hundreds To Evacuate

OKLAHOMA — Governor Mary Fallin today declared a State of Emergency for all 77 Oklahoma counties as more than two dozen wildfires spread across the state, causing evacuations.

SHAWNEE, Okla. — A massive, swift-moving grass fire destroyed several homes and forced evacuations of more than 20 other residences as it traveled about two miles in the Shawnee Twin Lakes area Friday afternoon.

Veruska Trask evacuates from her home in Crestview Estates during the Lefthand Canyon Fire on Friday. She also lost her home in the Fourmile Fire last year. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0t--zyb3Z4

 So what is it we can do so that folks like Veruska Trask in the video above will not loose another home in another wildfire? Some say there is nothing folks can do, its fate, its nature. WELL we might NOT be able to prevent all of the fires BUT we can NO ONLY YOU CAN prevent those that are caused by carlessness. SMOKEY BEAR was and is right, there are things we can do to prevent wildfires. Please visit his site at
http://www.dof.virginia.gov/fire/smokey-bear.shtml
http://www.dof.virginia.gov/fire/index-prev-ed.shtml
www.smokeybear.com

Texas http://txforestservice.tamu.edu/main/article.aspx?id=1542
Oklahoma http://www.forestry.ok.gov/fire-prevention
Colorado http://www.southwestcoloradofires.org/prevention.htm

And there ARE things we/YOU can do to help your home have a better chance to survive a wildfire PLEASE visite the firewise informational sites in your state. In Virginia check out http://www.firewisevirginia.org/ and the National site at http://www.firewise.org/

THANKS for listening