www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_S_fire25.41dba66.html

Typically, local fire departments get overwhelmed during wind-driven wildfires; particularly when structures start igniting. This time, the initial-attack fire crew seems to have made a near death mistake. Fortunately, no firefighters were killed, although their mistake started a chain-reaction that caused the fire to progress unimpeded for the critical first minutes.

You never know when it's going to be too late to evacuate, as this story points out. All the more reason to have your home be a NO BURN ZONE.

This is a heartbreaking story. Had the victims known they were safer in their home, they would probably still be alive. As in the recent Australian wildfires, where almost 200 people were killed, these folks were killed trying to flee. The son, who survived, was in the home getting the cat. Once again, this is such a tragic story because of a lack of knowledge about wildfires.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/weather/04/10/southwest.wildfires/index.html?section=cnn_latest

Well, this is interesting. The Arizona Forestry Division is capitulating. They believe wildfires are going to destroy homes, and there’s nothing anyone can do about it, except make sure your insurance is sufficient so you can rebuild. Too bad they don’t read this blog, they’d learn that homes can survive wildfires with some preparation. A little fire retardant, some fire and ember proof vents, and good vegetation management. And, oh yea, an educated homeowner who knows how to survive a wildfire.
ktar.com/?nid=6&sid=1115914

Wildfires will continue to destroy homes. The fire service has a responsibility to not only educate the public, but themselves as well; particularly concerning what can be done to retrofit existing structures.

http://firechief.com/leadership/ar/wildfire-bigger-problem-20090402

I do not think this is a good idea, and hope it doesn’t gain momentum in San Diego County. With no limit on raising property taxes, special interest groups could run wild with other people’s money.

Vail rep’s wildfire bills pass House
Daily staff report
newsroom@vaildaily.com
Denver, CO Colorado

DENVER, Colorado — Two bills that aim to help fight wildfires passed through the state House on Tuesday and now await Governor Ritter’s signature.

Senate Bill 105 expands the ability of counties to raise money to fight fires. Specifically, the bill removes the limit on property taxes that a county can collect — with voter approval — for forest fighting.

“This legislation helps our first responders prepare effectively for emergencies,” said Rep. Scanlan. “And importantly, this is a local control issue. Local communities should be able to decide how much they want to invest in their own fire mitigation strategies and preparedness without the state placing an arbitrary limit on their efforts.”

Along with Sen. Dan Gibbs who carried the bills through the Senate, Scanlan recently led a trip to Washington, DC to urge the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Forest Service, Interior Secretary Salazar and the Colorado congressional delegation to address the bark beetle epidemic and reduce the threat of a potentially devastating forest fire.