Scotland: Wildfires Scorch West Coast On Three Mile Wide Front

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Scotland: Wildfires Scorch West Coast On Three Mile Wide Front

Fire crews on standby and helicopter deployed as wildfires continue to blaze across Scottish Highlands

FIREFIGHTERS have been battling the fires which have affected areas in the west coast of the Highlands, Skye and the Western Isles.

A Helicopter has been deployed and fire crews remain on standby to guard properties as wildfires continue in the Scottish Highlands.

Crews are holding a watching brief over a significant fire in the hills north of Gairloch, on the north-west coast, to ensure no properties are at risk.

A helicopter was deployed this afternoon to help crews with a second significant fire in Kishorn, just north of the Isle of Skye, and five fire engines were sent to prevent a fire spreading to a forest near Achmore.

Smaller wildfires are still burning in Golspie, in the far north of Scotland, and on the Western Isles and Skye.

A large fire near Fort William, which local MP Charles Kennedy described as unprecedented, has been extinguished.

Fires in Morar, near Mallaig, and in Glenfinnan and Lochinver have also been brought under control.

A fire service spokesman said: "Whilst much of the country has been affected by wintry conditions, the west coast of the Highlands, Skye and the Western Isles have experienced cold but unseasonably dry conditions which have been a factor in the number of wildfire incidents.

"Operational crews continue to work tirelessly under arduous conditions to bring these wildfires under control and ensure the safety of the local communities. This is testament to the commitment and professionalism of all staff of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service in the Highland and Island areas, as well as ongoing support from landowners and members of the local communities.

"A significant number of appliance movements have been required to attend these incidents, support crews and ensure regular relief is given to those fighting fires, which has been managed exceptionally by operations control in Inverness.

"We would again like to thank local employers who have released our retained and community response crew members to deal with the incidents and maintain the safety of our local communities."

Source: http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/fire-crews-standby-helicopter-deployed-1797515

CFN - California Fire News 2013

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How fires get their names

Every year in California thousands of wildfires start throughout the state. In most cases, the dispatch center sending the initial resources to a wildland fire will designate a name for the fire, but the first on scene engine or fire official can also name the incident. Fires are usually named for the area in which they start – a geographical location, local landmark, street, lake, mountain, peak, etc. Quickly naming the fire provides responding fire resources with an additional locater, and allows fire officials to track and prioritize incidents by name. For example during the Southern California Fire Siege of 2003, the largest wildland fire in California history, the Cedar Fire in San Diego County, was named after the Cedar Creek Falls area where it started. The destructive Old Fire, which burned during the same time period in San Bernardino County, was named after the road along which it started - Old Waterman Canyon Road.

CAL FIRE is the largest fire department in California and the second largest fire department in the United States. CDF - CAL FIRE Firefighters answer the call more than 300,000 times a year. CAL FIRE Firefighters make up the fire department for 30 of our 58 counties in California and more than 100 local communities. We serve as the incident command during many of California’s most serious disasters. CAL FIRE Firefighters respond to many various types and forms of calls ranging from structural fires, to auto accidents, to earthquakes, to floods, to the spilling of hazardous materials, to every conceivable disaster; CAL FIRE answer's the calls. CAL FIRE is the largest fire department in California and the second largest fire department in the United States . CAL FIRE firefighters protect 33 million acres of State Responsibility Area (SRA). We have over 4,000 members within CAL FIRE and CAL FIRE is associated with the California Professional Firefighters (CPF) and the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF).

CFN - CALIFORNIA FIRE NEWS - CAL FIRE NEWS

Saturday, April 6, 2013