WILDFIRE NEWS OF THE DAY United States (1) The Founder and CEO of AccuWeather discussed how, even though the 2021 wildfire season has caused $70-$90 billion in damage this year, it's been less destructive than recent years (so far). 2021 wildfire season: AccuWeather estimates $70 billion to $90 billion in damages https://www.accuweather.com/en/severe-weather/2021-wildfire-season-economic-damages-estimate- 70-billion-to-90-billion/1024414 (2) The Environmental Protection Agency, U.S Forest Service (USFS), Department of the Interior and National Institute of Standards and Technology have released The Comparative Assessment of the Impacts of Prescribed Fire Versus Wildfire (CAIF): A Case Study in the Western U.S. Controlled fire can reduce the overall size of a wildfire and the corresponding smoke emissions and smoke-related public health impacts, federal report finds https://www.newswise.com/politics/controlled-fire-can-reduce-the-overall-size-of-a-wildfire-and-the- corresponding-smoke-emissions-and-smoke-related-public-health-impacts-federal-report- finds/?article_id=758301 California (3) CAL FIRE San Diego Unit officials reported that firefighters halted the spread of the 12-acre Spur Fire Thursday afternoon near Route 76 in Vista, noting that no structures were threatened. Crews Halt Spread of Brush Fire in Vista at 12 Acres; Investigators Conclude Blaze ‘Human- Caused’ https://timesofsandiego.com/crime/2021/09/30/crews-halt-spread-of-brush-fire-in-vista-at- 15-acres-no-structures-damaged/ (4) A meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Los Angeles office reported on Thursday that winds blowing southwest sent wildfire smoke to Santa Barbara County from the 88,068-acre Windy Fire and the 49,349-acre KNP Complex Fires, burning in Sequoia National Park. Winds push wildfire smoke away from San Luis Obispo after a weekend of dim skies https://mustangnews.net/winds-push-wildfire-smoke-away-from-san-luis-obispo-after-a-weekend-of- dim-skies/ (5) CAL FIRE (https://www.fire.ca.gov/) sent along a summary of wildfires currently burning across the Golden State, where more than 9,500 firefighters remain on the frontlines of 11 major blazes. California Statewide Fire Summary October 1, 2021 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KVDJyxv_8K5WoAH1TQNJtNGWCxmr4kKQ/view?usp=sharing (6) CAL FIRE reported that the Windy Fire, which has burned about 88,068 acres on the Sequoia National Forest, is now 35% contained, allowing some residents to return to evacuated areas. Sequoia forest fires see some containment. Some residents can return, officials say https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article254643147.html (7) Fire officials reported that grinding metal equipment sparked a 0.52-acre wildfire in southern Nevada County on Thursday, which Higgins Area Fire Protection District firefighters were quickly able to contain. Quick response to blaze https://www.theunion.com/news/quick-response-to-blaze/ (8) Wildfire NOTD subscriber Tom Lasser, a retired Lt Colonel in the California National Guard (https://calguard.ca.gov/), sent along a report from the Legislative Analyst's Office which emphasizes the importance of defensible space in protecting homes from wildfires. Reducing the Destructiveness of Wildfires: Promoting Defensible Space in California https://lao.ca.gov/Publications/Report/4457 (9) In another record year for wildfires in California, where more than 2.2 million acres burned and 3,200 structures were destroyed in 7,276 incidents, CAL FIRE aircraft dropped 6 million gallons of water/retardant on wildfires, including 3.8 million gallons in August alone. CalFire Braces for Record Year https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/general-aviation/2021-10- 01/calfire-braces-record-year (10) Wildfire smoke from the Windy and KNP Complex fires has combined with high pressure and poor dispersion to provoke an Air Quality Alert for the San Joaquin Valley through Monday, October 4th. Wildfire smoke in San Joaquin Valley leads to an air quality alert https://www.turnto23.com/news/health/wildfire-smoke-in-san-joaquin-valley-leads-to-an-air-quality- alert (11) Stanislaus County volunteer firefighter Richard Gerety left UC Davis Medical Center, where he was being treated for injuries suffered while fighting the Caldor Fire, being driven home to Patterson by a fire engine. Stanislaus Firefighter Badly Burned In Caldor Fire Returns Home From Hospital https://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2021/09/30/richard-gerety-burned-firefighter-returns-home/ (12) As containment of the Caldor Fire is brought to 91% containment, Pacific Gas & Electric personnel are experiencing an array of challenges in restoring power for residents of fire-ravaged areas. Firefighters ‘search and destroy’ as PG&E crews ‘challenged’ https://www.mtdemocrat.com/news/firefighters-search-and-destroy-as-pge-crews-challenged/ (13) The passage of a funding resolution by Congress on Thursday in the face of a looming shutdown means that $28.6 billion earmarked for disaster relief efforts, including for wildfire prevention and response, will not expire. Feinstein: Continuing Resolution Includes Vital Disaster Funding for Wildfire, Drought https://www.feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases?id=60E0BEBF-5E47-4333-A109- 834EBEEE45AE (14) Time Magazine took a closer look at companies which provide fireproof foil to fire agencies to help protect buildings and even historic redwoods for wildfires that continue to ravage the Golden State. Protecting Homes From Wildfire With Aluminum Foil? A Tested Technology Gains Steam https://time.com/6103084/aluminum-house-fire-protection/ (15) As California's firefighters continue to battle wildland blazes ravaging the state, a viral Instagram post shows how one enterprising helicopter pilot used a swimming pool as a water source on September 14th. Fact check: Firefighting helicopters in California can use swimming pool water to put out fires https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2021/09/30/fact-check-firefighters-can-use- swimming-pool-water-put-out-fires/5918928001/ (16) Vintners are concerned about the impact wildfires and extreme heatwaves are having on their grapes in wine-producing parts of California, where 85% of the nation's wine is produced. Wine grapes at risk due to wildfires and extreme heat https://www.wral.com/wine-grapes-at-risk- due-to-wildfires-and-extreme-heat/19902987/ Oregon (17) Warmer, drier weather is helping firefighters make good progress on the Devils Knob Complex, according to an update from Pacific Northwest Team 2, allowing crews to remove fire-resistant structure wrap that was in place on buildings in the South Umpqua Experimental Forest. Firefighters Make Good Progress On Devils Knob Complex https://kqennewsradio.com/2021/09/30/firefighters-make-good-progress-on-devils-knob-complex/ (18) Northwest Team 7 officials reported that warmer weather and lower humidity have dried roads and fire lines enough to allow access for firefighters on the Rough Patch Complex and the Jack Fire. Warmer Weather Allows Access For Firefighters https://kqennewsradio.com/2021/09/30/warmer- weather-allows-access-for-firefighters/ (19) Columbia River Fire & Rescue reported that Oregon Department of Forestry has determined that Columbia County’s wildland season 2021 is over as of October 1st. Wildfire Season: Rain eases danger https://www.thechiefnews.com/news_free/wildfire-season-rain- eases-danger/article_f6db0266-22af-11ec-bdfa-4bb5c117f8a1.html (20) The Oregon Department of Forestry, Astoria District, announced that effective today, Industrial Fire Season, Regulated Use and the Countywide Burn Ban have officially ended for all State, private and BLM forest lands in the Northwest Oregon Area. Fire Season Set to End Oct. 1, 2021 https://www.co.clatsop.or.us/county/page/fire-season-set-end- oct-1-2021 (21) The Oregon Department of Forestry announced that areas south of Santiam State Forest that were not severely burned by the Beachie Creek Fire last year are reopening today. Oregon’s Santiam State Forest partially reopens Friday, a year after wildfires closed it https://www.opb.org/article/2021/09/30/santiam-state-forest-sections-reopen-after-2020-wildfires/ Washington (22) A large group of about 200 soldiers returned home to Joint Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM) on Thursday after a month-long mission supporting firefighting efforts on the Dixie Fire in California. End-of-mission award ceremony for JBLM soldiers after firefighting efforts in California wildfires https://www.q13fox.com/news/end-of-mission-award-ceremony-for-jblm-soldiers-after- firefighting-efforts-on-the-dixie-fire-in-ca Colorado (23) The president of the Hamilton Creek homeowners association reported that people were grateful to be able to return home as firefighters increased containment on the 83-acre Ptarmigan Fire. ‘It’s great to be home:’ Evacuees grateful for community support amid firefighting efforts https://www.summitdaily.com/news/crime/its-great-to-be-home-evacuees-grateful-for-community- support-amid-firefighting-efforts/ Idaho (24) Some ranger districts in the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests will begin preparations for fall prescribed burning on approximately 600-700 acres to aid in reforestation efforts now that fall weather is bringing cooler, wetter temperatures across the region. Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forests Fire Update https://lcvalley.dailyfly.com/Home/ArtMID/1352/ArticleID/60825/Nez-Perce-Clearwater-National- Forests-Fire-Update Oklahoma (25) As the Sooner State moves into the fall fire season, the Pottawatomie County Ag Educator and Multi-county Agronomist offered advice for area residents on how to prepare for wildland blazes. Extension agent gives advice for wildfire precautions https://www.news- star.com/story/news/2021/10/01/extension-agent-gives-advice-wildfire-precautions/5907816001/ Texas (26) The Wood County Fire Marshall reported that a Hainesville volunteer firefighter from Mineola was arrested Tuesday for arson in eight suspicious fires after his fingerprints were found on flares used to light the blazes. Wood County volunteer firefighter accused of setting 8 fires https://www.kltv.com/2021/09/30/wood-county-volunteer-firefighter-accused-setting-8-fires/ Wyoming (27) U.S.