Firebomber Publications Blog

Evaluating Wildfire Simulators Through Fitness for Purpose Beyond Pure Computational Accuracy

2026-11-10T11:24:38.425-08:00

A new study published in the journal Fire Ecology evaluated how contemporary fire simulators (specialized computer software representing the physical and chemical dynamics of landscape combustion and fire propagation) are constructed, deployed, and assessed across fire-prone regions of the world.

Evaluating Wildfire Simulators Through Fitness for Purpose Beyond Pure Computational Accuracy

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Air Attack Issue #48

2026-11-09T12:07:12.030-08:00

Wildfire NOTD subscriber Ned Dawson, Publisher of Air Attack Magazine, sent along issue #48, noting that anyone who wants to receive future issues of Air Attack Magazine directly can sign up on the VIP list at https://www.kiakahamedia.com/subscriptions/.

Air Attack Issue #48

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U.S. aerial fire fighting operational statistics (2025): very large/large air tankers and scoopers

2026-11-06T11:19:43.929-08:00

Wildfire NOTD subscriber Lance Sherry, Director of the Center for Air Transportation Systems Research at George Mason University, sent along a report on U.S. air-tanker operations which provides statistics on the U.S. aerial firefighting fleet, flight operations and airport utilization in 2025.

U.S. aerial fire fighting operational statistics (2025): very large/large air tankers and scoopers

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PG&E and Edison wildfire liability cap plan draws criticism

2026-11-05T11:23:01.643-08:00

Consumer Watchdog has criticized a reported proposal presented by PG&E to California state senators to cap shareholder liability for wildfires caused by utility negligence, warning that it could shift costs to ratepayers and weaken incentives to prevent fires.

PG&E and Edison wildfire liability cap plan draws criticism

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IAFC launches Wildfire Resilience Hub for wildfire preparedness

2026-11-04T11:06:35.581-08:00

The International Association of Fire Chiefs has launched its Wildfire Resilience Hub to give fire departments, emergency managers and community partners a central source of wildfire preparedness and mitigation resources.

IAFC launches Wildfire Resilience Hub for wildfire preparedness

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US wildfire damage is on pace to triple by mid-century, but there are affordable ways to lower the risk

2026-11-03T11:14:21.517-08:00

In a new study published in the journal Nature Communications, scientists at the University of Colorado Boulder suggested that, without further action to reduce wildfire risk, the annual number of structures damaged or destroyed by wildland fires nationwide could nearly triple by mid-century.

US wildfire damage is on pace to triple by mid-century, but there are affordable ways to lower the risk

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Fix Our Forests Act: Why Active Stewardship Matters

2026-11-02T11:29:32.109-08:00

The American Farm Bureau Federation urged passage of the Fix Our Forests Act, as the latest statistics from the National Interagency Fire Center showed that more than 65,000 wildfires burned over 9 million acres nationwide this year.

Fix Our Forests Act: Why Active Stewardship Matters

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Global wildfires, interoperability and integrated fire management

2026-10-30T11:40:19.821-07:00

The President of the IAWF, who is the national manager for prescribed burning strategy with the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council, tackled the thorny problem of interoperability and integrated fire management by various agencies across the globe, as worsening wildfires require a more unified approach to firefighting.

Global wildfires, interoperability and integrated fire management

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Op-Ed: Wildland fire services should fight wildfire with data

2026-10-29T11:08:16.205-07:00

Wildfire NOTD subscriber Kim Zagaris, Wildfire Policy and Technology Advisor for the Western Fire Chiefs Association, praised the consolidation of federal wildland fire management under the Department of the Interior to form the U.S. Wildland Fire Service, urging officials to modernize data and communication to better fight wildfires.

Op-Ed: Wildland fire services should fight wildfire with data

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Who guards the guardians? Autonomy without accountability is a risk wildland fire cannot afford

2026-10-28T11:42:03.739-07:00

A former hotshot, helicopter rappeller, smokejumper and fire aviation specialist warned against dismantling organizational structures within the fire service in pursuit of autonomy to avoid losing not only consistency, but also the institutional integrity that has allowed federal wildland fire organizations to serve the public for generations.

Who guards the guardians? Autonomy without accountability is a risk wildland fire cannot afford

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Today marks 20th anniversary of deadly Esperanza wildfire

2026-10-27T11:27:11.416-07:00

Yesterday marked the 20th anniversary of the 41,000-acre Esperanza Fire, which was deliberately set near Banning in the predawn hours of October 26, 2006, and would go on to kill five federal firefighters, in what may be Riverside County's most notorious case of arson.

Today marks 20th anniversary of deadly Esperanza wildfire

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USDA pushes forward with Forest Service overhaul, wildfire role shift

2026-10-26T11:27:47.638-07:00

The Secretary of Agriculture announced that the Trump administration remains committed to a sweeping reorganization of the U.S. Forest Service and other agencies which would move the USFS headquarters from Washington to Salt Lake City, shutter 23 research stations, and close many regional offices and replace them with state offices.

USDA pushes forward with Forest Service overhaul, wildfire role shift

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California Guard Supports Wildfire Mission With New Helicopter

2026-10-23T11:24:10.181-07:00

California Air National Guard officials reported that the 129th Rescue Wing deployed its new HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopter to support wildfire operations in Yosemite National Park October 9-12, marking the aircraft’s first wildfire mission since the wing began transitioning from the HH-60G Pave Hawk last year.

California Guard Supports Wildfire Mission With New Helicopter

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Bushfires cost Australians $6 billion a year. Prepare now, or pay far more later.

2026-10-22T11:24:22.347-07:00

A new report from Emergency Leaders for Climate Action showed that bushfires are costing Australia an average of $6 billion a year at the current time, and that over the next 30 years the bill could exceed $180 billion.

Bushfires cost Australians $6 billion a year. Prepare now, or pay far more later.

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Ancient wildfire study offers warning for a warming world

2026-10-21T11:58:39.444-07:00

New research from Scotland's University of Aberdeen, published in the journal Scientific Reports, has revealed that periods of global warming can trigger long-lasting increases in wildfire activity, with ecosystems taking far longer to recover than previously thought.

Ancient wildfire study offers warning for a warming world

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12 Large Wildfires Burning In US Now

2026-10-20T11:49:19.758-07:00

Currently, a dozen major wildfires are burning on 150,000 acres nationwide, the latest outbreaks in a season which has seen 77,000 wildfires scorch over 8 million acres in the U.S. - more than 100% above the ten-year average.

12 Large Wildfires Burning In US Now

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Strong winds fueled grass fire at Canadian military base that killed four

2026-10-19T11:11:13.010-07:00

Officials said 39 people were in hospitals as a result of a wildfire which left four dead and 19 critically injured after spreading quickly amid windy conditions at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, Alberta over the weekend, leading to what the Prime Minister described as one of the worst peacetime tragedies for Canada's military on home soil.

Strong winds fueled grass fire at Canadian military base that killed four

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Malibu fire erupts amid dangerous Santa Ana winds, red flag warning

2026-10-16T11:32:40.980-07:00

Multiple wildfires erupted across Los Angeles County on Thursday as powerful Santa Ana winds and rising temperatures whipped up critical wildfire conditions, which meteorologists predicted will persist until 8 PM Saturday.

Malibu fire erupts amid dangerous Santa Ana winds, red flag warning

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As Wildfires Intensify, Communities Have a Bigger Role to Play

2026-10-15T12:08:05.869-07:00

Across the U.S., a range of community organizations, such as the Wildfire Adapted Partnership in Colorado, are working alongside public agencies to help residents prepare for wildfires and reduce risks at the local level.

As Wildfires Intensify, Communities Have a Bigger Role to Play

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Wildfire risk is growing. Nevada cannot wait for action | Opinion

2026-10-14T11:27:04.837-07:00

Wildfire NOTD subscriber Mark Novak, Chairman of the IAFC Wildland Fire Policy Committee, advocated for the U.S. Senate to pass the Fix Our Forests Act to better protect communities across Nevada, the Southwest, and the nation from wildfires.

Wildfire risk is growing. Nevada cannot wait for action | Opinion

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If Wildfire Is Not A National Security Issue, What Is It? It Just Remains Another Low Priority Budget, Agency, And Workforce.

2026-10-13T11:49:08.260-07:00

An editorial from the HotShot Wakeup railed at the fact that wildfires are not being given priority by government officials, especially Congress, as a national security issue, unlike other issues like military preparedness.

If Wildfire Is Not A National Security Issue, What Is It? It Just Remains Another Low Priority Budget, Agency, And Workforce.

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‘Pyroterrorists’ may increasingly use wildfire as a weapon, expert warns

2026-10-12T11:25:48.449-07:00

Wildfire NOTD subscriber Hunter Bassler, a Journalist at the IAWF's Wildfire Today, highlighted Fire as a Weapon – the European Experience, which was published in the counter-terrorism medical journal ASPIS Medical in July 2025, providing an example of how wildfires can be used as a weapon, both by terrorists and other violent actors.

‘Pyroterrorists’ may increasingly use wildfire as a weapon, expert warns/

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Ecologist Michelle Mack Advocates For Forest-Based Solutions to Curb Wildfire Emissions

2026-10-09T11:02:43.391-07:00

A Northern Arizona University ecologist discussed how targeted firefighting and planting fewer flammable trees could help slow a cycle of warming and worsening wildfires in North America’s boreal forest, as high northern latitudes warm three to four times faster than the rest of the planet.

Ecologist Michelle Mack Advocates For Forest-Based Solutions to Curb Wildfire Emissions

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Colonial Land Use Linked to Australia's Bushfire Crisis

2026-10-08T10:56:21.205-07:00

A new study published in the journal Nature by researchers at the University of Melbourne revealed that forest expansion and thickening after British colonization has created landscapes more prone to bushfires, amplifying the influence of climate change and propelling Australia's bushfire crisis.

Colonial Land Use Linked to Australia's Bushfire Crisis

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Risk conditions not properly captured before Bell 412 firefighting helicopter’s uncommanded descent

2026-10-07T11:42:09.498-07:00

Australian Transportation Safety Board officials announced their findings on a Bell 412EP helicopter crash on March 10, 2025, about 55 km north-east of Strahan, in western Tasmania, noting that the helicopter entered an uncommanded descent while filling its bucket from a river during firebombing operations at the Canning Peak fireground.

Risk conditions not properly captured before Bell 412 firefighting helicopter’s uncommanded descent

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