May 10 Digest: This Week in Wildfire Recovery News

This is a digest of selected news and media that emerged over the last week related to wildfire emergencies, recovery efforts, and resilience building efforts in the American West. 

daytime picture of a state park sign with high fire danger words and smoke plumes in the background
Cerro Pelado Fire, New Mexico May 2022 Photo by the National Interagency Fire Center

New Mexico 'megafire' rages out of control

From Reuters | May 6, 2022

Slideshow detailing community and emergency response to megafire in New Mexico

President declares disaster in New Mexico wildfire zone

From AP News, by Cedar Attanasio and Susan Montoya Bryan | May 4, 2022

Firefighters slowed the advance of the largest wildfire in the U.S. as heavy winds relented Wednesday, while President Joe Biden approved a disaster declaration that brings new financial resources to remote stretches of New Mexico devastated by fire since early April

More New Mexico residents warned they may need to flee fire

From AP News, by Cedar Attanasio and Kathleen Ronayne | May 9, 2022

Firefighters in New Mexico’s Rocky Mountain foothills prepared Monday to excavate new firebreaks and clear brush to create more defensive lines aimed at preventing a massive wildfire from destroying more homes and tinder-dry pine forests.

Why last year's Dixie Fire is now melting snow in Sierra

From abc 10, by Monica Woods | May 6, 2022

Months after California's second-largest wildfire in history ripped through the Feather Basin, damaged trees impacting snowmelt.

California prepares for energy shortfalls in hot, dry summer

From AP News, by Kathleen Ronayne | May 6, 2022

State officials say California likely will have an energy shortfall equivalent to what it takes to power about 1.3 million homes when use is at its peak during the hot and dry summer months

California readying for wildfire through partnerships and preparedness

From CBS47, by Justin Sacher | May 6, 2022

Governor Gavin Newsom is proposing $1.2 billion in additional forest management and risk-reduction investments.

5 Ways to Protect Your Home From Wildfires

From Sierra Club, by Connor McGuigan | May 7, 2022

Five strategies to guide efforts in limiting your home and property's ability to act as a fuel source for wildfire

Evergreen Rotary Project Educates On Preparedness For Wildfire Community Preparedness Day

From CBS Denver, by Conor McCue | May 8, 2022

As wind and heat created another critical day for fire danger Saturday, fire crews all over the state were working to make sure homeowners stayed ready, the topic being a leading issue in an event held for Wildfire Community Preparedness Day.

Consensus approach proposed to protect human health from intentional and wild forest fires

From University of Washington, by Jake Ellison | May 7, 2022

Because climate change and decades of fire suppression have contributed to larger and more intense wildfires, prescribed and managed fire is necessary, but still comes with a danger of health-impacting smoke

Signs Of Recovery: First Building Permit Issued In The Marshall Fire Burn Area

From Index-Journal, by Rick Sallinger | May 3, 2022

The first building permit has been approved in Superior after the Marshall Fire, and another has been issued in Louisville.

Marshall Fire Victims Face Expensive Permit Fees To Rebuild

From CBS Denver, by Rick Sallinger | May 6, 2022

Getting a permit to rebuild from the Marshall Fire is revealed to be an expensive proposition, particularly for those who are under insured

Fire chiefs and experts hold summit on fire forecasting

From Clear Creek Courant, by Bob Wooley | May 6, 2022

Fire chiefs from Boulder, Louisville and other affected areas met with officials May 4 for a National Weather Service Fire Forecasting discussion regarding the Marshall Fire

Camp Fire road damages on Skyway to be replaced through $17.3 million project

From KRCR, by Ryan Matthey | May 6, 2022

Almost three and a half years after the Camp Fire, Skyway is finally being replaced after debris removal operations in 2019 damaged miles of it.

Artificial intelligence tapped to fight Western wildfires

From AP News, by Judith Kohler | May 7, 2022

Using artificial intelligence and satellite from space could provide information to the US military to offer more accurate data quicker to ground crews.