Smoke and Fires /Melting Ice

Missoulian: Missoula County fire danger moves to extreme;restrictions tighten

Today’s Air- Current Health Effects Category by Community 

Montana Fires 

“Incident: Elevation Mountain Wildfire
Your Name Creek Fire- Initial Attack

Narrative: The team sent firefighters from the Blue Ridge Hotshots to a new start yesterday just North of the Elevation Mountain Fire in the Wilderness Study Area. Helicopter water drops were used to help reduce the fire spread and the fire was caught at about two acres. The firefighters will return to this spot today to finish putting the fire out.
There was a significant amount of lightning in the area and firefighters will be on the lookout for additional starts throughout today.”

In other news…

The Washington Post: Arctic sea ice hits record low, scientists say

NASA- Arctic Sea Ice Shrinks To New Low In Satellite Era

“The extent of the sea ice covering the Arctic Ocean has shrunk. According to scientists from NASA and the NASA-supported National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) in Boulder, Colo., the amount is the smallest size ever observed in the three decades since consistent satellite observations of the polar cap began.”

Fires/ Internet Taxes/ Copyright

Missoulian: Roundup wildfire grows to 30,000 acres, shutsoff power 

 Montana Fire Information
Delphia Fire Information
“Tom Heintz's Northern Rockies Type-II Incident Management Team assumed management responsibility of the Delphi Fire at 6:00 am today. Fire behavior was active on the North and East flanks today as the fire became active early. Much of the activity was a result of favorable burning conditions in the afternoon. The western and southern perimeters have a fairly well strengthened suppression line.”

In Other News . . . .
The Hill: FCC eyes tax on Internet service 

Universal Service Contribution Methodology; a NationalBroadband Plan for Our Future 

“In this document, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission) seeks public comment on approaches to reform and modernize how Universal Service Fund (USF or Fund) contributions are assessed and recovered. The Commission seeks comment on ways to reform the USF contribution system in an effort to promote efficiency, fairness, and sustainability. The Commission seeks comment on proposals in four key areas regarding the contributions system: Who should contribute to the Fund; how contributions should be assessed; how the administration of the contribution system can be improved; and recovery of universal service contributions from consumers.”

Slate: The Most Important Trade Agreement That We KnowNothing About

Leaked documents

Tuesday July 10 at the Trans-Pacific PartnershipNegotiations in San Diego, California

“Notably, the United States tabled a new proposal in the intellectual property rights group having to do with copyright limitations and exceptions. Negotiators will now take the progress made in the various chapters back to their capitals for review.”

West Nile Virus / New Fires / Jobs for Vets

Missoulian: 2 Montana horses test positive for West Nile virus

DPHHS offers prevention tips to help Montanans avoid WestNile Virus this summer 

“A person, bitten by an infected mosquito, might become infected and develop West Nile fever or a more severe illness, such as brain infections like West Nile meningitis or encephalitis.  Removing mosquito breeding areas and preventing mosquito bites are two ways to help to prevent being exposed to West Nile virus.”

CDC- Prevent Mosquito Bites 

“Many people who are bitten by an infected mosquito won't get sick—many others aren't as lucky. Since 1999, more than 30,000 people in the United States have been reported as getting sick with West Nile virus. Occasionally, an infected person may develop more severe disease such as “West Nile encephalitis,” “West Nile meningitis” or “West Nile meningoencephalitis.”

Missoulian: 8 new wildfires contained on Lolo NationalForest

Montana Fire Information 

Wedge Creek
“A lightning-caused fire approximately 13 miles north of Ovando. This fire is burning in steep terrain and heavy timber in a remote area about two miles south of the Scapegoat Wilderness boundary. The fire is producing a smoke column visible from highway 200. Backing fire, moderate flame lengths, and some torching were observed by the IC's recon flight of the fire.”

Missoulian: First lady announces new hiring push for vets

First Lady Announces 125,000 Veterans and Military SpousesHired Through Joining Forces 

“Earlier today, I joined with First Lady Michelle Obama at Naval Station Mayport near Jacksonville, Florida as she announced that 2,000 companies had hired or trained an amazing 125,000 veterans and military spouses in the past year through Joining Forces.”

Joining Forces
“Joining Forces is dedicated to connecting our servicemen and women, veterans and military spouses with the resources they need to find jobs at home.”

Curiosity on Mars/ Redistricting

Missoulian: Mars rover Curiosity prepares for test drive

NASA's Curiosity Studies Mars Surroundings,Nears Drive

“Curiosity will soon have a different patch of ground beneath it. Today, the six-wheeled rover wiggled its four corner wheels side to side for the first time on Mars, as a test of the steering actuators on those wheels. This was critical preparation for Curiosity's first drive on Mars.

"Late tonight, we plan to send Curiosity the commands for doing our first drive tomorrow," said Curiosity Mission Manager Michael Watkins of JPL.

The Mars Science Laboratory spacecraft delivered Curiosity to Mars on Aug. 5, PDT (Aug. 6, EDT). In a two-year prime mission researchers are using the rover's 10 instruments to assess whether the selected study area has ever offered environmental conditions favorable for microbial life and for preserving evidence about whether life has existed.”

Missoulian: Commission wraps up proposal for new MontanaHouse districts

Districting and Apportionment Commission 2011-2012

“Redistricting is the act of drawing new political boundaries. In Montana, the five-member Districting and Apportionment Commission has authority under the Montana Constitution to draw the boundaries of congressional and legislative districts every 10 years. Using population data from the most recent U.S. Census, the commission will draw districts with approximately the same number of people in them. The process must be completed by early 2013. Because Montana has only one congressional district, the commission will focus on redrawing state legislative district lines.”