Wildfires

Blizzards

Season

June – September

December – March

Areas at Most Risk

Western U.S.-, Northern Rocky Mountains. Any area with drought conditions becomes at risk for wildfires.

North great plains.

General Frequency

140,000 fires per year. As of end of year 2007 – 85,822 wildfires, 9,321,326 acres burned. This is the third largest number of acres burned on record back to 1960.

10 per year.

Dangers

"Rapid spread of fire. Fire whirls-fire tornadoes created by fire's heat-can hurl flaming logs and debris, loss of property, loss of natural habitat."

Wind and water damage, hypothermia, frostbite, restricted mobility.

Intensity Rating

KBDI soil/duff (ground litter) drought index; factors are maximum daily temperature, precipitation, prior precipitation and annual precipitation.

0-200 = Soil and fuel moisture is high- spring dormant season following winter precipitation.

200-400= Late spring, early growing season-low litter layers are drying, begin to contribute to fire intensity.

400-600= Late summer early fall. Low litter actively contributes to fire intensity and will actively burn.

600-800 = Associated with severe drought with increased incidence of wildfires. Deep burning fires with downwind spotting can be expected, live fuels will burn actively.

Characterized by high winds, low temperatures. Winds at least 35 mph, air temperature around 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Visibility less than 1/4 mile for a minimum of 3 hours with large amounts of falling or blowing snow. Severe storms can have colder temperatures. Winds rated as follows: Moderate gale = wind 32-38 mph Fresh gale = 39-47 mph Strong gale = 48-54 mph Whole gale = 55-63 mph storm = 64-72 mph Hurricane = 75+ mph; Northeast snowfall impact scale ranges from 1 – Notable to 5 – Extreme.

Damage

"Wildfires burn hotter than normal fires; can release the energy of an atomic bomb. Sterilize the soil, destroy entire forests- it can take a century for a forest to recover. Windblown embers cause the most damage to homes; few homes in wildfire areas burn because of direct contact with flames.

1=Notable, 2=Significant, 3=Major (numerous utility interruptions up to 5 days) , 4=Crippling (prolonged and widespread utility outages) , 5=Extreme (Catastrophic damage)

Safety Measures/ Preparedness

"Secure= Secure home- close windows and interior doors, turn off gas and appliances if evacuating. Have or obtain emergency supplies – food and water for three days per person, prescriptions, clothes, flashlights, batteries, cell phone, radio, blankets. Include water, food, and clean up items for your pets.

Remove=loose objects from yard, dead limbs, highly flammable items. Important documents-take with you-insurance policies, wills, deeds, identification, medical cards. Take pet records too; vaccination records, photo of you and pet in case you get separated.

Respond=to evacuation notices, directions of emergency personnel. Follow family emergency plan. Call 911 if you spot a fire – don't assume someone else already has."

"Secure= Secure home-insulate pipes, close windows, turn off gas and appliances if evacuating. Have or obtain emergency supplies – food and water for three days per person, prescriptions, clothes, flashlights, batteries, cell phone, radio, blankets. Include water, food, and clean up items for your pets. Alternate heat sources needed.

Remove=loose objects from yard, dead limbs. Bring in animals. Important documents-take with you-insurance policies, wills, deeds, identification, medical cards. Take pet records too; vaccination records, photo of you and pet in case you get separated.

Respond=to evacuation notices, directions of emergency personnel. Follow family emergency plan."

Home Safety

"Roof: non-combustible or fire resistant material. Wood siding, cedar shakes, wood paneling should be treated with fire retardant chemicals. Clean roof and gutters of leaves, branches to avoid accumulation of flammable debris.

Remove portions of any tree within 10 feet of stove or chimney opening. Maintain 1/2 or less mesh screen over flue openings. Landscape vegetation should be spaced so that fire cannot be carried to structure or other vegetation. Remove branches from trees to height of 15 feet, keep 15 foot space between tree crowns.

Keep garden hose connected to outlet. Keep combustibles away from structures (picnic tables, firewood, boats, etc.)

First zone around house 30 feet; second 100 feet. If on a hill will need more space- fire moves rapidly uphill.

If you must evacuate home turn off gas, close inside doors, close but don't lock outside windows/doors – aids firemen if they have to enter. Leave lights on, makes house visible in heavy smoke. Homes less than 15 feet apart are more vulnerable to burning. "

"Have extra blankets, warm clothing (coat, hat, gloves, and boots). Multiple layers of clothing retain heat better. Insulate walls, attic, and pipes.

Be sure fireplace/wood heaters are working properly, store matches and firewood. Too much firewood inside may bring in contaminants.

Use flashlights instead of candles – reduces risk of fire. High end batteries (Lithium, etc.) in flashlights produce too much power and burn out the bulb.

Plan 2 routes of escape – doors may be blocked by snow. Know where emergency shelters are in case of heat loss. Secure valuables/ important documents in water proof container. Have medications.

If you lose heat, close off unneeded rooms, stuff rags or towels in cracks under doors, cover windows at night. Animals- bring inside, provide food/water, and check often. Most animal deaths in a storm are due to dehydration.

Stock 1 week's supply of food, water, medicine. Have extra blankets/sleeping bags, fire extinguisher. Stay indoors."

Auto Safety

"If in vehicle-stay in car-close vents, windows, turn on headlights.

If can't proceed- get on floor, cover with blankets. Smoke and sparks may enter vehicle, gas tanks rarely explode. "

"Car- have heavy blankets, food, water, cell phone, battery operated radio, shovel, large empty can and cover with tissues and paper towels for sanitary purposes.

Small can and water-proof matches to melt snow for drinking. Fill gas tank.

Run car for 10 minutes every hour for heat. Open window to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning, be sure exhaust pipe is not blocked. Move around to keep blood circulating and keep warm.

Be visible – raise hood once snow stops falling, tie colored cloth to antenna or door, turn on interior dome light when running engine. "

In the Open Safety

"Find sparse fuel area; lie on road and cover with anything to deflect heat.

If hiking, find depression in ground, clear fuel, and cover until fire passes."

"Seek protection from wind- prepare lean-to, wind break, snow cave.

Build fire and place rocks around it to absorb and reflect heat.

Melt snow before eating; it will reduce your body temperature otherwise, and hypothermia is a serious hazard. "

Equipment

Ladder long enough to reach roof; hoses, bucket, shovel, rake. Flashlight/batteries, battery operated radio, first aid kit, food/water, manual can opener, medicines, cash/credit cards, sturdy shoes. If evacuating with your pet, have vaccination records with you, carrier, leash and muzzle. Frightened animals can at times be more aggressive. Have charged phone with FEMA and NOAA apps and 911 on speed dial.

Flashlight/batteries, first aid kit, food/water, cell phone and charger, manual can opener, medicines, shovel, boots/warm clothes, matches, kindling. If evacuating with your pet, have vaccination records with you, carrier, leash and muzzle. Frightened animals can at times be more aggressive. Have charged phone with FEMA and NOAA apps and 911 on speed dial.

Resources

firewise.org – information regarding securing home, community; professional resources

www.nifc.gov – National Interagency Fire Center-statistics

nfpa.org- National Fire Protection Association

water.usgs.gov – maps of water conditions, droughts, stream flows, floods

wfas.us/ – wild land fire assessment system – current maps, fuel, potential danger

https://www.usfa.fema.gov/- us fire administration – safety resources, statistics, general fire info,

disastersafety.org

https://www.ready.gov/

http://www.weather.gov/briefing/

flamestop.com

painttoprotect.com

fire.ca.gov-California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection http://www.azfireinfo.az.gov/"

noaa.gov, http://www.weather.gov/briefing/

redcross.org

https://www.ready.gov/; NOAA has a general weather warning app. FEMA has a disaster preparedness/resources app.

Coverages

Power failure excluded if failure takes place off of premises.

"Freezing of plumbing, heating, a/c system excluded unless you have tried to maintain heat in the building or shut off water and drained systems. Discharge, leakage or overflow from system or appliance caused by freezing is excluded. Freezing, thawing pressure or weight of water or ice, driven by wind or not, is not covered to a fence, foundation, pavement, pool, wall, support, bulkhead, dock. Dwelling and contents.

If have sprinkler system must use care to maintain heat & continue water supply.

Up to $1000 is provided under debris removal for removal of trees felled by windstorm or hail, or weight of ice, snow or sleet as long as tree damages a covered structure or blocks driveway/handicapped ramp. Total for all trees felled.

Power failure excluded if failure takes place off of premises. "