An unusually cooler summer in the Pacific Northwest has given firefighting crews some relief this year. Oil-rich pine trees along with grasses and brush in dry, hot summer heat are the perfect fuel for wildfires, which have engulfed several thousands of acres during the past summer seasons.
According to news station KGW, the peak of wildfire season is July 1 through August 20. This year, however, the cold, wet June weather pushed the wildfire season back three weeks. The cooler weather has kept grasses and brush greener, so even multiple lightening strikes are not producing large-scale fires. So far, for example, only two wildfires have affected the state of Oregon this summer.
While this news is can help residents put their fears aside, they should not relax when it comes to taking wildfire precautionary measures. After all, there are still several weeks remaining in the wildfire season.
Take the following steps to help protect your home and business for a wildfire:
Remove all pine needles that have fallen on the ground around a building. Additionally, do not lay pine needles down as a form of mulch or a decorative landscape element. Pine needles, even dry ones, contain oil in them that can easily ignite.
Clear the area around a building of any dry brush, and move flammable vegetation at least 30 feet away from a building.
If you like the look of vegetation around a building, consider planting succulents. These easy-to-manage plants are rich in color and moisture—even during dry, hot weather—and can help act as a fire barrier.
Keep all combustible materials, such as gas tanks and flammable chemicals, away from a building.
Keep your landscape well manicured. Well-watered lawns and trimmed hedges are harder for fires to penetrate.
One of things people look forward to the most on the nation’s Independence Day is lighting fireworks. To make the most out of the holiday weekend, play it safe. Make this Fourth of July memorable because of the great time you had with family and friends, not because of a fireworks accident that went wrong.
Firework Safety Tips
Know the law regarding fireworks in your state. If you are in an area that does not allow illegal fireworks, do not even think about using them.
Only use fireworks outside.
Have a hose or a bucket of water ready to extinguish any blazes.
Do not alter fireworks.
Leave a dud alone. If a firework does not work, leave it alone for at least 20 minutes before soaking it a bucket of water. Do not try to relight a dud.
Do not drink and light fireworks. If there will be alcohol at your Independence Day festivities, appoint a designated fireworks lighter who will remain sober.
Only allow those over the age of 12 use sparklers.
Use safety equipment. The person lighting the fireworks should wear safety glass and spectators should keep a safe distance.
More than 170 homes in Eagle Rock, Ariz. had to evacuate this weekend as thousands more are advised to do the same. A wildfire, which started last week, was thought to be about 40% contained until a second one started during the weekend. The AP reports this second fire currently “rages out of control.” It is believed that lightening started the second blaze. A man who started small campfire and did not extinguish it properly unintentionally caused the first fire.
Affected Areas
Currently, those living in the Timberline Estates, Wupatki Trails and Fernwood are being advised to leave their homes and head to a Red Cross shelter at Flagstaff Middle School. Experts from the Kaibab National Forest state the fire should be contained by Tuesday, June 22, 2010. County Road 141 is now re-open, but the area around the fire is still closed. While the Kaibab National Forest remains open for camping, the lake is closed to boating and fishing as it is being used for fire operations, according to the Fire Department News Network.
Fire Information
If you live in the Eagle Rock area and wish to learn more about the fires, call the Fire Information Center from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm at 928-635-5687 or 928-635-5688. More on this story.
The beginning of summer for residents in areas frequented by natural disasters means it is time to start preparing for what may come. Summertime marks the beginning of wildfires and hurricane season. The National Disaster Education Coalition states every person, no matter where they live, should learn what disasters could impact their area(natural and man-made), make an emergency disaster plan, create a list of emergency contacts, make sure they are properly insured and have a pre-made disaster kit.
Summertime Natural Disasters
The most notable natural disasters during the summer months are wildfires and hurricanes. Although experts predict a typical wildfire season this summer, the “Jackson County Floridian” states NOAA weather and emergency management experts expect an active hurricane season with at least five Category 3 storms. The warning prompted Governor Charlie Crist of Florida to write a note to the state’s citizens reminding them to prepare for hurricanes in advance and make sure they have adequate flood insurance coverage now.
Be Prepared for a Hurricane
Being prepared is not expensive and can actually save you money in the end because emergency supplies such as food and water can cost more before, during and after a disaster because they will be in high demand.
The National Hurricane Center encourages you to know and do the following in the event of any type of emergency:
The safest rooms in your home
Know the escape routes out of your home, city, county and state
Appoint a person to be single point of contact that everyone can call in the event of an emergency. This person should not live in the same state as you.
Know what you are going to do with your pets in the event of a disaster
Post emergency numbers near home phones and teach your children how to call 911
Memorial Day weekend signals the official start of summer, one of the most popular times to fire-up the grill to make backyard cuisines. However, the beginning of summer also signals the beginning of wildfire season. Help keep your home and neighborhood safe by keeping the following tips from the HPBA (Hearth, Patio & Barbeque Association) and the Propane Education & Research Council in mind.
Prepare Your Home and Grill
Cut back your grass and move burnable materials. Keep grass, wood, bush, plants and other materials at least 10 feet away from propane tanks and cylinders. This includes tanks installed in your grill and tanks you are storing.
Do not store propane tanks and cylinders inside a home, shed, garage or any other building.
Read the manual for your propane tank and grill.
Only use grills outside and in a well-ventilated area. If you grill indoors, there is a chance carbon monoxide could accumulate and prove fatal to those in the building.
Make sure the grill is stable. When grills are unstable or placed on uneven surfaces they may fall or tip over unexpectedly, which can cause a fire.
Replace expired or damaged tanks. This includes tanks that have holes, rust spots or cracks.
Use a grill mat. Use a heat-resistance grill mat under a gas or charcoal grill to prevent fires caused by hot embers or drippings.
Keep an extinguisher nearby. When grilling, keep a fire extinguisher nearby. If you do not have an extinguisher, keep baking soda, a bucket of garden sand or a garden hose close.
Outdoor fire prevention is quick, easy and worth the effort so you do not have to deal with the consequences of a full-blown, damaging blaze.
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