Wildfire crews with the Texas Forest Service responded to six wildfires that spanned 1,124 acres over the weekend. Over the last week, however, 50 wildfires affected 20,670 acres of Texas land. In response, fire managers with the Texas Forest Services are using aircraft in many of the inaccessible parts of the state, such as Type I helicopters and single-engine airtankers (SEATs).
Wildfire Outlook
The weather is not cooperating with the firefighting efforts. The Texas Forest Service states:
“…Confidence is low at this time because there is a deepening upper air trough over the desert Southwest that is not consistent with ‘Outbreak’ models. Still, other solutions indicate a dry zone from the Trans Pecos to the Panhandle, with relative humidity at 10 to 15 percent and wind speeds in the 25 to 35 mph range. The fastest winds aloft will occur in the Panhandle, while the driest air will be over the Trans Pecos and western Permian Basin, possibly keeping the ‘Outbreak’ scenario at bay. In any case, thick, dry vegetation is ripe for ignition across the entire western half of the state, and even moderate winds could rapidly push fires out of control…”
Wildfire Preparation
If your home or business is in the path of a wildfire, follow the safety instructions provided by emergency personnel. Prepare an emergency disaster kit and evacuate the area if necessary.
Sometimes it seems as if some U.S. cities cannot get a break from the forces of Mother Nature. This is the case with Laguna Beach, California. Over the last several years, the town known for its beaches and glamorous residents has experienced landslides, floods and fires.
Geography and climate have a great impact on the natural disasters a city experiences. Summer wildfires deplete the area surrounding Laguna Beach of vegetation, which soaks and holds back rainwater. Consequently, landslides and floods follow heavy rains. For example, the area had record-breaking rainfall in late December 2010, which caused $12 million in damage to homes and businesses, according to “The Orange County Register.” Residents have also blamed over-development in floodplains, insufficient flood channels and a lack of disaster response efforts for aiding in the destruction caused by weather-related events.
Just like households and businesses, communities must also create emergency preparedness and disaster response plans. These plans should examine measures that can help lessen the damage natural disasters can cause, establish evacuation routes and name places residents can go to for disaster relief services and emergency shelters. While having a disaster plan in place is important, it is equally important for communities to hold emergency preparedness workshops that educate its residents, as well as a plan for recovery. Government buildings are not immune to disasters, and having a plan for continuity can help relief efforts flow more smoothly.
FEMA states that winter flooding is particularly dangerous in the states of Arizona, California and Nevada because of the recent wildfires and the rainy season that follows. Although flooding can happen during any time of the year, homeowners should know their risk in relation to severe weather, including flooding, that can occur during cold weather months.
FloodSmart
To help homeowners understand their risks, FEMA provides the following Floodsmart tools:
A Wildfire Infographics tool that show how wildfires can impact flooding in an area
A Cost of Flooding tool that shows that costs of different levels of flooding
Video testimonials of home and business owners who speak about protecting their assets with flood insurance
Flood Insurance
FEMA states that most homeowners in the abovementioned western states do not have insurance policies that provide flood insurance coverage. In 2009, the annual claim for flood-damaged property averaged $27,000. Nancy Ward, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Region IX Administrator states:
“Virtually every home and business owner faces some risk of flooding, which can stem from events as commonplace as broken sewer lines, slow moving rainstorms, or even a new real estate development that alters drainage patterns around a property. Everyone should have a flood preparedness checklist, and for many people, having flood insurance can be as important as having an emergency supply kit and knowing where to go if they need to evacuate.”
FEMA warns that flood insurance policies are not effective until 30 days after their purchase, so it is better to purchase one before it is too late.
2010 to 2011 Winter Weather Dangers
Heavy rainfall in Arizona is often the aftermath of wildfires, and mountainous areas tend to funnel water into the canyons. Rainfall in California is particularly heavy in the winter and early spring, and accounts for much of the state’s annual rainfall. Heavy rain in this state causes rivers to crest, flooding, storm drains to back-up and the ground to become over-saturated. Nevada is also at risk for floods as the state deals with storms that form over the Pacific Ocean.
During the summer and fall months, wildfires in these western states often change the conditions of the ground by eliminating the amount of vegetation that would normally absorb and slow the running of excess rainwater. Consequently, there is an increased chance of flooding, mudflows and property damage when it rains after a wildfire. More than 142,000 Arizona homes were destroyed by wildfires in 2010, and the following rains flooded the Flagstaff area. A similar situation happened in California when the “Station” fire in Los Angeles County burned over 160,000 acres. Over 28,000 acres of land in Nevada were also damaged in 2010.
Marion County, Florida has received over 4 inches of rain in the first ten days of this month. The recent wet weather, however, brought a false sense of security to those who practice backyard burning. The area’s drought index is still high as rainfall is still 4 to 10 inches below normal. After the rains dried out, low humidity and wind gusts fueled several recent wildfires.
Forecasts Look Grim
Unlike much of the western part of the United States, wildfireseason in Florida runs from December through June, opposite of hurricane season. Ocala.com reports that forecasters predict the below-normal rainfall to last through late May. Consequently, experts recommend Marion County residents refrain from backyard burning until there is regular rainfall.
Protection from Wildfires
Although the recent wildfires have not grown past a few acres, homeowners should still take precautions to protect their homes since the area is rich with highly flammable plant life, such as pine trees.
Keep vegetation such as trees and shrubs a minimum of 30 feet away from the home. Prune trees that are close to a home to 15 feet away from roofs and chimneys.
Keep lawns mowed and green.
Move landscaping plants and vines away from the sides of a home.
Avoid using dried pine needles as a decorative landscaping element.
Keep combustible materials 50 feet away from a home.
Dangerous and unpredictable, wildfires are best fought with fire damage prevention measures. Anytime there is a high risk for wildfires, residents should consult their local fire department to see what the professionals recommend to keep their property safe.
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.
