It's NOT cold Everywhere ... BUT there are Wildfires.

I thought I would give you and me a break from the talk about snow, ice and cold temps. And in keeping with one of my  goals to inform about wildfire activity I thought talking about Hawaii right now might be a nice break.


Here is an iconic view from the Islands ... Can you name it?

That's right it's Diamond Head.  Diamond Head is the name of a volcanic tuff cone on the Hawaiian island of O’ahu  and known to Hawaiians as Lēʻahi, most likely from lae 'browridge, promontory' plus ʻahi 'tuna' because the shape of the ridgeline resembles the shape of a tuna's dorsal fin. Its English name was given by British sailors in the 19th century, who mistook calcite crystals on the adjacent beach for diamonds.  

But were suppose to be talking about wildfires. Did you ever connect Hawaii with a wildfire problem??

Hawaii Has a Wildfire Problem Each year, about 0.5% of Hawaii's total land area burns each year, equal to or greater than the proportion burned of any other US state. Over 98% of wildfires are human caused. Human ignitions coupled with an increasing amount of nonnative, fire-prone grasses and shrubs and a warming, drying climate have greatly increased the wildfire problem. 

Wildfires are a mauka to makai issue, affecting everything from human safety, infrastructure, drinking water, agricultural production, cultural resources, native forests, watersheds, and coral reefs.

Honolulu firefighters battled a brush fire near the University of Hawaii at Manoa Wednesday.

The fire was reported at around 1:30 p.m. by a hiker in the area.

Crews responded to an area off Dole Street, near Kamakakuokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies.

Firefighters hiked up hill, dragging hoses from a hydrant and tanker parked on Dole Street.

According to the university’s Department of Public Safety, the fire was west of Waahila Apartments faculty housing. Residents were not evacuated.

“The fire is high on the ridge and does not present a fire danger to the community at the present time, however, smoke is causing limited visibility,” the department said.

Fire officials say the fire was small, its size estimated at one to two acres, but “it was difficult because the terrain was very tough,” said battalion fire chief Ken Lee.

“We had the helicopter do water drops and we had 18 firefighters up in the mountain,” he added.

One last bit of information.. Can you guess the only other non-human cause of wildfires besides lightning?

Two for two, your right Volcano activity. And we cant talk about Hawaii with out mentioning the current lava flow on the island.

There continues to be no change with any of the down slope flow areas. Civil defense says there were numerous surface breakouts and very little breakout activity along the margins. The breakout along the north margin was not active and no advancement was noted since Monday morning. Smoke and vog conditions were light with a light southwest wind blowing the smoke and vog in a northeast direction.

 VOG is right its not FOG. Vog is a form of air pollution that results when sulfur dioxide and other gases and particles emitted by an erupting volcano react with oxygen and moisture in the presence of sunlight.

I hope you learned something and enjoyed the diversion from our weather.

HOWEVER do NOT for a moment thing that because of the recent snows that we here in VA are completely out of harms was when talking about wildfires this Spring. Once the snow melts and the temps begin to normalize it will only take a few day and we will have the potential.

Thanks

Smokey  

Hey if you want to watch a good movie kind of connected to this post check out the cult classic...

Freezing Rain Moves in; Winter Storm Warning for Saturday

While many here in VA are saying "uncle" it could be worst... we could be living in Westerlo NY or Boston MA.                                  Stay warm and safe.

Our next storm system will arrive within the next few hours

The storm is likely to transition from snow to ice and rain along the mid-Atlantic and southern New England coasts. However, just enough cold air may linger near the ground to cause an extended period of icing farther inland.

"There is the possibility of a heavy amount of freezing rain and sleet in parts of northern and western Virginia to southern and eastern New England," Paquette said.

Should a heavy amount of freezing rain occur versus sleet, there could be downed trees and numerous power outages to contend with.

Due to the depth and coldness of the snow cover, widespread flooding problems are not expected with the brief thaw the storm brings to the Northeast. However, should temperatures climb higher than expected with more plain rain, rather than ice and snow, flooding problems associated with ice jams along streams and rivers could develop beyond sporadic incidents.

Another dose of frigid air will follow the storm, so any areas made wet by the rain and thaw will freeze in its wake.

When It's Ridiculously Cold

If your use to living in a cold climate or if you normally have to be outside when its cold, these tips maybe common sense for you, if your not they just might save your life. Either way they are a good reminder for us all.

Ways to Stay Warm (and Safe) When It's Ridiculously Cold

1. Bundle Up
It might seem obvious, but piling on a few extra layers is a great way to stay warm, especially if you have to be outside. Keeping your core warm is especially important when temperatures dip below freezing, so try wearing an extra shirt or two under your coat. For ladies who love wearing leggings, try swapping them out for long underwear. A bonus: Most long underwear is meant to dry quickly, so leftover snow and slush won't leave your legs damp.

2. Indulge in Foods That Help You Keep WarmYou already know that eating healthily in the winter is important to fend off colds and the flu, but did you know it might help keep you warm, too? Eating extra, healthy fats during the winter can help rev up metabolism, which in turn heats the body. If your New Year’s resolution was to drop a few pounds, don't worry -- you can always skip the extra fat and try eating warmer foods and drinks. Try soups, spicy foods, hot coffee and teas to fend off the chill!

3. We're Sorry: Alcohol Decreases Core Temperatures                                                       Alcoholic beverages might make you feel warm, they actually decrease your core temperature and can be dangerous during winter months. According to The New York Times and a study by Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, alcohol reverses some reflexes that control body temperature, especially the body's ability to shiver. Alcohol can also make you sweat, even when it is cold, which can lower core temperatures even more.  

4. Keep Your Toes ToastyHypothermia is most likely to begin in extremities like your hands and feet, so keeping your toes warm is important. Whether you're walking to work or just around the block, make sure to wear sturdy, insulated shoes that will help prevent slips on slick surfaces and keep your feet dry. Try a good pair of hiking books or, also, consider wearing an extra pair of socks  

5. Sunglasses... Even in the Winter                                                                                                      If you're walking in the snow during the day, wear sunglasses to protect your eyes from the glare. If you are walking at night, make sure to dress in colors other than white and to wear something reflective on your person to alert drivers to your presence. Avoid walking too close to roadways, especially near icy areas where drivers may lose control of their vehicle.

6. Remember the "Three-Feet Rule"                                                                                            Space heaters are a great way to add extra heat to colder rooms, but always remember to keep anything flammable at least three feet away from the heater at all times. Flammable items include clothing, rugs, bedding and curtains. Also remember to place the heater on a hard, non-flammable, stable surface and to turn it off completely before leaving the house. Set a reminder on your phone if you're afraid you'll forget.

7. Watch Out for Furry Friends                                                                                                      You might be jealous of your dog or cat's fur coat when temperatures drop, but they need to be kept warm, too. Dog walks should be limited to 10 minutes. You also have to be careful of ice in their paws because it can act like little daggers. Always remember to bring pets inside when temperatures begin to drop. If they can't come inside, provide enough bedding and insulated shelter for them to keep warm. If temperatures are below freezing, remember to check pets' water and replace it if it has frozen. 

8. Monitor Fires                                                                                                                                   It's easy to snooze in front of a roaring fire, but always make sure that fireplace embers are completely out before going to bed for the night. Wood fireplaces should always have a glass or metal fire screen large enough to catch sparks and rolling logs.

9. Don't Warm Up Your Car While It's Unattended                                                              Although letting your car heat up before you hop in can be tempting, leaving your car running when you're not around offers the perfect opportunity for thieves to steal it.   Instead, have a family member wait inside it while you finish getting ready, and then switch "shifts" with them when you have finished. Alternate who goes first to keep it fair.

10. Assemble a Car Emergency KitCheck the CDC's car emergency checklist to ensure you are prepared in case you have a roadside emergency during inclement weather. 

11. Keep Heat Constant                                                                                                                Setting your thermostat at the same temperature day and night will help prevent your pipes from freezing and bursting. While avoiding a high heating bill might be tempting, you could be protecting yourself from costly repairs from frozen or burst pipes. If you are going to be away from home for an extended period of time, don't lower heat below 55 degrees.

12. Protect PipesKeeping the heat on isn't the only thing you can do to protect pipes from freezing. State Farm suggests letting your hot and cold faucets drip overnight and opening cabinet doors to allow heat to get to un-insulated pipes under sinks and on exterior walls. Locate the water shut-off valve in your home in advance of a water emergency, so you know where to go if a pipe bursts. 

13. Watch Out for Antifreeze                                                                                                        People often use antifreeze on sidewalks and paths to melt ice and snow, but the dangers to humans and pets if it is ingested are serious.
Know the symptoms of antifreeze poisoning in humans and monitor children who are behaving oddly after returning from playing outside. Wipe down pets' paws, stomachs and tails when they come inside so they do not ingest antifreeze when licking themselves. Check symptoms of antifreeze poisoning in animals to ensure you are prepared in case they become sick.

14. Know the TermsFamiliarize yourself with government terms for winter weather emergencies: 

• Freezing Rain - Rain that freezes when it hits the ground, creating a coating of ice on roads, walkways, trees and power lines.

• Sleet - Rain that turns to ice pellets before reaching the ground. Sleet also causes moisture on roads to freeze and become slippery.

• Winter Weather Advisory - Winter weather conditions are expected to cause significant inconveniences and may be hazardous. When caution is used, these situations should not be life threatening.

• Winter Storm Watch - A winter storm is possible in your area. Tune in to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for more information.

• Winter Storm Warning - A winter storm is occurring or will soon occur in your area.

• Blizzard Warning - Sustained winds or frequent gusts to 35 miles per hour or greater and considerable amounts of falling or blowing snow (reducing visibility to less than a quarter mile) are expected to prevail for a period of three hours or longer.

• Frost/Freeze Warning - Below freezing temperatures are expected.

15. Make Sure Roads Are Safe Before Driving                                                                       BEFORE you leave your driveway or parking space make sure all your windows are cleared of snow and ice.  Clear the location your windshield washer fluid comes out and make sure your reservoir is full.  Give and Take… Give extra space and breaking distance and Take extra time… GO SLOW.                     

16. Write Down Important Utility Numbers                                                                               Heavy snow and ice can settle on power lines and cause power outages. Write down utility numbers and have them handy during a storm in case you need to report an outage or incident. Call your utility company as soon as your power goes off.

17. Watch for Signs of Hypothermia                                                                                       Prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can result in hypothermia, or abnormally low body temperature. A body temperature that's too low can affect the brain, which makes hypothermia particularly dangerous because the victim may not know it is happening. Hypothermia is most likely at very cold temperatures, but it can occur even at merely cool temperatures (above 40°F) if a person becomes chilled from rain, sweat or submersion in cold water. Check the CDC's guide for recognizing hypothermia to prepare yourself to help someone suffering from the condition.

18. Check on Your NeighborsEspecially the elderly, handicapped, ones who are single parents or if one of the adults are out of town or deployed with the military. Don’t assume they are OK, give them a call or go over and visit.

VA Dept of Forestry Shifts Gears

The Virginia Department of Forestry has shifted gears from suppressing wildfires only 24 hrs ago we are now fully engaged in supporting the state of emergency declared by Governor McAuliffe.     Beginning at 0700 tomorrow Forestry will have someone at the ESF 4 "desk" at the State EOC along with the Dept of Fire Programs. The HQ dispatch center will also be available to support any requests from localities.      Being able to move from wildfire protection and suppression to assisting during a winter storm is a trademark of our capabilities. Both from our equipment and also our personnel.

Summary

 A strong arctic front began impacting Virginia during the afternoon on Saturday, February 14, bringing strong winds, light snowfall, freezing temperatures, and dangerously low wind chill values.  Numerous power outages were reported throughout the Commonwealth, as heavy winds caused downed trees and power lines.  Another approaching cold front has the potential to bring significant snow accumulation to Virginia tonight and Tuesday.  Winter Storm Warnings are in effect throughout all of Virginia through noon on Tuesday.  Forecast for total snowfall: 6 to 12 inches in Southwest Virginia; 8 to 12 inches in West Central Virginia; 4 to 8 inches in Northwest and Northern Virginia; and 6 to 10 inches in Central and Eastern Virginia.  Locally higher amounts are possible throughout the Commonwealth.   

State Actions

·         Governor McAuliffe declared a state of emergency on February 16, 2015 at 1500.

Weather Forecast

·         Southwest/West Central Virginia (NWS Morristown, NWS Blacksburg)

Today/Tonight: Snow and sleet are expected, becoming all snow after 7 pm.  Accumulations of 3-9 inches are possible.  Temperatures will fall to 16 degrees with southeast winds between 5-10 mph. 

Tomorrow: A 30 percent chance of snow, mainly before 7 am.  Mostly cloudy with temperatures around 23 degrees.  West wind 3-10 mph. 

·         Northwest/Northern Virginia (NWS Sterling)

Today/Tonight: Snow.  Low temperatures around 14 degrees with southeast winds around 6 mph. Accumulations of 5-9 inches are possible.

Tonight/Tomorrow: A chance of snow before noon.  Partly sunny with a high near 34 degrees.  Light and variable wind.   

·         Central/Eastern Virginia (NWS Wakefield)

Today/Tonight: Snow becoming heavy at times.  The snow may change over to sleet between 1 am and 4 am in the southeastern region of the state.  Low temperatures around 18 with southeast winds around 5-7 mph.  Accumulations of 5-9 inches are possible.

Tonight/Tomorrow: Chance of snow is 60%, mainly before 7 am.  High temperatures will be near 29 with light and variable winds.  Additional snow accumulations of less than a half inch possible.

Emergency Responders Cold and Busy

While many of us were worrying about the possibility of trees coming down causing power outages, damage to our homes or wildfires the folks who dedicate themselves to our safety were out in the cold doing just that.

From the electric company crews (who did a "marvelous" job, thanks Billy Crystal) to the highway department folks, police, fire department and Department of Forestry men and women every agency/organization had individuals and equipment out IN THE COLD most of yesterday. If you see any of these folks out and about today, and they will be, stop and say THANKS!

Many of these same folks will have very little time to recuperate till they are back out making our lives a bit safer and protecting our property when the snows come later this afternoon and evening.

Crazy Weather - Few Wildfires Reported

What a crazy weather pattern to begin Virginia's Spring Wildfire Season with. Below are some words used in local stories this morning from across the state.

Snow squalls, whiteout conditions, wind chill warning, wind chills as low as 25-below zero, a high wind warning -sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts up to 60 mph, downed trees, power outages and minor structural damage.

We may be at the start of about as wintry an 8- to- 10-day period, maybe longer, that we can have in these parts.

Thankfully there have been only a few wildfires/brush fires / forest fires reported. Lets hope it stays that way today. Emergency responders will have their hand full with other issues they don't need wildfires on top of all that. 

So Do Your Part ... Don't Let A Wildfire Start.

Here in our den everyone is OK, we lost power for several hours last night, its about 7 degrees and we have seen (recorded) wind gusts in the 45-50 mph range with a pretty steady wind of 30.

Hope everyone was able to find warm and safe shelter last night . Things should be improving at least from the winds side of things by noon or so today. But be prepared for a bitter cold evening and tomorrow.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words!

PLEASE BE MINE AND PLEASE BE CAREFUL WITH YOUR OUTDOOR FIRES. 

ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT WILDFIRES.

Happy Valentines Day Today .... The 4 PM Law Goes Into Effect Tomorrow.

There have been many timely, interesting and well done news stories promoting the 4 PM Law that goes into effect tomorrow. The Virginia Department of Forestry and Smokey Bear want to THANK EVERYONE who has brought this very important message to the public.
Below is but one of those wonderful, well done news stories.

http://www.wset.com/story/28106696/burning-law-goes-into-effect-sunday-dept-of-forestry-gives-tips

Weather Junkie??? Get Your Fix here!

If its wildfire weather info your looking for you will find it here in one or more of the links below.

If you see one of these you got more problems than trying to figure out the weather.

Weather

Fire Behavior and Weather

Virginia Resources (from the National Weather Service Forecast Offices)

• Wakefield (Southeast VA)
• Blacksburg (Southwest VA)
• Charleston, WV
• Raleigh
• Sterling (Northern VA) Fire Weather
• Morristown, TN (Southwestern tip of Virginia)
• Virginia Weather, State Climatology Office

Virginia: Current Conditions, Forecast

• VA Hourly - National Weather Service Weather Statistics, updated hourly
• National Weather Service - Hydrometeorological Prediction Center
• Accu Weather - comprehensive weather website.
• Intellicast - Weather data for the United States.
• Radar - Local weather radar provided by Intellicast.

Fire and Weather Information

• Fires currently burning in the South - from the Southern Area Cordination Center
• NOAA Fire Weather Forecasts
• National Fire Weather - information from Boise, Idaho
• National Fire Danger map
• Map of Fire Weather Forecast Zones

Drought

• Palmer Drought Index - Drought severity index, updated weekly.
• IFLOWS - Rainfall data for many Western and Southwestern Virginia Counties.

General Weather

• Weather.com from the Weather Channel.
• Weather Underground website.

Learn Where Forest Fires are Now and How to Prevent Them Today!

http://www.smokeybear.com/wildfires.asp
 Smokey Bear: Real Time Wildfire Map

Wildfires Don"t Know What Date or Time It Is

While Virginia's traditional Spring Wildfire Season and the 4PM Law does not go into effect till next Sunday the 15th this past weekend was a busy one.
 Below is the news release followed by several headlines and pictures from the weekend.

News Release

For Immediate Release                                                                                               VDOF 15004

Contact: John Campbell 434.220.9070 or 434.989.0665                                           Feb. 9, 2015

Wildfire season in Virginia begins Sunday, February 15^th.

 

The 75-day spring wildfire season in the Commonwealth begins Sunday when the 4 p.m. Burn Law (which allows burning only between 4 p.m. and midnight) goes into effect.  Citizens are reminded to be extra careful with any open-air fire from now through April 30^th. 

“Wildfires in the Commonwealth are very weather dependent,” said State Forester Bettina Ring.  “Low humidity, dry fuels – such as leaves, grass and tree limbs – and gusty winds are prevalent this time of year.  Even a relatively small fire can quickly get out of control and spread fast.”

Ring said that more than 40 percent of the wildfires that occur in Virginia each year are caused by people burning trash or debris.  “It’s the number one cause year in and year out,” she said.  “And these fires threaten the lives of thousands of Virginians.  Last year alone, more than 2,000 homes and other structures were protected by the Virginia Department of Forestry’s wildland firefighters.”

According to VDOF records, more than 95 percent of wildfires in the Commonwealth each year are caused by humans and, thus, are preventable.  The State Forester wants Virginians to know that there are things they can do to reduce the risk of wildfires.

“The best thing people can do is to obey the law by not burning trash or debris before 4 p.m. each day during spring fire season,” Ring said.  “Virginia’s 4 p.m. law has been in place since 1940 and is one of the best tools we have for reducing the threat of wildfires.  Because humidity levels typically increase and wind speeds usually decrease after 4 p.m., the likelihood of a fire escaping someone’s control is reduced.”

But, just because you are allowed to burn after 4 p.m., it doesn’t mean that you should burn on certain days.  John Miller, VDOF’s director of resource protection, said, “If wind speed is in excess of 20 miles per hour and humidity levels are below 30 percent, please don’t light a fire.  The chances are high that the fire will escape – and that’s a life safety issue for you, your family and your neighbors.”

 

If conditions are suitable the day you wish to burn, Miller recommends that you: 1. burn in small piles rather than one big pile; 2. clear the area around the pile down to bare dirt before igniting your fire; 3. don’t add any flammable material to the fire after midnight; 4. keep a fully charged hose and a shovel on hand to extinguish any spot fires that ignite away from the burn pile, and 5. dial 9-1-1 as soon as a fire escapes your control.

 Starting a fire before 4 p.m. during spring wildfire season is not only dangerous, it’s a Class 3 misdemeanor crime – and one that can be very costly.  In addition to a fine of not more than $500, the person responsible for the fire’s escape is financially liable for the cost of suppressing the fire and for damage caused to another’s property.

 “The cost of battling a wildfire that escapes someone’s control can easily reach thousands of dollars,” Miller said.  “And if your fire burns down the neighbor’s home or barn, you could be liable for hundreds of thousands of dollars for the property damage.  The men and women who put their lives in danger fighting these wildfires do so in the most safe and cost-effective way possible, but the costs can be very high, especially if the fire becomes very large.”

 To learn more about the spring wildfire season, the 4 p.m. Burn Law and alternatives to debris burning, go to www.dof.virginia.gov .

For more than 100 years, the Virginia Department of Forestry has protected and developed healthy, sustainable forest resources for Virginians.  Headquartered in Charlottesville, the Agency has forestry staff members assigned to every county to provide citizen service and public safety protection across the Commonwealth.  VDOF is an equal opportunity provider.

 With nearly 16 million acres of forestland and more than 103,000 Virginians employed in forestry, forest products and related industries, Virginia forests provide more than $17 Billion annually in benefits to the Commonwealth.

 -end-

 

 

Midlothian brush fire came close to burning down homes

CHESTERFIELD, VA (WWBT) -

A dangerous brush fire on Sunday came within inches of homes and power lines in Midlothian.

The fire in the Sachem's Head neighborhood was one of four brush fires reported in the area on Sunday. Earlier Sunday afternoon, a brush fire that came close to an exposed gas meter forced the evacuation of a Waffle House restaurant on Hull Street Road. 

Sachem's Head residents said they got out their garden hoses and water buckets to put out hotspots. All the fires are under control, but Virginia Forestry officials said the fire in Midlothian had the greatest potential in years to burn down homes in the area.

Copyright 2015 WWBT NBC12. All rights reserved.

                                                       

 

 photos by R. Reuse 

 

 

CHESTERFIELD, Va.– A Waffle House in Chesterfield County was evacuated when a brush fire got too close to the restaurant Sunday afternoon.

Crews responded to the fire, which was near the restaurant in the 7300 block of Hull Street Road.

 

Brush fire on Birdneck Rd. scorches 10 acres

 

  

According to District Chief Mike Barakey with the Virginia Beach Fire Department, crews responded to the Virginia Beach Fire Training Center in the 900 block of Birdneck Road around 1 p.m. people began reporting smelling smoke in the area.