Showing posts with label Forest Fire. Show all posts

Saturday, March 21, 2015

Record Drought Possibly Record Wildfires

While the wildfires in Oklahoma, Chile and elsewhere are for now being contained other parts of the US are gearing up for what might be a significant wildfire season unlike any recently. While here in Virginia yesterdays rains were welcomed as we have had over 100 fires for a couple of hundred acres this last week. This time of year it doesn't take long to go from snow and rain to dry "enough" conditions for wildfires.

No Spring Drought Relief for California, Nevada, Oregon

The spring weather outlook for the west issued Thursday by federal forecasters has a familiar ring to it: continuing drought conditions leading to greater wildfire risk.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecast predict drought will persist or worsen in California, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, and western Colorado through June.

"Periods of record warmth in the west and not enough precipitation during the rainy season cut short drought relief in California this winter, and prospects for above-average temperatures for this spring may make the situation worse," said Jon Gottschalck, with NOAA's Climate Prediction Center.

El Niño finally arrived in February, but forecasters say it’s too weak and too late in the rainy season to provide much relief for California which will soon reach its fourth year in drought.

Drought is expected to persist in California, Nevada, and Oregon through June with the onset of the dry season in April. Drought is also forecast to develop in remaining areas of Oregon and western Washington. Drought is also likely to continue in parts of the southern Plains.

Drought will continue, increase in wildfire risk

These two images are of the same boat ramp at Lake Tahoe. Above what it looks like today and the one below shows the lake this same time back in 2012.

Risk of wildfires grows across Wisconsin

Forecasters say drought improvement or removal is favored for some areas in the Southwest, southern Rockies, southern Plains, and Gulf Coast while drought development is more likely in parts of the northern Plains, upper Mississippi Valley and western Great Lakes where recent dryness and an outlook of favored below average precipitation exist.

If you live in any of these areas targeted for an increase in wildfire activity or if you live anywhere where there is a threat of wildfire there ARE things you can do NOW in preparation. Giving YOU, YOUR HOME and YOUR DREAM the best chances possible of surviving the devastation of a wildfire.

I recently came across what I feel is one of the best if not the best website for information. Although it is from a small county in California the information is invaluable and could save property and lives, possibly yours! GO THERE AND SPEND TIME LOOKING AND LEARNING. Then TAKE ACTION.

http://firewisemaderacounty.org/

Thanks Madera County!

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Wildfires in Chile

We might be enjoying an easy (for now) Spring Wildfire Season everyone is not so fortunate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZ4o6rK2X4o

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — A big coastal wildfire was briefly contained then flared to life again in hot, windy weather, although it posed no threat to homes in the nearby Pacific ports of Valparaiso and Vina del Mar, officials said late Saturday.

Chile's National Emergency Office said the revival was mainly in unpopulated forest along two roads connecting the two cities, and sections of both routes had to be closed.

Earlier Saturday, many of the more than 7,000 people who had been evacuated after flames neared their neighborhoods the previous night were allowed to return to their homes as the blaze waned in those areas.

About 200 firefighters on the ground and water-dumping helicopters and planes were battling the wildfire, which started Friday afternoon at an illegal dump and was quickly spread by strong winds. Officials declared a state of emergency.

The fire was blamed for the death of a woman in her 60s who suffered a heart attack. Thirty-two people had been injured, including 19 firefighters, the emergency office said. Five of the firefighters were badly injured, but their lives were not in danger.

Electricity service for about 12,000 people was turned off as a precaution, officials said.

The fire comes nearly one year after a wildfire tore through Valparaiso neighborhoods, leaping from one hilltop to another. The blaze killed 15 people, injured more than 500 and destroyed nearly 3,000 homes.

No houses were reported damaged from the latest fire, which Chile's Emergency Office estimated had affected about 740 acres (300 hectares) by early Saturday.

The government asked people to avoid traveling to either of the coastal cities, both of which are popular weekend destinations, especially during the Southern Hemisphere's summer months.

Friday, March 13, 2015

Can you help little Smokey find his way to the 4 leaf-clover? Each one has a path to the shamrock! All 3 images are dated 1950. Do you know the little girls name?

Judy Bell... That's correct. She enjoyed helping nurse Smokey (the cub) back to health after he was rescued.

Can you believe this is her all grown up.

Smokey looks pretty good also as a grown bear.1961 --- 11-12 years old.

Monday, February 16, 2015

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.

Sunday, February 15, 2015

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.