Showing posts with label Spring Wildfire Season. 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.

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

As the snows melt wildfires occur and....

Saint Patrick's Day is right around the corner and it is said that at least for a day everybody is Irish! Hopefully the Smokey Bear keepers don't get so upset that smokey has a new hat for the day!

PLEASE remember at least here in Virginia we are still in what is considered our Spring Wildfire Season and as the snow melts the wildfires are beginning to show up. There were several around yesterday even with snow still being found on the Northern slopes and in shaded areas. DON'T depend on being LUCKY obey the fire laws and do your part to NOT let a wildfire start. ONLY YOU CAN.

And by the way .......

Smokey is well rested and ready to hit one out of the park for wildfire prevention!!!

Saturday, February 28, 2015

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...

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.