WILDFIRE
A wildfire may obstruct roads, damage utility lines, and force you out of your home. Household supplies should be stockpiled, the area surrounding your home should be properly tended to, and an evacuation kit should be kept on hand.
Download the FEMA App, and sign up for Community Alerts.
Experts expect to see annual increases in severely dry conditions that contribute to large-scale wildfires worldwide. The threats of a wildfire can be broken down into two hazards: direct contact with a fire and smoke inhalation.
Wildfires can travel quickly: up to 6 miles-per-hour in forests and up to 14 miles-per-hour in grasslands. If there is an upward-slope to a terrain, flames can travel even faster; an extra 10 degrees of slope will double the speed of your fire.
Meanwhile, wildfire smoke can travel thousands of miles.
In some cases, there is little-to-no warning of approaching fires. If your location is the origin of a fire in a dry area, it may be up to you to respond accordingly even if that means calling emergency services.
AirNow: This fire and smoke map is “designed to provide the public with additional information on levels of particle pollution” and includes data from a number of government sources. Find it here.
NOAA: This map from the agency’s Office of Satellite and Product Operations includes regularly updated data from satellites. Find it here.
Esri’s Active Wildfire Story Map: I highlighted this map in a post last week for tracking fires. It also has an overlay option to track smoke. Just check the “smoke forecast” box. Find it here.
NASA: The space agency’s blog post from yesterday includes satellite imagery from before and after the winds shifted eastward. Although the images are not interactive, they underscore how national weather patterns can have a huge impact on air quality. Find it here.
Wildfire Stockpiles Should Include:
The Basics
Refer to the Basic Stockpile List, including all items for Evacuating.
Take special note of the following items: NOAA radio, important documents, home inventory, fire extinguisher, vehicle supplies
N95 Respirators
N95 Respirators / What to know?
While plenty of face masks exist on the market, only N95 respirators provide medical-grade protection against infectious droplets and hazardous air particles. A proper N95 respirator will be National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) approved and FDA cleared for medical use. Non-FDA cleared masks are generally designed for industrial purposes that do not consider medical uses.
Note that:
• N95 means the respirator is capable of blocking out 95% of particulates in the air when properly worn.
• Despite the confusing name, a KN95 is not an N95 respirator. KN95s are unregulated and the majority provide inferior filtration.
• Avoid exhalation valves, which defeat the respirator’s ability to protect others from you.
• Pay close attention to authenticity given rampant counterfeits.
N95 Respirators / Where To Buy?
Reinforced Infrastructural Material
When properly installed, metal flashing can serve as a barrier between vulnerable, combustible sections of your home.
Tempered glass windows can withstand extreme temperatures without breaking, while dual pane glass may provide an extra layer of support against shattering.
Hose
Make sure your garden hose can reach all sides of your house and is free of leaks and holes.
Fire Escape Ladder
If your home or building does not already have a fire escape ladder, consider installing one, or purchasing a portable fire escape device. In the event of a fire in your home, stairwells and standard exits may not be safe to use.
Leaf Blower
Flammable debris (including pine needles, dry grass, and other combustible materials) should be kept 30-100 feet away from your home, depending on the topography of your surroundings.
Smoke Alarm
A fire alarm with strobe lights is crucial for those with hearing deficiencies, and has the added advantage of alerting neighbors and rescue workers.
