The Unthinkable - book about human reactions to disaster

Over at the incaseofemergencyblog they had a contest around Amanda Ripley's book The Unthinkable: Who Survives When Disaster Strikes - And Why. You can see the winner's responses here. Many of these people have made preparations and some have real stories about how preparations saved their own lives. Everything from every-day disasters like a fire in your home up to major disasters like floods and hurricanes.

The book is about how humans react to emergency situations and what we can do to prevent or bypass panic or negative reactions. By knowing more about what we need to do and teaching ourselves how to do it we can increase our chances of survival in a disaster. The ultimate goal in a disaster situation is to survive and help your family and friends survive. Knowing more about it helps us achieve that goal.

Black Butte Fire: more about Oregon wildfires

Wildfires are a natural disaster that occur every year in the state of Oregon, and are one of the more potent dangers we face. Between lightning strikes and man-made fires, according to the governor's office Oregon averages 1100 fires burning more than 12,000 acres every year. Not every Oregonian will face a wildfire, but every Oregonian that lives near forested lands needs to have an emergency plan for wildfire situations.

http://www.oregon.gov/Gov/fd/ffaq.shtml

Earlier this week we wrote an unpublished article about the Black Butte II fire. This fire was started by lightning and is burning up near Three Sisters. While many fires like this one burn out in the wilderness of Oregon, these fires often threaten hikers, campers, rural houses and farms, and occasionally towns and cities.

As of last night, the Black Butte II fire is approximately 570 acres in size and 15% contained. The Black Butte Trail and the Metolious Windego Trail are closed. Indian Ford Campground has been evacuated and closed. Forest roads 11, 64, 1120, 1170, and 1430 are all closed for fire fighting efforts and safety.

You can see the latest news at http://kohd.com/news/local/133538 and yesterday's report at http://www.koinlocal6.com/news/state/story/Fire-at-Black-Butte-10-percent-contained/GtjsULLpgEKUV-d79McB9A.cspx.

Here is our original article:

Koin 6 news is carrying a story about firefighting efforts to combat a 300 acre fire near Three Sisters. Known as the Black Butte II fire, lightning is suspected as the starter for this fire. Here at OEM we expect many more fires like this one, and bigger, before the fire season ends.

http://www.koinlocal6.com/news/state/story/Firefighters-Converge-on-Blaze-Near-Sisters/KlvH0jZs5kiBLBpujlIqHQ.cspx?rss=1100

Forest roads 11, 1120, and 1430 have been closed. You can see more about where wild fires are located on the NWCC Fire Map.