-Whole Community Answers to Pacific NW Wildfire Threats-
Wildfire experts and weather specialists have predicted a low-risk, late-starting wildfire season for the Pacific Northwest this summer, but emergency managers caution against complacency. As tall grasses and foliage dry out—the likelihood of brush, range and timber fires increases, and according to FEMA Regional Administrator Ken Murphy, even a mild wildfire season—and there are never any guarantees—begs the question: What if it’s your woods that are burning?
“An informed, responsible and committed public can play a major role in safeguarding property and saving lives. Our firefighters are well-trained, well-resourced and totally dedicated—but they can’t do it alone,” said Murphy. “Planning for disasters means that we must plan for the Whole Community, including people of different ages and those with various access and functional needs.”
Murphy encourages all homeowners to exercise extreme caution with grills, campfires, trash fires and other heat sources, and to embrace the commonsense commitment to pre-disaster wildfire preparedness accepted in more traditionally recognized wildfire-prone areas. “Talk with your local fire department or forestry office,” said Murphy. “Stay abreast of local burn bans and changing weather conditions. Talk with your neighbors. After all, a community is only as safe as its least prepared member.”
Common sense wildfire preparedness measures include creating a Safety Zone or Defensible Perimeter:
• Establish firebreaks around the perimeter of structures, power poles and property.
• Cut back flammable weeds and brush, and remove branches within 15 feet of the ground.
• Mow regularly and rake leaves, limbs and twigs.
• Landscape with fire resistant plants.
• Keep roofs, chimneys and gutters clean.
• Install smoke detectors on every floor, and near sleeping areas.
• Stack firewood away from your home. Store combustible materials only in approved containers.
• Keep fire tools (shovel, rake, water bucket and ladders) handy.
• Clear overgrowth from house numbers and street signs
• Clear driveways and access roads so fire vehicles have room to maneuver.
• Plan and rehearse family evacuation plans.
• Don’t overlook adequate insurance coverage. Sit down with your insurance agent and make sure that coverage is still adequate and up to date for the hazards you face.
It is also smart to keep important personal documents quickly available should you need to evacuate. Consider collecting your driver’s license, passport and other identification, birth and marriage certificates, Social Security card, insurance policies, tax records, wills, deed or lease and stocks and bonds. Also know where your main turn-off switches and valves are for electricity, water and gas.
Evacuation kit contents should include:
• Flashlights.
• Battery-powered radio and extra batteries.
• First Aid Kit.
• Medicines, prescriptions and eyeglasses.
• Water.
• Change of clothes.
• Sleeping bags and pillows.
FEMA’s Resolve to be Ready in 2011 campaign promotes Whole Community involvement in disaster preparedness. For more information on protecting your family and your home from wildfires, go to: www.usfa.fema.gov, www.firewise.org, or www.fema.gov. For more information on the Ready Campaign and Citizen Corps, visit www.fema.gov, Ready.gov and CitizenCorps.gov.
Follow FEMA online at www.twitter.com/fema, www.facebook.com/fema, and www.youtube.com/fema. Follow Administrator Craig Fugate's activities at www.twitter.com/craigatfema. Social media links are provided for reference only. FEMA does not endorse non-government websites, companies or applications.
FEMA's mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
Showing posts with label wildfire. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wildfire. Show all posts
Monday, July 11, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
South Cascade, Western Lane districts declare wildfire season July 2
The Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) South Cascade and Western Lane districts announced today that wildfire season will begin on July 2 in all of Lane county as well as eastern Linn county. The South Cascade District protects more than 1.1 million acres of private and public lands from wildfire within the two-county area. The Western Lane District protects 750,650 acres in western Lane County.
“While the spring has been wet and cool, July and August will bring the typical dry and warm weather that will cause the grass and brush to cure out quickly, South Cascade District Forester Lena Tucker said. “We want the public to enjoy their summer weekend outings and always keep fire prevention in their thoughts.”
Cooperator’s help key to 2010 fire season success
“As the 2011 fire season gets underway, I especially want to thank private landowners for their firefighting help last year,” Western Lane District Forester Grant Smith said. “Private landowners together with ODF, the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and rural fire departments, are a key component of Oregon’s complete and coordinated fire protection system,” he said.
What fire season means
Entry into fire season imposes certain restrictions on recreational and work activities in the forest. Industrial operations are required to have firefighting equipment on site. Since restrictions may vary, it is advisable to check with the nearest ODF office for rules specific to the local area.
In eastern Linn County, Regulated-Use Closures will be in effect within one-half mile of the Quartzville Rd. from Green Peter Dam to the U.S. Forest Service’s Willamette National Forest boundary. Under this closure, campfires are permitted only at designated locations and on sand or gravel bars that lie between the water and high water marks where there is no vegetation. Use of fireworks is prohibited in this corridor.
Industrial Fire Precaution levels (IFPL) are part of ODF’s closure system that regulates industrial activity in the forests west of the Cascade Mountains. When fire season takes effect, the districts will be at an IFPL 1, which imposes the fewest restrictions and generally requires a fire watch at industrial forest operation sites. IFPL details can be found at: www.oregon.gov/ODF/FIRE/ifpl.shtml
Wildfire facts
On the lands protected by the Department of Forestry, the 10-year average is about 1,100 wildfires burning a total of 26,000 acres. In a typical year, about two-thirds of the fires are caused by people and the remainder by lightning. Of the human-caused fires, fewer than half are caused by forest landowners and operators. And operators alone account for only about nine percent. Across all Oregon forest protection jurisdictions, about 2,600 wildfires burn roughly 239,000 acres annually on average.
Through June 27, two lightning-caused fires have burned less than one acre on lands protected by ODF. During that period, 43 human-caused fires burned about 26 acres.
The Oregon Department of Forestry provides fire protection to 16 million acres of private and public forestlands statewide, including 2.8 million acres of federal Bureau of Land Management lands. There are about 30.4 million acres of forest in Oregon.
“While the spring has been wet and cool, July and August will bring the typical dry and warm weather that will cause the grass and brush to cure out quickly, South Cascade District Forester Lena Tucker said. “We want the public to enjoy their summer weekend outings and always keep fire prevention in their thoughts.”
Cooperator’s help key to 2010 fire season success
“As the 2011 fire season gets underway, I especially want to thank private landowners for their firefighting help last year,” Western Lane District Forester Grant Smith said. “Private landowners together with ODF, the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and rural fire departments, are a key component of Oregon’s complete and coordinated fire protection system,” he said.
What fire season means
Entry into fire season imposes certain restrictions on recreational and work activities in the forest. Industrial operations are required to have firefighting equipment on site. Since restrictions may vary, it is advisable to check with the nearest ODF office for rules specific to the local area.
In eastern Linn County, Regulated-Use Closures will be in effect within one-half mile of the Quartzville Rd. from Green Peter Dam to the U.S. Forest Service’s Willamette National Forest boundary. Under this closure, campfires are permitted only at designated locations and on sand or gravel bars that lie between the water and high water marks where there is no vegetation. Use of fireworks is prohibited in this corridor.
Industrial Fire Precaution levels (IFPL) are part of ODF’s closure system that regulates industrial activity in the forests west of the Cascade Mountains. When fire season takes effect, the districts will be at an IFPL 1, which imposes the fewest restrictions and generally requires a fire watch at industrial forest operation sites. IFPL details can be found at: www.oregon.gov/ODF/FIRE/ifpl.shtml
Wildfire facts
On the lands protected by the Department of Forestry, the 10-year average is about 1,100 wildfires burning a total of 26,000 acres. In a typical year, about two-thirds of the fires are caused by people and the remainder by lightning. Of the human-caused fires, fewer than half are caused by forest landowners and operators. And operators alone account for only about nine percent. Across all Oregon forest protection jurisdictions, about 2,600 wildfires burn roughly 239,000 acres annually on average.
Through June 27, two lightning-caused fires have burned less than one acre on lands protected by ODF. During that period, 43 human-caused fires burned about 26 acres.
The Oregon Department of Forestry provides fire protection to 16 million acres of private and public forestlands statewide, including 2.8 million acres of federal Bureau of Land Management lands. There are about 30.4 million acres of forest in Oregon.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Fires Popping up in Oregon
PRINEVILLE, OR -- The Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center said more than 7,500 lightning strikes pounded the area Tuesday. The storms, which started around 1 a.m., sparked approximately 50 news fires in the area, and crews were able to keep most to less than a quarter acre in size. The largest fire, the Buckhorn Fire, is burning is steep terrain along a remote section of the John Day River east of Antelope. As of Tuesday evening, the fire had grown to 150 acres. The Prineville Hotshots, a five-person hand crew, four rappellers, two helicopter and three engines are fighting the Buckhorn Fire.
A Red Flag Warning for lightning storms remains in effect until 11 p.m. Wednesday. Although some areas received heavy precipitation with these storms, it can take only hours for light fuels like grass to dry out.
A Red Flag Warning for lightning storms remains in effect until 11 p.m. Wednesday. Although some areas received heavy precipitation with these storms, it can take only hours for light fuels like grass to dry out.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
2010 Ushers In Increased Wildfire Risk For NW
Wed, 12 May 2010 08:34:45 -0500
SEATTLE, Wash. -- El Nino weather patterns and a relatively mild winter left Idaho, eastern Washington and south central Oregon drier than normal and vulnerable to wildfire. In addition to urging extreme caution with campfires, fireworks, trash fires, grills and other heat sources, FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Dennis Hunsinger encourages residents living on wooded lots and wildland/urban interface areas to stay informed on local conditions.
SEATTLE, Wash. -- El Nino weather patterns and a relatively mild winter left Idaho, eastern Washington and south central Oregon drier than normal and vulnerable to wildfire. In addition to urging extreme caution with campfires, fireworks, trash fires, grills and other heat sources, FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Dennis Hunsinger encourages residents living on wooded lots and wildland/urban interface areas to stay informed on local conditions.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Williams Creek Fire Update
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/08/oregon_138_may_open_today_as_f.html
The Williams Creek Fire is now 60% contained and has burned just over 6500 acres. Due to the cooler weather and rain, firefighters have been able to get an upper hand against the fire and are expecting to open Hwy 138 today. The 8 people who were evacuated from Moore Hills are also expected to be able to return today.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Press Release: Lightning-Caused Fire Near Umatilla Depot
Several thousand acres burn at Umatilla Chemical Depot. Lightning caused several wildfires.
Umatilla Chemical Depot, Hermiston, Ore. - Depot officials have revised estimates about lightning-caused wildfires on the Umatilla Chemical Depot. Preliminary estimates are that fires have now burned several thousand of the depot's 19,729 acres.
The fires are burning in the northern portion of the depot and adjacent property off post. Portions of some fires are now contained. Firefighters from the depot, Boardman, Irrigon and Hermiston Fire Departments are fighting the blazes per mutual aid agreements.
The depot's chemical weapons stockpile is not involved in the fire. Chemical weapons at the depot are stored in reinforced concrete earth-covered "igloos" designed to resist fire or other threats. All nerve agent has been destroyed; the only remaining munitions are bulk containers of mustard blister agent that do not have any explosive components.
As previously reported:
* The first fire started at about 6:20 p.m. today.
* One emergency response worker suffered a knee injury while exiting a vehicle and was taken to the depot clinic.
* Depot workers moved vehicles and other equipment out of the path of the fire.
* Depot officials notified off-post emergency operations centers in Umatilla and Morrow counties, Ore.; Benton County, Wash.; those in Oregon and Washington states; and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Williams Creek Fire near Steamboat, Oregon
Last week FEMA released several articles about the dangers of wildfires. This weekend has proven that it can happen before you know it.
Last week the Williams Creek Fire started burning in the Umpqua National Forest, 3 miles west of the community of Steamboat. That fire has grown to more than 4500 acres by this morning and is only 20% contained. The rugged terrain and dry weather has made it difficult to fight the fire. With more than 1000 firefighters and six helicopters working on the fire, it has caused a series of closures and at least one evacuation.
* Highway 138 is closed between mileposts 29 and 39
* Rock Creek Rd and Canton Rd are closed
* Williams Creek, Bogus Creek, and Scaredman Creek campgrounds are closed
* North Umpqua Trail #1414 is closed from Fern Falls to the Motthead Trailhead
* Steamboat Inn on Highway 138 is evacuated, and residence protection is in place for 8 Moore Hill buildings
See the links for maps and pictures.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
FEMA news release - Wildfires
29 July 2009
Contact: Mike Howard (425) 487-4610
Press Release No.: 09-71News Release
WHEN WILDFIRES RAGE: PREPARE, STAY INFORMED AND EVACUATE IF DIRECTED
SEATTLE –Sustained record-breaking temperatures have raised wildfire hazards throughout the Pacific Northwest. With wildfires burning in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington state, FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Dennis Hunsinger encourages at-risk residents to prepare for the worst, stay informed on local conditions and evacuate if instructed to by fire or emergency management officials.
“Fires can start and spread quickly, and it is essential that people living on wooded lots or wildland/urban interface areas take action now to protect their homes and properties,” said Hunsinger. “The time to discuss wildfire warnings and evacuation strategies with your local forestry and emergency management officials is before wildfires rage. Stay in the loop, follow developments, and evacuate if instructed to.”
FEMA recommends that residents take specific action before an evacuation is necessary, clearing flammable materials from around the home, keeping roofs and gutters clear of pine needles and debris and ensuring that house numbers are visible and driveways allow access to firefighting vehicles.
Another important step that FEMA recommends is preparing an evacuation kit. Items should be put in a container that can be easily loaded into a vehicle for a quick departure. Items to include:
Flashlight
Battery-powered radio with additional batteries
First aid kit
Medicines, prescriptions and eye glasses
Water (at least one gallon per person and enough for three days for each person in the household)
Change of clothing
Sleeping bags and pillows
Cash and credit cards
It is also smart to keep important personal documents quickly available should you need to evacuate. Consider collecting your driver’s license, passport and other identification, birth and marriage certificates, Social Security card, insurance policies, tax records, wills, deed or lease and stocks and bonds. Also, know where your main turn-off switches are for electricity, water and gas.
FEMA also recommends that family members discuss how to contact one another if the wildfire comes near when family members are separated. Discuss evacuation routes and identify relatives or friends outside the immediate area that can be contacted. Finally, make sure your pets have collars and identification tags and take your pets with you if you need to evacuate. While some shelters won’t accept pets, an increasing number of communities are organizing pet shelters when large evacuations are necessary. Check with your local Humane Society, animal shelter or veterinarian.
For more information on protecting your family and your home from wildfires, go to http://www.fema.gov/, or http://www.ready.gov/.
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
.
###
Contact: Mike Howard (425) 487-4610
Press Release No.: 09-71News Release
WHEN WILDFIRES RAGE: PREPARE, STAY INFORMED AND EVACUATE IF DIRECTED
SEATTLE –Sustained record-breaking temperatures have raised wildfire hazards throughout the Pacific Northwest. With wildfires burning in Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington state, FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Dennis Hunsinger encourages at-risk residents to prepare for the worst, stay informed on local conditions and evacuate if instructed to by fire or emergency management officials.
“Fires can start and spread quickly, and it is essential that people living on wooded lots or wildland/urban interface areas take action now to protect their homes and properties,” said Hunsinger. “The time to discuss wildfire warnings and evacuation strategies with your local forestry and emergency management officials is before wildfires rage. Stay in the loop, follow developments, and evacuate if instructed to.”
FEMA recommends that residents take specific action before an evacuation is necessary, clearing flammable materials from around the home, keeping roofs and gutters clear of pine needles and debris and ensuring that house numbers are visible and driveways allow access to firefighting vehicles.
Another important step that FEMA recommends is preparing an evacuation kit. Items should be put in a container that can be easily loaded into a vehicle for a quick departure. Items to include:
Flashlight
Battery-powered radio with additional batteries
First aid kit
Medicines, prescriptions and eye glasses
Water (at least one gallon per person and enough for three days for each person in the household)
Change of clothing
Sleeping bags and pillows
Cash and credit cards
It is also smart to keep important personal documents quickly available should you need to evacuate. Consider collecting your driver’s license, passport and other identification, birth and marriage certificates, Social Security card, insurance policies, tax records, wills, deed or lease and stocks and bonds. Also, know where your main turn-off switches are for electricity, water and gas.
FEMA also recommends that family members discuss how to contact one another if the wildfire comes near when family members are separated. Discuss evacuation routes and identify relatives or friends outside the immediate area that can be contacted. Finally, make sure your pets have collars and identification tags and take your pets with you if you need to evacuate. While some shelters won’t accept pets, an increasing number of communities are organizing pet shelters when large evacuations are necessary. Check with your local Humane Society, animal shelter or veterinarian.
For more information on protecting your family and your home from wildfires, go to http://www.fema.gov/, or http://www.ready.gov/.
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
.
###
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
FEMA news release - NATIONAL LIGHTNING SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK 21-27 JUNE 2009
SEATTLE—Summer is the peak season for one of America’s deadliest weather phenomena—lightning. In 2008, hundreds of people were permanently injured by lightning strikes across the country, and 28 were killed. This year to-date, 11 people have been killed by lightning, and statistically, the Fourth of July is one of the most deadly times of the year. According to FEMA Acting Regional Administrator Dennis Hunsinger, National Lightning Safety Awareness Week, observed the last full week of June, not only helps get safety messages out in time for the Fourth of July, but also signals summer as lightning season.
“All thunderstorms produce lightning—and no place outside is safe when lightning is in the area. When thunder roars? Go indoors!” said Hunsinger. “If you can hear thunder, you are in danger. We all need to incorporate lightning safety into our family disaster planning.”
Lightning safety tips for inside the home include:
• Avoid contact with corded phones
• Avoid contact with electrical equipment or cords. If you plan to unplug any electronic equipment, do so well before the storm arrives.
• Avoid contact with plumbing. Do not wash your hands, do not take a shower, do not wash dishes, and do not do laundry.
• Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches.
• Do not lie on concrete floors and do not lean against concrete walls.
Lightning can strike as far as ten miles away from any rainfall, creating hotspots that smolder for days, to erupt when conditions are right. “Summer is also wildfire season in the Pacific Northwest,” cautions Hunsinger. “Those of us who live in urban interface areas, wooded lots, or near heavily-grassed and dry rangeland should create fire-safe perimeters, and update family disaster plans.”
For more information on lightning safety this year, visit: www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov. For wildfire preparedness tips, sample preparedness plans and emergency checklists, visit http://firewise.org/ or www.fema.gov.
“All thunderstorms produce lightning—and no place outside is safe when lightning is in the area. When thunder roars? Go indoors!” said Hunsinger. “If you can hear thunder, you are in danger. We all need to incorporate lightning safety into our family disaster planning.”
Lightning safety tips for inside the home include:
• Avoid contact with corded phones
• Avoid contact with electrical equipment or cords. If you plan to unplug any electronic equipment, do so well before the storm arrives.
• Avoid contact with plumbing. Do not wash your hands, do not take a shower, do not wash dishes, and do not do laundry.
• Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches.
• Do not lie on concrete floors and do not lean against concrete walls.
Lightning can strike as far as ten miles away from any rainfall, creating hotspots that smolder for days, to erupt when conditions are right. “Summer is also wildfire season in the Pacific Northwest,” cautions Hunsinger. “Those of us who live in urban interface areas, wooded lots, or near heavily-grassed and dry rangeland should create fire-safe perimeters, and update family disaster plans.”
For more information on lightning safety this year, visit: www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov. For wildfire preparedness tips, sample preparedness plans and emergency checklists, visit http://firewise.org/ or www.fema.gov.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
