Wildfires

What can my neighborhood do to minimize the threat of wildfires and to keep residents safe?

Taxonomy upgrade extras: 

Report any hazardous conditions that could cause a wildfire to local fire officials. Ask the power company to clear branches from powerlines. Residents should meet to develop a neighborhood plan to work together if a wildfire is threatening the area. Keep in mind elderly or disabled neighbors who live alone or children who may be home alone.

Contributing sources: FEMA, U.S. Forest Service

What is wildfire suppression?

Taxonomy upgrade extras: 

Wildfire suppression is the term used for the variety of tactics used to fight wildfires. One of the first tasks firefighters accomplish is building a fireline. A fireline is a strip of land around a wildfire cleared of all vegetation and debris. This tactic robs a wildfire of its fuel and makes it easier for firefighters to contain the fire. They use a special tool called a Pulaski to create a fireline. A Pulaski is a double-headed tool, axe on one side, hoe-like tool on the other. It can both chop and dig.

What should I do if a wildfire is threatening the area where I live?

Taxonomy upgrade extras: 

Listen to a battery-operated radio for updates on the conditions of the wildfire and for any evacuation instructions. Close doors, windows, vents, and any other openings to prevent smoke from entering the house. If told to evacuate, do so immediately. Have several escape routes already mapped out, both by car and by foot. Take a route that is away from the fire and watch for the direction of the smoke. The fire may shift direction at any time due to the wind. Wear protective clothing and have a handkerchief to protect your face.

How can I safeguard my home from wildfires?

Taxonomy upgrade extras: 

First of all, take the usual precautions that any homeowner takes to reduce the chances of a house fire. In an area susceptible to wildfires, however, homeowners have to be especially vigilant. Create a 100-ft. safety zone around your house and other structures by keeping your property clear of dead vegetation and flammable debris (trash, recyclables, etc.). This includes storing firewood at least 100 feet away from the house. Do not allow vines to grow on the sides of structures. Regularly clean the roof and gutters. Clean your chimney once a year.

What should I keep in mind while building a house in an area prone to wildfires?

Taxonomy upgrade extras: 

Select building materials that will inhibit the spreading of a fire instead of fueling it. Use fire-resistant or noncombustible materials for the roof and the exterior of a house. Treat all wood with fire-retardant chemicals. Plant fire-resistant trees and shrubs. For example, hardwood trees are less flammable than evergreen trees.

Contributing sources: FEMA, U.S. Forest Service

What is a fire tornado?

Taxonomy upgrade extras: 

A fire tornado, also known as a fire devil or a fire whirl, is a rare type of tornado. The fire tornado forms in a wildfire when the atmospheric conditions (wind speed, air temperature, and humidity) are conducive to creating a tornado. Fire tornadoes can cause a wildfire to spread more rapidly. For years scientists thought that the right conditions during a fire could create a tornado, but an actual fire tornado was not documented until the 2003 brush fires in Canberra, Australia. Since this time, other fire tornadoes have been documented in other places around the world.

Is there a wildfire season?

Taxonomy upgrade extras: 

Wildfires occur most frequently in summer and autumn, when it is characteristically dry. However, drought conditions at any time of the year can make an area susceptible to wildfires. Southern California (United States) and Northern Baja California (Mexico) are also susceptible to wildfires in winter and spring because of dry hot winds called the Santa Ana Winds. The Santa Ana season usually peaks in December.

Contributing sources: FEMA, U.S. Forest Service

Where do wildfires occur?

Taxonomy upgrade extras: 

Wildfires can occur in any climate that has adequate precipitation for tree growth yet experiences extended hot, dry periods. Wildfires are very common in the United States, Canada, and Australia. These fires usually occur in forests, grasslands, and areas of scrub (low) vegetation.

Contributing sources: FEMA, U.S. Forest Service

What are the causes of wildfires?

Taxonomy upgrade extras: 

Four out of five (80%) wildfires are caused by human activity. This includes both carelessness and arson. The other 20% of wildfires are due to natural causes, such as lightning or volcanic activity. Climate conditions such as drought or heat waves make vegetation drier and more susceptible to wildfires.

Contributing sources: FEMA, U.S. Forest Service

What is a wildfire?

Taxonomy upgrade extras: 

A wildfire is an uncontrolled fire spreading rapidly through vegetation, usually in a hot and dry area. Wildfires often begin unnoticed. A wildfire can go by a variety of names, depending on the area in which the fire occurs or the kind of vegetation the fire destroys. Such names are brush fire, forest fire, desert fire, hill fire, vegetation fire, peat (partially decayed vegetation) fire, and grass fire.

Subscribe to RSS - Wildfires
Risk Alert