We extend our deepest gratitude and best wishes to all the crews on the front lines, which includes #Berkeleyfire. To all the residents who had to evacuate, we hope for a swift and safe return to your residences.
Alameda County can sign up for local alerts here: https://lnkd.in/eTqqrSRx
Thomson Reuters reports that "Wildfires are plaguing the people of California in the United States and the residents of Queensland state in Australia this week.
A Southern California wildfire fueled by desert winds burned 2,487 acres (1,010 hectares) ... The Highland Fire nearly doubled in size from Monday night to Tuesday, blown toward the west by Santa Ana winds. The seasonal phenomenon occurs when dry desert air blows toward the ocean, creating a fire hazard in Southern California. The fire was 10% contained as of Tuesday night, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) said, after crews attacked the blaze on the ground and aircraft dropped fuchsia-colored retardant.
Thomson Reuters reports that Residents in Australian state urged to flee as wildfires blaze.. Residents in three areas in Australia's northern Queensland state were ordered to evacuate their homes on Wednesday, as bushfires burned out of control. Firefighters including those flown in from across Australia and New Zealand have been battling blazes in the state...
#wildfires#wildfire#wildfireprevention#sustainability
"In other words...be accountable for your risk."
"It's alright...no need. I'm not in a risk zone."
Why 100ft of defensible space? Because your neighbor might not have done the same and their house may become a threat to yours.
Why a 5ft Ember Resistant Zone? Because under the right conditions flames crawl along ground-based fuel (https://bit.ly/3ZBkHFT) with less intensity as shrubs, fences, or trees, but enough to get things started (wind does the rest, as this video shows).
Why home hardening, even if you've got defensible space? Because ember cast (https://bit.ly/3LGqnZH) and fire tornadoes (not fire-whorls - actual fire tornadoes - https://bit.ly/31BCosm) deliver random punishments from above, not from the ground.
And why P&C Insurance on top of all this? Because complete control is a fantasy.
So why aren't people doing this? Why are wildfires like happened in Lahaina still happening?
Because those who actually need to listen to such messages are the same who negate them on account of low 'risk intelligence' (#VBEM)
Wildfire regulations only address the most obvious, perhaps 'egregious' risks, because we are good at mandating accountability in those places ("100-year flood plain"...🙄).
When there's more uncertainty, when $$$ spent on resilience won't with near certainty result in tragedy averted, we hedge.
We self-destructively err on the side of 'self-regulation' because it's 'the American way'.
And in the event's aftermath, we blame the individuals for failing to be accountable - but in doing so suggest they had the information they needed to make responsible decisions.
Usually, they didn't.
Because a lack of regulations/code requirements told them they probably didn't need to worry.
There's a sizeable subset who look no further than absent regulations to validate that they need not worry.
There are some who are cautious no matter what, whether it's their nature or they have risk knowledge beyond what's generally known, but...
When given reason to believe risk is negligible, most people will justify inaction that appears negligent only in the aftermath of a disaster.
The wildfire that destroyed Coffee Park in Santa Rosa - considered far outside the wildland urban interface and separated from the hills by a 6-lane highway and a frontage road that ran alongside that highway - totaling 10-lanes of 'fire-break' - and surprised not only those who lost their homes but every community in the region, is a perfect example.
Resilience requires decentralized accountability, where households manage the risk they have assumed in living where they live.
This is impossible without high risk intelligence.
Codes, ordinances, and regulations are as informative to risk intelligence for the homeowner as they are for the developer.
Educational material like this video is another way.
Exposure maps are another.
So many ways to advance resilience, yet all it takes is one reason to negate it.
#resilience
Multiple concerns for this weekend from Nevada, California, and Arizona: wildfire and flooding. Such outstanding cooperation between CalOES (Nancy Ward and Brian Marshall) Nevada and Arizona (Gabriel Lavine ) for intel and information sharing.
Within Nevada: great collaboration between Forestry, National Guard, and Emergency Management/Homeland Security.
Preparing for statewide lightning storms, red flags from now to Sunday (including overnight), plus the flood following fire which is uncommonly covered in a federal declaration.
Give us room to work: clear 30 feet from your home!
Wildfire is emergency management!
🚒 Cal Fire Prepares for High-Risk Wildfire Season 🚒
As we transition into October, California's firefighting agency, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), is preparing for its most critical fire risk period.
🔥 While many might think that the peak fire danger period is during July and August, the reality is different. Historically, October has seen some of the state's most destructive wildfires due to dry vegetation and fierce fall winds like the Santa Ana (in the south) and Diablo (in the north) winds.
As we approach October, certain parts of California have had a delayed start to their fire season due to the lingering moisture from a record-breaking wet winter.
🔥As we step into October, we are reminded of the delicate balance between the seasonal dry winds and the unseasonal wet ground. The outcome will significantly impact California's wildfire risk.
BLAZETAMER380 is proud to be readily available to agencies and private companies in California in their tireless efforts to suppress wildfires. Together, we're better equipped to protect our communities and natural landscapes.
#BLAZETAMER380™ #FireSuppressant#Innovation#Wildfires#Firefighting
🔥 California's Wildfire Resilience Initiative: A Critical Step Towards Protecting Our Communities and Ecosystems 🌲🌍
We are heartened to see the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) making significant strides in wildfire resilience, as highlighted in their recent update. With the increasing threat of wildfires due to climate change, CNRA's proactive measures are crucial in safeguarding our environment and communities.
Key initiatives include:
🌟 Enhanced Firefighting Capabilities: Investing in state-of-the-art technology and equipment.
🌟 Community Preparedness Programs: Empowering residents with the knowledge and tools to protect their homes.
🌟 Forest Management: Implementing sustainable practices to reduce fuel loads and restore ecological balance.
🌟 Research and Innovation: Collaborating with scientists to develop new strategies for wildfire prevention and response.
These efforts not only aim to mitigate the immediate dangers of wildfires but also focus on long-term resilience and sustainability. By supporting such initiatives, we can help ensure a safer, more resilient future for all.
#WildfireResilience#ClimateAction#SustainableForestry#CommunitySafety#CaliforniaWildfires#CNRA
With rising temperatures, California is investing in critical #wildfire resilience and forest health projects to protect our communities and landscapes. These efforts help create fire breaks, improve firefighter response times, and reduce fuel loads near homes. Together with federal and local partners, we're building a more fire-resilient California.
A special shout out to some of our partners including California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), CA Wildfire & Forest Resilience Task Force, Placer Fire Safe Council, and CAL FIRE Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit.
#CAwx#WildfireResilience
We're going to be doing this in BC, right? Open conversations and problem solving on issues related to wildfire resilience in BC, right? We're going to involve the very people who are most impacted by wildland fire management in BC, right!? Or has the momentum already started to fade as we retreat back into our old ways?
The Ontario government is investing an additional $20.5 million in wildland fire management to continue to improve and modernize how we fight wildland fires.
This funding is being used over three years to enhance aerial technologies, hire and train critical fire staff and help increase understanding of evolving fire science and behaviour.
“The 2023 wildfire season has been one of the most challenging fire seasons Ontario has faced in recent memory,” said Graydon Smith, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. “As the demands on our resources increase, it is imperative that Ontario continues to look at ways to strengthen our firefighting efforts so that we remain an internationally recognized leader in wildland fire management. “
With this funding, the government is:
- Investing in new aerial fire suppression technologies, including drones
- Building capacity to support Indigenous wildland fire management and community resilience
- Strengthening Ontario’s FireRanger workforce by recruiting new staff, enhancing skills development and promoting and maintaining safety
- Investing in science and risk assessment, including entering into collaborative research agreements with universities and other institutions to better understand the evolving science behind wildland fire management.
In addition, the government is working on several staffing improvements, including developing a psychological safety program to prevent and respond to mental stress and protect the overall psychological well-being of staff working in the wildland fire program.
Ontario is also addressing financial barriers to recruitment and retention by reimbursing eligible FireRangers for expenses related to training and reviewing collective agreement entitlements, including stand-by and on-call pay.
#avfoilnews#firerangers#fireprogram#naturalresources#forestry#ontario#wildland#fireprogram
