Wildfires. - Wildfire Definition -

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1 1 2 - Wildfire Definition - Unplanned fire in natural setting 5 million acres every year Millions of dollars in damage Spread at a rate of 14 mph Embers in wind can cause other fires 3 1

2 - Wildfire Definition - (continued) Growing natural hazard Fire suppression leads to more severe future fires 4 - Controlled Burning - Planned fire Land management technique Many benefits Stimulates germination of vegetation Reduces fuel for future fires Improves habitats Controls competing vegetation Improves short-term forage for grazing Increase accessibility 5 - Cause of Wildfires - Naturally Sun Lightening Majority by human carelessness Arson Campfires Cigarettes Matches or fireworks Burning debris Prescribed fires 6 2

3 - Hazards - Past 200 years Severity has increased Frequency has decreased 2004 over 8 million acres burned 1988 over 1.2 million acres burned in Yellowstone National Park Assess Risk - Wildfire history Recent weather Community s response capabilities Roads marked? Roads wide enough? House visible? 9 3

4 - Assessment Tools - Fire Potential Index (FPI) Depicts wildfire potential Satellite-derived information Updated daily GeoMAC Internet-based wildfire mapping tools Wildfire Map - Wildfire greater than 250 acres from 1980 to Ware Fire Case Study - Fire consumed 26,000 acres in Palm Coast, Florida 12 4

5 << ATTENTION >> If presentation did not display in pop-up window, check pop-up blocker. Pop-up blockers need to be turned off Property Mitigation - Safety zone (at least 30 feet) Clear debris Keep vegetation to a minimum Replace highly flammable vegetation Extend the zone further if on a hill Consider swimming pools, patios, and stone walls beneficial 15 5

6 - Property Mitigation - (continued) Safety zone (continued) Eliminate fuel adjacent to the building Remove vines from walls Move shrubs away from the building Remember the 15-Foot Rule: - Prune branches and shrubs - Remove tree limbs - Create space between tree crowns Cut the lawn 16 - Property Mitigation - (continued) Secondary safety zone (100 feet) Avoid mulch Stack firewood 100 feet away and uphill Properly store fuels and combustibles Remember the second 15-Foot Rule: - Gas grill and propane tank - Area around grill - Create space between tree crowns Ask power company to clear branches 17 - Building Mitigation - Choose locations wisely Use: Fire resistant siding Non-combustible roof Safety glass windows and doors Avoid wooden decks Develop an external water supply Bury power lines 18 6

7 - Building Maintenance - Remove debris from decks Enclose eaves and overhangs Cover vents Install spark arrestors 19 - Recreational Areas - Do not smoke Do not park cars on dry grass Inspect your campsite Do not remove burning sticks from a fire Do not have fireworks on public land Keep heat sources away from flammable objects Keep flammable fuels safe Do not use a heat source inside tent

8 22 - First Steps - Call Evacuate Remove combustibles Close/protect opening Close inside doors Open damper Shut off gas Store water Provide ladder 23 - Leaving Home - Back car into garage Shut garage doors Remove valuables Turn on outside lights Don t lock up 24 8

9 - Survival in Vehicle - Roll up windows Close air vents Drive slowly with headlights on If stopped Park away from trees Turn headlights on/ignition off Get on floor Cover up Stay in vehicle 25 - Trapped by Fire - At home Stay calm Go inside the house In the open Seek shelter Avoid canyons Seek depression with sparse fuel Lie face down Cover 26 - Firefighters - Hotshots Build firebreaks to prevent fire spread Employed by U.S. Forest Service Smokejumpers Put out small blazes in remote areas Employed by Bureau of Land Mgmt U.S. Forest Service 27 9

10 28 - First Steps - Check roof and attic If fire, get help Maintain a fire watch 29 - Aftermath - Erosion Secondary wildfires Debris flows Contaminated water 30 10

11 - Colorado Case Study 1 - July 1994, a wildfire near Glenwood Springs, Colo. Burned 2,000 acres of forest September 1994, torrential rains triggered debris flows Inundated a 3-mile stretch of Interstate 70 Tons of mud, rock, and other debris Engulfed 30 cars Serious injuries, no deaths 31 - Colorado Case Study 2 - In May 1996, an 11,900-acre fire burned most of the Buffalo Creek and Spring Creek watersheds Strontia Springs Reservoir Supplies 75 percent water for Denver and Aurora Two months after the fire Thunderstorm caused flooding Two deaths Deterioration of water quality Floating debris High manganese High phosphate

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