Another Sign Of An Active Wildfire Season?

In Southern California the hottest part of summer has not arrived (yet!), but over the weekend it was dry and windy enough for a brush fire to kick up.  In fact, I took the photo above from Santa Clarita - looking North.  You can see the fire burning in the background, with Six Flags Magic Mountain and College of the Canyons in the foreground.

This wildland fire is in Hungry Valley - near the Grapevine portion of the I-5 freeway just north of Los Angeles.  The fire quickly burned 1,500 acres and is currently 30% contained.

This is a fairly minor wildfire.  But given the likelihood of an active wildfire season and with the dangers of July 4th fireworks right around the corner, this could be another indication of significant wildland fire potential.

For the most up-to-date info on all current wildfires, check out the (free) Active Fire Map provided by the USDA Forest Service.  And check the (low cost) Smartphone Apps provided by Wildfire Pro.

And prepare now for this wildland fire season!  Stock up on your supplies of wildland fire gear and wildland fire equipment.

Fireworks Generate Temps in Excess of 1200 F

July 4th is almost here.  NOW is the time to educate people about the risks of private fireworks!!

According to the NFPA, private fireworks generate temps in excess of 1200 degrees F.  So the risk of starting a fire is real, on top of this year's being an already active wildfire season.

In a typical year (in the US):

• July 4th is the day on which the greatest number of fires are reported
• 40% of fires reported on July 4th are caused by fireworks

In 2010 (in the US):

• fireworks caused 15,500 reported fires, resulting in...
• 1,100 structure fires
• 300 vehicle fires
• 8 reported deaths
• $36 million in direct property damage

But fireworks also cause EMS calls, a lot of them!  EMTs are busy already, fireworks just add to the load.

In 2010 (in the US):

• 8,800 people went to the ER for fireworks-related injuries
• 52% were burns
• 21% were contusions and lacerations
• 40% of people injured were less than 15 yrs old
• Sparklers, fountains and novelties accounted for 43% of the injuries

Prepare now by (1) educating the public (2) equipping your department with the right firefighting gear (3) and stocking up on enough first aid supplies

Have a safe 4th of July!!