FIRE OFFICIALS WARN OF A BUSY FIRE YEAR, ASK CITIZENS TO PREPARE

[nadinbrzezinski]

May 12, 2013 (El Cajon)—California Governor Edmund G. Brown declared the past week “Wildfire Awareness Week.” On Thursday, the top brass fromr Cal-Fire and San Diego Sheriff’s Department addressed the media. ECM also spoke with Lakeside Division Chief R. Laff.

All officials are urging San Diego residents who live in the urban-rural interface, as well as rural areas to be ready for a severe fire season that’s started early. So far Cal Fire has responded to more than 1,100 wildfires already, which is 500 more than normal for this time of year. According to Cal Fire Chief Cal Fire Chief Dale Hutchinson, Southern Region Chief 40,000 acres burned last week.

Officials are urging residents to get ready and maintain 100-feet of defensible space. This is not optional; it is the law, as Chief Hutchinson told us, for those in the urban-wildland interface. Also clean your gutters, and other places where dry vegetation might accumulate. If you do any remodeling, look into the latest fire resistant materials. In addition, remove all tree branches that are within six feet of your home.

http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/13225

While this was California brass, people if you live in the west coast, the long range weather forecast is just uggly.

[zappaman]

1. I'm ready!

[Call Me Wesley]

3. *Ahem*

I first learned of the fact California is prone to wildfires in 1979 from a newsbizzness guy (I was about 12 years old: )
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0636407/

But it might be news for some in 2013, who knows. Semper Emergo!

[zappaman]

4. I'm sure you mean "noozbizzness"...

Damn autocorrect!

[Call Me Wesley]

5. Heh!

At least this one (I adore Ed Asner) played one on the TV. I wish I met him on a mall one day ...

[DevonRex]

9. No no no

It's nooz bidnezz. Get it right people!!!!

[byeya]

2. California is very tough to fight wildland fires in for several reasons. The chapparel burns fast

and hot; the unpredictable winds can cause blowup conditions; and there seems to be a lot of poison ivy or poison oak which, when burning, can cause lung trouble if you inhale too much of the smoke. Up in the mountains, crowning of the forest canopy is also dangerous for firefighters.

[sad-cafe]

6. oh please your all know it ness tell me how I can prepare 6 states away

I hate uggly

[Lady Freedom Returns]

8. What is your problem?

Do you have a problem knowing there is people that are in trouble? This is letting everyone now there is people in trouble and we may want to find out more to help them. Donations to Red Cross or other agencies will be needed and knowing what is going on can help to see what we can do to help.

So you getting upset over the exchange of info is... disturbing.

[Bluenorthwest]

17. Name your State or use this link to gain some knowledge on your own...

About the Firewise Communities Program
Brush, grass or forest fires don’t have to be disasters. The National Fire Protection Association's (NFPA) Firewise Communities program encourages local solutions for wildfire safety by involving homeowners, community leaders, planners, developers, firefighters, and others in the effort to protect people and property from wildfire risks.

The program is co-sponsored by the USDA Forest Service, the US Department of the Interior, and the National Association of State Foresters.
http://www.firewise.org/about.aspx

This page has an interactive map to find local programs, which exist in most States.
http://www.firewise.org/communities.aspx

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. Just a kick

[pinboy3niner]

10. Record high temps for this day were broken in some SoCal areas

My area broke the record high recorded in 1996, and we've been dry and are expected to remain so, with low humidity. People in fire-prone areas are especially nervous.

It looks like this will be a long, hot summer, with high fire danger throughout the West.

Stay cool, Nadin--and smooth!

[nadinbrzezinski]

11. I have already been at fire lines

This I fear, will be a very real bad year.

Scanner is on, yesterday we had that fire on lakeside start about midday.

[flamingdem]

12. ohh boy

thanks for the heads up

[nadinbrzezinski]

13. You welcome

Here s a funny, everybody media wise was there...nobody else ran it.

Which leads to me asking...wtf over?

[SidDithers]

14. Kick...nt

Sid

[Bluenorthwest]

15. Agencies prepare for intense Oregon wildfire season.

In terms of the oncoming Oregon fire season, multiple agencies have prepared for the worst.

The Oregon Department of Forestry is prepared for an intense fire season brought on by low levels of precipitation and warm temperatures as the federal government released information Monday on the national 2013 wildfire season.

Rod Nichols from the Oregon Department of Forestry quantified the outlook of the state’s impending fire season in terms of number of fires and burned acres. The average between Jan. 1, 2003, and May 13, 2012, was 52 reportable fires burning 122 acres of land protected by the Department of Forestry
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20130514/NEWS/305140010/Agencies-prepare-intense-Oregon-wildfire-season

[SidDithers]

16. This is important...

it should be an OP.

Sid