Scores of wildfires and tornadoes lead to largest, deadliest severe weather outbreak of year

From wildfires in TX and OK to tornadoes throughout the south it was/is a reminder of just how powerful Mother Nature can be. I came accross this interesting map showing the number of tornadoes by county in VA from 1950-2000. Seems like we have had several decades worth in just a few days recently.

Scores of tornadoes lead to largest, deadliest severe weather outbreak of year

Natural Disaster Examiner

Tony Hake 

A massive, three-day storm system tore across the United States from the Deep South to the Mid-Atlantic leading to more than 200 tornado reports and killing at least 45 people.  The severe weather event marks the nation's deadliest weather event of the year and the death toll is expected to climb.

A Lowe's Home improvement store suffered a direct hit from a tornado in Sanford, NC.  Quick action by employees is credited with saving customers as half of the store was torn apart.
As they continued to the northeast Virginia suffered casualties and severe damage from the storms.  At least four people were killed in the state, three in Gloucester County.  A child in the Shenandoah Valley was swept away by a flash flood and another possible victim has yet to be found. 
Over the three-day outbreak, 230 tornadoes were reported and scores of reports were received for significant hail and damaging wind.  The event is by far the most significant and widespread weather disaster in the United States this year.  

Three die in Gloucester tornado

More than 60 people injured

West Texas ranchers lose cattle, livelihood to fires

PLEASE Remember

We can not do anything about Tornadoes except prepare for them and take action when notified to do so by the National Weatehr Service BUT we can do something about most of the Wildfires! What you say? MOST WILDFIRES CAN BE PREVENTED, MOST ARE HUMAN CAUSED AND A RESULT OF CARELESNESS.

 

Texas battles history making wildfires

More wild fires erupt in Texas

Six new fires erupted in Texas on Monday while more out-of-state firefighting reinforcements were dispatched to try to gain control in a state that has lost nearly 600,000 acres to wild fires since February 22.

In the past week alone, fires have burned 309,000 acres, from the Panhandle and high plains in the northwest to the pine woods in the east and the dry brushlands of the border.

That's not counting fires volunteer fire departments have put out, said Texas Forest Service spokesman Alan Craft.

'Swenson Fire' now largest in the U.S.

71,000-acre fire scorches3 counties, now largest in U.S.

Skies Aflame photos by Ayena

Taken between the towns of Alpine, Texas and Ft. Davis Texas during the biggest fire to ever hit the Big Bend Area.

Check out a good story from the Huffington Post including a vido at http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/11/texas-wildfires-2011-video_n_847776.html

photo credits to Ayena (Flickr), the AP and FOX newsfrom posts to the web.

And lets keep our friends in Pulaski VA and in other locations that have been recently impacted by  natural disasters as they struggle to recover.
A few of the wildfires in Texas can be considered a natural disaster HOWEVER many, all to many are the result of human carelessness, accidents or ARSON.

Smokey Bear’s words ‘Only You Can Prevent Wildfires’ seems particularly important
to all citizens in Texas during this very dangerous conditions.

 

Check out

http://www.smokeybear.com/wildfires.asp

 

and

http://txforestservice.tamu.edu/main/article.aspx?id=10032

And learn more about how ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT WILDFIRES.

Thanks

Tornadoes in Pulaski VA

Multiple Tornadoes Confirmed In Virginia County Friday

Pulaski maintains emergency shelter, imposes curfew after devastating tornadoes

PULASKI, Va. — The National Weather Service has confirmed two tornadoes in Pulaski County, Va., about 50 miles north of Mount Airy, N.C.

The Roanoke Times reports that a team on Saturday surveyed the storms from Friday night.

The first tornado was rated EF-2 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, with estimated winds of 125 miles per hour. It was 440 yards in width and had a path nearly two miles long. There were eight injuries associated with that tornado and several homes had roofs removed.

A second tornado touched down near the National Guard armory on U.S. 11. It was rated a strong EF-1 tornado with estimated winds of 105 to 110 miles per hour and had a path 480 yards wide and 2.6 miles long. A gas station and several homes were damaged, with one mobile home being demolished.

FORESTRY CREWS HELP WITH CLEAN-UP AND RECOVERY

Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those impacted by this series of devastating storms.

Links to news stories with video of the damage

http://www.digtriad.com/news/article/170568/1/Multiple-Tornadoes-Confirmed-In-Virginia-County-Friday

http://www.wset.com/story/14415898/two-tornadoes-confirmed-in-pulaksi

Pulaski Storm Damage

The following Photos are by Mike Cocker, VDEM Regional Coordinator, during damage assessment 4/9/11

Spring Time is Firewise Time in Virginia.

There are simple steps you can take to help reduce the likelihood of your home igniting during a wildfire event. Taking a little time to perform some easy and essential corrective measures can go a long way in making your home fire wise.

Spring:

Well we made it through another interesting winter here in Virginia. The days are getting longer and warmer, the trees are budding out, flowers are blooming, birds are singing, and the grass is greening up. A sure sign wildfire season is coming to an end HOWEVER its NOT over yet, soon but NOT NOW.

As you make up your Spring to do list please begin with those things that will not only pretty-up your yard but will also make your property FIREWISE.

If your yard is anything like mine, the warmer days surged life back into every rooted organism. The spring surge of life has caused our grasses, trees, and shrubs to grow  very rapidly. This type of vegetation, if left unattended, can pose a serious risk as the season progresses and the days get even hotter causing them to wilt and dry-out. This is a great time to get out, prune back some of the newer growth, and mow those lawns. If your landscaping consists mainly of fallen pine needles or other such material this is a great time to rake that material completely from the first 5 feet surrounding your home, deck - under the deck as well, barn or any other building.

As you get out in your yard check for the effects (broken branches, leaves and dead limbs) of winter storms. By taking some time to remove this type of material you are reducing the risk of fire spread for yourself and neighbors. If you are in an area where burning is permitted be sure to make sure that it is a burn day by calling your local fire department or local forestry office. OBEY all local and state laws and restrictions. here are the main laws that will affect you ..

• Cost Recovery for Fire Protection § 10.1-1141 Liability and recovery of cost of fighting forest fires
• 4 p.m. Burning Law § 10.1-1142 Regulating the burning of woods, brush, etc.; penalties l
• Throwing inflammatory objects from vehicle on highway while in or near certain lands § 10.1-1143
• Rewards for information leading to conviction of arsonists or incendiaries § 10.1-1138

 Click here to go to a list of all forestry laws including additional outdoor burning laws.  and to use great caution when burning as many large fires have been started by unattended burn piles. These materials can be composted (if they are small enough) , chipped or used to create beneficial wildlife brush piles.
Remember to focus on potential ignition sources on your house. Start with your roof and move your way down. Remove flammable debris from your roof and gutters as this could ignite by firebrands during a fire. Check all of your vents and make sure that they are covered with at least a ¼ inch metal mesh to help reduce the likelihood of a firebrand entering your home. Remove flammable material from exterior window seals and other areas where winter weather has caused deposition of such material, this includes decks, fences and the base of the structure. This work can be done fairly fast but be sure to spend some extra time checking inconspicuous locations that could put your home in danger if flammable material was left there.

Landscaping work, its hard work but can be enjoyable and very rewarding. Have fun planting all the beautiful plants, fruits, and vegetables that will create a beautiful landscape for all to enjoy. Be sure to use Firewise plant choices when planting next to your home. You want plants surrounding your home to be very fire resistant and well irrigated. For recommended Firewise plants to use in your area you could contact your local Forestry Office the local Extension Office or your local Master Gardeners. Remember that you could have a landscape that is both appealing and Firewise by making the right vegetative choices.

 

Fire affects us all and does not discriminate or stop at property lines. We need to work together as communities and neighbors in order to protect ourselves. A community that works together will thrive and survive together. So let's be good stewards of the land and our community and get out into our yards and do our Firewise work. And don't be afraid to ask your neighbor if they need help while you are at it. A community is made up of good people looking out for each other and come fire season this is more important than ever. If you have any questions about the Firewise program please visit www.firewisevirginia.org

Thanks

Severe storms impact Virginia. What To Do With The Debris?

A massive storm system that set records on Tuesday in the mid-west for the lowest surface pressure ever observed in the continental United States from a non-tropical cyclone impacted Virginia yesterday.

The rain was needed BUT we sure did NOT need the damage that accompanied the storms.

Many folks will be cleaning up over the next several days / weeks.  For those who live in areas that allow burning of yard debris, Smokey has some safety tips later on in this blog. Those of you who do not want to nor are able to burn your debris there are other options.

Many localities have programs that allow you to pile the debris on the street edges so it can be picked up by waste management operations. Check with your localities for rules and regulations.

If you only have a small amount of debris and you have the room you might want to consider building a wildlife brush pile. This is NOT just a pile of brush that is created in hopes that it will be beneficial to wildlife. There are specifically built with wildlife protection in mind.

Few wildlife management practices can provide a more important part of wildlife habitat for the amount of effort as brush piles. In just a few minutes, a person may construct a place suitable for wildlife to escape from severe weather and predators, as well as a place to rest or raise their young. The main benefactor of brush piles is most often thought to be rabbits. While it is true that rabbits will readily use them, brush piles are also havens to box turtles, fence lizards, songbirds, small rodents and other mammals.

The term "brush pile" is commonly understood to be a pile of limbs arranged to permit entry of small wildlife to the exclusion of larger animals that may prey on them. Brush piles are not necessarily made of trees, limbs or brush. Scrap building lumber, wooden pallets, rocks, concrete blocks, plastic pipe, clay tiles or old culverts may also be used though some landowners prefer the "natural" appearance of brush or field stones.

Brush piles made of tree limbs or brush

Construct by placing 4 or 5 large (6" to 12" diameter) and fairly straight limbs or posts on the ground parallel to one another with about 12" spaces between each. Criss-cross similar sized and number of limbs on top. Smaller limbs should be added to the top. The final product should be 15 to 20 feet in diameter and 3 or 4 feet high.

Build this type in woodlands along woodland trails or the edges of fields.

Tip Of The Blog

If you must burn, do it safely!

·  Check with your local fire department to see if open burning is permitted or if you need a burn permit.

·  Prior to the burn, contact your local forestry office or rural fire department and tell them your plans—what time you plan to start burning, how long you plan to burn, and what (brush piles, leaves, etc.) you will burn.

·  Check the weather. Avoid burning on dry, windy days. Pick an overcast day when winds are calm and humidity is high. Try to burn before 10:00 a.m. or after 3:00 p.m. This is when winds are usually calmest and humidity is highest.

·  Keep brush piles small (about 5 feet by 5 feet), and burn them in open fields when snow is on the ground or in the late spring after the grass has greened up.

·  Avoid burning piles under overhanging tree limbs, utility lines or close to buildings.

·  Cover your debris pile with a waterproof tarp. After a rain, when the surrounding vegetation is wet, remove the plastic and you’ll be ready to burn. This helps reduce the chance of your fire spreading to surrounding vegetation.

·  Before you burn, gather rakes, wet burlap sacks and other firefighting tools. Have a source of water close by. This will help you take quick action should your fire start to get out of control. Call the fire department immediately should a fire escape.

·  Stay with your burn pile until it is completely extinguished. Drown ashes with water and stir them with a shovel or rake to make sure there are no hot embers left smoldering.

·  Check your fire the next day . . . just to be sure.

·  Debris will burn easier and more completely with less smoke if you wait till the debris has cured some. Using a lot of accelerant like gas or kerosene on “green fuels” just to try and get them to burn is not only DANGEROUS but inefficient. Using some dry leaves, old lumber, paper or cardboard to start your fire is much safer.

PLEASE remember what Smokey has taught us. ALWAYS BE CAREFUL WITH FIRE.

several of the photos of the storm damage as well as the one below were taken from local newspaper web pages this morning.