Smokey's Birthday Thursday and Wildfires in OK and AR

This will be my last posting of activity sheets and Smokey's 68th related info. With wildfire activity increasing in OK and AR and elsewhere I will be focusing on providing some info about that. Wildfire Prevention can't prevent all the wildfires and Smokey can't do it alone but if we all help Smokey and if we can prevent just 1 wildfire that will be 1 less for the firefighters to worry about and 1 less that could possibly burn down more homes and threaten lives.
I know it is wishful thinking but how about trying to make Thursday August 9th a wildfire free day (NO NEW WILDFIRES) now wouldn't that be a great gift to someone who is 68!


Info from a conf call this morning......

AR continues to very busy with a lot of initial attack but not a lot of large fires right now.  AR is using their Single Engine Air Tankers (SEAT) and National Guard helicopters.  

OK has numerous large fires both on state and federal agencies.  Numerous homes and businesses have been lost this weekend in OK with Mark Goeller reporting that in some cases half of a town was burned.  The McNac Fire in OK is estimated at over 58,000 acres.  Federal agencies in Ok has some some SEATs and helicopters.  The state of OK is using National Guard helicopters.  Two portable airtanker bases are being ordered for Ardmore, OK and Ft. Smith, AR.  

No compact resource orders have been placed yet, but Mark Goeller indicated that OK may be requesting some compact assistance in the near future.  I am not sure what type of resources might be ordered at this point but it would likely be for tractor plows and engines. 


Here are my last posting of coloring and activity sheets that you might find useful especially for Smokey's birthday Thursday. I hope you enjoy!!

Virginia rotates crews and sends additional resources out of state

Its been 2 weeks since Virginia had sent engines and crew to FL. Plans were to rotate in fresh firefighters, however the fire our folks were assigned to in FL received some really good rains the last two evenings and so they were demobed. BUT!! there were several new fires in NC and our 5 engines and 11 fresh crew will be assigned to one of those NC fires. In addition several single resources are going to other states.

State of emergency in N.C. over wildfires

Three wildfires burning across 68,000 acres prompted Gov. Bev Perdue to declare a state of emergency in 29 eastern counties Saturday

The Pender County fire, which started with a lightning strike a week ago, continued to threaten Holly Ridge to the east and remained only about 15 percent contained.

"There are some homes that are still endangered," N.C. Forestry Service spokesman Brian Haines said. "But the threat is not imminent."

Read more: http://www.thesunnews.com/2011/06/26/2242531/state-of-emergency-in-nc.html#ixzz1QNHeeHau

This is the fire/area that a Prevention and Education Team focusing on firewise community outreach and prevention will be working for the next 2 weeks.

As smoke lingers, Georgia forestry officials are planning prevention steps

National program educates about safety and prevention
A Wildfire Prevention and Education Team is headding to SE GA under an agreement that states can share resources. The South East and Mid Atlantic compact is sending fols from OH, VA and GA to Folkston to assist with community outreach and wildfire prevention.

Georgia Forestry Commission spokesman Eric Mosley puts it bluntly.

"Right now, Georgia can't afford any more wildfires," he said.

It has already cost more than $20 million to fight one of the fires, the nearly 300,000-acre Honey Prairie Fire in the Okefenokee Swamp. Georgia will be saddled with much of the cost of fighting a couple of others, the Race Pond Fire along U.S. 1 at the juncture of Brantley, Ware and Charlton counties and the Sweat Farm Again Fire, about 10 miles west of Waycross. Those two alone burned more than 40,000 acres and sent people fleeing from their homes on several occasions.

Those started by lightning or by accident, but some others in the area were started from prohibited trash burning. Regardless of how they start, the stress and cost of fires can be reduced, Mosley said.

Oklahoma Wildfire Forces 1,500 To Evacuate

At least 13 Comanche County homes have already been destroyed and firefighters are battling to prevent further damage.

"Crews worked diligently overnight to fully contain the fire which caused the evacuation of more than 500 homes and destroyed 13," a representative of the Comanche County Emergency Management System said Saturday in a news release.

The wildfire began on Fort Sill's West range in the impact area Thursday afternoon. The fire spread over 4,000 acres on the Fort. It eventually jumped over Highway 49 and headed to Medicine Park late Thursday evening causing numerous evacuations and destroying several homes

Florida, Georgia fires still raging

FOLKSTON, Ga. -- Sparked and spread by dry thunderstorms that are doing more harm than good, wildfires burning in southeast Georgia had communities watching nervously as flames spread overnight to destroy mobile homes in Camden County, a house and barn in Ware County and threaten about 50 homes in neighboring Charlton County.

"It's close enough to make everybody pretty nervous," said John Meyer, emergency management director for Charlton County. "We're doing a lot of praying, that's for sure."

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.

 

Many wildfires can be prevented, many can not. The one that is prevented could have beenthe one that saved someones life.

Fires, Drought Trouble Mexico, Texas and Other US Plains States

Nothern Mexico 4.12

U.S. Agrees to Help Fight Mexico Wildfires

Mexico appealed to the U.S. for additional help yesterday after saying it is in the middle of the worst fire season in history.

Smoke from a grass fire covers Interstate 44 near Elgin. The southbound lanes of the turnpike were closed this afternoon because of the fire. Photo provided by James Doyle

 

Wildfires burn more than 2,000 acres in southwest Oklahoma

Between 1,500 and 2,000 acres burned in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuges on Tuesday and Wednesday, and another wildfire in Comanche County caused the evacuation of 30 homes and closed southbound Interstate 44 for about an hour, officials said.

 

 

If you are reading this post its more likely than not that I don’t have to convince you to Help Smokey Bear with his “ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT WILDFIRES” message. But what I need you to do is “Get Your Smokey On” and talk to others about the importance of preventing even one wildfire. Its not hard all folks need to do is obey all burning laws, restrictions and bans, and if allowed to burn or have an out door fire DON’T BE CARELESS! Also don’t just sit back and watch others act irresponsibly. We have no problem telling young children to NOT PLAY WITH MATCHES AND LIGHTERS but seem to shy away from telling adults the same. Or when we see someone maybe using a welding or cutting torch in dry grass, or see someone’s chain dragging on a trailer, or discarding a cigarette. Come on LETS ALL GET OUR SMOKEY ON. Step up and do our part … DON’T LET A WILDFIRE START.

THANKS

It's rained, how come we're still having wildfires?

It's dry, it's windy, it's warm and folks are careless, that's how come.
Even with the recent rains a lot of Virginia and the entire South is in the grips of a drought or drought like conditions and are just plain ol dry, deep down where it counts.

All these conditions are reasons behind the , why can we have a 500 acre fire in Dinwiddie County when it just rained recently. And if you have not been keeping up with the wildfire news from other places our friends to our south and west are having significant challanges with wildfires. And there is no real relief in sight..



Oklahoma City Deputy Fire Chief Cecil Clay said the wildfire near Spencer burned four houses, one mobile home, one recreational vehicle and five outbuildings. 04/07/2011 A red flag warning has been issued for counties in western Oklahoma

Bulldozers and airplanes have been put on alert as Texas faces an increased threat for wildfires. The Texas Forest Service says hot weather, extremely dry vegetation and widespread drought are combining to create ...

"Many drought indicators in east-central Texas have reached the 'exceptional' drought level," the Drought Monitor reports. "If rain does not materialize soon, intensification of the current drought is likely." Wildfires have also been a concern this ...

... conditions have made Oklahoma a tinder box, with crews deploying helicopters and bulldozers to keep rampant wildfires in check. A state of emergency was declared March 11 for all 77 counties, and the prolonged drought has done nothing to lift it. ...

Drought and How It Affects Wildfires

by Phillip Manuel edited by FXTurck

Climatic conditions, such as long term drought, play a major role in the number and intensity of wildfires.  The lack of rainfall, in conjunction with very warm temperatures, allowed the forest fuels, such as dead leaves, trees and branches, to become unusually dry. In addition the dry and very dry “grasses” on the grazing areas of the South and Southeast are critically susceptible to wildfire. Unlike the forests that may withstand a wildfire and NOT be totally consumes the grasses are totally consumed and will not grow back until the rains come and even then it might be to late for some farmers and their heards.

The dry forest fuels were very susceptible to the potential for fire, especially when daytime relative humidities were low and wind speeds were high.  It is important to be alert to the increased threat of wildfires during drought conditions, especially those whose home is in a forested area, or those who plan on visiting area forests. The following are some safety tips to help protect life and property from wildfires...

1. Check with local fire authorities or public land management officials to obtain current fire restriction information.

2.  For campfires, clear the campfire site down to bare soil. Circle the fire pit with rocks, and build the campfire away from overhanging branches, dry grass, pine needles, logs and steep slopes.

3. Never leave a campfire unattended. When putting out a campfire, drown the fire until it is cool enough to touch. Keep a bucket of water and shovel nearby.

4. Homes near forest areas should have a defensible space of at least 30 feet, more if the home is on a slope.  Trees should be thinned 100 feet from buildings.  Remove lower tree branches, especially those that may overhang the roof.  Rake and clear surface fuels, such as leaves, limbs and pine needles, away from homes in wooded areas.  For detailed information on protecting your home from wildfires visit the Virginia DOF Firewise website

PLEASE

Do Your Part

DON'T LET A WILDFIRE START

Thanks

Tsunami, Earth Quakes and Wildfires in the news.

Devastation and heartache has no borders. The massive disaster which is still unfolding in Japan will affect us all before it is over. The stories and pictures are truly heartbreaking and our thoughts and prayers for all of Japan and other areas impacted by the earth quake and tsunami are with them all.

TOKYO -- Japan's northeastern coast was a swampy wasteland of broken houses, overturned cars, sludge and dirty water Saturday as the nation awoke to the devastating aftermath of one of its greatest disasters, a powerful tsunami created by one of the strongest earthquakes ever recorded.

Today marks the 5^th anniversary (March 12, 2006), of the start of seven days of wildfire carnage that burned about a million acres in the eastern Panhandle. The fires killed 12 people and more than 1,000 cattle. They stretched from Borger to Skellytown, Pampa, McLean, Miami and Canadian. Other blazes burned out of control near Childress and in Oldham County.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vs3qW_Mu6-E

As we remember the past we must deal with the present and think to the future.

AP-Southwest Wildfires
March 11, 2011 21:47 EST

Grass fires destroy homes near Oklahoma City

UNDATED (AP) -- Firefighters are struggling to extinguish a number of wind-driven grass fires in the parched Southwest.

The fires have burned dozens of homes in the Oklahoma City suburbs and forced the evacuation of hundreds more. A fire in and around Harrah has forced the evacuation of two schools and a nursing home. Near Norman, a blaze is threatening a casino and surrounding neighborhood.

In Texas, a fire official says a wildfire threatening the town of Jacksboro in North Texas has grown to about 3,000 acres and forced the evacuation of 50 to 75 homes. The fire also closed two nearby highways. A 100-acre fire north of Fort Worth has forced the evacuation of about 24 homes.

In Colorado, crews are gaining ground on a wildfire in the foothills west of Boulder. It's scorched at least 200 acres and prompted the evacuation of more than 200 homes.

Wildfires scorch North Texas

A fast-moving wildfire burned about 7,000 acres in its 12-mile path across Jack County on Friday, destroying six houses and forcing the evacuation of 150 residences, officials reported.

"That was a hell of a fire," said Wise County Deputy Sheriff Doug Whitehead. "You could see those fire tornadoes build up. They were thick and a story tall."

Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/03/11/2915827/wildfires-scorch-north-texas.html#ixzz1GNZR535T

Wildfires In Oklahoma Force Hundreds To Evacuate

OKLAHOMA — Governor Mary Fallin today declared a State of Emergency for all 77 Oklahoma counties as more than two dozen wildfires spread across the state, causing evacuations.

SHAWNEE, Okla. — A massive, swift-moving grass fire destroyed several homes and forced evacuations of more than 20 other residences as it traveled about two miles in the Shawnee Twin Lakes area Friday afternoon.

Veruska Trask evacuates from her home in Crestview Estates during the Lefthand Canyon Fire on Friday. She also lost her home in the Fourmile Fire last year. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0t--zyb3Z4

 So what is it we can do so that folks like Veruska Trask in the video above will not loose another home in another wildfire? Some say there is nothing folks can do, its fate, its nature. WELL we might NOT be able to prevent all of the fires BUT we can NO ONLY YOU CAN prevent those that are caused by carlessness. SMOKEY BEAR was and is right, there are things we can do to prevent wildfires. Please visit his site at
http://www.dof.virginia.gov/fire/smokey-bear.shtml
http://www.dof.virginia.gov/fire/index-prev-ed.shtml
www.smokeybear.com

Texas http://txforestservice.tamu.edu/main/article.aspx?id=1542
Oklahoma http://www.forestry.ok.gov/fire-prevention
Colorado http://www.southwestcoloradofires.org/prevention.htm

And there ARE things we/YOU can do to help your home have a better chance to survive a wildfire PLEASE visite the firewise informational sites in your state. In Virginia check out http://www.firewisevirginia.org/ and the National site at http://www.firewise.org/

THANKS for listening