more rain "This is GOOD'!

I just had to bring my picture in the rain back for a repeat preformance. Looks like most of VA got anywhwere from 0.25 to 1.25 inches yesterday and overnight. For the most part the excessive winds did not materilize and I have not heard of any wind related damage. This too is Good!



Our friends in Texas sure culd use the rain. Check out their web site for more info

Wildfire and emergency response
Forest Resource Protection strives to prevent, mitigate and suppress wildfires and other natural disasters that endanger lives, property and the state’s natural resources. Forest Resource Protection is divided into five broad departments: prevention and mitigation, predictive services, planning and preparedness, local capacity building, and incident response. These departments work together to prepare, prevent, mitigate and respond to disasters as quickly as possible.

If you have just experienced a wildfire, here are a few tips and resources to get you and your property back to normal.

Quicklinks
Apply for a Community Wildfire Protection Plan grant
Subscribe to the Burn Ban RSS feed
Burn ban informationFire department assistance programs
Google Earth
Smokey BearTFS wildfire case studies
Regional Type III Incident Management Teams

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Haloween safety Tips in nglish and Spanish. Enjoy and stay SAFE!
http://www.dof.virginia.gov/fire/resources/Halloween-safety_en.pdf

http://www.dof.virginia.gov/fire/resources/Halloween-safety_es.pdf

Rain dampens wildfire threat

A strong cold front is working its way through OH, KY, TN and states to the south. See picture below. This will go a long way in reducing the threat of widfires for those areas that get the rain. This is NOT the end to fall fire season it just helps a lot!

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Check out http://www.smokeybear.com/ for some great Smokey  Bear fun, trivia and history.

Show your commitment to wildfire prevention.

Take the "Get Your Smokey On" Wildfire Pledge

I pledge to:

BE SMART WHENEVER I GO OUTDOORS

• To use caution and common sense before lighting any fire.
• To understand that any fire I or my friends create could become a wildfire.
• To understand and practice proper guidelines whenever I or my friends create a fire outdoors.
• To never, ever leave any fire unattended.
• To make sure any fire that I or my friends create is properly and completely extinguish before moving on.
• To properly extinguish and discard of smoking materials.
• To be aware of my surroundings and careful when operating equipment during periods of dry or hot weather.

• To speak up and step in when I see someone in danger of starting a wildfire.

More wildfire activity over the weekend

The following were taken from morning news reports...

·        Wildfires Threaten Homes in Arkansas

·        Wildfires still burning near Fort Knox

·        Wildfires now blazing in West Point, Ky., possibly sparked by fires burning at Ft. Knox

·        Wildfires Flare Up In Ky. Counties

·        ABINGDON, VA -- Our region is currently more than six inches behind on rainfall for the year. The abnormally dry conditions in our area are the perfect breeding grounds for fires.

 It's not all bad news ..

Rain Helps Firefighters Put Out Wildfires in Lauderdale County, Tennessee

 
KY
VA

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When fire danger is high, support your local fire department, and follow all fire restrictions.

Remember fire prevention is everyone’s responsibility.

If you don't prevent fires - who will?

Thanks!

Wildfires in the News

This mornings headlines from a Google search

Wildfires Flare Up In Ky. Counties

Ga. authorities concerned about wildfires

State very dry, fire danger increasing (TN)

PROTECTING ALABAMA COMMUNITIES FROM WILDFIRES A TOP PRIORITY FOR THE USDA FOREST SERVICE AND ALABAMA FORESTRY COMMISSION

It is so very dry in many states, here in Virginia we are fortunate to have gotten some rain. HOWEVER as the leaves continue to fall and we stay dry and warm OUR FIRE DANGER increases each day.

PLEASE "Do Your Part .. Don't Let A Wildfire Start." Check out earlier posts to this blog for tips and check your local forestry's web sites for more information.

The pictures below are from a fire yesterday in TN

Thanks for Caring and Thanks for listening.

Wildfire Prevention Tips From Smokey

An old (1960's ?) ad I came accross. It might be old like me but the message is still the same.
ONLY YOU CAN PREVENT WILDFIRES !

Thanks

Weather Activity Planner and Home Heating Tip

For all you hooked on weather. The following is from our NOAA friends. A pretty cool tool.
Hope you find it interesting.

Welcome to the Weather Activity Planner. Please enter the range of weather parameters required for your activity. Then, either click the approximate location on the map below, or enter the specific latitude and longitude (or select from a list of locations) and hit submit. This will query the forecast grids to find when your weather requirements will be met at the nearest grid point over the next 7 days.

http://forecast.weather.gov/wxplanner.php?site=rnk

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Heating Without Getting Burned

Most home heating fires involve portable heaters and space heaters, with gas and kerosene

heaters accounting for the highest fatality risk. But all heating systems, including fireplaces, can

be dangerous if not used and maintained properly.

Before buying any heating equipment, check with your local fire department to ensure what you're

buying conforms to local building or and fire codes. When shopping for portable or space heaters,

look for automatic shut-off safety features. All portable heaters should bear the mark of an

independent testing laboratory indicating that the heater has met basic safety standards.

Outdoor enthusiasts I need your help.

Outdoor enthusiasts enjoy the fall with the cooler temperatures and the beauty nature has to offer this time of year. Smokey Bear asks all of you who work and play in the out-of-doors to help Prevent Wildfires. Most fires are accidental or caused by people who just are not aware that what they maybe doing has the potential to start a wildfire. Parking your vehicle on a leaf pile or in dry grass or riding your ATV through a field of dry grass may cause the hot muffler or catalytic converter to ignite the dry vegetation.

If you are an ATV rider please take time to read the attached (page 1 and 2) of a safety reminder.

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Uncontrolled fire is every camper, hiker, and forester's nightmare, and one that can become real!  What should one do if you spot smoke in the forest?  There are several answers.  The main thing to do is think rather than panic!

Think about how far away is the fire?  Are you on a hill and see smoke billowing up in the distance?  If this is the case, pack your stuff, use your cellular telephone and call 911.  Give them your position and the direction in which you see the fire.  "I am on Round Hill and hiking towards Blue Valley, there appears to be a fire off to my right,"  Now ask for assistance! The dispatcher will tell you the location of the quickest way to safety, report the fire, and send help.  They can also tell you if it is a controlled burn of some sort, in which case there is no problem.