text size: small medium large Did you know that wildfires can be caused by the weather but they can also change the weather? They can even produce a whirl similar to a tornado. Check out NOAA's fire weather website with links to many others. If you live in a wooded or dry part of the world wildfires are are not out of the question. Be prepared for the threat of wildfire or local fire that could impact your property and home.
Just as you need an action plan for a hurricane or tornado you need to have a plan of action for fire safety.
There is more than just dry weather that goes into creating wildfires or woods fires. Other factors include plant type, lightning, terrain, wind direction, and careless human beings. The US Geological Survey helps you to further understand the risks and causes of fires in the wild. Wildfires are more likely in places experiencing drought.
While wildfires are a serious threat to our homes and communities they are also a normal part of the life cycle of forests. They do have benefits. Many plants need brush cleared or the heat of fire to grow and thrive. Prescribed burns are when humans create or control a woods fire to benefit the environment. If you are planning a controlled burn you must know the fire weather forecast for your area.
Find out where the major fires are in the US using GeoMac. Check national conditions for the threat of future fires. Worldwide you can see high resolution NASA images of large fire areas by clicking on the image below.
Even at a distance the negative impact of fires to people is reduced air quality. Those who have respiratory illnesses should follow the air quality forecasts carefully when smoke moves into the area. Check air quality forecasts nationally, or air quality forecasts for Alabama.
Here are some good tips from the Florida Department of Health when fires cause poor air quality. If individuals experience respiratory problems such as wheezing, coughing, or difficulty in breathing, they should go into an air conditioned space and call their doctor if symptoms persist. Even for healthy individuals, smoke may irritate their respiratory system and produce scratchy throat and watery eyes.
- Stay indoors if you experience symptoms outside. Run your air conditioner with a clean filter. Large commercial buildings may choose to close the fresh air intake on their system so that smoke and ash do not enter the building.
- If you don't have an air conditioner, and are a comfortable temperature inside with the windows closed, stay inside. If your home is too warm, and/or you are experiencing symptoms in your home, seek alternative shelter.
- Keep particle levels inside and around your home lower by not burning outdoor yard waste, smoking tobacco, or using anything that burns, such as wood fireplaces, gas logs, gas stoves and candles.
- Delay vacuuming when possible, as vacuuming stirs up particles already inside your home.
- Follow your doctor’s advice about taking your medications and adhere to your asthma management plan if you have asthma or other lung disease. Call your doctor if your symptoms worsen.
In the satellite image below we see how smoke from large fires in
southeast Georgia travels hundreds of miles and blends in with clouds to
produce hazy conditions far from the source. Click on it to see more images
of fires and smoke from space.
