Midwest Water Stewards’ Post

It's that time of year again...wishing all of the families and first reponders a safe fire season. 😔 🔥🚒🧯🔥 https://st8.fm/4bRn4Zz #FireSeasonSafety #FirstResponders #WildfirePrevention #EmergencyResponse #StaySafe #fireinsurance #homeownersinsurance

"More than 26,000 firefighters and other personnel have been working to tame active blazes that have scorched more than two million acres across the United States. Smoke and haze from wildfires in Canada and the American West have traveled as far east as New England and South Carolina. The Park fire near Chico, Calif., which started on Wednesday, has traveled across four counties and was the largest fire burning in the United States on Sunday. It was caused by arson, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection....The fire’s rapid growth could slow over the next few days, thanks to cooler temperatures and less wind. But Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at the University of California, Los Angeles, warned that another prolonged heat wave was forecast for the fire zone this week....Experts have warned that this fire season could be particularly bad in California, following two milder seasons in the state. Forecasters have predicted above-average temperatures in California this summer, and rainy conditions during the last two winters have promoted the growth of vegetation that could serve as fuel. Elsewhere in the West on Saturday, firefighters in Oregon were battling a number of wildfires fueled by sweltering conditions and extreme lightning, including five that had surpassed 100,000 acres each. Of those, the Durkee fire, near the Idaho border, is the largest, covering about 288,000 acres since it ignited on July 17. As of Sunday morning, that fire was 49 percent contained....Air quality alerts or advisories were in effect early Sunday for parts of the Western United States, and they extended as far east as Ohio and as far south as Texas. Forecasters cautioned that air quality could put more vulnerable groups, such as children and older adults, at risk. Nearly a million people in California, Colorado, Utah and Wyoming were also under red flag warnings, indicating a high risk of severe wildfires within the next 24 hours." - Reporting from Kate Selig for The New York Times, July 28, 2024

Fireworks, dry vegetation, and heat waves can create a dangerous combination, leading to more urban fires and wildfires. Let's be mindful and avoid fireworks to protect our pets, wildlife, and the environment. Spare a thought for the songbirds, pets, and overcrowded animal shelters. #justdontdofireworks #heatwave2024 #heatsafety Read more about the risks of fireworks during heat waves: [Link to the article]

I had the pleasure of speaking to Daniel Wolfe at The Washington Post about the water impacts of wildfires and possible solutions and strategies to mitigate them! Over the past decade, mega-fires have increasingly devastated many communities, causing unprecedented damage and disruption. One often overlooked impact of these wildfires is their profound disruption of both natural and built water systems. These fires not only destroy vegetation and infrastructure but also contaminate water supplies, impair water quality, and alter hydrological cycles, leading to long-term consequences for water availability and safety. Our approach to this major challenge has to be multi-pronged focusing not only on reacting and responding to wildfires but also proactively implementing strategies to reduce their devastating impacts and building resilient communities. I propose that we reconsider our approach to insuring homes and communities, advocating for a preventive care model that encourages proactive measures in design and construction. By introducing a preventive care model, we can incentivize safer building practices, enhance community resilience, and ensure that all parties, from homeowners to policymakers, are actively involved in reducing risks and mitigating the impacts of future disasters. Interested in your perspectives on some of the ideas shared here. Check out the article below or here: https://lnkd.in/gB2zBd-q #wildfires #resilientcommunities #insurance #naturebasedsolutions

As peak #wildfireseason looms in #California, firefighters are preparing for the challenges ahead, even amidst wet weather that could potentially worsen fuel conditions later. The USDA Forest Service is implementing a new strategy to bolster flexibility in #wildfire response, recognizing the strain on firefighting resources. While California experiences wetter winters, other regions are confronting dangerously dry conditions, heightening fire risks country-wide. https://lnkd.in/gurWiRDm #WildfirePreparedness #Firefighting🌲🔥

Having a practiced #wildfire routine is vital to staying safe if a wildfire does get too close to home. These 4 steps can help you and your family prepare before wildfires even begin: https://bit.ly/3WGb7AH

Did you know? Prescribed burns can help play a vital role in protecting our landscape from natural wildfires. #wildfires #prescribedburns https://lnkd.in/gSN4Dx3b

What does the USDA Forest Service's Wildfire Crisis Strategy look like in different parts of California? ... In this video clip, Cleveland National Forest Supervisor, Scott Tangenberg, provides an example of how this national strategy is being implemented in SoCal's environment. … You can learn about the all-lands approach that the USFS is taking with the Wildfire Crisis Strategy, and where there are key linkages to state programs that are helping to advance the strategy, during a panel discussion at the upcoming Wildfire Task Force's meeting. … Get details and join us in Sacramento or virtually this Friday. >> https://bit.ly/TF-Mtg-2407 … #WildfireTaskForce #TaskForceProgress #ForestService #WildfireCrisisStrategy

CalFire, California’s firefighting agency, has ranked the Post Fire the state’s largest wildfire so far this year. As temperatures rise and conditions are expected to remain dry this summer, this disaster signals the start of a potentially dangerous wildfire season. See why in this The New York Times article. https://nyti.ms/3xnofSy #AlliantPrivateClient #Wildfire #RiskManagement

🌲🔥 Join us for a our next OC World program on Southern California's wildfire crisis, featuring an exclusive interview with Fire Chief Brian Fennessy and others. Learn how Orange Countians can protect their homes, environment, and communities during fire season. #OCFireAuthority#SoCalWildfires #WildfirePreparedness#ProtectOurEcosystems #ClimateActionNow