Hotter summers. Bigger, badder wildfires. What's going on? How did we get here? This diary isn’t really about that, yet if you scroll to the end, there is a must watch 15-minute TEDx Talk published in July 2017. It’s a fast-paced story of Western US forests — unintentionally yet massively changed by a century of management that has set the stage for continued and disastrous megafires.
. . .
Following up on my September 10th diary Washington State wildfires: a personal picture diary of majestic beauty and destruction, I’m happy to say that the photographed skies above have replaced these skies below (temporarily at least) ...
It’s been a horrific wildfire season this year beginning early summer and to-date here in my neck of the woods. Currently, although there has been some rain and decreased temperatures helping with control, there are active wildfires still being managed.
Fire activity in the Western states on the visual below are most accurately represented on the InciWeb Incident Information System. (If you’d like to learn anything and everything about Western wildfires, please get lost on this site. It is very comprehensive and up-to-date.)
One area in particular still impacted by wildfire activity is in my ‘backyard’ here in central Washington state — anywhere from a 30-minute to 60-minute drive into foothills and forest areas in which my family hunts, fishes, hikes, swims and enjoys the beautiful outdoors. 217 persons (including sheriffs, firefighters and fire behavioral specialists) are currently assigned to this area alone. The rains have helped to stop some of the spreading, but due to the territory and the fuel for these fires, there is still burning and smoldering:
Thirteen fires were ignited by lightning on August 10th and 11th, in the vicinity of the William O. Douglas and Norse Peak Wilderness Areas on the Naches Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The fires were burning in steep rocky terrain, with difficult access. Main influence has been fuel and topography dominated. Fuels consist of grass, brush, and timber litter w / heavy down. Extensive stands of mixed conifer with heavy dead and down are dominant throughout. Live woody fuel moisture is about 80% making brush available to burn. 1000-hour fuel moisture is about 8%. Heavy fuels are holding heat readily. Generally, creeping and smoldering. Some slow surface spread in heavy fuels under heavy canopy.
Highlighting the Pacific Northwest states of Washington and Oregon, there have been closing of major hiking trails, campgrounds, interstates, emergency and planned evacuations, and significant limits placed on outdoor activity including recesses and sporting events of school-aged children in late August and until most recently. I only focus on these two states as the fire activity is so close to home and has impacted my life and the lives of many of my family and friends. Along with other states such as Idaho, Montana, California and our Canadian neighbors, the geographical area of our nation that enjoys beautiful and unlimited outdoor adventure has seen immeasurable impacts to human health and wellness and the economies of countless communities. Some say we won’t experience continued clear skies and improved air quality until the snows begin to fall.
We do see a temporary positive outlook, however, as the decreased temperatures and rains have helped calm fires and clear the skies. Look at this air quality report from the same area cited above and close to my home from the Washington Smoke Information blog. A drying trend has already begun this weekend, and after the most recent light rains, and so we are expected to see some smoke again soon.
Oregon state is also seeing some clearer skies. Air quality image from US Forest service taken this morning at 7:30am Pacific Standard Time of a section of the Columbia River Gorge.
. . .
. . .
WILDFIRE INFORMATIONAL RESOURCES
Paul Hessburg aims to understand why wildfires are getting bigger and hotter, and how they got that way. He has spent more than 3 decades researching changes that have taken place in the fire-prone western landscapes, what caused them, and how they differ from place to place. Along with a revved up climate, these changes have created conditions ripe for the rise of what he and others call megafires.
.
Firewise — Prepare Your Home. Each year, wildland fires consume homes in the wildland-urban interface – defined as areas where homes are built near or among lands prone to wildland fire. Studies show that as many as 80 percent of homes lost to wildland fire may have been saved if brush around the homes were cleared and defensible space created around structures. There is no better time than now to prepare and educate your family, friends and neighbors. Make sure everyone knows what to do to protect people and homes in case of fire.
.
Wildfire Prevention. Notice what the burn restrictions are in your area before lighting any fire. Know the safety tips that prevent wildfires. Take responsibility when choosing to build a campfire. Understand home landscaping tips during the dry conditions.
.
APA Recovering from Wildfires. Wildfires can be particularly stressful because the factors that influence their strength and direction can change at any moment. Communities that seem clear of danger can suddenly need to evacuate. Despite well-orchestrated and persistent fire fighting by emergency services personnel, sometimes destruction of life and property is unpreventable. It is common for people who have lived through these circumstances to experience strong emotions. Understanding normal responses to these abnormal events can aid you in coping effectively with your feelings, thoughts and behaviors as you recover from the fire.
. . .
Continued love and energy to our brethren experiencing all weather related and natural catastrophes -- Texas, Florida, Virgin Islands, Turks and Caicos, Anguilla, Puerto Rico and Mexico.
Be good to one another.