Council’s Corner

Heat and Wildfires

The month of July is mid-summer for North America and on average the hottest month of the year for the contiguous United States.  In preparation, this month’s emergency preparedness message focuses on the heat related hazards of extreme heat, drought, and wildfires.  

Extreme Heat

There is hot, and then there is hot!  Extreme heat is a period of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees for at least two to three days.  In extreme heat your body works extra hard to maintain a normal temperature, which can lead to death. 

Preparation for Extreme Heat Conditions

• Identify places in advance you can go to get cool.
• Cover windows with drapes or shades and use window reflectors specifically designed to reflect heat back outside.
• Do not rely on a fan as your primary cooling device. Fans create air flow and a false sense of comfort, but do not reduce body temperature or prevent heat-related illnesses.
• Monitor the National Weather Service (NWS) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) App for heat-related outlooks, advisories, watches and warnings.

• The NWS issues the following heat-related products as conditions warrant:

• Excessive Heat Warning – Take Action! An Excessive Heat Warning is issued within 12 hours of the onset of extremely dangerous heat conditions. The general rule of thumb for a Warning is when the maximum heat index temperature is expected to be 105° or higher for at least 2 days and nighttime air temperatures will not drop below 75°; however, these criteria vary across the country, especially for areas not used to extreme heat conditions. If you don’t take precautions immediately when conditions are extreme, you may become seriously ill or even die.
• Excessive Heat Watches – Be Prepared! Heat watches are issued when conditions are favorable for an excessive heat event in the next 24 to 72 hours. A Watch is used when the risk of a heat wave has increased but its occurrence and timing is still uncertain.
• Heat Advisory – Take Action! A Heat Advisory is issued within 12 hours of the onset of extremely dangerous heat conditions. The general rule of thumb for this Advisory is when the maximum heat index temperature is expected to be 100° or higher for at least 2 days, and nighttime air temperatures will not drop below 75°; however, these criteria vary across the country, especially for areas that are not used to dangerous heat conditions. Take precautions to avoid heat illness. If you don’t take precautions, you may become seriously ill or even die.
• Excessive Heat Outlooks – Be Aware! The outlooks are issued when the potential exists for an excessive heat event in the next 3-7 days. An Outlook provides information to those who need considerable lead-time to prepare for the event.

During Extreme Heat Conditions

• If air conditioning is not available in your work location, report it to your supervisor.
• Wear loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
• If you’re outside, find shade. If available, wear a hat wide enough to protect your face.
• Drink plenty of water and other fluids to stay hydrated.
• If wearing a mask opt for masks made of breathable fabric (cotton). If you feel yourself overheating remove the mask as soon as possible.
• Avoid outdoor work or high-energy activities during midday heat.
• Pay attention to your body and be on the lookout for signs of heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke. Notify medical authorities in accordance with your Occupant Emergency Plan (OEP) if you suspect heat illness.
• Check on others and notify medical authorities if you suspect heat illness.

Heat-Related Illnesses

Know the signs of heat-related illnesses and ways to respond. Symptoms and response to common heat-related illnesses are:

Heat Cramps

May be the first sign of heat-related illness and may lead to heat exhaustion or stroke.

• Symptoms: Painful muscle cramps and spasms usually in legs and abdomen along with heavy sweating.
• First Aid: Apply firm pressure on cramping muscles or gently massage to relieve spasm. Give sips of water unless the person complains of nausea, then stop giving water. 
  Seek immediate medical attention if cramps last longer than 1 hour.

Heat Exhaustion

• Symptoms: Heavy sweating, Weakness or tiredness, cool, pale, clammy skin; fast, weak pulse, muscle cramps, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, headache, fainting.
• First Aid: Move the person to a cooler environment, preferably a well air-conditioned room.  Loosen clothing.  Apply cool, wet clothes or have person sit in a cool bath. Offer sips of water.  Seek immediate medical attention if the person vomits, symptoms worsen or last longer than 1 hour.

Heat Stroke

• Symptoms: Throbbing headache, confusion, nausea, dizziness, body temperature above 103°F, hot, red, dry or damp skin, rapid and strong pulse, fainting, loss of consciousness.
• First Aid: Call 911 or get the victim to a hospital immediately. Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency. Delay can be fatal. Move the victim to a cooler, preferably air-conditioned, environment. Reduce body temperature with cool cloths or bath. Use fan if heat index temperatures are below the high 90s. A fan can make you hotter at higher temperatures. Do NOT give fluids.

Additional Extreme Heat Resources:

Heat Safety Tool | Occupational Safety and Health Administration (osha.gov) – App for Apple and Android

HeatRisk | Tracking | NCEH | CDC – Web based App

Extreme Heat Information Sheet – PDF

Extreme Heat Safety Social Media Toolkit

Protective Actions Research for Extreme Heat

National Weather Service Heat Safety Tips and Resources

National Weather Service – Heat Illnesses

National Integrated Heat Health Information System

Drought

Nearly every part of the U.S. experiences periods of reduced rainfall.  Drought is a deficiency in precipitation over an extended period.  It is a part of normal climate variability in many climate zones.  The duration of droughts varies widely.  Drought can develop quickly and last only for a matter of weeks, exacerbated by extreme heat and/or wind, but a drought can persist for months or years.  Planning in advance for a drought can protect us in dry years.

Advanced Planning

The best way to prepare for a drought is to conserve water.  Make conserving water a part of your daily life.

Reduce your water usage:

• Report water leaks.
• Do not let water run unless in use.
• Heed local water use restrictions.

During a Drought

Always observe state and local restrictions on water use during a drought.  Contact your state or local government for current information and suggestions.

• Continue pre-drought water conservation actions.
• Avoid flushing the toilet unnecessarily. Dispose of tissues, insects, and other similar waste in the trash rather than the toilet.

Additional Drought Resources:

American Red Cross

National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) 

US Drought Monitor

US Economic Costs of Drought 

Wildfires

Wildfires are unplanned fires that burn in natural areas like forests, grasslands, or prairies.  These dangerous fires spread quickly and can devastate not only wildlife and natural areas, but also communities. Think of our dune grass and marsh as you would a prairie, a fire there can spread very quickly!  

Preparedness

Take personal responsibility and prepare long before the threat of a wildland fire so you are ready in case of a fire:

• Put together a basic emergency supply kit.
• Before an emergency happens, review your emergency plan, where you will go, and what you will do in an emergency. Keep a copy of this plan in your emergency supplies kit or another safe place where you can access it.
• Monitor the NWS and FEMA App for wildfire-related watches and warnings.

• The NWS issues the following fire weather-related products as conditions warrant:

• Red Flag Warning – Take Action! Be extremely careful with open flames.  NWS issues a Red Flag Warning, in conjunction with land management agencies, to alert land managers to an ongoing or imminent critical fire weather pattern.  NWS issues a Red Flag Warning when fire conditions are ongoing or expected to occur shortly.
• Fire Weather Watch – Be Prepared!  A Watch alerts land managers and the public that upcoming weather conditions could result in extensive wildland fire occurrence or extreme fire behavior. A watch means critical fire weather conditions are possible but not imminent or occurring.
• Extreme Fire Behavior.  This alert implies a wildfire likely to rage out of control. If is often hard to predict these fires because they behave erratically, sometimes dangerously.  One or more of the following criteria must be met:
  • Moving fast: High rate of spread.
  • Prolific crowning and/or spotting.
  • Presence of fire whirls.
  • Strong convection column.
• Prevent wildfires from starting. Prepare, build, maintain, and extinguish campfires safely. Follow local regulations if you burn trash or debris.  Check with your local fire department to be sure the weather is safe enough for burning.

During a Wildfire

• Stay aware of the latest wildfire news at the National Interagency Fire Center Large Fire News site, monitor your local NWS office, and NOAA Weather Radio.
• Pack your emergency items.
• Follow instructions issued by local officials. Leave immediately if ordered!
• Prior to an evacuation order:

• Do not light campfires, bonfires, candles, or anything else that could blow over and start a fire.
• If you smoke, be sure to extinguish your cigarette or cigar before disposing of it. Never throw a burning item out a window.
• Bag up trash, clippings, and other easily flammable items.
• Ensure your vehicle is fueled and ready.

After a Wildfire

Protect yourself when cleaning up after a fire. Cleanup work can expose you to ash and other products of the fire that may irritate your eyes, nose, or skin and cause coughing and other health effects.  Learn how to stay safe cleaning up after a wildfire.

Additional Drought Resources:

Smokey Bear

Protective Actions Research for Wildfire

Create a Clean Room (EPA)

Smoke-Ready Toolbox for Wildfires (EPA)

Wildfires and Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) (EPA)

Fires and Your Health | AirNow.gov

Wildfire Information Sheet – PDF

Survivor Stories Video Series – Video

Wildfire Safety Social Media Toolkit – Social Media & Graphic

Wildfire Outreach Materials (USFA) – Social Media & Graphic

Wildfire Tabletop Exercise

The ‘What would you do?’ scenario below is presented to assess your wildfire level of preparedness.  This tabletop exercise is intended to be a low-stress conversation starter to discuss wildfire response.  

Scenario: It is Monday morning.  You just finished your morning coffee.  The wind is blowing, but the temperature is mild and pleasant.  You step outside to enjoy the sun and sand, but a faint odor catches your attention – smoke.  At first, you think it is a nearby resident burning a fire in an outdoor fire pit.  However, a haze begins to build over the area and you realize that it is a large fire in a nearby wooded area.  The fire appears to be growing quickly through the marsh, feeding off the vegetation and being carried towards your home by the wind.

Discussion Questions:

1. Do you know what the wildfire threat is for the area we live in? Do you know how to tell when the threat for a wildfire is elevated?
2. What steps have you taken to reduce the potential for a wildfire impacting your home? Discuss steps your family can take to reduce the potential for fire.
3. What actions should you take to reduce the possibility of causing a wildfire?
4. What actions should you take if your home is threatened by a fire?
5. How will you be alerted if you need to evacuate?
6. Does anyone in your family have any special needs (medical, emotional, or physical needs) that might present challenges if you must stay at a shelter? If so, have you prepared a special plan for them?
7. Do you know your evacuation route? Do you have a plan to stay with family or friends if you need to evacuate your home?
8. Wildfires can travel quickly. Do you know what you should have ready in case you have to evacuate?
9. What are recommended steps to take after a wildfire? What materials would it be useful to have on hand in case you are affected by wildfire?