Wildfires - NIU · Lightening yMajority by human carelessness ... Wildfires 11 31 ... Microsoft PowerPoint - Wildfire1_v1.ppt Author:

Wildfires

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1NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY –– COPYRIGHT 2007COPYRIGHT 2007



Unplanned fire in natural setting5 million acres every yearMillions of dollars in damageSpread at a rate of 14 mphEmbers in wind can cause other fires

Unplanned fire in natural setting5 million acres every yearMillions of dollars in damageSpread at a rate of 14 mphEmbers in wind can cause other fires

- Wildfire Definition -

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Growing natural hazardFire suppression leads to more severe future firesGrowing natural hazardFire suppression leads to more severe future fires

- Wildfire Definition -(continued)


Planned fireLand management techniqueMany benefits

Stimulates germination of vegetation Reduces fuel for future fires Improves habitats Controls competing vegetation Improves short-term forage for grazing Increase accessibility

Planned fireLand management techniqueMany benefits

Stimulates germination of vegetation Reduces fuel for future fires Improves habitats Controls competing vegetation Improves short-term forage for grazing Increase accessibility

- Controlled Burning -


Naturally Sun Lightening

Majority by human carelessness Arson Campfires Cigarettes Matches or fireworks Burning debris Prescribed fires

- Cause of Wildfires -Naturally

Sun Lightening

Majority by human carelessness Arson Campfires Cigarettes Matches or fireworks Burning debris Prescribed fires

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Past 200 years Severity has increased Frequency has decreased

2004 over 8 million acres burned1988 over 1.2 million acres burned in Yellowstone National Park

Past 200 years Severity has increased Frequency has decreased

2004 over 8 million acres burned1988 over 1.2 million acres burned in Yellowstone National Park

- Hazards -



Wildfire history Recent weatherCommunity’s response capabilities

Roads marked? Roads wide enough? House visible?

Wildfire history Recent weatherCommunity’s response capabilities

Roads marked? Roads wide enough? House visible?

- Assess Risk -

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Fire Potential Index (FPI) Depicts wildfire potential Satellite-derived information Updated daily

GeoMAC Internet-based wildfire mapping tools http://geomac.usgs.gov

- Assessment Tools -

Fire Potential Index (FPI) Depicts wildfire potential Satellite-derived information Updated daily

GeoMAC Internet-based wildfire mapping tools http://geomac.usgs.gov


- Wildfire Map -Wildfire greater than 250 acres from 1980 to 2003


- Ware Fire Case Study -Fire consumed 26,000 acres in Palm Coast, Florida

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<< ATTENTION >>



Safety zone (at least 30 feet) Clear debris Keep vegetation to a minimum Replace highly flammable vegetation Extend the zone further if on a hill Consider swimming pools, patios, and stone

walls beneficial

- Property Mitigation -

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Safety zone (continued) Eliminate fuel adjacent to the building Remove vines from walls Move shrubs away from the building Remember the 15-Foot Rule:

- Prune branches and shrubs- Remove tree limbs- Create space between tree crowns

Cut the lawn

- Property Mitigation -(continued)


Secondary safety zone (100 feet) Avoid mulch Stack firewood 100 feet away and uphill Properly store fuels and combustibles Remember the second 15-Foot Rule:

- Gas grill and propane tank- Area around grill- Create space between tree crowns

Ask power company to clear branches

- Property Mitigation -(continued)


Choose locations wiselyUse:

Fire resistant siding Non-combustible roof Safety glass windows and doors

Avoid wooden decksDevelop an external water supplyBury power lines

- Building Mitigation -Choose locations wiselyUse:

Fire resistant siding Non-combustible roof Safety glass windows and doors

Avoid wooden decksDevelop an external water supplyBury power lines

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Remove debris from decksEnclose eaves and overhangs Cover ventsInstall spark arrestors

- Building Maintenance -

Remove debris from decksEnclose eaves and overhangs Cover ventsInstall spark arrestors


Do not smokeDo not park cars on dry grass Inspect your campsiteDo not remove burning sticks from a fireDo not have fireworks on public landKeep heat sources away from flammable objectsKeep flammable fuels safeDo not use a heat source inside tent

- Recreational Areas -Do not smokeDo not park cars on dry grass Inspect your campsiteDo not remove burning sticks from a fireDo not have fireworks on public landKeep heat sources away from flammable objectsKeep flammable fuels safeDo not use a heat source inside tent


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Call 9-1-1Evacuate Remove combustiblesClose/protect openingClose inside doorsOpen damperShut off gasStore waterProvide ladder

- First Steps -Call 9-1-1Evacuate Remove combustiblesClose/protect openingClose inside doorsOpen damperShut off gasStore waterProvide ladder


Back car into garageShut garage doors Remove valuablesTurn on outside lightsDon’t lock up

- Leaving Home -Back car into garageShut garage doors Remove valuablesTurn on outside lightsDon’t lock up

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Roll up windowsClose air vents Drive slowly with headlights onIf stopped

Park away from trees Turn headlights on/ignition off Get on floor Cover up Stay in vehicle

- Survival in Vehicle -Roll up windowsClose air vents Drive slowly with headlights onIf stopped

Park away from trees Turn headlights on/ignition off Get on floor Cover up Stay in vehicle


At home Stay calm Go inside the house

In the open Seek shelter Avoid canyons Seek depression with

sparse fuel Lie face down Cover

- Trapped by Fire -At home

Stay calm Go inside the house

In the open Seek shelter Avoid canyons Seek depression with

sparse fuel Lie face down Cover


Hotshots Build firebreaks to prevent fire spread Employed by U.S. Forest Service

Smokejumpers Put out small blazes in remote areas Employed by Bureau of Land Mgmt U.S. Forest Service

- Firefighters -Hotshots

Build firebreaks to prevent fire spread Employed by U.S. Forest Service

Smokejumpers Put out small blazes in remote areas Employed by Bureau of Land Mgmt U.S. Forest Service

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Check roof and atticIf fire, get helpMaintain a fire watch

- First Steps -Check roof and atticIf fire, get helpMaintain a fire watch


ErosionSecondary wildfiresDebris flowsContaminated water

ErosionSecondary wildfiresDebris flowsContaminated water

- Aftermath -

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July 1994, a wildfire near Glenwood Springs, Colo. Burned 2,000 acres of forestSeptember 1994, torrential rains triggered debris flows

Inundated a 3-mile stretch of Interstate 70 Tons of mud, rock, and other debris Engulfed 30 cars Serious injuries, no deaths

- Colorado Case Study 1 -July 1994, a wildfire near Glenwood Springs, Colo. Burned 2,000 acres of forestSeptember 1994, torrential rains triggered debris flows

Inundated a 3-mile stretch of Interstate 70 Tons of mud, rock, and other debris Engulfed 30 cars Serious injuries, no deaths


In May 1996, an 11,900-acre fire burned most of the Buffalo Creek and Spring Creek watersheds

Strontia Springs Reservoir Supplies 75 percent water for Denver and Aurora

Two months after the fire Thunderstorm caused flooding Two deaths

Deterioration of water quality Floating debris High manganese High phosphate

In May 1996, an 11,900-acre fire burned most of the Buffalo Creek and Spring Creek watersheds

Strontia Springs Reservoir Supplies 75 percent water for Denver and Aurora

Two months after the fire Thunderstorm caused flooding Two deaths

Deterioration of water quality Floating debris High manganese High phosphate

- Colorado Case Study 2 -


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Wildfires - NIU · Lightening yMajority by human carelessness ... Wildfires 11 31 ... Microsoft PowerPoint - Wildfire1_v1.ppt Author: