Wildfires

106,260 US wildfires occur per year on average, according to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). Majority of these fires occur on the west coast of the United States in states such as California, Washington, and Colorado. Wildfires are ignited by lightning, climate, arson, or just human error. Although, wildfires can become a disaster in a number of seconds, they are also useful to the environment due to eliminating dead vegetation. Wildfires have taken many lives and have destroyed houses that reside along their deadly path. Even though the media has given us vivid images and videos of what wildfires are capable of is still not enough to deter people from retiring and building homes in these fire prone areas. Anyone who lives in an area that is highly prone to wildfires should ensure their community is resilient and are highly prepared for the unexpected. Mitigation efforts should be top priority in these type of communities to enforce  safety prevention for these events.

Programs such as Firewise Communities/USA Recognition Program is a program that has a goal to reduce the loss of lives, properties, and resources to wildland fire by building and maintaining communities in a way that is compatible with our natural surroundings. One of the most important things Firewise Communities/USA participants learn is neighbors can help neighbors and they are often inextricably linked together in their wildfire safety solutions.

Below I have listed some safety measures that will promote resilience in any community that experiences wildfires.

Prior to the Wildfire

1. Know your area-Always have a map

2. Create an escape plan

3. Make and Emergency Kit

4. Before building your house educate yourself on materials that are less flammable to choose as materials to build your house

5. Do not have flammable plants surrounded your home

6. Ensure that you have and know how to use a fire extinguisher

7. Identify any water supply such as a lake, pond, or ocean that is close to the place you live.

8. Always keep a non-flammable water hose around the house.

During the wildfire

1. Evacuate to planned safe zone and take safety kit

2. Watch for the direction of smoke and fire

3. Call 911 if you haven’t been ordered to evacuate

4. Were protective clothes

5. Shut off Gas

After the wildfire

1. Do not go back to burned areas until notified

2. If you have been burned please cool and cover

3. Recheck you house once it’s safe to ensure there isn't any unnoticeable fires in the roof.

4. Avoid damaged power lines

5. Watch out for ash pits

Using these basic tips can promote resilience in any community and will save lives.

Cites

http://www.fema.gov/

https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy

http://www.nifc.gov/

http://www.firewise.org/Communities/USA-Recognition-Program/Talking-to-your-neighbors-about-Firewise.aspx

Mass Movements- Avalanches

Did you know that an avalanche can travel up to 80 miles per hour within five seconds? An avalanche is a rapid flow of snow that moves down a hill or a mountain. These incidents are usually triggered when a person’s body weight providing just enough extra stress to collapse the weaker layer below, or from a prior snow storm that has left over a foot of snow and the snow is too heavy for the section and eventually collapses. Avalanches are responsible for over 150 deaths a year. Mass movements such as avalanches are unpredictable and hard to dodge once there in the pathway of any individual. States such as Colorado, California, Wyoming, and Washington experience deadly avalanches in the mountain areas or even popular ski resorts.

Although, Colorado is one of the most popular tourist states to go skiing, hiking, snowboarding, or even possible retirement for many, one still has to take safety precautions when visiting or living in this area. Building a resilient community in these areas will only promote continued visits and deter any future fatalities.



Safety Tips for Possible Avalanche Rescue 

· Evaluate the avalanche hazard conditions before attempting a rescue.

· Extremely steep slopes particularly in shaded areas near a ridge are also risky.

· Always travel with a partner

· Wear an avalanche rescue beacon that can signal your exact location in case you are lost. (Always have extra batteries and ensure that you have signal strength)

· Carry a small shovel and a long probe to locate a person who may have become buried.

· If caught in a slide, try to get off the slab or grab a tree.

· If swept away, swim to the surface.

If you’re caught in an avalanche, try to: 

· Draw as much attention to yourself as you can.

· React fast, attempt to ride out of the slide.

· If you lose control, separate yourself from your snowmobile, skis or any other equipment.

· FIGHT HARD with swimming motions, trying to stay on top of the snow.

· Control your breathing to conserve your oxygen, relax because once snow settles on top it eventually turns into concrete.


Following these steps can save lives or even your life. 

Below you can find a video of an actual avalanche and its great speed and tenacity. Enjoy!!!

http://youtu.be/3HxxzfUfFGk

Cites

http://environment.nationalgeographic.com/environment/natural-disasters/avalanche-profile/

http://www.pto.hu/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/lavina.jpg

Who Moved The Plate?

Who moved the plate? I’m sure that was a question that Alfred Wegener asked himself plenty of time while attempting to prove his Continental Drift theory. Well let’s determine why the plates move? Tectonic plates move because of the convection currents of the Earth, which are caused by heat cycles in the mantle, the fluid layer beneath the Earth's crust. At the bottom of the mantle, the fluid gets extremely hot due to its proximity to the core. The hot liquid rises to the top of the mantle, where it then cools. Once it cools, it returns to the bottom, completing the cycle. This movement creates what is known as convection currents, which causes the tectonic plates to move. (Oracle ThinkQuest-Plate Tectonics). When the plates run, collide, or separate due to the release of stress can cause earthquakes to occur with variable size magnitudes. Volcanoes are also a result of tectonic plates moving. When the oceanic plate and a continental plate push together and down it melts and forms the magma. Once the magma rises it pushes out the continental plate and this is how a volcano is formed. 

California alone has suffered from earthquake destruction, but how does one prepare and build a resilient community when the entire state is sitting on two different tectonic plates, and a giant fault line spread along the southern coastline.

Steps to building a resilient community in an earthquake prone area

1.      Research and Study your area-Determine what type of seismic zone you live in according to past movement or from current monitors

2.      Avoid living in areas that are Earthquake prone

3.      Build infrastructures sturdy and follow building codes that are related to these type of tectonic disasters-Ensure that foundation is anchored to the house

4.      Move water and gas lines out of harm way, a person may want to switch over to flexible pipe in order to prevent possible fires-Profession Assistance only

5.      Brace items in house down to avoid movement

6.      Find a safe spot in an area under a sturdy table or next to an inside wall

7.      Hold Earthquake drills with your family and community

Volcanoes in the United States are limited to places such as Alaska, Hawaii, and along the Pacific Northwest area. Volcanoes are known to have between a 20 to 100 mile radius or more of lava flow after an eruption. Communities in these areas should also prepare for this type of tectonic disasters.

Steps to building a resilient community in a volcano prone area

1.      Research and Study your area- Avoid living in areas that are Volcano prone

2.      Know safety areas in your community that you could report to in case an eruption does occur.

3.      Build a supply kit that includes non-perishable food, water, a battery-powered or hand-   crank radio, extra flashlights, batteries, goggles, and gas mask.- IF, you have to evacuate please have this stuff located in your automobile.

4.      Be aware of mudflows, river valleys, and low-lying areas.

5.      Remember to assist your neighbors who are elderly, children, handicap to safety if needed.

Following these safety measures and sharing them with your community, family, and friends could save lives. LIVE RESILIENT!!!

Works Cited

FEMA. (n.d.). Retrieved from FEMA: http://www.ready.gov/volcanoes

Oracle ThinkQuest-Plate Tectonics. (n.d.). Retrieved from Oracle ThinkQuest: http://library.thinkquest.org/03oct/00758/text-only/disaster/earthquake/tectonics.html

Image:http://skywalker.cochise.edu/wellerr/students/earthquakes4/project_files/image008.jpg

Thunderstorms in Thunder Valley

            Okay, let’s not fool ourselves too quickly and think that Kevin Durant, and the rest of the Oklahoma City Thunder players could possibly be the driving force behind the thunderstorms here in Oklahoma City. Did you know that 10% of the estimated 100,000 thunderstorms a year become severe, but the 10% accounts for most of the loss of life and property damage. (News9).  The loss of life and property damage is usually resulted from the floods, hailstorms, lightening, or strong winds that are associated with the thunderstorms. Although, many Oklahoma natives are familiar with these types of weather related incidents; many don’t know what precautions to take when these events do occur. On May 16, 2010, Oklahoma City and other surrounding counties encountered a massive hail storm that produced baseball sized hail. Wow and YES, baseball size hail at a wind speed of 60 mph. This hailstorm damaged three windows in my house and damaged my roof, but I noticed every car on my street that was not parked in a garage suffered from a broken windows or hail damage. About 90% of my neighbors were affected by this ravaging storm, and thankfully I reside in a resilient community so it wasn't a surprising sight to see neighbors picking broken tree limbs off of cars, the street, and even snapping pictures of damaged items for other individuals. This particular hailstorm was a result of a “Supercell” thunderstorm. A supercell thunderstorm is better defined as a rotating updraft characterized by a mesocyclone. Supercells are less likely to appear, but produce some of the most disastrous events such as hail storms and tornado's  Most thunderstorms don’t last any longer than 30 minutes, but supercell thunderstorms can last for hours.

This is why I am an advocate for communities to promote and become resilient. At times these events can be unforeseen as well as unpredictable. Too build a resilient community, preparation guidelines and support groups should be developed to ensure safety within the community.

Precautionary measures for staying safe during a thunderstorm:

Indoor                                                                                                                                                               1. Take Shelter-It’s better to be inside than outside.

      2. Tune into your local new station via battery operated radio or television  

      3.  Avoid using any equipment that is electrical

      4..Avoid water-Do not take baths or showers-Water conducts electricity

      5. Close blinds or curtains-This will keep glass from shattering in case the window breaks

      

Outdoor

1.      If you are outdoor attempt to find indoor shelter

2.      If you can’t find anywhere to shelter stay low to the ground as you can-Do not lie flat on the ground

3.      Avoid power lines, tall trees, or anything metal

4.      Avoid bodies of Water (Lakes, Rivers, etc..)

Vehicle

1.      Pull over to the side of the road if driving

2.      Turn on emergency blinkers

3.      Watch for flooding. If flooding does occur evacuate vehicle and find higher ground

4.      Don’t touch metal objects in the vehicle

Using and sharing these tips will ensure safety and loss prevention within your home and build resilience in your community. Act fast and stay prepared.

Works Cited

News9. (n.d.). Thunderstorms. Retrieved from News9.com: http://www.news9.com/story/7524248/what-to-do-in-a-thunderstorm

http://www.nilesema.com/stormtips.htm