America offers support to Canada amid wildfires

by AmericasFeatured NewsWildland Fire

In a recent call with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, US President Joe Biden extended further assistance to address the historic wildfires that are ravaging parts of Canada, as vast metropolitan areas in both countries have been shrouded in an orange haze.

The US President has ordered his team to dispatch all obtainable Federal firefighting assets, aiming to promptly aid in curbing the fires that are adversely impacting both Canadian and American communities.

This move is part of an ongoing effort by the United States to support its northern neighbour in battling these devastating fires. According to information provided during the call, the U.S. has already deployed over 600 American firefighters, support personnel, and other firefighting assets to aid in the Canadian crisis.

Continuing cooperation

The two leaders also discussed about fortifying ongoing cooperation to not only prevent such wildfires but also tackle the health repercussions these fires impose on the affected communities. In light of the persisting challenges, President Biden and Prime Minister Trudeau have pledged to maintain close communication about the emerging needs and response strategies.

The escalating wildfires, deemed both devastating and historically significant, have brought forth renewed cooperation between the two nations as they work jointly to protect communities and landscapes. The shared commitment illustrates a strengthening of ties between the US and Canada, as both countries face a common environmental adversary.

IFSJ Comment

The call underscores the crucial role that international collaboration plays in addressing larger scale environmental crises. As the situation unfolds, both countries continue to demonstrate their resilience and shared dedication to overcoming this environmental challenge.

The far-reaching impact of wildfire smoke

by AmericasAmericas - Breaking NewsBreaking NewsWildland Fire

As parts of the world are experiencing the impact of wildfire smoke first-hand, tens of millions of people in North America have been forced to confront dangerous air quality levels. The cause? Intense wildfires ravaging across Canada, particularly Quebec, where 160 fires are actively burning.

As forests burn, large volumes of smoke are released into the atmosphere, impacting air quality locally and often hundreds, even thousands, of miles away. From Toronto to New York, vast metropolitan areas have been shrouded in an ominous orange haze, briefly earning them the dubious distinction of having the worst air quality worldwide.

So what are the mechanisms behind smoke dispersion and the implications for air quality and human health?

How does wildfire smoke spread?

Smoke from wildfires consists of a mixture of gases and microscopic particles produced when organic matter burns. The spread of smoke is primarily dictated by weather patterns and atmospheric conditions.

When wildfires ignite, smoke is released and can ascend to high altitudes due to the heat of the fires. This smoke can then travel great distances, carried by wind currents. It’s not uncommon for wildfire smoke to cross state lines, oceans, and even continents. For instance, smoke from the 2020 US West Coast wildfires was observed over Northern Europe, illustrating the transcontinental reach of such events.

Smoke composition and its effects on air quality

Wildfire smoke is composed of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, water vapor, and particulate matter. Of these, particulate matter—specifically PM2.5, or particles with diameters that are 2.5 micrometres and smaller—is the greatest concern for air quality and health. PM2.5 particles are small enough to be inhaled into the deepest parts of the lungs and even into the bloodstream, causing various health problems.

High concentrations of these particles significantly degrade air quality, creating hazy conditions and reducing visibility. This can result in an Air Quality Index (AQI) that exceeds safe levels for humans and animals.

Impact on human health

Exposure to wildfire smoke can lead to a range of health effects, some immediate and others potentially long-term. These can range from minor symptoms like coughing and difficulty breathing, to more severe issues such as exacerbating chronic heart and lung diseases. People with asthma or other respiratory conditions, the elderly, and children are particularly vulnerable.

How far can wildfire smoke travel?

The extent of smoke dispersion is dependent on the size of the fire and prevailing weather patterns. In some instances, smoke from severe wildfires in western North America has been reported to affect air quality on the East Coast. In 2019, smoke from Australian bushfires circumnavigated the globe, returning to its origin – a clear demonstration of the far-reaching effects of these fires.

Mitigating the impact

As our climate changes and the incidence of large-scale wildfires potentially increases, understanding and mitigating the impact of wildfire smoke becomes crucial. Measures include improving forecasting of smoke spread, raising public awareness of the health risks, and implementing strategies to reduce the incidence and severity of wildfires.

Furthermore, individuals can take action by staying informed about the AQI in their area, especially during wildfire season, and taking necessary precautions like staying indoors and using air purifiers during periods of poor air quality.

IFSJ comment

The smoke from wildfires can have a profound and far-reaching impact on air quality, traveling great distances and impacting the health of people far removed from the fires themselves. As we grapple with the reality of an ever-changing climate, it becomes increasingly necessary to understand and address this smoky consequence of wildfires.

Scottish wildfire seen from space sends stark warning says union

by Featured NewsWildland Fire

Firefighters in Scotland battle a severe wildfire near Cannich, south of Inverness, last week sparking a call for urgent action from the Fire Brigades Union.

The blaze, extending across 7,400 hectares, has produced a plume of smoke so extensive that NASA was able to capture the images from space. Two firefighters sustained injuries amidst the firefight but have since been discharged from the hospital.

Given the vast terrain, physically challenging conditions, and the need to transport equipment manually under intense heat, wildfires demand a significant firefighting force for response. However, the past decade of budget cuts has left fire and rescue services grappling for resources, while climate-related incidents have become more frequent and severe.

Notably, temperatures in parts of the UK topped 40 degrees centigrade for the first time in recorded history in July 2022, escalating wildfire risks. Furthermore, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service announced additional cuts last week, which will lead to the loss of ten fire appliances, thereby reducing fire cover and impinging on firefighters’ capacity to respond to incidents.

Since 2010, the UK has seen a reduction of 11,500 firefighters, with Scotland alone losing 1,100 firefighters since 2013.

The real dangers of the climate emergency

Matt Wrack, General Secretary of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), underscored the dire situation by pointing out that the recent blaze is “believed to be one of the biggest wildfires in UK history and which can be seen from space.”

Referring to the firefighters injured during the operation, Wrack emphasised the “real dangers of the climate emergency.” He warned that wildfires, like the one currently burning in Cannich, are on a rising trajectory year by year. He urged: “All governments must heed this stark warning,” and called for “urgent climate action to prevent loss of life,” alongside a significant investment in fire services.

Wildfire warning expanded throughout Scotland as highland blaze rages on

by Featured NewsWildland Fire

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) continues its tireless efforts to extinguish a large-scale Highland wildfire, measuring approximately 8km x 8km, near Cannich. This ongoing effort marks the fourth day of firefighting, with crews first alerted on Sunday, 28 May, at 12.46pm. The same area had been previously attended by firefighters on four separate occasions since Tuesday, 23 May.

In response to the continued warm weather forecast, a ‘very high’ wildfire warning that commenced on Friday, 26 May, has now been extended to Monday, 5 June. The warning covers the majority of East, Central, and Southern Scotland, raising concerns over the potential escalation of wildfire incidents.

Two firefighters were injured during the ongoing operation when an all-terrain vehicle accident occurred. Both firefighters were promptly air-lifted to a hospital and have now been discharged. An investigation into the incident is currently underway.

At the peak of the operation, nine firefighting appliances were mobilised along with a helicopter to water bomb the affected area. As of Wednesday, 31 May, four appliances and specialist resources remain at the scene.

With safety as a primary concern, the public is requested to avoid dog-walking near helicopter operations, and to keep their windows and doors closed. The firefighters further appeal to the public to exercise caution when outdoors during the extended wildfire warning period. Adherence to the countryside code is strongly encouraged.

The risk of wildfire

SFRS Group Commander Niall MacLennan emphasised the severe threat posed by such wildfires: “As the warm and dry weather continues, so too does the risk of wildfire. The ongoing incident at Cannich shows just how large these fires can become.”

MacLennan further elaborated on the wildfire’s potential origins: “A mixture of seasonal weather conditions combined with very dry and dead vegetation means there is a heightened risk of fires, which can be started by the careless disposal of cigarettes as well as barbecues or campfires left unattended.”

Highlighting the impact of these incidents on the local communities, MacLennan added: “Many of our rural and remote communities are hugely impacted by these incidents, which can cause significant environmental and economic damage.”

In terms of the ongoing firefighting efforts at Cannich, MacLennan concluded: “Cannich has been a challenging incident and our crews are working tirelessly to tackle the fire and stop further spread. Extinguishing a fire on this scale requires a large amount of resources, including the use of helicopters to bolster our response. We will remain on scene until we make the area safe.”

California to benefit from $1.4 million wildfire safety grant program

by AmericasFeatured NewsWildland Fire

A fresh chapter of collaboration was inaugurated between Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and the California Fire Foundation (CFF), with the announcement of new grant offerings for organisations and fire departments based in California, dedicated to wildfire safety and emergency readiness.

The deadline for application submission via the CFF online portal is June 30, 2023, with grant awardees slated to receive notification from July 31, 2023.

PG&E, in association with The PG&E Corporation Foundation, is channelling a cumulative sum of $1.4 million towards CFF’s Wildfire Safety and Preparedness Program (WSPP).

For the sixth year in a row, this joint venture aims to augment public understanding of wildfire safety while providing vital resources to underprivileged communities situated in high fire-risk zones. In its previous iteration, the grant initiative bestowed a total of $730,000 upon 66 community associations and local fire departments.

Ever since its inception in 2018, CFF, as the administrator and manager of the WSPP, has granted 265 grants to diverse community bodies and fire departments across California, laying special emphasis on the Northern and Central regions. The funding primarily targets communities deemed to be at high risk of severe wildfires, as recognised by the California Public Utilities Commission.

Enhancing public safety

Reflecting on the recent weather conditions, Rick Martinez, Executive Director of the California Fire Foundation, commented: “While the unprecedented storms of this past winter helped lift the majority of California out of the decades-long drought, the unfortunate flip side is the increased potential for a later but more robust wildfire season.”

He continued: “The Wildfire Safety and Preparedness Program is a partnership with PG&E that was created to address the increasing wildfire risk. Our collaboration over the last six years has played an important role in helping local communities mitigate their wildfire risks and enhance the public’s safety.”

Emphasising the shared objectives of the CFF and PG&E, Mark Quinlan, PG&E’s Senior Vice President of Wildfire & Emergency Operations, said: “PG&E and the California Fire Foundation share the same goal of ensuring that our hometowns are doing everything possible to prevent wildfires from starting.

“Local fire departments, agencies and community groups play such a key role in prioritising and executing the projects that protect communities and in raising awareness about wildfire safety. We’re grateful for our ongoing partnership with the CFF as it provides real-time benefits such as defensible space and fuel-reduction programs as well as crucial awareness to customers in underserved communities.”

What is the funding going towards?

In the period from 2018 to date, PG&E and the PG&E Foundation have committed a substantial total of $7.4 million to support fire safety awareness via the WSPP. This philanthropic contribution is funded by shareholders, without impacting PG&E customers.

The WSPP’s extensive reach since 2018 has enabled funding for:

  • Specialised fire equipment and personal protective gear
  • Efforts towards defensible space and vegetation management
  • Fuel and hazard mitigation programs
  • Fire prevention and emergency readiness education, including programs targeted at senior citizens
  • Fire safety awareness campaigns, inclusive of 12,000 multilingual pamphlets aimed at underserved communities in English, Spanish, Chinese, Hmong, and Vietnamese
  • Collaborative partnerships with community organisations in high fire-risk areas for the distribution of fire safety material.

The program further focuses on developing and circulating fire-safety messages in languages that include Spanish, Chinese, Hmong, and Vietnamese, encapsulating comprehensive media campaigns utilising outdoor billboards and in-language television, radio, and digital advertisements.

About the California Fire Foundation

The California Fire Foundation, a nonprofit organisation, extends support to firefighters, their families, and the communities they protect. The Firefighters on Your Side program by CFF, which is backed by PG&E, delivers multilingual and culturally pertinent fire safety messages in digital and print formats, thereby helping to ensure public safety.

About PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a branch of the PG&E Corporation, is a combined natural gas and electric utility that serves over 16 million individuals across a 70,000 square mile area in Northern and Central California.

Wildfire resiliency bolstered in Colorado with historic new law

by AmericasAmericas - Breaking NewsFeatured NewsWildland Fire

In a progressive move hailed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Colorado has launched a ground-breaking law, SB23-166, instituting the Wildfire Resiliency Code Board. The board will bolster building codes and strengthen protections against the ever-present wildfire threats in Colorado’s wildland-urban interface regions.

Jim Pauley, President and CEO of the NFPA, lauded the enactment, stating: “This is a tremendous step forward for expanding wildfire mitigation in Colorado and recognizes the need for policy action to better withstand the impact of wildfires.” Pauley added, “Signing SB23-166 into law reaffirms Colorado’s commitment to wildfire resiliency, safeguarding homes, and supporting firefighters in their response efforts. The NFPA commends Governor Polis, the Colorado House, and the Senate for their leadership in prioritizing the safety of residents, businesses, and properties.”

The urgency for the enactment of this law is underscored by Colorado’s recent wildfire history. The state has experienced four of its largest wildfires in just the last three years. Fires in 2020 and 2021 resulted in the obliteration of approximately 1,500 structures, tallying an estimated $3.3 billion in insured losses. The 2021 Marshall Fire tragically claimed two lives.

The newly adopted law represents a vital step toward mitigating wildfire risks to communities. The creation of the Wildfire Resiliency Board entrusts the body with the task of implementing statewide standards and developing solid wildfire mitigation strategies. This strategic plan will leverage the knowledge of key stakeholders to curb wildfire risks in Colorado’s diverse communities.

NFPA was a staunch supporter of SB23-166, providing expert input to the state fire commission’s Wildland Urban Interface subcommittee. The association’s experts offered valuable insights on the benefits of implementing statewide standards to regulate construction and land use in wildfire-prone areas.

Michele Steinberg, the Wildfire Division Director of the NFPA, spoke to the new law’s merits, saying: “By setting strong building codes and promoting resilience measures, this law ensures that at-risk homes and communities in Colorado are better prepared to withstand wildfires.” Steinberg also emphasised the law’s alignment with NFPA’s voluntary wildfire mitigation program, Firewise USA. She highlighted that Colorado currently has 200 active Firewise sites, representing 100,000 residents, making it the state with the third-highest number of participants nationwide.

Firewise US is a component of Outthink Wildfire, an NFPA policy initiative. The initiative urges all tiers of government to introduce major policy modifications to facilitate safer homes and businesses. This includes home enhancements and risk reduction, robust building and land use standards, and additional resources for wildland fuel management.

The new Colorado wildfire law’s implementation coincides with the availability of federal funding for hazard mitigation efforts. This support extends to technical assistance for implementing wildfire building codes and risk reduction strategies.

About the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

Established in 1896, the NFPA® is an independent, globally-recognsed, nonprofit organisation committed to eradicating death, injury, property, and economic loss due to fire, electrical, and associated hazards. With over 300 consensus codes and standards, NFPA disseminates information and knowledge through research, training, education, outreach, and advocacy, working alongside partners who are dedicated to furthering the NFPA mission. For more details, visit www.nfpa.org. All NFPA codes and standards can be freely accessed online at www.nfpa.org/freeaccess.

FEMA urges inclusive wildfire safety and prevention efforts

by AmericasFeatured NewsWildland Fire

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has urged everyone to participate in wildfire safety and prevention efforts in 2023, as the West experienced excessive growth of flash fuels, such as grasses, weeds, and bushes, due to an incredibly wet winter season.

Human-caused fires accounted for 87% of U.S. wildfires each year, and there was a potentially busier-than-normal fire season that threatened lives, property, watersheds, and ecosystems.

To promote wildfire prevention messaging, FEMA suggested fire and emergency services personnel start by identifying the leading cause of unwanted wildfire ignitions in their community and conduct a first round of outreach highlighting that risk. The US Fire Administration (USFA) provides free resources and tools, including social media cards and pictographs, to help with wildfire prevention outreach efforts.

The Agency said it is essential to make messages relevant and simple to understand, considering the audience’s abilities and needs, including cultural needs, and advised fire departments to use the media to amplify their outreach and hosted an open house to provide an opportunity for residents to ask firefighters questions.

FEMA also encouraged everyone to prevent wildfire arson by creating an arson tip line and developing fire-setting intervention programs for children in collaboration with social services agencies. Fire departments are promoting Arson Awareness Week this week (May 7-13, 2023) to foster understanding of, and prevent, youth fire-setting.

Through these efforts, FEMA aims to create a wildfire safety solution that everyone could contribute to, preventing unwanted wildfire ignitions and protecting communities, wildlife, and the environment from the devastating effects of wildfires.

21 dead in suspected arson wildfires in Russia

by Featured NewsWildland Fire

The death toll from wildfires raging in Russia’s Urals region has risen to 21, according to the state news agency TASS. Medical officials warn that the tally is likely to increase, with some of the fires suspected to have been caused by arson, according to Reuters.

The emergencies ministry in Kurgan region near the border with Kazakhstan has identified 46 suspects, including minors, and initiated seven criminal cases against alleged arsonists. However, the motives of the suspected arsonists remain unclear.

Wildfires have long been a problem in Russia’s forests and steppes during hotter months, but in recent years, they have grown in intensity. The 2021 fire season was Russia’s largest ever, with 18.8 million hectares of forest destroyed, according to Greenpeace Russia. Last year, wildfire smoke blew hundreds of miles to Moscow, choking city residents.

Fires began in late April in the Kurgan and neighbouring Tyumen regions. Russian Emergencies Minister Alexander Kurenkov flew to Kurgan on Monday as the blazes continued to spread.

Evacuations of residents are underway, and hundreds of homes have been razed. Officials said that firefighters are working to contain the fires, with footage showing them training their hoses on burning fields, and a plane scooping up water from a reservoir and releasing it over the fire.

Vadim Shumkov, governor of Kurgan region, announced on his Telegram channel that he was cancelling Tuesday’s planned Victory Day parade and fireworks display due to the fires, although concerts and other events would continue. Shumkov declared a state of emergency in the region on Monday.

The situation remains tense, with authorities and emergency services closely monitoring the fires and their impact on the local communities. The Russian government has assured the public that it will do everything possible to contain the wildfires and support those affected.

The sky is the limit: IFSJ speaks to the United Aerial Firefighters Association

by Breaking NewsWildland Fire

John Gould, CEO and President of 10 Tanker, gives the lowdown on the newly established United Aerial Firefighters Association (UAFA)

Tell me about yourself and your background in the fire industry?

I’ve been in aerial fire my entire adult life. I was in my teens when I was in my first Helitack crew. Five years after that I started smoke jumping with the Alaska Smoke Jumpers. In that capacity I got qualifications as an air tactical group supervisor.

Then I went into fire programme management with the Department of the Interior and worked for the National Interagency Fire Center for a number of years. In my last stint, I was the Director of Aviation for the Bureau of Land Management. Somewhere along the line I had met the people from 10 Tanker Air Carrier and they asked if I’d be interested in coming and working for them when I retired – and that’s what I did.

Six years ago I become CEO and President of 10 Tanker. I’ve been able to take all that fire and management experience I was fortunate enough to get working for the Federal Government in wildland fire and applied it here.

How was the United Aerial Firefighters Association (UAFA) formed?

The UAFA started as group of contractors working in the aerial firefighting industry who recognised that we all had the same needs and experience. We would go up the hill and talk about funding and talk about the future of the industry. We would always hear ‘that’s great, I know what your company thinks, but what does the industry think? What do the rest of you competitors think?’

We started talking about what we could do to solve that problem and become a voice for the industry – that’s what we’ve done. It is not just talking to congress, it is also talking to our customers, being able to speak to potential customers in other parts of the world – this business is expanding so quickly that I think a voice that is a voice of authority and experience is very helpful. That’s what started it and that’s how we got here.

Who is involved with the Association?

Every member on the board of directors was in on the initial discussions. We had a meeting around a year ago in San Diego where 10 people got together from around the industry. All the people in the board of directors was involved from the beginning.

We decided that there was an issue and we moved forward. We’ve had a series of meetings and lots of work between then and now to get to where we are today. I think it would be fair to say that everybody who is on the Board of Directors was equally involved in putting this together and making it work.

[Members include Gould, Vice President: Bart Brainerd from Firehawk Helicopters, Secretary/Treasurer Brett L’Esperance from Dauntless Air, Director Tim Sheehy from Bridger Aerospace, and Director Jennifer Draughon from Neptune Aviation Services

What would you say are the biggest issues and future challenges in aerial firefighting at the moment?

I think that here in North America there are a few things such as what is happening with wildfire today: how many people are impacted, how much wildfire is burning, how it impacts the air that we breath and the places that we live. We think that the structure of the industry is a relic of the 1960s when we didn’t have that big of a problem. Back then it was just a nuisance that came up in the summer, but those times have changes. We think there should be adequate funding to enable the agencies the fight these fire to have the resources they need to make it work.

Funding is an issue. We can talk to our legislators and say “This is a problem that’s grown exponentially and funding has stayed flat”. We see contracts being pushed down to the lowest priced technically acceptable aircraft. There are those of us in UAFA that invest tens of millions of dollars in our airplanes. We think there’s an advantage that the customer gets from safety and operational capability – it’s not always about lowest price acceptable. There’s room to make the contracting process better.

There’s also being able to provide expertise throughout the industry: we’ve been working in these siloes for so long that people oftentimes don’t know where to go and get the real answer they need be it for advice on tank size, operations helicopters or drone operations. We have expertise to offer. We believe that we are a repository for a lot of great fire expertise that has developed over the last 50 years. Our contractors have all been there. They understand fire.

Finally, I think that as a group we can respond to issues as they develop instead of let them meander around for a while and let them develop into bigger problems. These are some of the main things I think we can accomplish as we start. We are in our infancy right now, but we see the potential, we are just getting our feet on the ground and we hope that as we grow we will become a useful tool for the industry.

UK to trial new Emergency Alerts

by Featured NewsWildland Fire

The UK Wide Emergency Alert will be sent out on Sunday 23 April

Future alerts would be used to notify residents of issues such as wildfire or flooding

The UK government has released the text of the alert that will be sent out during the Emergency Alerts system test, set to take place on Sunday 23 April at 3pm. The test will see people receive a message on the home screen of their mobile phone, accompanied by a sound and vibration for up to ten seconds.

The message will read, “This is a test of Emergency Alerts, a new UK government service that will warn you if there’s a life-threatening emergency nearby. In a real emergency, follow the instructions in the alert to keep yourself and others safe. Visit gov.uk/alerts for more information. This is a test. You do not need to take any action.”

During the test, the public will not need to take any action, and the sound and vibration will stop automatically after ten seconds. People can simply swipe away the message or click ‘OK’ on their phone’s home screen and continue using their phone as normal.

The government has noted that Emergency Alerts work more effectively during a real emergency if people have previously received a test alert, so they know what an alert looks and sounds like.

Oliver Dowden MP, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, has stated that the Emergency Alerts system is a vital tool to keep the public safe in life-threatening emergencies. Emergency Alerts have already been used successfully in other countries, including the US, Canada, the Netherlands, and Japan, where it has been credited with saving lives during severe weather events.

In the UK, Emergency Alerts could be used to notify residents of villages being encroached by wildfires or of severe flooding.

Inconvenient but important

Chief Fire Officer Alex Woodman, Lead for Local Resilience Forums at the National Fire Chiefs Council, commented: We must use every tool at our disposal to keep people safe, and we need everyone to play their part – and the new Emergency Alerts system is one way we can do this. For 10 seconds, the national test may be inconvenient for some, but it’s important, because the next time you hear it – your life, and the life-saving actions of our emergency services, could depend on it.

The Government worked with the emergency services and partners, including the Football Association and London Marathon, to make sure the national test has minimum impact on major events taking place on the day.

At every stage, the Government has worked with organisations and charities who represent vulnerable groups to make sure they are not adversely affected. Women and girls who are subject to domestic abuse and have concealed phones can opt-out of the national test either by turning off Emergency Alerts in their phone settings or by switching their phone off.

Only sent when there is an immediate risk

The Government has worked with the transport sector and organisations such as Highways England to make sure drivers are aware of the alert and they follow the normal rules as when receiving any phone call or message; that they do not look or touch their phone until it is safe to do so.

Emergency Alerts will transform the UK’s warning and informing capability; by working with mobile broadcasting technology it will provide a means to get urgent messages quickly to nearly 90 percent of mobile phones in a defined area when there is a risk to life, and provide clear instructions about how best to respond.

The system will be used very rarely – only being sent where there is an immediate risk to people’s lives – so people may not receive an alert for months or years.