Have you noticed the the air sometimes is smokey? Have you noticed that there is a pale gray color in the sky? Have you smelt smoke and did not see any fire around? Possibly you are seeing and smelling the results of wildfires?
Air Quality Monitoring
I had heard about wildfires in other states, but never imagined that I would experience the results of nearby wildfires. One day I looked into the sky and it was not cloudy but a pale gray. Because of quality alerts on the weather report I realized that Michigan does not have the best air quality. I noticed that I smelt wood burning. It felt as if someone next door was burning the wood. I soon discovered this was the result of Canadian wildfires. You may think that you will never experience this, but wildfires are occurring all over the United States.
1. What Are Wildfires?
A wildfire is a fire that burns out of control in a natural area, like a forest,grassland, or prairie. This is talked about at EverReady/kids/disaster. They further add that wildfires can start from natural causes, such as lightning, but they are usually caused by humans, such as campers or hikers who did not put out their campfire properly.
2. Canadian Wildfires
According to CNN.com A recent outbreak of wildfire in Western Canada is again sending a plume of unhealthy smoke into the United States. They further add that wildfire smoke contains tiny pollutants known as particle matter, or pollutant matter 2.5, that can get into the lungs and bloodstream once inhaled. I can attest to the smoke in Michigan air. We have been receiving alerts several days a week. This is a time that I tend to not stay out in the air because of it. For those workers that work outside I can’t imagine how they are feeling about this. Who would have thought 100 years ago that we would not have fresh air because of wildfires?
3. 40 Year Fire
Did you know that in the Turkmenistan desert, a crater dubbed “The Door to Hell” has been burning for decades. This is according to smithsonianmag.com.
4. California’s Wildfires are Getting Worse
Human sources are responsible for more than 90% of ignitions, as development in fire-prone areas increases wildfire risk according to newsroom.ucla.edu. They further add that climate change is an overachieving force that affects all areas, it increases what is known as the vapor pressure deficit. Looks as though California and several other states do not have the best air quality.
5. The New Abnormal
Many people have been exposed to bad air including myself. According to apnews.com this is a new abnormal; If there is a continuous of of warming ET, we don’t settle into some new state. Instead it continues to get worse.
6. Air Quality
Wildfire smoke can interfere with the best air quality causing asthma attacks, fast heartbeat, shortness of breath, stinging eyes, a scratchy throat and it can worsen chronic lung and heart disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
7. What States Have Current Wildfires
Did you know that the following 13 states currently have wildfires burning?
Florida #6 fires, Oregon #17 fires, Washington #55 fires, Arizona #16 fires, New Mexico #9 fires, Colorado #6 fires, Idaho #7 fires, Montana#7 fires, Mississippi 3 fires, and Utah 3 fires. That is according to the Fireweatheravalanch.org. Now 13 states is a lot considering that smoke travels through the air. Consider the amount of smoke traveling across the United States.
8. What Can You Do to Prevent Wildfires
To help with the best air quality, you can help prevent wildfires by checking weather and drought conditions, building your campfire in an open location and far from flammables, douse your campfire until it’s cold, keep vehicles off dry grass, regularly maintain your equipment and vehicle, practice vehicle safety, check your tires, bearing and axles on your trailer, keep sparks away from dry vegetation, check conditions and regulations before you use fireworks or consider safe alternatives, and cautiously burn debris and never when it’s windy or restricted. This is all talked about at doi.gov/blog.
9. How to Stay Safe and Prepare for a Wildfire
Hopefully you will never be in or near a wildfire. You can be sure that you have an emergency kit in case you have to evacuate, develop a fire escape plan and practice with your family regularly, keep fire extinguishers, buckets, shovels, ladders, and lengths of hose handy at home, have at least two ground-floor escape exits, install smoke detectors or alarms and test them monthly, have reliable telephones or two-way radios and keep the local number for reporting fires handy, pay attention to local air quality reports, when smoke levels are high do not burn candles, fireplaces, or gas stoves, do not vacuum because vacumming stirs up particles already inside your home, follow your doctors advice about your medicines regarding your respiratory management, and an N95 mask properly worn, will offer some protection according to michigan.gov. Have you ever had to evacuate because of a wildfire? I just can’t imagine having to leave my house because of this.
10. What Technology is Used to predict wildfires?
Did you know that AI is being used for wildfire prevention, detection, and response management. AI-powered cameras can scan images to detect possible smoke or fire signs better than the human eye? That is according to wfca.com. The further add that Satellites, drones, and robots are helpful in managing wildfires. Robots can directly fight fires in ways that would put human lives at risk, because robots have heat-sensing cameras or on-board suppressants and water, can carry heavy equipment, or help evacuate people without risking firefighter safety.
Sources:
This Hellish Desert Pit Has been On Fire for More Than 50 Years
Why are California’s wildfires getting worse? Experts explain what we know
Climate change keeps making wildfires and smoke worse. Scientists call it the “new abnormal”
Current Wildfires Burning in the United States
What Technology is Used to Predict Wildfires?
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Yes we have lots and lots of wildfires here in Canada. At one point more than 500 in Canada, but happy to say that today when we checked its less than 400. Although its still huge, its way better than about a week or two ago.
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