When is fire season

We welcome republication of our content. Please credit the Center for Disaster Philanthropy. Source: Forest Service NW via Twitter Overview Unlike hurricane seasons or monsoons, there is no single prescribed date for the start of the North American wildfire season. Impact Though we would have liked to, we were not able to share information on every fire across the continent.

As of Nov. Ongoing Needs There are several areas of ongoing support that are needed in the response and recovery phases. Funders should also consider the following options to support fire-impacted communities now and to reduce the impact of future fires: Award loans and grants for rebuilding damaged homes and businesses.

That amount may not cover what is needed, and monies allocated may be slow to arrive. Support local agencies on the ground throughout the disaster life cycle, especially those working with marginalized communities. Those in already precarious situations — such as the elderly, sick, undocumented and mixed-status families, and people living in poverty — may find their circumstances worsened in the face of disaster.

Fund drought mitigation efforts. These may focus on sustainable agriculture, water conservation or even land use. Simple efforts such as clearing flammable materials from feet around the house may help prevent property damage. Fires can also be started by misuse of equipment, such as grills, that can be averted with proper knowledge.

Assist businesses in developing business continuity and disaster recovery plans to reduce economic impact. These plans should include contingencies for displaced workers, back up of data and alternate facilities for continuing operations in the event of property damage.

Added to all this were policies that encouraged aggressive fire suppression for more than a century. These policies had the effect of allowing fuels to accumulate, leading fires to grow in size and intensity. All these conditions are making wildfires harder to control and allowing forests to hold fire longer.

For years, agencies relied on seasonal firefighters for summer months, but now that wildfires are burning into the winter, they need to reevaluate their hiring plans.

Wildland firefighting agencies also need to evaluate the way they conduct training for year-round fire, as well as how to handle the inevitable workforce fatigue. Forest Service crews plan for wildfire year-round. They proactively pursue fuel reduction treatments like mechanical thinning and prescribed fires. When conditions are favorable, options such as these reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires.

Even in a year like this, which has been unusually wet and cool, fire managers see opportunities to prepare for wildfires. The Forest Service is committed to an all-lands response and works with state and local agencies in mutual aid and to reduce risk. Residents who live in fire-prone areas must also plan and live in fire adapted communities. Defensible space, structure hardening and family plans for a possible evacuation, including pets, should be part of living in the wildland-urban interface.

We are all aware that we have a crisis! Every small fire, that has been dealt with, that way, has NOT evolved into a major conflagration! No homes need to burn, and most should NOT been threatened. But I hate to say that we have NOT been using our resources! Everyone is talking about evacuations, thinning the forests, etc! How about talking and planning on meeting the crisis head on?? We'll be regularly updating the section below with resources on how to protect yourself, your family and your home if you live in a wildfire-prone area, as well as how to be more aware if you travel to an area prone to wildfires:.

There's a lot more to come to help guide your emergency planning and preparedness, so be on the lookout for new stories right here. In the meantime, keep an eye on InciWeb for current information on wildfires in the US. What to know about this year's raging wildfires The Dixie wildfire is the largest in the US so far in Megan Wollerton. It's wildfire season in the US.

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