Feds Say Southwest, Northwest Could See Catastrophic Fires

ABC News ^ | June 9, 2015 | By DAN ELLIOTT

[Signalman]

The operative word being “could”.

[Billthedrill]

Until this week it’s been a record wet spring in northern Idaho, which means that the grass has grown very high very early. The concern is that once it dries out - it really hasn’t yet, maybe by July - once it dries out the fuel will be there in abundance. It’s one of those two-edged swords: after a dry winter and low snow-pack we’re grateful for the rain, but look out come August.

[Rio]

They’re obviously trying to propagate fear throughout the region. In Southern Oregon, we’ve just ended two weeks of nice rainfall. Forest Service came out with a statement threatening that the extra rain only made the underbrush grow more, leading to even GREATER fire risk.

So no rain ==> fire risk
rain ==> fire risk.

fearmongers.

[George from New England]

True ... if Obama’s ISIS buddies commit arson left and right.

[familyop]

That’s true. I also knew of a homeowners’ association that had a covenant against cutting any trees larger than a few inches in diameter.

[17th Miss Regt]

This drought has occurred on Obama’s watch. I blame him squarely for the drought and resulting fires.

[sten]

illegals and the terrorists that come in with them do tend to be a bit careless with fire

thanks 0bama

[dfwgator]

[R_Kangel]

"Feds Say Southwest, Northwest Could See Catastrophic Fires..."

..... Sadly .... I believe they may be absolutely correct on this one ..... Since this is a regular and standard occurrence every year. Straw Dogs are abounding everywhere.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

There was an excellent article in Fine Homebuilding a decade ago on how to make a house fire resistant. The article drew upon building techniques that proved themselves in the 1993 Laguna Hills fire in Southern California. Many of the methods involve eliminating exposed wood with one-inch stucco layers (even on the bottom of decks and eaves/soffits) and sealing up most air vents.

I remember the print edition had a photo of the Bender family’s “miracle house” which built with these techniques. It was the sole standing structure among neighboring houses that were burnt to the ground. It was a remarkable photo and testimony to the concepts.

See http://www.finehomebuilding.com/how-to/articles/fire-resistant-details.aspx

[ProtectOurFreedom]

[DB]

Thank you.

The type of draperies/window shades used inside actually matters a lot too. When trees and/or buildings are on fire nearby they generate a large amount of radiated heat. In this type situation the heat passes through the glass windows and heats what’s inside. Some materials can burst into flames on the inside of the house before anything actually catches fire outside the house. The house burns from the inside out.

Another bad thing is vinyl/PVC windows. The PVC heats, gets soft and the glass falls out... Then there’s a large gaping hole for embers to blow into...

[ProtectOurFreedom]

That’s exactly what the linked article says — the fires start on the inside due to the radiant heat. Also, the huge local winds created by the fire and differential pressures cause the fire and embers to be sucked into the house through open vents. Encasing the structure in one inch of cement helps a lot.