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Social Media: Wildfire
#WeatherReady #SummerSafety #WildfireSafety

 

Please help the National Weather Service spread these important safety messages on social media! Everyone is welcome to use the text and images provided below to help the NWS build a Weather-Ready Nation.

What Causes Wildfires to Spread?

Facebook
What causes wildfires to spread? The main culprits are dry vegetation, strong winds, high temperatures, and drought conditions. To stay #WeatherReady and protect yourself from wildfires, visit weather.gov/wildfire #WildfireScience

Twitter
What causes wildfires to spread? The main culprits are dry vegetation, strong winds, high temperatures, and drought conditions. To stay #WeatherReady and protect yourself from wildfires, visit weather.gov/wildfire #WildfireScience

What Causes Wildfires to Spread? Dry vegetation. Strong winds. High temperatures.

 

Wildfire Safety Tips (Video)

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Wildfires killed an estimated 90+ people in the U.S. in 2018. Do you know the basics of #WildfireSafety? Stay #WeatherReady by watching this short video: https://youtu.be/OGiRja2EZJ8

Twitter
Wildfires killed an estimated 90+ people in the U.S. in 2018. Do you know the basics of #WildfireSafety? Stay #WeatherReady by watching this short video: https://youtu.be/OGiRja2EZJ8

 

Wildfire Statistics

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In 2018, wildfires burned over 8 million acres, destroyed over 25,000 structures, and were responsible for over 90 deaths (estimated). Let’s do our part to keep this year’s totals well below those numbers. weather.gov/safety/wildfire-ready #WildfireSafety

Twitter
In 2018, wildfires burned over 8 million acres, destroyed over 25,000 structures, and were responsible for over 90 deaths (estimated). weather.gov/safety/wildfire-ready #WildfireSafety

Wildfire Statistics

 

Speed of Wildfires

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There are a lot of factors that determine the speed of wildfires. Check out the infographic below to learn a little #WildfireScience, and visit weather.gov/safety/wildfire for the latest safety tips.

Twitter
There are a lot of factors that determine the speed of wildfires. Check out the infographic below to learn a little #WildfireScience, and visit weather.gov/safety/wildfire for the latest safety tips.

The Speed of Wildfires:
Weather Conditions
Wind speed has a huge effect on fire intensity and how fast fires travel. Wind pushes the flame forward and closer to the unburned fuel in front of the fire. Temperature, humidity, and precipitation are also important due to their strong influence on fuel moisture content.

Spotting
Wind and thermals can carry sparks and firebrands downwind of fires, greatly increasing spread rates.

Fuel Type
The type of vegetation along with the fuel moisture content, physical properties, and chemical properties play a role in fire behavior and how fast fires spread.

Topography
Slope steepness affects fire behavior in a similar way as wind by changing the flame angle. Elevation and aspect are also important in determining how fires spread.

 

Smoke Safety - Health

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Wildfire smoke can harm you in multiple ways. Smoke can hurt your eyes, irritate your respiratory system, and worsen chronic heart and lung diseases. Learn how you can protect your health and be safe if you are exposed to wildfire smoke. http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/wildfires/smoke.asp #WildfireSafety

Twitter
Learn how to protect yourself from wildfire smoke. http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/wildfires/smoke.asp #WildfireSafety

Wildfires are a health risk. Smoke from wildfires can: ...sting your eyes ...irritate your respiratory system ...worsen chronic heart disease

 

Smoke Safety - Dust Masks

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During a wildfire, dust masks aren’t enough! They won’t protect you from the fine particles in wildfire smoke. It is best to stay indoors, keeping windows and doors closed. If you’re running an air conditioner, keep the fresh-air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent outdoor smoke from getting inside. airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=smoke.index #WildfireSafety

Twitter
Dust Masks aren’t enough to protect you from the wildfire smoke particles. airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=smoke.index #WildfireSafety

Dust masks will not protect you during a wildfire. If possible, stay indoors and keep windows closed.

 

Smoke Safety - Cities

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Wildfire smoke is a mix of gases and fine particles from burning vegetation and other materials. It can travel hundreds of miles and cause health concerns. Learn how to drive safely if smoke is affecting visibility in your area: http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/wildfires/smoke.asp #WildfireSafety

Twitter
Wildfire smoke can travel 100s of miles and affect cities. Learn how to drive safely if smoke is affecting visibility in your area: http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/wildfires/smoke.asp #WildfireSafety

Smoke from wildfires can impact cities

 

Wildfire Partners

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NOAA's National Weather Service works with federal and state wildland managers to protect lives and property in and around America's wildlands. A visit to our Wildfire Safety site will help you prepare, be aware and act early if a wildfire comes your way. weather.gov/wildfire #WildfireSafety

Twitter
Prepare, be aware and act early if a wildfire comes your way. weather.gov/wildfire #WildfireSafety

Wildfire Safety: It's a team effort.

 

Drones Near Wildfires

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If you fly, we can’t! Drones near wildfires are not safe. Only authorized aircraft are permitted near wildfires. Let wildland firefighters do their job to keep the public safe. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06pz4GW7mY0 #WildfireSafety

Twitter
If you fly, we can’t! Drones near wildfires are not safe. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06pz4GW7mY0 #WildfireSafety

If you fly, we can't. Drones near wildfires are not safe!

 

Red Flag Warning

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The NWS issues a Red Flag Warning, in conjunction with land management agencies, to alert land managers to an ongoing or imminent critical fire weather pattern. If a Red Flag Warning is issued, it means critical fire conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. For more information, visit weather.gov/safety/wildfire-ww #WildfireSafety

Twitter
Understand Fire Weather Watches and Warnings by visiting weather.gov/safety/wildfire-ww #WildfireSafety

Red Flag Warning: Be extremely careful with open flames. The NWS issues a Red Flag Warning, in conjunction with land management agencies, to alert land managers to an ongoing or imminent critical fire weather pattern. Critical fire conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly.  Be extremely careful with open flames.

 

Red Flag Warning vs. Fire Weather Watch

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A Red Flag Warning means TAKE ACTION, critical fire conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly. A Fire Weather Watch means BE PREPARED, critical fire weather conditions are expected possible but not imminent or occurring. Learn more at weather.gov/safety/wildfire-ww #Wildfire Safety

Twitter
Know the difference between a Red Flag Warning and Fire Weather Watch. weather.gov/safety/wildfire-ww #WildfireSafety

Red Flag Warning: The NWS issues a Red Flag Warning, in conjunction with land management agencies, to alert land managers to an ongoing or imminent critical fire weather pattern. Critical fire conditions are either occurring now, or will shortly.  Be extremely careful with open flames.
Fire Weather Watch: A Fire Weather alerts land managers that upcoming weather conditions could result in extensive wildland fire occurence or extreme fire behavior. A watch means critical fire weather conditions are possible but not imminent or occurring.

 

IMET Article

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Did you know that National Weather Service meteorologists work on-scene at large wildfires? These Incident Meteorologists (IMETs) go through extensive training and work in challenging conditions to support wildland firefighting and containment operations. Learn what it’s like for an IMET working a wildfire: weather.gov/news/imet-article #WildfireSafety

Twitter
Did you know that @NWS Meteorologists work on-scene at large wildfires? weather.gov/news/imet-article #WildfireSafety

Pictured: IMETs at work inside at their desks, and outside near dangerous wildfire situations.

 

Create a Communications Plan

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Your family may not be together when a disaster strikes, so it is important to plan in advance: how will you get to a safe place; how you will contact one another; how and where you will meet; and what will you do in different situations. Create a Family Communications Plan. ready.gov/make-a-plan #WildfireSafety

Twitter
Your family may not be together when a disaster strikes. Make a plan ready.gov/make-a-plan #WildfireSafety

Pictured: Sample Family Communication Plan sheet that can be printed out and filled in with emergency contact phone numbers.

 

Air Quality Index

Facebook
During wildfire season, visit AirNow to get the Air Quality Index in your area. Wildfire smoke can cause health problems during prolonged exposure, so it is best to know the air quality in your area in case you are planning an outdoor activity, such as camping. airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.main #WildfireSafety

Twitter
During wildfire season, stay healthy. Get the Air Quality Index in your area. airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.main #WildfireSafety

Pictured: AQI (Air Quality Index logo)

 

Wildfire Air Quality Predictions

Facebook
During wildfire season, visit airquality.weather.gov to get hour by hour predictions of wildfire smoke and other pollutants for your area. #WildfireSafety

Twitter
During wildfire season, visit airquality.weather.gov to get hour by hour predictions of wildfire smoke and other pollutants for your area. #WildfireSafety

Pictured: Screenshot of the airquality.weather.gov website, showing a map of the United States and air quality activity