June 12, 2020
According to Mother Jones, "The United States faces an extreme weather season like we've never seen before. Scientists predict an extraordinarily hot summer, one that could put 2020 on track for the hottest year ever." Early evidence of extreme weather can be found in Arizona, where the Bighorn Fire burns near Tucson. Sparked by lightning and fueled by the dry landscape, the Bighorn has consumed 11 square miles and was only 10% contained as of Friday morning, according to an update from the Coronado National Forest. The fire-fighting team assigned to the first major fire of the season is most concerned about the communities that lie along the southern boundary of the fire. More than 419 fire personnel are fighting the blaze, including multiple aircraft. In fact, the terrain is so steep, ground crews cannot be sent in. Temperatures above 100 degrees also increase the difficulty of controlling the inferno.
Crews will experience temperatures topping 107 Friday. In addition, there was a chance of dry thunderstorms, which create erratic winds. The Bighorn threatens 850 homes, according to FEMA, and has gotten to within a mile of some structures. Hundreds of residents face evacuation. Citizens of Arizona will not be alone in facing wildfire danger this year; the National Weather Service issued red flag warnings for California, Nevada, Utah and Arizona on Friday. This means the current very dry conditions could lead to major conflagrations.
As if this weren't enough, Arizona is now facing a spike in second wave COVID 19 infections. Hospitalizations rose 49 percent from May 26 to June 9. This was preceded by the reopening of the state on May 15. The number of cases stood at 200/day in late May, and have now risen to 1,400/day, a 700% increase. Because of COVID, the emergency response system is already at the breaking point. FEMA is supposed to help with evacuation, and supply distribution of necessities like masks, food, and water. Even before the pandemic, FEMA was strapped with leadership vacancies and staff shortages. How they will cope remains to be seen.
Shockingly, FEMA has suspended pre-hurricane training sessions regarding compliance with social distancing guidelines. Training deficits are a longstanding FEMA problem. In addition to the training shortfall, FEMA's union said 20 percent of its 5,000 full-time positions are unfilled, an unsustainable deficiency in the face of both a pandemic and natural disasters needing to be addressed. Those who evacuate must heed social distancing standards, an almost impossible task in the mass shelters the agency normally uses. Finally, the issue of smoke cannot be ignored. Wildfires produce particulate matter that harm the lungs, further complicating the repercussions of COVID 19.
This could be a very rough fire season.
With thanks to Mother Jones and The Weather Channel.
According to Mother Jones, "The United States faces an extreme weather season like we've never seen before. Scientists predict an extraordinarily hot summer, one that could put 2020 on track for the hottest year ever." Early evidence of extreme weather can be found in Arizona, where the Bighorn Fire burns near Tucson. Sparked by lightning and fueled by the dry landscape, the Bighorn has consumed 11 square miles and was only 10% contained as of Friday morning, according to an update from the Coronado National Forest. The fire-fighting team assigned to the first major fire of the season is most concerned about the communities that lie along the southern boundary of the fire. More than 419 fire personnel are fighting the blaze, including multiple aircraft. In fact, the terrain is so steep, ground crews cannot be sent in. Temperatures above 100 degrees also increase the difficulty of controlling the inferno.
Crews will experience temperatures topping 107 Friday. In addition, there was a chance of dry thunderstorms, which create erratic winds. The Bighorn threatens 850 homes, according to FEMA, and has gotten to within a mile of some structures. Hundreds of residents face evacuation. Citizens of Arizona will not be alone in facing wildfire danger this year; the National Weather Service issued red flag warnings for California, Nevada, Utah and Arizona on Friday. This means the current very dry conditions could lead to major conflagrations.
As if this weren't enough, Arizona is now facing a spike in second wave COVID 19 infections. Hospitalizations rose 49 percent from May 26 to June 9. This was preceded by the reopening of the state on May 15. The number of cases stood at 200/day in late May, and have now risen to 1,400/day, a 700% increase. Because of COVID, the emergency response system is already at the breaking point. FEMA is supposed to help with evacuation, and supply distribution of necessities like masks, food, and water. Even before the pandemic, FEMA was strapped with leadership vacancies and staff shortages. How they will cope remains to be seen.
Shockingly, FEMA has suspended pre-hurricane training sessions regarding compliance with social distancing guidelines. Training deficits are a longstanding FEMA problem. In addition to the training shortfall, FEMA's union said 20 percent of its 5,000 full-time positions are unfilled, an unsustainable deficiency in the face of both a pandemic and natural disasters needing to be addressed. Those who evacuate must heed social distancing standards, an almost impossible task in the mass shelters the agency normally uses. Finally, the issue of smoke cannot be ignored. Wildfires produce particulate matter that harm the lungs, further complicating the repercussions of COVID 19.
This could be a very rough fire season.
With thanks to Mother Jones and The Weather Channel.
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