The arrival of spring is often a cause for celebration. It marks the time when snow shovels can be put away and heading outside without a heavy winter coat is feasible. Experiencing warm weather again after enduring the bitter cold for several months is also a nice bonus.
Unfortunately, the weather getting warmer is not always a good thing. In some cases, it could also be the spark that causes a wildfire. These past few years have shown us just how fearsome wildfires can be. We need to prepare better for them. One way to do that is by checking out the early wildfire predictions for this year.
Wildfire Predictions for the Spring 2022 Season
For those who may have missed it, the National Interagency Fire Center recently came out with their National Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook. It’s their report detailing their wildfire projects and this one specifically focuses on the stretch from February to March of this year.
The report highlights several regions and assesses numerous factors to come up with wildfire projections for each and every one of them. You should know about the regions that are more likely to experience significant wildfires during the upcoming spring season.
First off, the National Interagency Fire Center says that the southwest portion of the country has an above-normal significant wildfire potential for this spring. The southern area of the aforementioned region will be more prone to wildfires once April rolls around.
People living in eastern New Mexico should prepare for wildfires now. The agency says that significant wildfire risk for that region is already above normal even though it’s only February. The Southern region of the United States could also see its share of wildfires this spring. Oklahoma and Texas residents are encouraged to stay on alert as early as now. People who are staying close to the plains should be ready to act if they see any signs of trouble.
Later in the spring, Georgia, Florida, and the Carolinas are also expected to present above-normal potential for wildfires. Make sure to remember that if you live in one of those states. Significant wildfire potential for other parts of the country is expected to be low to normal through spring.
How to Prepare for Potential Wildfires
Knowing if your area is at risk for wildfires is just one of the things you can do to prepare for them. For this section, we’ll highlight other useful tips that should help you and your family prepare better for any approaching wildfires.
Determine the Cause of Charred Debris Nearby
Have you noticed some charred plants that are reasonably close to where you live? If so, you need to find out what caused those plants to burn. EDS elemental analysis can help determine if those charred pieces of debris were indeed left behind by a wildfire or some other source of combustion. Sign up for that so you know exactly what you are dealing with.
Get Free Emergency Alerts for Wildfires
The Red Cross recommends approaching your local government and signing up for free emergency alerts related to wildfires. By doing that, you will know about a nearby wildfire as soon as the government does.
Prepare a Room Specifically for Protection against Wildfires
Evacuating your home may not always be necessary even if there is a wildfire in the distance. Still, you need to be safe in your home if you intend to stay. The CDC recommends reserving one room that you can keep shut off from outside air. They also suggest outfitting that room with a filter so it can keep the smoke outside.
Plan Several Escape Routes
If the government does tell you to evacuate, you should listen to them. Before evacuating becomes necessary, you should already know about the escape routes you can use. Map out several escape routes and try driving them at least once to see if they are viable.
Prepare Emergency Supplies
As always, you need to prepare emergency supplies. Prepare a first aid kit and don’t forget to include respirators in there. You should also prepare water and food that you can easily carry in your car if you need to evacuate.
Always be on the lookout for wildfires by utilizing EDS analysis and other tools at your disposal. By staying prepared, you and your family can calmly avoid disaster.
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