Severe Summer Weather & Heat Wave Relief
June 25, 2024
National Preparedness Month: Promoting Readiness for Disasters
August 25, 2024July 26, 2024
The higher temperatures that come with the summer months can be hazardous as they give rise to wildfire season. Wildfire season generally lasts from late spring through fall, with the peak occurring in August. However, this all depends on where you live, the climate there, and the specific weather you’re experiencing.
Hot and dry conditions bring on wildfire season, so the temperature and precipitation in your area during specific seasons will determine the risk of wildfires occurring. For example, Midwestern states face less of a risk of wildfires in the winter and spring months when there is normally more precipitation and lower temperatures. However, in many places, wildfire season is beginning earlier and lasting longer, mainly due to climate change.
While hot and dry conditions increase the likelihood of wildfires, they don’t specifically cause fires on their own (except in rare cases). Some of the most common causes of wildfires include human carelessness—burning debris, unattended campfires, cigarettes, arson, and more—lightning strikes, electrical equipment malfunctions, and fallen power lines from high winds. So, what can you do to make sure your team members are ready in case there’s a wildfire? The first step in preparing for wildfires is to know the dangers they present.
The Dangers of Wildfires
You may think that you are in a safe area that isn’t affected by wildfires, but wildfires can occur anywhere and at any time if the circumstances are right. However, they are most common in certain states like California, Arizona, Colorado, Texas, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Oklahoma, Montana, Utah, Nevada, Wyoming, and New Mexico.
Each year, wildfires impact the lives of millions of Americans in a variety of ways, including:
- Damaging or destroying property that is in the path of the fire
- Impacting personal health and safety with both fire and smoke, often resulting in the development of health issues, and even death.
- Polluting the air with smoke, soot, and ash, which affects humans, but also impacts the planet as a whole
2023 and 2024 Wildfires
The wildfire seasons of 2023 and 2024 have been particularly severe, reflecting the ongoing impact of climate change and rising temperatures. Here are some notable statistics and incidents:
2023 Wildfire Statistics
- Total Wildfires: In 2023, there were 55,571 wildfires across the United States.
- Acreage Burned: These fires burned approximately 2.6 million acres of land in the U.S.
- Economic Impact: The total economic burden of wildfires in the United States annually is between $394 billion and $893 billion.
- Notable Incidents:
- Maui Wildfires: The devastating fires in Maui resulted in at least 115 lives lost and billions of dollars in damages. The aftermath led to significant discussions on wildfire preparedness and response.
- Canadian Wildfires: While not in the United States, Canada experienced one of its worst wildfire seasons on record, with over 16 million hectares burned. The smoke from these fires caused significant air quality issues across North America, including in cities that have historically been safe from the effects of wildfires, such as New York and Chicago.
2024 Wildfire Statistics (So Far)
- Total Wildfires: As of mid-2024, there have been approximately 25,700 wildfires reported.
- Acreage Burned: These fires have already burned over 3.3 million acres.
- Predictions: According to the National Interagency Fire Center, 2024 is expected to continue seeing high wildfire activity, with the potential for significant fires in California, Oregon, and other western states.
- Ongoing Incidents:
- Western United States: California, Oregon, and Washington have seen early and intense wildfire activity due to prolonged drought conditions and higher-than-average temperatures.
- Canadian Wildfires: Wildfires in Canada continue to burn, with significant impacts on air quality and public health in the United States and Canada.
These statistics highlight the increasing severity of wildfire seasons and underscore the importance of being prepared.
How Establishing a Disaster Relief Fund With Emergency Assistance Foundation Will Help Provide Aid to Team Members Affected by Wildfires
If you’re interested in making sure your team members are taken care of, but are unsure about how to launch an employee relief fund, we’re here to help!
In the aftermath of severe weather, a disaster, or personal hardship, your organization needs the ability to help impacted team members rebuild and recover from the potentially devastating impact. A relief fund can boost morale and allow your employees to donate and contribute directly to the support of fellow team members. Establishing a relief fund can alleviate the stress that disasters and hardship put on those within your organization and allow them to stay focused on recovering from the event.
If your organization is interested in launching a relief fund, consider establishing a fund with EAF today. As a financial first responder, we’re resourceful and fearless in ensuring that financial assistance reaches individuals in need, no matter the unique circumstances involved.
By establishing a fund with us today, your organization can assist members of your team affected by wildfires and other hardships. Relief fund grants can help impacted individuals pull through difficult times and start on the path toward recovery. If you’d like to learn more about how your organization can help your team during crises, you can review additional information about how a fund works or contact us today. We look forward to helping you make a difference for those who need it most!
Wildfire Preparation Tips to Share with Team Members
While completely preventing wildfires is impossible, there are things that you can do to reduce the risk of causing a wildfire and prepare in case one does occur. Here are some tips to share with your team members about how to prepare for wildfires:
- Pay Attention to Warnings and Alerts - The first tip to share with team members for preparing for wildfires is to understand and recognize warnings and alerts. They can get automatic alerts through the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and Wireless Emergency Alert (WEA), but they can also sign up for alerts from local community sources. Additionally, remind them to pay attention to the local news so they stay up to date on any potential wildfire threats and know when they need to take action.
- Make a Plan - Next, urge team members to make a plan so they are prepared in the event of a wildfire. This is especially important for individuals living in areas that are prone to wildfires. Their plan should include coming up with multiple evacuation routes, each family member making bags of essentials for a quick escape, getting documents in order, and planning for any other specific needs, like pet needs.
- Build an Emergency Kit - After making a plan, remind team members to build an emergency kit so they have everything they need if they are ordered to evacuate. It’s also important for team members to keep their cars completely fueled, so they don’t run into any issues with getting out if they are ordered to evacuate.
- Know Evacuation Zones - Finally, stress the importance of team members knowing their evacuation zones, so they understand when it’s time to leave and seek safety. Local authorities will assist with any evacuation, so remind team members to listen to their instructions. They should evacuate as soon as their zone is called.
