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Severe Weather Brings Winter Storms, Strong Winds, and Wildfires to Various Parts of the United States

TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 2022 AS OF 2:30 PM EST

Over the past week, the United States (US) has experienced severe weather from coast to coast.

EAST COAST WINTER STORMS 

On Monday, January 3, a winter storm produced strong winds and significant snowfall across large portions of the US Southeast and mid-Atlantic. The National Weather Service (NWS) reported Virginia experienced over 14 inches of snow, while Maryland saw 13 inches. Washington, DC additionally experienced 8.5 inches of snow, while North Carolina saw 11 inches. Alabama and Florida also experienced snowfall. The storm has created critical conditions across the East Coast, resulting in casualties for at least five people. Power outages have spread across the coast, with PowerOutage.US reporting Virginia is currently experiencing 260,372 outages as of Tuesday morning.

Reuters also noted that the severe weather forced federal government offices to close in Washington, D.C., with President Joe Biden and his staff forced to remain on Air Force One for 30 minutes as plows cleared the runway. Schools throughout the area were also closed or delayed, and public transportation around the nation’s capital was required to operate on a reduced schedule. 

On Monday evening, several accidents occurred on a 50-mile stretch of Interstate 95 south of Washington, DC. As a result, The New York Times noted numerous motorists were stranded on the interstate overnight. Virginia Governor Ralph Northam issued a statement, declaring the state was connecting the stranded drivers with support and working with localities to open warming shelters. 

National Weather Service: Twitter

COLORADO WILDFIRES

In the western part of the country, the Marshall Fire in Boulder County, Colorado erupted on the morning of Thursday, December 30, where dry conditions and winds in excess of 100 miles per hour (mph) facilitated the fire’s spread. According to The Weather Channel, over 30,000 residents in southern Boulder and Broomfield counties were forced to evacuate and more than 1,000 homes were destroyed in the fire. The Marshall Fire spread over 9 square miles in a densely developed, primarily suburban area, including the Colorado City of Louisville and town of Superior. Colorado Governor Jared Polis gave a news briefing on Friday, December 31, stating that President Biden approved a major disaster declaration for the areas destroyed by the fire and paving the way for federal disaster aid. The Weather Channel noted that while the fire is still burning, officials said it is not expected to grow any larger due to calmer winds and snow moving into the region.

Officials with the Boulder County Office of Emergency Management held a briefing on Monday, January 3, to update citizens on the response to the Marshall fire. Two individuals are currently missing as a result of the wildfire. However, officials were able to announce a third missing person from Louisville was located and is “alive and well.” The origin of the fire is still unknown, and Governor Polis added that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is actively investigating the cause of the fire. Officials have set up a Disaster Assistance Center for community members who have been impacted in various ways by the Marshal Fire.

Planning an evacuation route in case of wildfire: Ready.gov

Currently, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Storm Prediction Center forecasts Critical Fire Weather for East-Central New Mexico, parts of the South Plains as well as portions of the Texas Panhandle. Wildfires often strike communities with little notice, which is why the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urges individuals to plan ahead. This includes learning and practicing your household’s evacuation routes, as well as preparing an emergency supply kit. To stay informed about wildfire events, the (NOAA) National Weather Services (NWS) provides the latest alerts in your area in the form of “Red Flag Warnings,” which indicate when critical fire weather conditions are occurring or will occur shortly. Another way to stay updated is taking advantage of real-time alerts available via the FEMA Mobile App and other local and national communication systems. FEMA encourages individuals to adhere to the guidance of local authorities in order to stay safe during wildfire events impacting their community.

The Hagerty Blog Team will continue providing information and updates on current events and disasters impacting the nation. Visit Disaster Discourse for the latest information.

2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season and Wildfire Recap

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2021 AS OF 3:30 PM CST

As our climate continues to change globally, natural disasters continue to increase in both frequency and magnitude. This past year, the United States (US) saw particularly destructive hurricanes and wildfires across the country. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported 21 named storms for the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season, while the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) reports 54,350 wildfires this year, to date, that have burned over 6.8 million acres. Hagerty reported on the numerous climate-driven disasters over the course of the past year, including 29 Situation Status blog posts (Sit Stat), relaying real-time, critical information as soon as it was released to the general public.

2021 HURRICANES

The 2021 Atlantic hurricane season officially ended on November 30, 2021, after producing 21 named storms, according to NOAA. The storms included seven hurricanes – four of which were major hurricanes – and five rapidly intensifying storms that increased maximum sustained winds of at least 30 knots (kt) within a 24-hour window. 2021 is officially the third most active year since NOAA began tracking hurricanes in 1851, and the sixth consecutive above-normal Atlantic hurricane season. It was also the first time two consecutive hurricane seasons used the entire list of 21 storm names. 

2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season: NOAA

Eight storms hit the United States (US) coastline, including Category 1 Hurricane Elsa. The Weather Channel reported that the effects of Hurricane Elsa were felt from the Caribbean to Florida to New England. On July 1, Hurricane Elsa became the first hurricane of 2021, where it created flooding, rain, powerful winds, and isolated tornadoes, with impacts that stretched along the East Coast, including Tropical Storm Warnings issued for over 1,000 miles of the US coastline on July 8, 2021.

NOAA noted the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season was also one of the most expensive in US history. Hurricane Ida, the most expensive disaster of the year, is  responsible for over $60 billion in damages and ranks among the top five most expensive hurricanes in the US  since 1980. Hurricane Ida is tied as the fifth strongest hurricane to strike  the US—it first made landfall as a major hurricane in Louisiana on August 29, the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Hurricane Ida  devastated the power grids of Mississippi and Louisiana and caused flash and urban flooding across the coast of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) noted that, as of September 9, 2021, Hurricane Ida had caused 91 deaths across nine states. The Weather Channel  stated that Ida  also impacted the Eastern Seaboard, causing historic flooding and tornadoes in New England. While Ida was downgraded to a tropical depression as it traveled, it still produced up to 11 inches of rain in the northeast part of the country early in September, leading the National Weather Service (NWS) to issue a Flash Flood Emergency in parts of New York and New Jersey for the first time in US history.

2021 Weather and Climate Disasters: NOAA

Matthew Rosencrans, lead seasonal hurricane forecaster at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, said climate change was responsible for part of the historic season’s intensity, noting that “Climate factors, which include La Niña, above-normal sea surface temperatures earlier in the season, and above-average West African Monsoon rainfall were the primary contributors for this above-average hurricane season.” The impact of climate change on disasters is also evident in the 2021 wildfire season.

WILDFIRES in 2021

North American wildfires, unlike hurricanes, have no “season” as they occur year-round due to drought and increased temperatures across the country. According to the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), over half of the continental are considered “in drought,” impacting roughly 90 million individuals. Extreme and Exceptional Drought (D3 and D4), as categorized by NOAA, include crop loss and extreme fire risk; NIDIS’s Wildfire Management portal includes information on the overlap of current droughts and active wildfire events, the cascading impacts of heat and dry weather on wildfire preparedness, and resources communities can use to ensure they are prepared for extreme drought and wildfire events.

NIDIS: Current Drought Conditions and Active Wildfires Across the United States

According to the NIFC, wildfires have burned over 6,802,729 acres across 54,350 incidents to date in 2021. Optimistically, NIFC reports that this is slightly below the 10-year average, which is 7,228,178 acres and 54,485 incidents, but notes that 10 uncontained large fires continue to burn across Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and West Virginia. The NIFC recommends that residents of fire-prone areas review the wildland fire outlook by Predictive Services at the National Interagency Coordination Center (NICC) to anticipate conditions for December through March of 2022. 

Throughout this year, the US has seen profound wildfire impacts and events. In April, the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) reported that the US was experiencing exceptional drought conditions across the Great Basin and West Coast. By May, California alone was fighting the Owens, Palisades, and Southern Fire, which burned over 8,000 acres in just 20 days. In June, the NIFC reported that the US entered National Wildland Fire Preparedness Level 4 (out of 5), deploying emergency response operations across the western US. As wildfire smoke traveled across the country, we saw the harmful air quality index (AQI) in cities as far east as Boston, Massachusetts and New York City, New York. In October, the western US grappled with the impacts of continued wildfire events,  like power outages and blackouts across the state of California. As the year comes to an end, the NICC and NIFC will continue to keep communities up-to-date on wildfire events into 2022. 

Know Your Alerts and Warnings: Ready.gov

Preparedness is Key

While the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season has concluded and the peak months of wildfires are behind us, it is still important to be prepared for weather-related disasters. Now is the time to update or create an emergency plan for your home and business, using the resources the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) makes available online. One of the most effective ways to stay prepared is to learn the myriad ways to access emergency alerts and warnings, including downloading the FEMA Mobile App to receive real-time alerts, bookmarking the active alerts search website provided by NOAA NWS, and understanding how local authorities issue emergency notifications in your community.

Thousands of California Structures Damaged or Destroyed as the State Surpasses 7,000 Wildfire Incidents This Year

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2021 AS OF 3:30 PM EDT

There have been over 7,000 wildfire incidents in the State of California in 2021, burning approximately 1.97 million acres, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). Fires have damaged or destroyed more than 3,000 structures, with one confirmed fatality. 

Active fires include the Alisal Fire, which started on Monday, October 11 and spans over 15,000 acres in the Santa Ynez Mountains. Containment for the Alisal Fire is only five percent, with the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) reporting the number of firefighters combating the blaze has grown to 1,731, with more wildland firefighters expected to join in the coming days. Powerful northwest winds propelled the fire south over Highway 101 and towards the Tajiguas Landfill, and crews were also sent to protect Rancho del Cielo, the ranch belonging to former President Ronald Reagan, according to CNN.

AccuWeather: Twitter

Wildfires bring with them a host of other problems, including rolling electricity blackouts, air pollution, and transformed landscapes. Since late July, customers of PG&E Corporation (PG&E) have endured more than 400 blackouts, affecting an estimated 460,000 homes and businesses, according to a spokeswoman from the company. Generally, customers are given about two days’ notice before a public safety power shutoff; however, PG&E have enabled the circuit breakers on large areas of the grid to automatically shut off if there is an issue, leading to blackout with no warning for customers. PG&E says it is attempting to fine-tune the system to reduce the size and duration of blackouts. California Independent System Operator (ISO) CEO Elliot Mainzer (which is responsible for managing the flow of electricity for 80 percent of California) said that climate change is “forcing us to do things we never imagined,” including possibly ordering California utilities to spread power outages of a short duration to extend available electricity. 

Planning an evacuation route in case of wildfire: Ready.gov

Wildfires often strike communities with little notice, which is why the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urges individuals to plan ahead. This includes learning and practicing your household’s evacuation routes, as well as preparing an emergency supply kit. To stay informed about wildfire events, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric (NOAA) National Weather Services (NWS) provides the latest alerts in your area in the form of “Red Flag Warnings,” which indicate when critical fire weather conditions are occurring or will occur shortly. Another way to stay updated is taking advantage of real-time alerts available via the FEMA Mobile App and other local and national communication systems. FEMA encourages individuals to adhere to the guidance of local authorities in order to stay safe during wildfire events impacting their community.

The Hagerty Blog Team will continue providing information and updates on current events and disasters impacting the nation. Visit Disaster Discourse for the latest information.

Keep track of Hagerty’s incident coverage here:

WILDFIRES 2021

California’s Fawn Fire Prompts State of Emergency, While Hurricane Sam is on Track to Bring Swells, Storm Surge to Us East Coast

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 AS OF 2:30 PM EDT

The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) reports that 60 large fires are burning across 10 states. Collectively, these fires account for 3 million acres of land burned. More broadly, 2021 has seen a total of 46,190 wildfires across the country, with almost 5.9 million acres burned. Currently, the NIFC’s National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group (NMAC), the agency responsible for assessing fire risk across the United States (US), has put the country at National Preparedness Level 3.

Marcus Kauffman: UnSplash

According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), the Dixie Fire is still the largest active fire in the state – having already burned 963,309 acres in the counties of Butte, Plumas, Shasta, Tehama, and Lassen since it began on July 13. The Fawn Fire is another active blaze in California, having burned 8,578 acres in Shasta County. The fire, which started on September 22, is 90-percent contained as of Thursday morning. According to CNN, the Shasta County District Attorney’s Office issued a criminal complaint against hiker Alexandra Souverneva in regards to the Fawn Fire, with authorities stating that while trying to boil drinking water, she may have committed arson. California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a state of emergency on Monday for Shasta County as a result of the Fawn Fire, which has resulted in the evacuation of thousands of residents and destruction of 185 structures. 

The lasting impact of wildfires, particularly ‘burn scars’ that result from fires destroying forest systems that hold soil in place, has brought about an increase in clouded water that is undrinkable for residents across the western US. According to Kaiser Health News, heavy rainfall following the wildfire season can create waterborne dangers, as chemical byproducts and heavy metals from burned structures mix with groundwater. Public health researcher Gina Solomon at the Public Health Institute in Oakland, California cautioned that smoke and ash from burned structures could also add toxic chemicals to the water supply, creating long-term problems for communities across the western US.

GeoColor: NOAA

In the east, Hurricane Sam – a major, Category 4 Hurricane – is approximately 365 miles north-northeast of the Northern Leeward Islands. The storm is moving north at 13 miles per hour (mph), with maximum sustained winds of 145 mph. While Sam is not predicted to make landfall in the US, it is expected to create swells and storm surge impacting Puerto Rico and the eastern US over the next several days. With nearly two months remaining in the Atlantic hurricane season, there is only one name left on the named storms list for the 2021 hurricane season. If it is used, it will only be the third time in recorded history that a second list of hurricanes and tropical storms names will be introduced.

Planning an evacuation route in case of wildfire: Ready.gov

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) encourages individuals to prepare and plan for wildfires. As these events can develop rapidly, it is never too soon to prepare for a potential fire incident. Individuals should follow the guidance of state and local authorities. The Hagerty Blog Team will continue providing information and updates on current events and disasters impacting the nation. Visit Disaster Discourse for the latest information.

RELATED STORIES

  • Remember, Ready.gov provides information on how to prepare for Wildfire and how to keep you and your family safe.
  • FEMA America’s PrepareAthon: How to Prepare for a Wildfire
  • The Los Angeles Times regularly updated tracking of California Wildfires: California Wildfires Map
  • The National Fire Protection Association provides wildfire preparedness tips: link
  • Marin County provides a wildfire evacuation checklist: link
  • FEMA provides an information video about how to be prepared for wildfires: link

Keep track of Hagerty’s incident coverage here:

WILDFIRES 2021

KNP Complex Fire Grows Closer to Sequoia National Park, Prompting Closers, Evacuations

The 2021 incident overview for California to date has included 7,377 incidents, with fires that have burned more than 2.24 million acres and destroyed 3,285 structures. The country has remained at Preparedness Level 5 for 63 straight days, with the National Interagency Fire Center reporting 78 large fires and complexes actively burning across the country as of Wednesday. The fires have already burned 3.17 million acres with over 19,000 wildland firefighting personnel across federal, state, Tribal, and local agencies — including the United States [US] Army, National Guard, and their Canadian counterparts — working to contain fires across the country. 

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park Service: Instagram

The KNP Complex Fire, composed of the Paradise and Colony fires, has grown to 8,940 acres as of Wednesday, with a blaze that is approximately one mile from Sequoia National Park in Tulare County, California, home to the Giant Forest and 275-foot General Sherman tree (also referred to as the largest tree on Earth), according to the Los Angeles Times. The National Park Service has closed the park due to the threat, with Fire Information Officer Mark Ruggiero stating in a news conference that there was no “imminent” threat to the forest, “but that is a potential,” according to The Washington Post. InciWeb reported the fire was ignited by lightning on September 9 before growing significantly on Tuesday and merging with the Paradise and Colony fires. The fire is currently zero-percent contained; having more than quintupled in size from Monday to Tuesday afternoon, prompting the Tulare County Sheriff to issue a mandatory evacuation order for part of Three Rivers in California, while the rest of the community is under evacuation warning.

Other active fires include the Dixie Fire in the California counties of Butte, Tehama, Plumas, Lassen, and Shasta. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) reported the blaze has already burned 960,470 acres and is 86-percent contained, while the Caldor Fire in the counties of El Dorado, Alpine, and Amador has spread across 219,267 acres and is only 71-percent contained. 

Issy Bailey: Unsplash

The KNP Complex, alongside other fires in and around California, grew significantly on Tuesday night and continues to create unsafe air conditions due to heavy smoke and particulate matter (PM) in the air, according to the Sequoia and Kings National Parks Service. Air Quality Now’s Real Time Air Quality Index (AQI) reports that the Sequoia National Park’s Ash Mountain is currently experiencing a PM AQI of 649, which is extremely hazardous for residents. Typically, the AQI does not exceed 500, with AQI 500 being the most dangerous air quality conditions. Sierra News Online reported that all residents, regardless of health, should move to filtered, air-conditioned environments with closed windows. Additionally, individuals with existing respiratory conditions or vulnerable populations, such as young children and the elderly, are encouraged to remain indoors and monitor pollution levels if they absolutely must exit the home. The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District manages AQI sensors and provides recommendations regionally based on fire and smoke dangers, and encourages impacted areas to sign up to receive hourly air quality information through the Real-Time Air Advisory Network (RAAN). 

Interactive Map of Air Quality: AirNow

President Joe Biden visited California earlier this week to discuss fire mitigation strategies with California Governor Gavin Newsom as the Caldor Fire and KNP complex threatened communities across the state. In response to the growing frequency and intensity of fire events, Governor Newsom announced that CAL FIRE will direct roughly $138 million to local fire prevention projects across the state. Grants will allow local organizations to take action to reduce fire risk under the Governor’s Wildlife and Forest Resilience Action Plan and the State’s Strategic Fire Plan. In accordance with those plans, the California 2020-21 budget advanced $1.5 billion in wildfire resiliency programming that increased on-site fire personnel and built on forest stewardship approaches in the state. As the state builds capacity for reducing and responding to major fires, residents are encouraged to make plans in case of evacuation or destruction in the meantime. 

Protect Yourself and Your Community: US Fire Administration

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) urges individuals to plan ahead for wildfire events that can strike a community on short notice and spread quickly. FEMA encourages individuals to stay on top of the latest alerts in their area, including monitoring of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric (NOAA) National Weather Services (NWS) “Red Flag Warnings,” which indicate when critical fire weather conditions are occuring or will occur shortly; and taking advantage of real-time alerts available via the FEMA Mobile App and other local and national communication systems. It is also critical that households dedicate time together well in advance of a wildfire to create a wildfire action plan; inclusive of emergency meeting locations and evacuation routes, a communication plan, and an emergency supply kit, according to CAL FIRE. FEMA implores individuals to heed the warnings of local authorities and immediately adhere to evacuation orders in order to stay safe during a wildfire.

The Hagerty Blog Team will continue providing information and updates on current events and disasters impacting the nation. Visit Disaster Discourse for the latest information.

RELATED STORIES

  • Remember, Ready.gov  provides information on how to prepare for Wildfire and how to keep you and your family safe.
  • FEMA America’s PrepareAthon: How to Prepare for a Wildfire
  • The Los Angeles Times regularly updated tracking of California Wildfires: California Wildfires Map
  • The National Fire Protection Association provides wildfire preparedness tips: link
  • Marin County provides a wildfire evacuation checklist: link
  • FEMA provides an information video about how to be prepared for wildfires: link

Keep track of Hagerty’s incident coverage here:

WILDFIRES 2021

Aftermath of Hurricane Ida Responsible for Over a Dozen Deaths Along the East Coast, While Fires Continue to Threaten Area Around Lake Tahoe in California

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2021 AS OF 1:30 PM EDT

The remnants of Hurricane Ida has caused historic flash floods and tornadoes across the Northeast United States (US), with the effects felt particularly in Maryland, New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, according to Reuters. ABC affiliate WABC-TV in New York reported at least 16 fatalities across the Northeast, eight in New York City (NYC) and eight individuals in New Jersey. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flash flood emergency in NYC for the first time ever on Wednesday evening, cautioning residents to seek higher ground as flooding submerged subway lines, grounded flights, and swept away cars. The NWS also reported Central Park in New York observed 3.15 inches of rain in one hour, from 8:51 pm Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) to 9:51 pm on Wednesday evening – making it the wettest hour in NYC record-keeping dating back to 1870. 

Twitter: NWS

Transit in NYC and New Jersey is currently disrupted or delayed, with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) noting over a dozen NYC subway lines are at least partially suspended as of Thursday morning. The New York Times reported all New Jersey Transit rail service lines are suspended (sans the Atlantic City line), while commuter buses will operate with delays. The Long Island Rail Road has resumed service as of Thursday, except for the Port Washington line, while the Metro-North Railroad encouraged people not to travel. At least 370 flights were canceled on Thursday morning at Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, and dozens of flights were canceled or delayed at Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport in New York. Poweroutage.US revealed most of the power outages across the Northeast are in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York; with 94,431 outages in Pennsylvania, 59,897 outages in New Jersey, and 32, 284 outages in New York as of Thursday morning.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency in their respective states on Wednesday, encouraging residents to stay inside as crews work to restore services to roadways and commuter lines. In a Thursday morning press conference, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio appeared alongside Hochul and called Ida “a horrifying storm…unlike anything we have seen before,” adding “this is the biggest wake-up call we could possibly get…What we have to recognize is the suddenness, the brutality of storms now. It is different,” with Hochul noting the draining systems need to be enhanced and infrastructure investments are crucial to the state.

Jonathan Ford: Unsplash

On the West Coast, wildfires continue to rage on, especially across the State of California where the US Forest Service (USFS) has closed all public access to every National Forests within the State of California citing the extraordinary risk of wildfires and forecasts that show the threat will only remain high or even get worse. Earlier this week, the USFS announced that these closures would remain in effect until at least September 17. 

The Caldor Fire continues to threaten communities in California surrounding Lake Tahoe; as of Thursday morning, the fire is only 25 percent contained and has burned over 210,000 acres. Both California Governor Gavin Newsom and Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak declared a state of emergency to direct resources to evacuated individuals and ensure federal relief funds could be accessed. Monday’s evacuation of 53,000 people (over 22,000 of whom were South Lake Tahoe residents) has been downgraded from Mandatory Evacuation Orders to an Evacuation Warning for those in El Dorado County by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CALFIRE), as fire crews noted calmer winds and moderate humidity coming back to the area. To date, the fire has destroyed 811 structures, but fire personnel are hopeful they can reach total containment by September 13. Residents are encouraged to stay updated on evacuation orders as the situation evolves and should avoid returning to the area if they have small children, immunocompromised family members, or animals to account for, according to CALFIRE. 

As fires continue to burn the area surrounding Lake Tahoe and other regions of Northern California, IQ Aire reported the air quality index (AQI) remains dangerously high for South Lake Tahoe at an average 573 AQI. As of 8 am Pacific Daily Time (PDT), the Player Court neighborhood reported an astounding 814 AQI due to particulate matter caused by the Caldor Fire. Historically, the AQI has only gone to 500, with that number reflecting the most hazardous conditions for all residents, not just those with preexisting conditions. According to Air Now, individuals in hazardous AQI zones due to ozone and particle pollution should avoid all activities outdoors if possible and should follow tips to keep particle levels low indoors. 

In response to worsening smoke conditions and increased particulates throughout Northern California, the Bay Area Air Quality Management District issued an air quality advisory on wildfire smoke for Thursday and Friday, with predictions of hazy skies across the Bay Area. The agency recommends that Bay Area residents – spanning San Francisco, Oakland, Fremont, and San Jose – stay inside with windows and doors closed until smoke levels become safe again. 

Air Quality on Thursday, September 2: Air Now Interactive Map 

As the threat of new or worsened wildfires remains and heat waves persist, it is important to follow state and local warnings. Individuals in fire-prone areas should consider signing up for community alerts. FEMA recommends building an emergency supply kit or “GoKit” using this Ready.gov suggested Emergency Supply List ahead of a potential fire. Additionally, with regard to COVID-19, consider including hand sanitizer and face masks in your GoKit. 

California Air Resources Board (CARB): Twitter

Ready.gov: Twitter

As remnants of Ida bring torrential rain and heavy winds to the Northeast US, often with little to no warning, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) encourages individuals experiencing major flooding to take necessary and potentially life-saving safety steps during a flood. The most important step is to seek shelter away from the water, which may necessitate getting to the highest ground possible, or evacuating the area if directed to do so. Individuals should pay close attention to national emergency alerts or local alerting systems for the most up-to-date instructions. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) NWS offers additional critical safety measures, including avoiding all areas where water covers electrical outlets or cords (especially basements) and immediately evacuating if seeing or hearing signs of electrical activity. If directed to evacuate, lock your home and disconnect utilities if time permits, while you should turn around immediately if driving during a flood event.

The Hagerty Blog Team will continue providing information and updates on current events and disasters impacting the nation, visit Disaster Discourse for the latest information.

Keep track of Hagerty’s incident coverage here:

WILDFIRES 2021

Wildfires Continue to Burn Through the US as Heatwaves and Droughts Intensify

THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 2021 AS OF 2:00 PM EDT

The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) reports that 92 large fires are burning across six states. Collectively, these fires account for 2.5 million acres of land burned. More broadly, 2021 has seen a total of 41,197 wildfires across the country with almost 4.6 million acres burned. Across impacted states, more than 26,850 wildland firefighters have been deployed to contain the burning and minimize risks to people and property. NIFC’s National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group (NMAC), the agency responsible for assessing fire risk across the United States (US), has put the country at National Preparedness Level 5 (the highest level possible) since mid-July. The National Interagency Coordination Center (NICC) details characteristics of large wildfires in its Incident Management Situation Report (IMSR), including 30 uncontained fires in Washington and Oregon and 27 uncontained large fires in Idaho and Montana. By far, however, California has seen the greatest number of acres burned and active fires, burning across 35 active fire events. 

Satellite Image showing smoke from Wildfires over California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, and Utah: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Worldview Snapshots

CAL FIRE reports that as of August 23, 2021, there have been 6,773 fires in 2021 with nearly 1.67 million acres burned. The largest fires are currently burning in Northern California. The Dixie Fire, which originally started burning on July 13, 2021 in Northern California, has burned more than 747,000 acres to date. Meanwhile, the Caldor Fire, currently sitting at 136,643 burned, is headed towards the Lake Tahoe Basin and is outpacing local resources as it has destroyed 637 structures so far with 17,000 still in its path. The fire continues to burn at extreme temperatures, melting tires off abandoned vehicles and leaving only chimneys and ash behind. California wildfires are increasing in frequency and are posing challenges to firefighters across the state with non-typical behavior during the latest fire seasons. With the fire season already surpassing the acreage burned last year at this time, there is a possibility for the season to continue to burn into December. Winds are carrying embers miles away from the fire’s location and starting spot fires in dry overgrown vegetation. Dry air and hot weather can create perfect conditions for large wildfires to create their own weather patterns including atmospheric instability, thunderstorms, pyrocumulus clouds or fire clouds, and in worst conditions; pyrocumulonimbus or fire storm clouds.

Twitter: CAL FIRE 2021 Statistics on Wildfire Support

Excessive Heatwaves and Drought

As wildfires continue to burn across much of the western US, high heat and humidity remain consistent throughout much of central and eastern parts of the country. The southwestern US may also see dangerously high temperatures in the next several days. Earlier in August, over 150 high temperature records were challenged across the West Coast. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), heatwaves in the country have become, on average, longer, more frequent, and more intense in the last 50 years. Anyone located in areas with high heat advisories should take precautionary measures, especially in areas where overnight temperatures remain over 70 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Twitter: NIDIS

Along with high temperatures, over 20 percent of the country, mainly in the western US, is experiencing prolonged drought, further exacerbating the wildfires by creating drier conditions across the land. A recent study by Columbia University discovered that the western US is entering a climate-driven megadrought which may be the worst in modern history. Drought conditions in the Pacific Northwest that began in March are expected to continue into the fall and are predicted to impact agriculture and groundwater levels over the next several years. While some seasonal rainfall in the southwest decreased Extreme (D3) and Exceptional (D4) drought conditions somewhat for the first time in a month, the wildfires still burning may make it harder for rain to fall. According to a new study published in the American Geophysical Union (AGU) journal Geophysical Research Letters, the smoke from wildfires is affecting the way droplets form in clouds, potentially resulting in less rain over areas affected by wildfires. 

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): Prevent accidental wildfires

Individuals play a large role in community preparedness. NIFC recommends that members of communities impacted by wildfires can do their part by ensuring roadways are clear for emergency vehicles and flammable vegetation is kept away from structures. FEMA also recommends downloading their mobile application and text messaging system for instant notifications. To get a breakdown by State and County of public advisories, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS) has provided a list of red flag warnings and air quality alerts in decreasing order of severity.

The Hagerty Blog Team will continue providing information and updates on current events and disasters impacting the nation. Visit Disaster Discourse for the latest information.

Keep track of Hagerty’s incident coverage here:

WILDFIRES 2021

Northern California Faces the Largest Fires in the Country as Tropical Storm Henri, Post-Tropical Cyclone Fred Move Towards the East Coast

THURSDAY, AUGUST 19, 2021 AS OF 1:00 PM EST

With continued heat and drought conditions in the western United States (US) this summer, wildfires continue to rage; the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) reports that 104 large fires are burning across 12 states. Collectively, these fires account for 2.56 million acres of land burned. The largest fires are currently burning in Northern California. The Dixie Fire, which originally started burning on July 13, 2021 in Northern California, has burned more than 660,000 acres to date. Residents continue to be evacuated from the region as over 6,000 fire personnel fight to contain the fire in Butte and Plumas counties. 

Current Large Fire Incidents in the US: USDA Forest Service

According to California Public Radio, 31,000 Californians statewide are under evacuation orders. More broadly, as of August 17, 2021, 11 of the 58 counties in California are under a state of emergency due to wildfires. In addition to the Dixie Fire, emergency orders and evacuations have been issued in response to the Caldor Fire (El Dorado County), the Glen Fire (Yuba County), the McFarland and Monument Fires (Trinity County), and the Antelope and Lava Fires (Siskiyou County). The most recent fire, the Caldor Fire, which began burning on August 14, has no containment with over 65,500 acres burned. 

Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E), California’s utility provider for Northern California, has issued guidance for outages caused by unsafe weather and fire conditions. This week, 13 counties were impacted by public safety power shutoffs (PSPS), including Butte, Glenn, Mendocino, Napa, and Yolo counties. To maintain essential services, the company has opened community resource centers with capacity for charging devices, Wi-Fi, and medical device support. In the event of an evacuation, residents are requested to utilize community centers in non-impacted counties.

National Forecast Chart: Weather Prediction Center

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Hurricane Center (NHC) has reported Tropical Storm Henri is approximately 490 miles southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, moving westward over the western Atlantic Ocean at 10 miles per hour (mph). The NHC cautioned the motion is anticipated to continue throughout Thursday night, with a turn toward the northwest expected on Friday as it intensifies to a hurricane. On Saturday and Sunday, Henri is expected to switch directions and accelerate north and northeast. Henri is forecast to be near southern New England on Sunday and Monday. Currently, tropical storm force winds reach outward up to 80 miles from the center of Henri, with maximum sustained winds remaining close to 70 mph.

The Weather Prediction Center (WPC) reported Post-Tropical Cyclone Fred is roughly 50 miles west-northwest of Albany, New York, moving east-northeast at 15 mph with maximum sustained winds of 25 mph. The cyclone is moving towards central New England, and the NHC has issued flash flood watches for parts of New York and central New England. Fred is forecast to bring one to three inches of rain throughout eastern New York and New England, with isolated maximum storm totals of five inches through Thursday night. The NHC stressed the rainfall could result in flash, urban, small stream, and isolated river flooding. The flood risk is anticipated to minimize by early Friday.

Power Outages Safety Steps: American Red Cross 

As the US experiences extreme heat, drought, and the consistent threat of wildfires, there is an increased risk of short- or long-term power outages impacting homes and businesses. It is important for individuals to be prepared for such disruptions should they need to conserve energy or lose power unexpectedly. Ready.gov offers guidance for protection during a power outage, including preparing backup plans for powered medical devices, refrigerated medicines, and food storage; as well as having alternative power sources for other important technology, like cellphones. Additionally, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) provides useful preparedness tips like figuring out how to manually open automatic garage doors, keeping gas tanks at least half full in vehicles, and ensuring backup power generators are properly installed and operational. Residents should continue to pay close attention to Flex Alerts or other notifications from local and state officials that urge consumers to conserve energy in order to help avoid power disruptions. NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS) has provided a list by state and county of red flag warnings and air quality alerts in decreasing order of severity.

The Hagerty Blog Team will continue providing information and updates on current events and disasters impacting the nation. Visit Disaster Discourse for the latest information.

RELATED STORIES

  • Remember, Ready.gov provides information on how to prepare for wildfires and how to keep you and your family safe, including evacuation planning, preparing a go-bag, and staying up-to-date on warnings and notices.
  • FEMA America’s PrepareAthon: How to Prepare for a Wildfire.
  • The Los Angeles Times regularly updates tracking of California Wildfires: California Wildfires Map.
  • The National Fire Protection Association provides wildfire preparedness tips: link.
  • Marin County provides a wildfire evacuation checklist: link.
  • FEMA provides an informational video about how to be prepared for wildfires: link. 
  • Understanding the meaning of hurricane maps – a NY Times Opinion Piece: Those Hurricane Maps Don’t Mean What You Think They Mean

Hundreds of Wildfires Burn Globally as Dry Drought Conditions Continue to Expand in Rural United States Communities

THURSDAY, AUGUST 12, 2021 AS OF 1:30 PM EDT

Across the Western United States (US), wildfires are increasing due to the extreme heat waves that are 25 degrees above average and dry drought conditions due to lack of rainfall. According to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) at present, 104 large fires are burning, having already set fire to more than 2.4 million acres across 14 states. This has resulted in hazardous smoke traveling from the west to northeastern states. These massive smoke plumes are drastically affecting the air quality in states like Colorado which currently has an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 167 whereas, according to the EPA, “good” AQI ranges from 0 to 50.

Smoke and Fire Map: AirNow

The Dixie Fire, California’s largest fire, has now burned over half a million acres and has destroyed roughly 1,000 buildings across Plumas, Lassen, Butte, and Tehama county. The fire has been spreading across the northern part of the state since mid-July and is only 30-percent contained. According to CAL FIRE, all four counties currently have evacuation warnings and orders for their jurisdictions. California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in response to the town of Greenville being devastated after the fire roared through the old gold-rush historic district. CAL FIRE has over 6,000 personnel assigned to the Dixie Fire and they are attempting to further contain it before weather conditions heat up even further.

Outside of California, other states have been experiencing their own large-scale wildfires. Washington, Oregon, Montana, Alaska, and South Dakota currently have the highest rates of wildfires. In Montana alone, there are currently 25 fires burning, with one of the more devastating being the Richard Spring Fire. The Richard Spring Fire has left thousands under evacuation orders with 150,000 acres already burnt. Thousands of structures are still at risk of being in affected areas and the probability only grows as the National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Prediction Center estimates extremely high temperatures and low-humidity conditions. 

Twitter: Cal OES

The US is not the only country battling wildfires. Siberia, Turkey, and Greece, amongst other countries, are fighting devastating fires. In Turkey, record-breaking heat following a long drought instigated the worst wildfires the country has seen in decades. The fires, mostly located along Turkey’s southern and western coast covering 53 provinces, started in late July and have continued to burn for over two weeks. As of August 10th, 267 fires have been maintained, while three continue to burn. Meanwhile, unusually heavy rainfall caused flooding on Turkey’s northern coast, resulting in a bridge collapse, numerous villages without power, and the evacuation of a hospital in the city of Sinop. In Greece, 586 fires continue to burn across the country. Sixty-three evacuations have taken place over the last several days, including from the large island of Evia located north-east of Athens. A number of countries, including France, Germany, and the United Kingdom (U.K.) have responded to Greece’s call for aid. In Siberia, Russia’s northernmost province, an estimated 190 fires continue to burn over vast areas of the province. While fires in Siberia are part of an annual cycle, this year’s fires are larger than all other fires burning around the world combined. According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), smoke from these wildfires has reached the North Pole for the first time in recorded history.

Twitter: IPCC

As the Earth continues to see an above average wildfire season, earlier this week, the United Nations (UN) appointed International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released the first part of the Sixth Report, a report on Climate Change and its effect on Earth. The Associate Press (AP) reports that the IPCC’s Six report “makes more precise and warmer forecasts for the 21st century than it did last time it was issued in 2013” and states that climate change is an “unequivocal” and “an established fact”. The report “provides new estimates of the chances of crossing the global warming level of 1.5°C in the next decades.” It also provides scenarios for reductions in carbon emission from the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement. According to the BBC “Research does confirm though, that if politicians can stick to holding global temperature increase down to 1.5C, in pre-industrial times, the worst catastrophes can still be avoided.”

Twitter: National Hurricane Center (NHC)

As wildfires rage on across the US, the Atlantic Hurricane Season continues to impact countries. In the Caribbean, Tropical Storm Fred was downgraded to a tropical depression Wednesday evening. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) NHC, Tropical Depression Fred remains poorly organized as of 11:00 a.m. EDT on Thursday, August 12th. A Tropical Storm Watch does remain in effect for the Southern Bahamas and the Cuban provinces of Ciego de Ávila, Camaguet, Las Tunas, Holguin, Granma, Santiago de Cuba, and Guantanamo. Interests in the Bahamas, Cuba, the southern Florida Peninsula, and the Florida Keys should continue to monitor the process of Tropical Depression Fred over the next several days and into next week as heavy rainfall, and the possibility of stronger winds resulting in Tropical Depression Fred’s restrengthening into  a tropical storm, is still possible.

The Six P’s: CAL FIRE

As the threat of new and more frequent wildfires continues to rise, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) encourages individuals to heed the guidance of local authorities to remain safe during wildfire events impacting their community. Developing weather situations and conditions are constantly being updated on NIFC’s website. Current wildfire counts, jurisdictions and states affected, and weather reports are all available for the most up-to-date information. 

Individuals play a large role in community preparedness. NIFC recommends that members of communities impacted by wildfires can do their part by ensuring roadways are clear for emergency vehicles and flammable vegetation is kept away from structures. FEMA also recommends downloading their mobile application and text messaging system for instant notifications. To get a breakdown by State and County of public advisories, NOAA’s NWS has provided a list of red flag warnings and air quality alerts in decreasing order of severity.

The Hagerty Blog Team will continue providing information and updates on current events and disasters impacting the nation. Visit Disaster Discourse for the latest information.

Keep track of Hagerty’s incident coverage here:

WILDFIRES 2021

Fires Continue to Spread Across the Transcontinental US, Causing Health Risks and Environmental Concerns

Fires across the United States (US) continue to spread, with the National Interagency Fire Center reporting nine new large fires on Wednesday, August 4, that span across California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana. At present, 100 large fires are burning, having already set fire to 1.9 million acres across 14 states, with several large California fires exhibiting extreme fire behavior including high rates of spread and prolific crowning. The Dixie Fire, for example, has increased in size by almost 24,000 acres since it first sparked on July 13, 2021, while the McFarland Fire has gained approximately 5,100 acres.

The Dixie Fire continues to plague California, burning 278,227 acres in Butte and Plumas County. According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), the blaze is only 35-percent contained. Other fires across the state include the River Fire in Nevada and Placer County, which has burned 1,400 acres and is zero-percent contained. Overall, California has reported 6,049 incidents in 2021, with 400 structures damaged.

River Fire: Haileyaunna Blackmun

In Hawai’i, a brush fire has burned over 40,000 acres, the largest ever blaze recorded on the Big Island Cyrus Johnasen, a spokesperson for the Hawai’i County mayor’s office, told The Washington Post. Although the fire was approximately 75-percent contained as of Tuesday, August 3, Johnasen cautioned “after effects” within the next two or three months, when heavy rains could create mudslides. “All the areas that have burned, the soil no longer has roots to hold it in place…so that 40,000 acres of burned soil could translate to mudslides anywhere along the west side of the island, resulting in potential road closure or hazardous conditions,” Johnasen said.

Conditions were exacerbated by drought across the state. According to the US Drought Monitor, almost 60-percent of Hawai’i is undergoing at least moderate drought, while the majority of the Big Island is experiencing abnormally dry weather.

In Oregon, firefighters have made considerable progress containing the Bootleg Fire, which has burned over 400,000 acres as of Thursday, August 5. As of Tuesday morning, August 3, the National Wildfire Coordinating Group (NWCG) reported the blaze was 84-percent contained, but The New York Times reported that the fire is not expected to be fully contained until October. Fire officials told reporters that, although cloudy and rainy weather has helped with containment, the forecast in the Klamath Falls area could exacerbate the fire. As of Wednesday, August 4, the location had experienced temperatures in the mid-90s, with wind gusts of up to 20 miles per hour (mph).

Fire and Smoke Index: AirNow.gov

The wildfires, predominantly impacting the upper northwest of the continental US and Hawaii, have a national and global impact on pollution and air quality; Air Now’s collated smoke advisories detail smoke advisory alerts in Alaska, California, Montana, South Carolina, and Washington State, among others. For example, according to The New York Times, summer camps in eastern Washington State had to shut down this week after a prolonged stretch of unhealthy haze; while officials in Montana issued air quality warnings for nearly the entire state.

To view active wildfire events and the impact they have on national particle pollution and your community, consider using the Fire and Smoke Index and interactive map. Additionally, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Air Quality Forecast Capability (NAQFC) and Surface Smoke map tool display current smoke coverage created by large wildfires, especially as their smoke travels across the country.

The smoke across the US highlights the interconnected nature of Earth’s ecosystems and weather patterns. While a wildfire may not be burning in New York City, National Weather Service (NWS) New York reported that residents felt the impacts in late July when they witnessed haze blanketing the city as fires in the West intensified. As noted in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Global Climate Change feature, “A Drier Future Sets the Stage for More Wildfires,” communities are interconnected across the world and will be impacted by intensification of weather and fire events as a result of climate change. 

Earlier this year, Hagerty reported that NOAA estimated over 40-percent of the US was experiencing some form of drought. Since then, the US has seen heat waves and excessive heat warnings, including warnings issued today, August 5, in northern Arizona, across southern California, and near Las Vegas, Nevada. According to NOAA’s National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), the heat, combined with existing drought conditions, are forecasted to continue and increase, leading to a greater need for resilience planning, mitigation control, and evacuation preparedness in case of immediate emergency created by fire or unsafe air conditions.

Current evacuation orders show the need for increased planning and support for emergency infrastructure; as of noon on August 5, the California Sheriff’s Office called for expanded emergency evacuations, adding to 2,400 people in Placer County and 4,200 residents already under order in neighboring counties in Nevada. With predicted increased incidence and strength of future wildfire events, evacuations will likely also continue as emergency personnel work to keep the public safe. Residents living in wildfire-prone areas should continue to follow advice from emergency officials and be prepared to evacuate as needed. Information provided below can assist residents in better preparing for emergency situations caused by wildfire and other major weather events.

Earlier today, amidst this ongoing extreme weather, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced the authorization of $3.46 billion in hazard mitigation funding for the 59 major disaster declarations associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The increasing duration, intensity, and severity of disasters is only exacerbated by changes in population, land use, and weather patterns as our climate continues to change. This historic level of investment marks a significant shift in federal policy, with the expressed goal of strengthening state and local approaches to community resilience as quickly as possible.

Planning an evacuation route in case of wildfire: Ready.gov

FEMA encourages individuals to prepare and plan for wildfires. As these events can develop rapidly, it is never too soon to prepare for a potential fire incident. Individuals should follow the guidance of state and local authorities. To get a breakdown by state and county of public advisories, NOAA’s NWS has provided a list of red flag warnings and air quality alerts in decreasing order of severity.

 The Hagerty Blog Team will continue providing information and updates on current events and disasters impacting the nation. Visit Disaster Discourse for the latest information.

Keep track of Hagerty’s incident coverage here:

WILDFIRES 2021