By Mike Conrad, Division Chief Operations, Aptos La Selva Fire Protection District
Well, it’s time for me to run my annual 4th of July safety article. However, this year I feel I need to preference it with information that is pertinent to the conditions we are currently faced with and how they will affect a wildland fire.
Rainfall across much of the state was well below normal, which of course has caused a reduction in fuel moisture levels in the wildland setting. Another factor that plays into the spread of a wild fire is the energy release component (ERC). This is defined as the amount of energy in BTU’s released from a given amount of fuel as it burns. In our area so far this year we have consistently been above average, consistently above the ERC of last year and have on several days set new maximum records.
So what does this mean? Fire conditions are setting up to be like the conditions saw in 2008 when we experienced some of the largest fires in Santa Cruz County in recent history, the Summit Fire in May and both the Martin and Trabing fires in June which was just the start of the State wide fires resulting from lightening and manmade causes. We may see the conditions become even worse than those seen in 2008 because all of the factors that influence fires and fire spread are 4 to 6 weeks ahead of schedule. We are seeing conditions in June that we normally do not see until August.
“The rocket’s red glare, bombs bursting in air…”
The Star Spangled Banner while written about the sights and sounds of war are also often associated with the sight and sounds of fireworks, and illustrates how fireworks are a part of America’s history. Unfortunately, this time honored tradition often brings about devastating fires, personal injuries, and even death.
With the Fourth of July just days away, I (like other Americans) look forward to watching fireworks displays. With the hiss of the rockets as they lift into the air; the bright flash of light and the rainbow of colors followed by the loud, trembling boom; and the sheer pleasure on the faces of children as they watch intently, eyes wide and mouths scrunched as they echo ‘oohs and ahhs’ after each explosion.
As a firefighter, I have also seen the fear in the eyes of children when the American tradition goes askew and the look of sheer disbelief as a family witnesses the loss of their home and all of their belongings’ in a raging fire.
Each year firefighters anticipate the devastation that fireworks will bring. Each year we will see fire’s that are started because of the use of fireworks and treat patients who have been injured.
Fire in any form does not mix with our wildland areas. Fireworks, once ignited, are often unpredictable as well as uncontrollable. Once a fire starts it is inevitably too late. It is like trying to stop a bullet once it’s been fired from a gun. While we have had more rain this year than we have had in the last few years, the grass and brush is becoming dry and is ready to burn if an ignition source like fireworks is introduced.
You may be asking yourself, are fireworks really that bad? Let’s look at the statistics for 2011.
Approximately 9,600 people were injured and treated in hospital emergency departments across the U.S. with an unknown number of injuries seen by clinics, private physicians or not seen by medical professionals because of fireworks, more than half were children. During that same time four people were killed as a result of fireworks related accidents.
While the dollar loss from fireworks accidents can never compare to the human loss, fireworks were responsible for approximately 2,300 structure and vehicle fires that resulted in $36 million in direct property damage.
Please remember that all fireworks are illegal in Santa Cruz County with the exception of “Safe and Sane” fireworks in the city of Watsonville and on private property in the city limits of Capitola.
More important even than being illegal is the severe risk to health, property and the environment from the use of fireworks. If you would like to enjoy fireworks this year, find a local professional show so you can safely enjoy them.
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Hope you had a happy and safe Fourth of July.