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Fall Infographics

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Protect yourself from wildfire smoke

What causes wildfires?

Everyday Wildfire Prevention

Protect People, Pets, Plants & Pipes from cold weather

Extreme Wind Warnings

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Protect yourself from wildfire smoke. Stay indoors and keep windows closed. Keep your pets indoors too! When using air conditioning, keep the outdoor air intake closed and clean the filter to prevent outdoor smoke getting inside. If you go outside, avoid exertion and consider wearing a respirator (N95 or P100 mask). Monitor the air quality for your zip code at airnow.gov

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What causes wildfires? A spark, in the presence of fuel and oxygen, can cause a fire, which can further spread depending on various weather conditions. Fires can be sparked by natural causes, but most wildfires in the U.S. are caused by human activity. Natural causes include lightning strikes and heat from the sun. Human activity comes from cigarette butts, fireworks, campfires, burning brush, vehicles and machinery. Fuel is usually dry vegetation, such as grass brush, and trees. Oxygen is almost everywhere. Certain weather conditions can make fires bigger, faster, and more dangerous: strong wind, dought, high temperatures and low humidity.

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Everyday Wildfire Prevention. Most wildfires are caused by humans - many everyday things can create sparks. Keep ignition sources far away from dry vegetation, wood, and other fuel. Have a clear 10 foot radius around campfires, burning brush, etc. Never leave fires unattended, and always properly extinguish. Use grills and smokers on gravel or paved surfaces. Never toss lit cigarettes on the ground. Put ashes in a metal container with a tight lid. Keep water stroed near campfires, fire pits, grills, smokers, burning brush, etc. Maintain vehicle brakes & tires, and secure tow chains to avoid dragging. Don't drive on dry grass or brush. Water your lawn and keep grass cut. Mow lawn early in the morning and when it's not windy or excessively dry. Always follow burn bans and regulations. Be aware of weather conditions. Low humidity, heat, drought and winds are conducive to fires.

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Protect people, pets, pipes and plants from cold weather. People: 1) Minimize time outdoors. 2) Prepare for power outages. 3) Check on the elderly and other vulnerable people to make sure they're ok. Pets: 1) Keep your pets warm, dry and indoors as much as possible. 2) Ensure their food and water doesn't freeze. 3) Limit outside time and keep them bundled up. Pipes: 1) Insulate pipes if possible. 2) Open up sink cabinets to expose pipes to heated air. 3) Disconnect hoses & turn off water to sprinklers. Plants: 1) Know their temperature thresholds. 2) If possible, cover them before the cold weather sets in to help retain some heat.

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Extreme Wind Warnings explained: the National Weather Service issues an Extreme Wind Warning when sustained hurricane winds of 115 mph or greater are happening now or expected within one hour. At these wind speeds, trees and wooden power poles are snapped and debris becomes dangerous missiles. Protect yourself! Take immediate shelter in an interior portion of a well-built structure. Stay away from windows. Put as many walls between you and the outside as possible.

All Fall Hazard Infographics


Flood	Fog	Hurricane	Space Weather	Tsunami	Wind	Wildfire	Winter

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