Increased Critical Fire Weather Concerns for Friday and Saturday

 

The following comes from Phil Badgett, one of the National Weather Service Fire Weather Forecast experts.

 

We have been very dry recently with only 50 percent of our normal April rainfall through the 15th. In addition to not completing green-up yet the fuel moisture levels (1, 10, and 100 hour) are becoming very low. This leaves us susceptible to increasing fire danger if it gets warm and windy with no wetting rain or significant rain.

 

Unfortunately a warm windy pattern seems to be setting up for Friday and Saturday. Pattern recognition points to fire weather concerns for NC as a deepening upper level low pressure system replacing strong high pressure over NC. This will result in increasing westerly winds Fri afternoon through the expected cold frontal passage Saturday. Behind the front wind will become NW. It will be only slightly cooler with the main cool air expected Saturday night (prolonging the windy dry conditions well into the night).

 

The main periods of concern appear to be Friday afternoon and Saturday into Saturday evening (possibly the stronger concern). Since our moisture sources (Gulf and Atlantic) are expected to be cut off with this cold front passage only isolated showers are forecast east of the Blue Ridge with the front. Otherwise it will be dry and getting drier! This will set up a pattern that will create increasing temps Friday (mid to upper 80s) SW to W winds with gusts to 25 mph and very low relative humidity (25% or lower Friday and Saturday afternoons)

 

Gary Curcio with the NCFS has presented research from scientists from the past that point to critical fire weather conditions over NC typically develop when troughs of low pressure develop and deepen over the eastern U.S. with mainly dry frontal passages that coincide with dry conditions often prior to spring green-up. All appear to be criteria that will be met or possibly met this Fri into Sat.

 

Special Weather Statements... Fire Weather Watches... or Red Flag Warnings may be needed Fri into the weekend.

 

Jeff Orrock

Homeland Security Exercise

The Lee County Homeland Security Exercise has ended

Homeland Security Exercise for Lee County

Homeland Security Exercise
Leak in railcar has been contained.
6 patients transported to the local hospital.
COLTS transported 2 additional wheelchair victims to the shelter.
One injured victim arrived at the shelter with injuries to the arm; law enforcement has been dispatched to investigate.

This is a Homeland Security Exercise:

Skin Irritation due to Anhydrous Ammonia Exposure


Individuals reporting exposure to AA should flush skin and eyes with water. Time is important! Get water onto the exposed area of the skin or eyes immediately and flush for at least 15 minutes. Contact lenses should be removed since they can trap the gas and freeze the contacts to the eye. Contaminated clothing should be removed quickly but carefully. If frozen to the skin saturate with water before attempting removal. Wash the affected skin area with an abundant amounts of water and do not apply anything except water for the first 24 hours. Stay warm and get to a physician immediately

Homeland Security Exercise for Lee County

RRT arrived on scene at 10:37.
They entered the Hot Zone for evaluation.
Now in process of trying to stop the leak.
The first team was unable to complete the task in the amount of time they were able to work and a second team is attempting to complete that task.
4 victims are still in the Hot Zone all this time and a special rescue device is being used to transport them out at this time.
Toxic may be fatal if inhaled, ingested or absorbed through skin.
Contact with gas or liquid gas may cause burns, severe injury and/or frost bite.
Fire will produce irritating corrosive and/or toxic gases.

This is a Homeland Security Exercise:

This is a Homeland Security Exercise:

Hazmat team from Fayetteville, NC has arrived.
Amateur radio group has been set up at the Mass Care Shelter.
COLTS continues to transport victims/citizens to the shelter.
31 have been registered at the shelter at this time.

Lee County Homeland Security Exercise

This is a Homeland Security Exercise:

Restuarurants and day cares in the affected area will remain closed until the fire dept. does an air quality check and an inspection by Environmental Health Specialist is completed

· Food that was not in sealed packaging should be thrown away. Food in the refrigerator should be safe to eat unless there was a power outage. Perishable food items (meat, milk, etc.) in refrigerators where there was a loss of power should be discarded. Foods in freezers during power outages are generally safe to eat unless the power is out for an extended time period.
Food in sealed containers, such as canned goods or those sealed in airtight plastic wrap or in plastic containers may be eaten after cleaning the container thoroughly with soap and water.
Food in boxes that have been opened, such as cereal, crackers, etc., that do not have an airtight seal, should be thrown away.
If you are unsure about food products, a good general rule to follow is, “When in doubt, throw it out.”
· Pet Foods. Pet food that had been left out should be discarded. Pet food in sealed cans or in other airtight packages is safe after the outside of the container is wiped off with a wet cloth. However, pet foods in bags that had been previously opened should be discarded.
Contact your veterinarian if your pet is experiencing symptoms which may be related to exposure to anhydrous ammonia. These symptoms would be similar to those experienced by people, especially those involving difficulty breathing or other respiratory problems.
· There may be a white powder residual in your home. This substance is ammonium hydroxide and occurs after anhydrous ammonia settles out after exposure to water. It is similar to the ammonia used in general home cleaning. If you notice any of this white powder on surfaces in your home, it can be safely cleaned up simply by using a wet cloth. This substance could cause skin irritation, so rubber gloves should be used when cleaning.
If this white residue is on clothing or other fabrics, they can be cleaned in a washing machine.
Plates, silver ware and other eating utensils can be cleaned in a dishwasher or by washing with soap and water.

.

This is a Homeland Security Exercise:

This is a Homeland Security Exercise:


Anhydrous Ammonia Spill.

Reverse 911 used to alert residents to shelters in place up to 1/2 mile from incident.

This area covers Hawkins and Charlotte to Spring Lane and N. Gulf to Carthage and Hillcrest.

The FD has set up Decon on site for anybody within the 500’ Hot Zone.

From there they will go to triage on scene.

Lee County Homeland Security Full Size Exercise

This is a Homeland Security Full Size Exercise:

At approximately 9:20am a CSX railcar had an explosion of a hazardous substance at Depot Park, Sanford, NC.

Emergency personnel have been dispatched and are on scene.

Hazmat team from Fayetteville, NC in route.

Students from East and West Lee Middle Schools were at Depot Park for a field trip.

Several individuals have been injured and transported to local hospitals.

Businesses in the downtown area that were open for business are being evacuated.

Busses and COLTS vans have been contacted to transport citizens and students to San Lee Middle School where a mass care shelter has been opened.

Howard Berger Recalls Extension Cords and Power Strips Due to Fire Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. -The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following products. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.

Name of Product: Indoor and Outdoor Extension Cords and Power Strips        Units: About 12,000

Manufacturer: Howard Berger Co. Inc., of Cranbury, N.J.

Hazard: The extension cords and power strips have inadequate coating material around the cords and copper conductors that are smaller than required, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves Brightway heavy duty outdoor extension cords and Brightway indoor household extension cords and power strips. Model numbers involved in the recall are R2600 through R2615 (outdoor extension cords), EE6 through EE20 (indoor extension cords) and MP6DG (power strips). “Brightway” is printed on the cords. Model numbers are printed on the product’s packaging.

Sold at: Hardware and discount stores nationwide from August 2009 through October 2009 for between $1 and $20.  Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the extension cords and power strips and return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Howard Berger at (800) 221-6895 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, visit the firm’s Web site at www.hberger.com. Consumers can also email the firm at robertwinterstein@hberger.com