California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) - Experts & Thought Leaders

California wildfires are becoming more devastating and destructive as we face fire season year-round.  "In California, it's all about wildfires these days. And the reason is that we've had droughts," explained James Gore, the chair of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. "Those droughts have exacerbated things." early detection and prevention "There's no 'fire season' anymore," said CAL FIRE firefighter Camille Edward. "Sometimes it does take a toll. You're away from your families, especially during the summer months, with very few breaks, but it's what we signed up to do." With fires happening 365 days per year, technology has become increasingly important in early detection and prevention. Firescout The proactive monitoring system helps protect lives by detecting the early stages of smoke through a network Alchera developed "Firescout," an AI smoke detection solution to provide preparedness support before and after an emergency. The proactive monitoring system helps protect lives by detecting the early stages of smoke through a network of fire watch cameras 24/7, optimized real-time alerts, and more. optimized real-time alerts "What we're trying to do here is we're trying to detect the fire and respond to it before it gets too big and too unmanageable," explained Sam Wallis the Emergency Manager of the Sonoma County Dept. of Emergency Management. "To be able to detect an early-stage fire is extremely valuable. Time is a pretty critical factor when it comes to fire response," said CEO of Alchera Young K. Hwang. "If we detect an early-stage fire, we can notify the first responders. They can usually extinguish the fire before it becomes a large fire."

With more than two dozen major wildfires as well as over 12,000 emergency incidents, and over 1.1 million acres burned, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, a thick blanket of smoke continues to hang low in the skies in Northern California. NasalGuard® Airborne Particle Blocker responds to the devastating fires raging across Northern California with the launch of the ‘Breathe Easier Smoke Inhalation Donation’ program. NasalGuard® Airborne Particle Blocker is an ionic particle blocking topical nasal gel that prevents harmful airborne particles from entering the nose. Potential drug interactions The product is drug-free and safe for children, the elderly, pregnant or nursing women, and those concerned about potential drug interactions with other medications. NasalGuard is a unique product that can help people protect themselves from harmful smoke inhalation. To help support Firefighters and their Families in Northern California dealing with the danger of serious smoke inhalation problems, NasalGuard Airborne Particle Blocker ‘Breathe Easier Smoke Inhalation Donation’ program offers relief through donation of their patented airborne particle blocker. Inhalation of airborne particles With the current situation in Northern California and with the pandemic, our goal is to offer some relief" Through the program, NasalGuard is offering free donations to Firefighters and healthcare professionals in Northern California that would like to try NasalGuard gel for themselves, or place of work. "NasalGuard has been proven to reduce the inhalation of airborne particles, including smoke inhalation, virus-sized particles and contaminants, when applied outside the nasal passages prior to exposure," says Ashok Wahi, engineer and co-inventor of NasalGuard. "With the current situation in Northern California and with the pandemic, our goal is to offer some relief," adds Kanika Wahi, engineer and co-inventor of NasalGuard. Oppositely charged particles NasalGuard has donated thousands of units during the pandemic to hospitals, healthcare workers and charitable non-profit organizations. A pin-sized drop of the preventative product is applied around the nostrils and above the upper lip and lasts up to six hours. Patented NasalGuard gel uses a cationic (positively charged) polymer that creates a safe electrostatic field around the nasal passages that traps oppositely charged particles and repels similarly charged particles to reduce inhalation of most harmful airborne particles before they enter one's body. NasalGuard gel provides an electrostatic blocking effect that is effective against a wide spectrum of sub-microscopic indoor and outdoor contaminants including smoke, mold, pollen, pet dander, pollution, and virus-sized particles.

MoistureShield announced its Vision® capped composite decking line has been approved for the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Building Materials listing in California, a program of the California Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM). Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) zones are places where potentially flammable vegetation meets or overlaps with developed areas identifying them as severe fire hazard areas. With increasing populations in California WUI areas and temperatures above historical averages, the risk for wildfires is greater than ever. To design and build homes with a greater chance of surviving a wildfire, carefully selecting building materials can play a vital role. Compliance with local building codes and WUI requirements help protect neighborhoods and give people more time to evacuate. Protecting lives from wildfire "Achieving WUI compliance is a significant achievement for MoistureShield Vision in California, where wildfires are on the rise," said Matthew Bruce, VP Sales & Marketing, MoistureShield. "As an industry, we need to build smarter and WUI building compliance helps protect lives and property." In nominal dimensions of 1" x 5.4" with 1/8" edge-to-edge spacing, MoistureShield Vision meets the requirements for the test methodology described in California SFM 12-7A-4, Materials and Construction Materials for Exterior Wildlife Exposure: Decking Alternative Method A. One can see OSFM Listing No. 8110-2321-0500 for allowable values and/or conditions for use. Building material requirements The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), the state's emergency response and resource protection department, oversees WUI zones and building material requirements. MoistureShield Vision® features DiamondDefense™ Coating, a strong cap in the industry, resisting scratches, stains and damage on impact. Vision also features the unique option of CoolDeck® Technology, reducing heat absorption by up to 35% compared to traditional capped composite boards in a similar color.

Last year was the largest wildfire season recorded in California in modern history, with six of the top 20 largest wildfires in the state, according to the California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (CAL FIRE). In 2020, firefighters faced a total of 9,917 wildfires that consumed a record 6,653 square miles. These fires took the lives of 33 people and damaged or destroyed 10,488 structures. Ahead of the 2022 wildland fire season, climatologists are predicting another record-shattering year of frequent and intense wildfires across the United States. This reflects a continuing trend of more wildfires and more acres burned, with seasons that are more severe and last longer. Growing concern for WUI firefighters DuPont believes these dedicated men and women deserve the best protection Concern is growing for wildland urban interface (WUI) firefighters as fires today frequently intersect with residential areas, in and around wildland fields. WUI firefighters are fighting both wildfires and urban fires. This comes with combined hazards and the clear need for their gear to work harder than ever before. DuPont believes these dedicated men and women deserve the best protection and the best gear to match their unwavering commitment to keeping everyone safe. At DuPont, we look at singular and multiple threats simultaneously. Our decades of experience, wide portfolio of solutions and unique partnerships with firehouses around the world, allow us to continue to innovate our next-generation gear to face emerging threats. Uncompromised Protection The DuPont Nomex brand has been trusted for over 50 years. WUI firefighters can depend on apparel made with Nomex and Nomex Nano to offer higher fire resistance along with over 99% particulate protection in lighter weight options. Nomex Nano was developed to address the growing problem of heat stress. It is engineered to be thinner than other advanced flame-resistant (FR) materials used for thermal liners and features a higher limiting oxygen index (LOI) than traditional Nomex and DuPont Kevlar. Nomex Nano We have seen Nomex Nano provide up to 40% reduction in thermal liner thickness, when compared to other advanced liners available in the market, while providing similar thermal protection performance. By reducing the weight and bulk of current turnout gear (TOG) systems, liners made with Nomex Nano can help give firefighters increased mobility and a better range of motion, thereby helping to reduce fatigue, disorientation and heat exhaustion. Reduced heat stress and enhanced moisture management Nomex Nano also helps reduce heat stress due to its enhanced moisture management Nomex Nano also helps reduce heat stress due to its enhanced moisture management, which includes a high absorption rate to remove sweat quickly and a high evaporation rate to drive water out of a firefighter’s skin and the thermal liner system. Kelly Whitt, Business Development Manager at DuPont said, “Our existing products have been proven with years in the structural firefighting arena. Today, we’re looking at ways to bridge the gap and give WUI firefighters the same level of protection from harmful smoke particulates that can be found in structural fire turnout gear.” Field test of new laminated composite fabric technology Kelly Whitt adds, “We are field testing a new laminated composite fabric technology – utilizing Nomex® Nano – that will provide superior particulate protection for both wildland-urban interface and brush fire firefighting.” DuPont understands that collaborating with a variety of stakeholders is the key to taking the technology to the next level and providing WUI firefighters with a better level of protection, than what they have previously experienced with traditional wildland gear. Game-changing barrier protection Scientists are just starting to learn more about what firefighters are exposed to, when they are battling a wildland blaze. They know that a variety of airborne pathogens get kicked up in a fire. They have tracked countless living microbes and airborne pathogens that could seep into the skin, enter lungs and cling to clothing. But the long-term effects of wildfire smoke aren’t really known, as fires haven’t burned for this long until recent years. At this point, experts don’t have a good understanding of the many trillions of microbes that survive and proliferate in wildfires. “The diversity of microbes that we've found are really mind-bending,” said Leda Kobziar, the University of Idaho’s Wildland Fire Science Director.  The addition of Nomex Nano Flex to a firefighter hood composite structure Enhanced protection against particulates As we look to the next generation of gear, we want to focus on increasing protection against particulates. We know that when added to a firefighter hood composite structure, hoods made with Nomex Nano Flex provide higher than 99% particulate, bacterial and viral filtration efficiency, without compromising on comfort. The addition of Nomex Nano Flex to a firefighter hood composite structure provides improved particle barrier protection in the neckline and upper jaw. These are areas that are known to be the most vulnerable and least protected. In fact, it results in up to a 4x increase in particle barrier efficiency. And comfort doesn’t take a back seat. Better situational awareness and high breathability “I speak with firefighters daily, and they tell me hoods with Nomex Nano Flex have exceptional durability,” said Chris Nowacki, Regional Sales Manager – Emergency Response and Utility/Arc at DuPont, adding “In addition, fire departments specify Nomex Nano Flex over other particulate-blocking materials for enhanced safety, better situational awareness, high breathability, low shrinkage and enhanced performance, when soaked with perspiration.” Protection That Lasts Tests show that hoods and composites made with Nomex Nano Flex offer 99% particulate-blocking efficiency Tests show that hoods and composites made with Nomex Nano Flex offer 99% particulate-blocking efficiency, which is four times better than conventional hoods, even after 150 washes. To further validate the durability of the hoods, a test was performed at two local fire stations using hoods from three different manufacturers with different designs, including quilted and non-quilted options. Nomex Nano particulate-blocking gear Each trial consisted of 250 cycles of donning and doffing, followed by one NFPA 1851 recommended washing and drying for 10 cycles. Despite these aggressive trials, the hoods maintained their protective performance. Nomex Nano particulate-blocking gear helps prevent crews from being exposed to particulates and aerosolized microbes. At DuPont, we are committed to continuing our work with our industry partners to leverage our proven technologies and push the boundaries of science so that the next generation of WUI firefighting gear offers the highest level of protection possible. We are the innovation partner and ingredient. We stay with partners throughout the entire process of adoption and make sure the end user also has what they need to be safe and successful in their jobs. Our heroes deserve it.

An explosion of blue-colored smoke on Sept. 5, 2020 in Yucalpa, California, was the beginning of a large wildfire in El Dorado Ranch Park. The pyrotechnic device was essentially a smoke bomb designed to send plumes of pink or blue smoke rising into the air, designating the gender of an expected baby. The expectant dad had packed the target with a highly explosive substance called Tannerite and shot it with a high-powered rifle. The target was designed to explode in pink or blue to reveal whether the couple was expecting a boy or a girl. Flammable foliage When the device ignited, so did the dry, wild grasses growing up to 4 feet tall in the meadow at the park, 80 miles east of Los Angeles. In the peak of summer, Southern California foliage is extremely flammable, and there were already fires burning across the state. After being active for 11 days, the fire had affected 18,506 acres and was 63% contained. The family that sparked the fire sought to put down the flames using water bottles. Then they called 911. The responsible individuals were still at the park when firemen arrived, and there are also surveillance cameras. Wildfire Spread And Evacuation The fire spread from the park to the north on to Yucalpa Ridge that separates Mountain Home Village and Forest Falls from the City of Yucalpa. The fire threatened a nearby residential neighborhood, and some 21,000 people were evacuated. After being active for 11 days, the fire had affected 18,506 acres and was 63% contained. The pyrotechnic show was a variation on the popular trend of gender reveal parties, which seek to announce the gender of an expected infant in increasingly (and competitively) colorful and/or dramatic ways. The parties are often featured prominently on social media. Rising temperatures Also contributing to the fire was recent weather in California, whose terrain was scorching in record-breaking temperatures as high as 120 degrees F in early September. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL Fire) reminds the public that, with the dry conditions and critical fire weather, it does not take much to start a wildfire, and those responsible for starting fires due to negligence or illegal activity can be held financially and criminally responsible. Natural conditions and human activity Natural conditions are central to causing wildfires, although human activity can provide the triggers Natural conditions are central to causing wildfires, although human activity can provide the triggers, including downed power lines, sparks from tire blowouts, and barbecues that get out of control. The pivotal gender-reveal part is just the latest example. If not for the increasingly dry and scorched conditions that make wildfire so easy to ignite, such human events would be much less consequential. With thousands of acres of wildfire raging across California, the cause of one wildfire seems less important in the overall scheme of things. However, the event does emphasize how seemingly minor events can have a very large impact. Lightning and fireworks Another cause of recent wildfires was lightning with more than 10,000 lightning strikes sparking 376 fires on Aug 16 and 17, 2020. In a season of wildfires, use of fireworks, for whatever reason, is a particular risk. Fireworks cause an average of 18,500 fires each year in the United States. Of those, about 1,200 injuries are from less powerful devices such as small firecrackers and sparklers.

The wildfire season in 11 Western U.S. states has started out slower than last year, although deadly fires could still develop in the second half of the season, as they did last year. Meanwhile, wildfires in the Arctic have reached new levels, especially in Alaska and Siberia. Wildfires in the West killed 160 people and caused $40 billion in damage in the past two years, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information. The trend is toward larger fires burning more acres – especially in years that are warm. This year has presented some relief. Through mid-July, California’s wildfire numbers were down: from 34,957 large fires on 3,554,03 acres in 2018 to 23,378 fires covering 2,371,397 acres in 2019, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. 87 wildfire incidents reported so far In Alaska, a dry spell this year has exacerbated 58 large fires throughout the state, including the Hess Creek Fire  The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reported 310 significant incidents (consuming at least 10 acres) in 2018, compared to only 87 significant incidents so far this year. The largest has been the Lonoak fire in Monterey. There were 38 wildfires that burned at least 2,000 acres in California in 2018; there have been only four such blazes in California through mid-July 2019. However, five of California’s largest fires last year happened in the second half of the year. In Alaska, a dry spell this year has exacerbated 58 large fires throughout the state, including the Hess Creek Fire, the largest so far in 2019. Effects of wildfires on Artic ice On the international level, the scale of wildfires in Siberia has been unusually high and dangerously close to population centers, and some environmentalists are concerned the soot from the fires can deposit on Arctic ice, speed up its melt rate, disrupt the local ecosystem, and even increase the sea level rise. Some fires are also in remote areas that are difficult to reach. Fires throughout the Arctic – in Greenland, Siberia and Alaska – are producing plumes of smoke visible from space. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has called the Arctic blazes ‘unprecedented’.   Fires throughout the Arctic – in Greenland, Siberia and Alaska – are producing plumes of smoke visible from space Arctic fires are not only the result of dry vegetation; in some cases, the underlying peat has caught fire. “The amount of [carbon dioxide] emitted from Arctic circle fires in June 2019 is larger than all the combined CO2 released from Arctic circle fires in the same month from 2010 through 2018,” the WMO says. Forests are more vulnerable during droughts Throughout the Western U.S., higher temperatures correlate well with larger wildfires: The warmest weather years have equated to the most fires. Forests are more vulnerable during droughts, but even a wet winter may not relieve fire risks, according to Climate Central. The moisture can spur growth of grasses and shrubs, which dry out on warmer days and provide additional fuel The moisture can spur growth of grasses and shrubs, which dry out on warmer days and provide additional fuel. Climate Central’s analysis is based on data reported by the U.S. Forest Service covering Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Data shows that many states are struggling to use prescribed burns to reduce fuel for out-of-control blazes, but there is much less federal funding for prescribed burns than for fire suppression, according to Climate Central. Compressed wildfire season expected Looking forward, an active but compressed wildfire season is expected across the West as the southwestern monsoon becomes more active in August. While this will effectively end the season across the Southwest, lightning-induced fire activity is expected to increase elsewhere, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. By October and November, California will reenter the fire season amid concerns of higher-than-average fire potential due to the presence of an abundant crop of fine fuels in the lower to middle elevations.