Photo credit: NASA.gov http://www.nasa.gov/image-feature/goddard/smoke-from-western-fires-wafts-eastward
The northwest fires this season have been unbearable. Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and of course California have all been states that are greatly affected by these fires with more fires in other states across the U.S. popping up daily. So far this year, more than 7.4 million acres have been burned by wildfires. Firefighters have come from as far away as Australia and New Zealand to battle the blazes across the Pacific Northwest.
Photo credit: Trinity Ridge fire, August 24, 2012, photo by Kari Greer for USFS http://wildfiretoday.com/2012/09/08/kari-greer-photos-from-the-trinity-ridge-fire/
In our neck of the woods here in Northern California, Humboldt and Trinity Counties have been severely affected by these wildfires. Homes have been lost, gorgeous acres of hundred year old redwood trees are gone, livestock has perished, crops are destroyed and unfortunately it’s still not contained. The smoke in the area reminds us daily how bad fire season really is. The devastation hits too close to home.
In some areas nature took over, scattering dry lightning storms that has caused most of the destruction. Other areas were not affected by natural causes, but by not knowing the simple precautions to take to avoid a devastation like this, a disaster can happen at any time. http://lostcoastoutpost.com/2015/jul/31/dozens-small-wildfires-burning-humboldt-county-mor/
Current known wildfires sparked by lightning in the Humboldt County region. Graphic: Calfire HUU
Everyone hears how important is it to be prepared, but how seriously do you take it? Do you have a plan? Having stored food and water is a priority for survival but what about staying informed when all communication is down? Radio has been a solid form of communication when cellular services were not available in the rural areas affected. Your local radio stations are the most likely sources for up to the minute information on what’s happening and evacuation information that’s critical for survival. This is why the all Hazards CC Radio 2 E is a necessity to have on hand during any emergency.
Here are a few great tips to help avoid the start of wildfires:
• Design and landscape your home with wildfire safety in mind. Select materials and plants that can help contain fire rather than fuel it.
• Regularly clean roof and gutters.
• Inspect chimneys at least twice a year and clean them at least once a year.
• Install a dual-sensor smoke alarm on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms; test monthly and change the batteries at least once each year.
• Teach each family member how to use a fire extinguisher (ABC type) and show them where it’s kept.
• Clear items that will burn from around the house, including wood piles, lawn furniture, barbecue grills, tarp coverings, etc. Move them outside of your defensible space.
• Identify and maintain an adequate outside water source such as a small pond, cistern, well, swimming pool, or hydrant.
• Have a garden hose that is long enough to reach any area of the home and other structures on the property.
Find more useful tips to help you before, during and after a fire by clicking here: http://www.ready.gov/wildfires .
No matter what the emergency is whether they are fires, snowstorms, floods, hurricanes, landslides, or earthquakes – any natural disaster, we encourage you to check your kit and plan and if you don’t have one, make one. http://emergency.cdc.gov/disasters/foodwater/prepare.asp
Let us help you start your emergency kit. Comment on our blog with the necessities you’ll need for your survival emergency kit for you and your family members. What do you want the closest members of your family to have to stay safe? One winner will have the choice of either the CC Solar Observer AM/FM/Weather Windup Emergency Radio or the CC Skywave AM/FM/Shortwave/ Weather with Aviation Portable Travel Radio in addition to the Power Vivid Pocket Flashlight and the Unit Plus LED Flashlight. One entry per person. Drawing will be held September 15th.
Congratulations to the blog post winner Emma for commenting on our post Preparations for All Hazards! You have your choice of the CC Solar Observer AM/FM/Weather Windup Emergency Radio or the CC Skywave AM/FM/Shortwave/ Weather with Aviation Portable Travel Radio. Congratulations and thanks to all who participated!
I live in the northeast so wilfires are not a concern for mr for the most part but would like a basic survival kit for my area emergency threats. Thank you…
Its not just the drought its also the bark beetles pine bark beetles specifically. they get into the bark and kill the trees, the sap normally stops them but the drought causes the tress to produce less Sap and the Beatles get in and completely kill the tree even when we have water all those trees aren’t coming back they’re just going to sit there is dead fuel until they burn some day and considering how the beetle has gotten something like one fifth of all the trees in the state, everyone needs to be extra careful in the next few years
Here’s a video I did a while back it’s probably not the most informative video out there about the beetles, but it does show a good example of affected trees next to living trees.
I’m not sure if I can even add links to my comment so I’ll add that in a separate comment right after this
The video
https://youtu.be/oMgimDhQrqo
Thanks for the good information you have listed.
I love my CCrane SW radio.Short Wave is great for information……. I live in the Northeast and now its Hurricane season.It really hits us from Sept to Dec..Like hurricane Sandy in Oct.2012,we had no lights,no power for 6 days.I would love a C.Crane radio that winds-up and will help me charge my cell phone the next time a storm kills my power.
Weather band radio
Set of spare matching batteries
Torch with same as above batteries that can be inter exchangeable with radio
Candles
Matchbox/lighter
Blanket
Umbrella
Waterproof tent
Mineral water bottles
Tinned food
Misc tissue paper
Here in the northwest we never know if winter will bring a snow event, earthquake or just lots of rain. We stock up on water and foods we can prepare without household appliances. A battery operated radio in case of a power outage. We have already had an outage this Fall (really still summer). We keep our vehicle gasoline tanks above half full at all times. I would like to get solar chargers for our readers, tablets and cell phones.
I really would like to get another SW pocket radio,had one that went with me when I was housesitting but it was taken when I had some one get in my house while at work. It was easy to carry around and I had rechargeable batteries for it .hope it is something that goes on sale soon.
It is great to be prepared, I have two of your emergency radios, both pre solar paneled, and have cooked both chargers. They are still crankable and work well otherwise. Your solar flashlight looks like a neat idea, maybe a couple of those would be a real blessing, imagine, always charged when left by a window on the dresser.
I need so much! Used to think I was prepared – now I know I’m not. I do have two of the windup radios…
Living in hurricane country we always have plenty of clean water, canned goods, flashlights and batteries on hand.
Have to go out and get ingredients for milk sandwiches with everyone else when the storm gets close. 🙂
I stay prepared for a disaster by having rechargeable flashlights around my house plus extra batteries. I also have several fire starter’s and fuel to cook with. It’s also good to have a gun to be able to hunt with plus plenty of ammo for protection from those that did not prepare
We live in the Northeast and not too concerned about wildfires. We do have a Crane CC Observer.
However we are looking to add to our emergency preparedness with a good shortwave radio in the event power is lost and additional flashlights.
We live in an area where tornados are a threat every spring. We always have emergency flashlights, radio, and food stored for such an event.
I use this list as provided by FEMA.
Family Supply List
Emergency Supplies:
Water, food, and clean air are important things to have if an emergency happens. Each family or individual’s kit should be customized to meet specific needs, such as medications and infant formula. It should also be customized to include important family documents.
Recommended Supplies to Include in a Basic Kit:
– Water, one gallon of water per person per day, for drinking and sanitation
– Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
– Battery-powered radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert, and extra batteries for both
– Flashlight and extra batteries
– First Aid kit
– Whistle to signal for help
– Infant formula and diapers, if you have an infant
– Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
– Dust mask or cotton t-shirt, to help filter the air
– Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
– Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
– Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food)
Clothing and Bedding:
If you live in a cold weather climate, you must think about warmth. It is possible that the power will be out and you will not have heat. Rethink your clothing and bedding supplies to account for growing children and other family changes. One complete change of warm clothing and shoes per person, including:
– A jacket or coat
– Long pants
– A long sleeve shirt
– Sturdy shoes
– A hat and gloves
– A sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
Family Supply List (continued)
Below are some other items for your family to consider adding to its supply kit. Some of these items, especially those marked with a * can be dangerous, so please have an adult collect these supplies.
– Emergency reference materials such as a first aid book or a print out of the information on http://www.ready.gov
– Rain gear
– Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils
– Cash or traveler’s checks, change
– Paper towels
– Fire Extinguisher
– Tent
– Compass
– Matches in a waterproof container*
– Signal flare*
– Paper, pencil
– Personal hygiene items including feminine supplies
– Disinfectant*
– Household chlorine bleach* – You can use bleach as a disinfectant (diluted nine parts water to one part bleach), or in an emergency you can also use it to treat water. Use 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
– Medicine dropper
– Important Family Documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
The most important part of a family emergency preparation is the first aid kit. It has items that are not easily improvised.
This is good information. Thank you, C.Crane.
These are necessities needed for me and my family’s emergency kit. A solar recharger for batteries. Preferably sturdy crank radios and flashlights all stored and protected in a EMP safe container. (Research “Faraday cage”) Knifes, multi-tools, lighters, water-proof matches or flint igniters, glow sticks, candles, iodine pills for radiation damage prevention (eating kelp is high in iodine as a natural supplement I try to eat everyday), compact shelter (tents) sleeping bags, Dehydrated foods/rations, water, Compact water purification/filtration device. Small assortment of heat resistant containers meal preparations, back-up sunglasses and air-tight goggles Hats for sun or cold temperature protection, extra socks, underwear (thermal also), multi-seasonal jacket, gloves. compact mask with filter (for heavy dust or volcanic ash, depending on your local disaster possibilities)
And what do I need to help me feel safe? Weapons for self defense, hunting for food.
Wind up radio and charger, camping type water filter, first aid kit, flashlights, tent, food – all the usual stuff.
My emergency kit would have flashlight, my trusty weather band radio, water bottles, blanket, some cans of food and cereal bars. Oh and spare batteries too!
Although I wish I never have to use it- I would like to have water bottles, nutri bars or nuts, extra blanket, flashlight and my radio…to use when all other comms are down.
In my emergency kit you’d find a blanket, dried food cans, water bottles, flashlight, candles and matchbox, a handy radio, an extra pair of hat and gloves and a whistle. I’d also place all these items in a waterproof bag. Thanks!
I always keep an emergency kit ready in my home- It has first aid stuff, dried food cans (and a can opener), water bottles, blanket, umbrella, extra pair of sneakers, flashlight and my radio.
My family always keeps emergency kit bags ready. Each contains a flashlight, batteries, blanket, cereal bars, 2 water bottles,a miniature first aid kit and a pair of flip flops. My bag also has my weather band radio.
Any emergency kit should have some extra clothing, some first aid stuff, some snacks, water, flashlight, batteries and some pencil and notepad. I have 3 such kits at home.
Love some of your products and really love that you are assisting others for their imminent emergency need—THANK YOU!! We purchased the C Crane Radio and we will collect a few other great items, but we do need some additional lighting sources for our emergency supply inventory. So…we’ll get our things from you guys for sure!
Solar oven, even one just big enough to heat a pot of water. No matter what the emergency Imma need some coffee.
Thanks CCrane for this initiative! 🙂 My emergency survival kit contains my CCrane weather band radio, flashlight, blanket, dry food kit, water bottles and extra batteries.
My parents have always had emergency kits ready- They stock up on a blanket, mini flashlight (and 2 spare batteries), a light jacket with hood, nuts, water bottles, basic first aid kit. My Dad also had a spare cell phone battery and his SW radio in his survival kit.
Emergency survival kit should be able to sustain any one for about 24-36 hours until help arrives. Mine includes water bottles, first aid kit (just in case!), a wind beater jacket, a strong pair of gloves, water proof shoes, some nuts and cereal bar and a flashlight. I need to find a good radio to add to this kit for when all other communications are out!
A flashlight, blanket, first aid kit, cereal bars, water, radio and extra batteries.
I grew up in an area prone to wild fires so we always had our emergency kits handy. It contained- water, blanket, some dry snacks, thick gloves, change of sneakers, flashlight and batteries.
Survival kits should have some water, food, extra blanket or jacket and gloves, flashlight and spare batteries, a radio and some first aid kits. I hope i never have to use mine!
CCrane – kudos to you for making us all think about this. Emergency kits at my place have water, first aid stuff, dry food packets, umbrella, light blanket. Reading other comments now I’m going to add flashlights, batteries and a radio!
First aid kit, umbrella, light jacket, cereal bars, water, flashlight and an extra battery. I want to add a radio now as i read that it might be the only thing keeping me connected when the comms are down
An emergency survival kit in my opinion must have water, some food (dry snacks/ cans of beans etc.), umbrella, blanket, change of clothes, flashlight, spare battery, and some band aids. I pack my emergency kit in a waterproof bag.
At my home, all our emergency kits contain the following items-
1) Copy of Identification papers
2) Light Jacket with hood
3) Flashlight
4) 2 Water bottles
5) Dry fruit & nut cereal bars
6) Basic first aid stuff
7) Umbrella
Thanks!
I love Ccrane for going out of their way and bringing this topic up. I’m sure that not all the commenters here have ever needed to use an emergency kit (and I hope it stays that way). Nonetheless it does help to stay prepared. We keep our kits ready with first aid items, food/ water, basic medicines, light throw, hat and gloves, umbrella, flashlight with working batteries. At least one of us has a ccrane radio in their backpack additionally.
I am in the process of moving from Florida to the NW Cascades area to be with my daughter and grandchildren. For me an emergency kit has been water, flashlight, can opener, and tuna fish tins (“hurricane preparedness”) , and suddenly I hear about volcanoes, Cascadian Subduction, old nuclear plants, blizzards…omg! Trying to convince them to return to Florida, ut I don’t think it will happen, so I will be reading this blog carefully to see what we will need. I had the best radio ever, the old Baygen – but it has reached the end of its life. So I really need to do some planning and filling a kit. Cold weather gear? I don a coat when it goes below 70, so I’m not sure if survival will even be possible! Would love a SW radio, but I am thinking the windup is a wiser choice.
Emma, Thank you so much for commenting on our blog post Preparation for All Hazards. You have been chosen as the winner! Thank you for your participation. An email with details will follow.
Thank you. how exciting to see this 🙂
My emergency kit contains the following:
plenty of water, LED flashlight (preferably waterproof), AM/FM/Weather radio, spare AAA and AA batteries; these two sizes power many devices, extra cash, portable power bank and appropriate cables to power a cell phone (if network is operational) and iPod, can opener and canned food – yes it can be eaten cold if need be, and granola bars,
Lots of water, firestarter, batteries, flashlight, radio, food and my medicine