EnvirocastTM TV for Tuesday October 28, 2003

Fires in Southern California -- Update #2



Background

  

Images

The images were taken by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on board NASA's Aqua satellite. They show fires in Southern California on October 28 2003.

Facts:

  • Thick smoke blankets the Southern California coastline as multiple brush fires continue to burn near Los Angeles and San Diego.

 

  • To the northwest of LA the Piru, Simi Incident, and Verdale Fires are highlighted. Firefighters have nearly contained the Verdale Fire, but strong winds, intense flames, and rough terrain have made it difficult to check the Piru and Simi Incident Fires.

 

  • The next cluster of fires, burning in the San Bernardino Mountains, to the northeast of LA is a combination of the Old, Grand Prix, and Mountain Fires. While the Grand Prix and the Mountain Fires are partially contained, winds continue to fuel the Old Fire.

 

  • Finally, the Paradise, Cedar, and Otay Fires continue to threaten the San Diego area in the south.

 

  • The Otay Fire is nearly under control, but the Cedar and Paradise fires continue to burn almost entirely unchecked.

 

Environmental Impacts:

Unhealthy air in the Southern California Region:

Unhealthy air in the Los Angeles Region:

California Air Quality - EPA AIRNow

For the latest air quality information please visit the EPA AirNow site

Due to the wildfires in southern California, localized areas of smoke have occurred in the Los Angeles Basin. As a result, concentrations of fine particulates are expected to reach the unhealthful level in the smoke impacted areas.

All individuals are urged to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary outdoor activities in the smoke impacted areas.

In areas with UNHEALTHY air quality, everyone should discontinue prolonged, vigorous outdoor exercise lasting longer than one hour. Examples of the kinds of outdoor activities that should be avoided are calisthenics, basketball, running, soccer, football, tennis, swimming laps, and water polo. Susceptible persons, such as those with heart or lung disease, should avoid outdoor activity entirely.

HEALTH ADVISORY from the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District (APCD): Harmful Smoke from Southern California Fires.

 

Tips for your viewers: Surviving A Wildfire  -- Protect Your Family.

Even with wildfires burning close to some communities in Southern California, there's still time to prepare for the worst.  Here are some tips to help your viewers from the Arizona Insurance Information Association ( http://www.azinsurance.org/wildfires.html):

 * Create a family disaster preparedness plan by identifying escape routes from your home, work and neighborhood. You should also designate an emergency meeting place if you become separated from each other.

 * Immediately heed any warning to evacuate to a designated shelter. Take supplies such as drinking water, non-perishable food, first aid supplies, a portable radio, cell phone, flashlight, extra batteries, clothing blankets, baby items, prescription medicine, extra eye glasses, cash and copies of important documents such as insurance policies. If a fire is imminent, include family photos and other irreplaceable family memorabilia in your emergency evacuation kit.

 * Make a record (video or still photography) of your personal belongings and store in a place other than your home.

 

 
Image NTSC 720x486 031028_01_tva.jpg shows the MODIS image of fire in Southern California on October 28, 2003.
Image NTSC 720x486 031028_02_tva.jpg is the same as above, with no annotation.
Los Angeles Area:
Image NTSC 720x486 031028_03_tva.jpg shows the MODIS image of fire near Los Angeles on October 28, 2003.
Image NTSC 720x486 031028_04_tva.jpg is the same as above, with no annotation.
San Diego Area:
Image NTSC 720x486 031028_05_tva.jpg shows the MODIS image of fire near San Diego on October 28, 2003.
Image NTSC 720x486 031028_06_tva.jpg is the same as above, with limited annotation.
Image NTSC 720x486 031028_07_tva.jpg is the same as above, with no annotation.
Image NTSC 640x480 031028_01_tvb.jpg shows the MODIS image of fire in Southern California on October 28, 2003.
Image NTSC 640x480 031028_02_tvb.jpg is the same as above, with no annotation.
Los Angeles Area:
Image NTSC 640x480 031028_03_tvb.jpg shows the MODIS image of fire near Los Angeles on October 28, 2003.
Image NTSC 640x480 031028_04_tvb.jpg is the same as above, with no annotation.
San Diego Area:
Image NTSC 640x480 031028_05_tvb.jpg shows the MODIS image of fire near San Diego on October 28, 2003.
Image NTSC 640x480 031028_06_tvb.jpg is the same as above, with limited annotation.
Image NTSC 640x480 031028_07_tvb.jpg is the same as above, with no annotation.
 

Related EnvirocastTM TV Updates:

To save the above TV-ready images from this page, simply right-click on the thumbnail version and choose "Save Target As..." (Internet Explorer) or "Save Image..." (Netscape) to save it to your computer's hard drive.

EnvirocastTM TV is a service of StormCenter Communications, Inc. If you are having trouble downloading an image or if you have any questions, please call StormCenter Communications at 410-203-1316.

EnvirocastTM content is copyright StormCenter Communications, Inc. and is intended to be used solely for those StormCenter customers using the Envirocast software or receiving Envirocast via e-mail delivery directly from StormCenter Communications, Inc. If you are not the intended addressee/recipient, you are hereby notified that any use of, disclosure, copying, distribution, or reliance on the contents of this E-Mail information is strictly prohibited.