Biden-Harris Administration, NOAA invest $15 million to help protect Western U.S. communities from wildfire
The Department of Commerce and NOAA announced today that approximately $15 million has been provided through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to construct and deploy a new suite of fire weather observing systems in high-risk locations in the Western United States to support wildfire prediction, detection and monitoring. The investments support four distinct but related components of a regional fire weather observing system that relies on different technologies and approaches with the goal of improving wildfire prediction, detection and monitoring from the regional to local scales. “Catastrophic wildfires threaten the lives and livelihoods of many communities across the country, which is
Wildfire Survivors: Beware of Stolen Identity Fraud and Other Disaster Recovery Scams and Deceptions
Wildfire Survivors: Beware of Stolen Identity Fraud and Other Disaster Recovery Scams and Deceptions LOS ANGELES – Some Californians impacted by the Los Angeles County wildfires may be targeted with scams and fraudulent schemes. Disasters are often opportunities for criminals who attempt to obtain names, addresses and social security numbers to fraudulently gain access to a survivor’s legitimate FEMA grants. It is important to note that only one application may be filed for each household. A survivor who is applying with FEMA and is told they already have applied should first ensure no one else in the household has already applied
FEMA Offers Recovery Tips for California Wildfire Survivors
FEMA Offers Recovery Tips for California Wildfire Survivors WASHINGTON -- While fire suppression activities are still ongoing in parts of Southern California, affected individuals and families are taking steps toward recovery. FEMA is helping people jumpstart their recovery. You may be eligible for FEMA assistance, even if you have insurance. More than $5.3 million so far are in the hands of survivors to help pay for emergency supplies like food, water and baby formula as well as to replace personal property and pay for a temporary place to stay. Below are tips to help Californians recover from the historic wildfires. If your
As Coordinated Wildfire Response Efforts Continue, FEMA Encourages Californians to Apply for Aid
As Coordinated Wildfire Response Efforts Continue, FEMA Encourages Californians to Apply for Aid WASHINGTON -- As wildfire response efforts continue, Californians should listen to instructions from state and local officials and take steps to stay safe like immediately evacuating if told to do so, paying attention to local alerts and using a face covering when outdoors. Los Angeles County Residents with Wildfire Damage Are Encouraged to Apply for FEMA Assistance If your primary home was affected by the fires, FEMA may be able to help you cover certain costs – like paying for essential items, finding a place to stay, replacing
FEMA, Federal Government Committed to Helping Californians During Historic Wildfire Response
FEMA, Federal Government Committed to Helping Californians During Historic Wildfire Response WASHINGTON -- While response efforts continue in Southern California, FEMA and its federal and nonprofit partners are on the ground coordinating lifesaving and life-sustaining activities to support the state-led disaster response. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell is in the affected areas today assessing damage and meeting with community officials to determine where FEMA’s assistance is needed most. Yesterday, President Biden approved funds to cover 100 percent of the cost of debris removal and lifesaving and life-sustaining activities the state and local governments take—including fire suppression efforts —as they work to
Family Takes a Step Toward Wildfire Recovery
Family Takes a Step Toward Wildfire Recovery LAHAINA – Ane and Lafaele Folaumoeloa are ready to take the next step in a journey to recovery that began after the Lahaina wildfires destroyed their home and all their possessions. The couple and their three children – a boy, aged 11, a girl also 11, and their 5-year-old sister – are among the first survivors scheduled to move into FEMA’s Kilohana Group Housing site. Kilohana will become a temporary haven for up to 167 individuals and families – a Lahaina location where wildfire survivors can plan for the future. The family’s new
NOAA scientists testing next generation of wildfire detection, warning tools
Two experimental tools that will speed fire detection and warning got a week-long test run in NOAA’s new Fire Weather Testbed in June during a series of hands-on simulations with National Weather Service fire weather forecasters, state wildfire managers, researchers, and social scientists. The first, NOAA’s Next Generation Fire System, or NGFS, uses artificial intelligence to rapidly and autonomously identify fires from observations made by geostationary satellites. By quickly communicating information to forecasters and land managers, it reduces response time when a swift initial attack is most critical. The second, the application of the Integrated Warning Team paradigm to wildfire
NOAA Incident Meteorologists prepare for wildfire season
IMETs practice launching a weather balloon during 2023 IMET training. Meteorologists use upper air observations from weather balloons to develop a forecast. (Image credit: NOAA) NOAA National Weather Service Incident Meteorologists (IMETs) offsite link will gather in Boise, Idaho, March 11-15 to complete specialized, intensive training to help keep first responders and firefighters safe during the upcoming wildfire season. Media are invited to observe this training and interview the IMETs — key members of incident command teams who provide continuous weather forecast support during a wildfire battle. Seventy meteorologists will participate in the training, which will prepare them to deliver fire
FORT Economist James Meldrum and the Wildfire Research Team win the 2024 CO-LABS Governor’s Awards for High Impact Research: Pathfinding Partnerships Award
The Pathfinding Partnerships Award from CO-LABS recognizes impactful, collaborative research projects organized by four or more research entities, including federal labs, in Colorado. This year, the Wildfire Research (WiRē) team received this award for their support of evidence-based community wildfire education to help communities live with wildfire. As wildfire frequency and severity increases worldwide and urban populations expand further into wildlands, communities will face increasing risk of interaction with wildfire. Scientific research has established effective practices for reducing wildfire risk to homes and communities, like improving fire department access to land parcels, removing flammable materials or vegetation near buildings, and
FEMA May Help Wildfire Survivors Whose Temporary Housing Insurance is Running Out
FEMA May Help Wildfire Survivors Whose Temporary Housing Insurance is Running Out Kīhei, MAUI – If you are a wildfire survivor and have an insurance policy that covers your temporary housing, it’s important to verify the terms of that coverage, the amount, and how long it will last. If your insurance coverage is running out, contact FEMA to see how you may qualify for additional assistance. Even if your insurance is still in effect, you are encouraged to find out more about FEMA’s available programs. FEMA options include: The Rental Assistance Program, which may offer financial help towards paying your rent