4.7 SR 06-01-2020 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Sherburne County Multi -Hazard Mitigation Plan, 2020 Society & Public Health Tourism & Recreation Water Supply & Quality io Source: (National Drought Mitigation Center) Note: For additional information about each category/sector, visit: https.Ildroughtreporter.unl.edu/help/dir/mapping.aspx Since droughts are regional in nature, jurisdictions within Sherburne County do not vary in their vulnerability to drought; however, jurisdictions with a greater number of vulnerable residents maybe more negatively impacted. For example, droughts can contribute to poor air quality by increasing the risk of wildland fires and creating a dustier than normal environment. Populations vulnerable to these conditions include children, older adults, and those with respiratory issues. The Household Composition & Disability SVI theme map (section 3.6.1.) is made up of these population groups and should be reviewed to better understand the vulnerability of each jurisdiction. Education and Awareness programs were identified as gaps or deficiencies related to drought. 4.3•10 Wi(dland fire A wildland fire is an uncontrolled fire spreading through vegetative fuels, posing danger and destruction to property. Wildland fires, also known as wildfires, can occur in undeveloped areas and spread to urban areas where structures and other human developments are more concentrated. While some wildland fires start by natural causes like lightning, humans cause four out of every five wildland fires. Debris burns, arson or carelessness are the leading causes of wildfires. As a natural hazard, a wildfire is often the direct result of a lightning strike that may destroy personal property and public land areas, especially on national and state forestlands. The dangers from wildfire include the destruction of timber, property and wildlife, and injury or loss of life to people living in the affected area or using the area for recreational facilities. While wildfires are often viewed in a negative light, they are a naturally occurring part of the environment. Wildfires are an important component of healthy forest and prairie ecology, and can be beneficial by reducing dangerously high fuel levels and putting nutrients into the ground that spur new growth. In addition, many flora species require fire for seed germination. However, as people settled this country and began clearing land and building homes, roads, railroads, and campgrounds, new artificial causes of wildfire emerged and their frequency and level of destruction increased. Causes of wildfires vary from state to state. For example, in Florida, lightning ignites approximately half of all wildfires, while in Minnesota lightning causes less than 5%of all wildfires. These variations are due to climate, vegetation, topography and weather. People burning debris cause most wildfires in Minnesota. However, wildfires are also caused by vehicle exhaust, sparks from trains and heavy equipment, camping, smoking and lightning. Topography affects the movement of air and fire over the ground surface. The slope and shape of terrain can change the rate of speed at which the fire travels. Weather affects the probability of wildfire Page I8o