Top ten things business can do to minimize wildfire risks in business parks
Janco's top ten businesses should follow to minimize business interruption from wildfires in business parks…
Top ten factors to minimize wildfire risks -Top ten by Janco - Wildfire causes an increased business interruption risk as the number of companies located in business parks in the outskirts of population centers rises.
This year scores of fires sparked by high temperatures, severe drought conditions and strong winds have blanketed the western part of the US, including Utah, California, Washington, Montana, Oregon, Idaho, Nevada and Arizona, making this fire season one of the worst in history for this area. According to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), over 43,000 individual wild fires burned a record 6.8 million acres cross the West since January. The wildfire season continues through early number and prediction of over 7.5 million acres is now being made by some forecasters.
Janco's top ten to minimize wild fire disaster planning risks
What can businesses do reduce the risk to properties? Janco's guidance, supported by NIFC recommendations is:
- Have a clear area of at least 100 yards around the business park.
- Keep lawns hydrated and maintained. Dry grass and shrubs are fuel for wildfire.
- Landscape with native and less-flammable plants. When landscaping, choose slow-growing, carefully placed shrubs and trees so the area can be more easily maintained.
- Create a ‘fire-free' area within ten feet of the property, using non-flammable landscaping materials such as rocks, pavers and/or high-moisture content annuals and perennials.
- Have no tall vegetation immediately adjacent to structures.
- Clear leaves and other debris from gutters, eaves, porches and decks. This helps prevent embers from igniting the property.
- Remove dead vegetation from around the property, especially within 50 feet of the premises.
- Remove flammable materials from within 50 feet of the property's foundation and outbuildings.
- If you have trees on your property, prune so the lowest branches are 6 to 10 feet from the ground and none overhang the structure.
- Don't let debris and lawn cuttings linger. Dispose of these items quickly to reduce fuel for fire.
Planning for a Pandemic Takes a New Turn in Texas
As part of the state's emergency response plans, the Governor took specific steps to help prepare Texas for a potential influenza outbreak. With a state the size of Texas, both geographically and in population, it is of critical importance that a response to an outbreak of pandemic flu be efficient and effective.
The threat of pandemic influenza has emerged as an increasing public health threat with devastating consequences. Pandemic influenza is a global outbreak of flu caused by a new influenza virus to which few people have immunity. No one knows when a pandemic might occur, how severe it will be or if it will be caused by avian flu or some other flu virus. Yet Texas public health officials have been proactive in preparing for pandemic flu for several years. One of the biggest challenges is reaching all Texans quickly given the state's geographic expanse. Another challenge is preparing for many different response scenarios based on the unpredictably of the type of virus.
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