This thread is intended to update previously posted resources.
Planning
Due to climate change wildfires have come earlier than previously planned for this year. In addition to smoke from wildfires, in some areas volcano smoke and dust storms may be outdoor breathing hazards that units and councils need to plan for.
For Scouting outdoor activities, evacuation plans may need to be reviewed.
- Check with local government authorities for community disaster alerting and evacuation plans.
- Check with your council for council camps’ information.
Related discussion
For more discussion and links to related resources see:
- Weather Related Safety, August 2021
- Training Request, July 2021, wildfire preparedness, etc.
Some BSA® Resources
Camping Safety
GENERAL INFORMATION
Handbooks for each program have useful tips for campfires. Here are a few highlights:
Environmental conditions
- Leaders should understand the local campfire regulations or requirements.
- Beware of current fire conditions, especially if it has been dry and windy. Check for any active burn ban.
Per extract from “Campfire Safety.” BSA Safety Moment, Boy Scouts of America Inc., 2021, accessed 2022-05-08, https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/safety-moments/camp-fire-safety/ (Campfire safety introduction and rules. A factsheet (PDF) is also available at this webpage.).
Scouts BSA merit badge requirements
FIRE SAFETY
- Do the following:
(a) Explain the cost of outdoor and wildland fires and how to prevent them.
Per extract from the requirements and resources extract Fire Safety https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/merit_badge_reqandres/fire_safety.pdf, accessed May 8, 2022.
Some federal resources
- “Wildfires.” Ready Kids Disaster Facts, United States Government, Updated March 1, 2022, 2022, accessed 2022-05-07, https://www.ready.gov/kids/disaster-facts/wildfires (Training information including disaster facts and other resources for kids, teens, families, educators and organizations.).
- “Wildfires.” Ready.gov, United States Government, 2022, accessed 2022-05-07, https://www.ready.gov/wildfires (“Wildfires are unplanned fires that burn in natural areas like forests, grasslands or prairies. These dangerous fires spread quickly and can devastate not only wildlife and natural areas, but also communities.” - includes: “Prepare for Wildfires. Stay Safe During. Returning Home After a Wildfire.” and internet links to additional resources.).
- “Dust Storms and Haboobs.” NWS Safety, United States Government, 2022, accessed 2022-06-20, https://www.weather.gov/safety/wind-dust-storm (Wind safety and resources … Dust storms and Haboobs can occur anywhere in the United States but are most common in the Southwest. Haboobs occur as a result of thunderstorm outflow winds. Strong thunderstorm winds can start a dust storm that can drastically reduce visibility. Your NWS Forecast Office will issue a Dust Storm Warning if one is happening in your area.).
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2018. “Patient Education Tools for Particle Pollution.” In Particle Pollution and Your Patients’ Health (training course). Washington, D.C.: United States Government, Webpage. https://www.epa.gov/pmcourse/patient-education-tools-particle-pollution.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2011. “Effects of Common Air Pollutants - Medical Poster.” In Particle Pollution and Your Patients’ Health, (training course). Washington, D.C.: United States Government, PDF. https://www.airnow.gov/sites/default/files/2018-03/common-air-pollutants-2011-lo.pdf.
- “Secondhand Smoke.” Smoking & Tobacco Use, United States Government, Updated March 2, 2021, 2021, accessed 2022-06-19, https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/secondhand_smoke/ (“Exposure to secondhand smoke, even for a short time, can be harmful to both children and adults. … Children respect and learn from your actions and words. As caregivers, we teach our children by the choices we make. What we do now can change our children’s future.”).
- Federal Emergency Management Agency. 2022. “Volcano | What: (Volcanic Hazards: Gas, Tephra, Ash).” FEMA - Preparedness - Community (blog), United States Government. 2022-06-20. https://community.fema.gov/ProtectiveActions/s/article/Volcano-What-Volcanic-Hazards-Gas-Tephra-Ash. "Ash: Fresh volcanic ash is gritty, abrasive, and sometimes corrosive. It is composed of tiny, sharp-edged, hard glass particles and pulverized rock … It is often small enough (less than 10 microns) to be inhaled deeply into the lungs, harming the respiratory system. Ash can also get in your eyes and scratch them, especially when it is windy. … "
Maps and images of Earth from space
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and U.S. Forest Service. “AirNow Fire and Smoke Map.” [Webpage]. United States Government. Accessed 2022-05-08. https://fire.airnow.gov/.
- Esri. “USA Wildfires.” Map image of current large active wildfires in the United States. Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc., 2022. Space image webpage. https://storymaps.esri.com/stories/usa-wildfires/.
- National Aeronautics and Space Administration. 2021. “Fire and Smoke.” United States Government. Accessed 2022-05-08. https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/fires/main/index.html.
- National Integrated Drought Information System (NOAA)
- NIDIS Data Catalog (data, maps, tools), https://www.drought.gov/data-maps-tools/
- U.S. Geological Survey. “Volcano Hazards.” [Webpage]. United States Government. Accessed 2022-07-07. https://www.usgs.gov/programs/VHP. - Volcano hazards and earthquake data.
Disclaimer
Inclusion of non-BSA resources and links provided by government agencies does not indicate an endorsement by the Boy Scouts of America®,
Version
Created May 8, 2022. v. 2022-07-07-AA
