May is Wildfire Awareness Month. This is a great time to prepare for the possibilities of wildfires impacting your area. Wildfire Awareness is crucial for communities living in fire prone areas. It involves understanding the risks, preparing evacuation plans, maintaining defensible space around properties, and being vigilant about fire hazards. Education and proactive measures are key to minimizing the impact of wildfires. Please click on the link for additional information: Wildfire and the wildland urban interface (WUI) (fema.gov).
Wildfires pose a threat for many obvious reasons, but one overlooked potential threat is asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a mineral that was once used extensively in home construction due to its fire-resistance until it was discovered that it causes mesothelioma cancer. Asbestos, and other cancer causing minerals, can be released into the air when structures catch fire and begin to burn.
- Here is a guide on what to know about asbestos during wildfires and other natural disasters: https://www.asbestos.com/asbestos/natural-disasters/
- Here is a guide on mesothelioma symptoms: https://www.asbestos.com/mesothelioma/symptoms/. It’s important for people to be aware of these symptoms, especially after a disaster, and seek medical assistance if they experience them.