Ecotrust’s Post

On May 10, the Office of California Governor Gavin Newsom announced the May Revision includes a proposed budget allocation to assist the State in achieving its fire prevention & fire suppression goals. Considering hand crews are the experts in wildfire suppression & protection, this budget revision is key in handling this wildfire season effectively. What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments! #wildfireseason #fireprotection #forestryjobs

This is a major win for Arizona! The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approved SRP's proposal to extend the duration of time water is held in the upper portion of the Roosevelt Dam as part of a five-year pilot program. This reduces flood water released from the dam, allowing farms and communities downstream to make better use of this water. Extended retention could allow SRP to save enough water to support an additional 330,000 households for a year (or the equivalent of this amount). Partners that will benefit from the pilot program are the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community; Salt River Project; City of Avondale, AZ; City of Chandler, Arizona; Gilbert, Arizona; City of Glendale AZ; City of Mesa; City of Peoria, Arizona; City of Phoenix; City of Scottsdale; City of Tempe; Freeport-McMoRan; Roosevelt Irrigation District and BUCKEYE WATER CONSERVATION & DRAINAGE DISTRICT. Hats off to those involved in this effort, which has been a collaborative effort between SRP, US Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and a consortium of local cities, tribes, and agricultural districts. Here is the full press release with more details:

Texas A&M Forest Service raises wildfire preparedness level amid dry, hot conditions https://botany.fyi/a9h8p2 The Texas A&M Forest Service has elevated the state’s Wildland Fire Preparedness Level to 2 in response to extended hot and dry conditions expected to increase wildfire activity. This move brings additional firefighting resources to key areas to prepare for heightened risks. #Botany

#DistributionFeederBreakdowns: Causes and Rectification Techniques: #Causes of Distribution Feeder Breakdowns: ●Overloading of distribution feeders occurs when the demand for electricity exceeds the capacity of the feeder to carry the load. This can lead to overheating, voltage fluctuations, and eventual failure of the feeder components. ●Equipment failures, such as faults in transformers, circuit breakers, switches, or other components along the feeder, can cause interruptions in service. These failures may result from age, wear and tear, manufacturing defects, or environmental factors. ● Adverse weather conditions, such as lightning strikes, high winds, ice storms, or heavy rainfall, can damage distribution feeders and associated equipment, leading to breakdowns and outages. ●Overgrown vegetation near distribution feeders can come into contact with conductors, causing short circuits or conductor flashovers. This vegetation interference can result in feeder breakdowns, especially during storms or high-wind events. ●Animals, such as birds, squirrels, or rodents, may come into contact with distribution feeders, leading to short circuits or equipment damage. Animal intrusion can cause intermittent faults or complete breakdowns in the feeder system. #Rectification Techniques for Distribution Feeder Breakdowns: - Utilize fault location techniques, such as impedance-based methods or time-domain reflectometry (TDR), to pinpoint the location of faults along the distribution feeder. - Isolate the faulty section of the feeder by opening circuit breakers or switches upstream and downstream of the fault to prevent further damage and ensure worker safety. - Inspect and assess the condition of damaged equipment, such as transformers, circuit breakers, switches, or insulators. - Repair or replace faulty equipment as necessary to restore service and ensure the integrity of the distribution feeder. - Implement load shedding or load management strategies to reduce the demand on overloaded distribution feeders during peak periods. - Upgrade feeder capacity or install additional parallel feeders to accommodate growing demand and prevent future overloading. - Conduct regular vegetation management activities, such as tree trimming or vegetation clearing, along distribution feeders to prevent interference and minimize the risk of outages. - Install wildlife protection measures, such as animal guards or deterrents, to prevent animal intrusion and minimize the occurrence of feeder breakdowns caused by wildlife. - Implement weather resilience measures, such as lightning protection systems, surge arresters, or insulator coatings, to safeguard distribution feeders against weather-related damage. By understanding the common causes of feeder breakdowns and employing appropriate rectification techniques, utilities can effectively manage and mitigate the impact of feeder faults on the reliability and resilience of distribution networks....

Dafo Vehicle Fire Protection, a global leader in fire suppression systems for high-risk vehicles, proudly announces the launch of Arvak, an advanced and cost-effective fire detection device designed to enhance safety and efficiency for industries operating in demanding environments. Arvak provides a reliable and robust fire detection system that offers early warning signals of potential fire hazards, enabling quick action and minimizing risk. The device is designed for fast, easy installation and requires no annual servicing when used as a stand-alone system, making it a highly cost-effective safety solution. "Our customers in industries such as mining, forestry, and agriculture face high fire risks daily, and we're always seeking new ways to increase their safety," said Sami Saarelainen, Business Line Manager of Forestry & Agriculture at Dafo Vehicle. "Arvak is a significant innovation in fire detection technology, providing early detection capabilities that complement an operator's senses and deliver reliable protection where it's needed most." Key Features of Arvak: 🎯Early Fire Detection: Alerts operators to fire risks before they become critical. Cost-Effective & Stand-Alone: Functions independently with no annual service required when used in a stand-alone configuration. 🎯Fast & Easy Installation: Designed for quick implementation, ensuring minimal disruption to operations. False Alarm Prevention: Arvak minimizes the chances of false alarms or releases, ensuring reliable performance. 🎯Advanced Diagnostics: Embedded technology allows for real-time monitoring and easy status updates. Integration Options: Can be integrated into a suppression system for comprehensive fire protection. 🎯Robust Design: Features include high electromagnetic immunity, reverse polarity, and overvoltage protection, ensuring durability even in extreme conditions. IP67-Rated: Built to withstand tough environments, with high resistance to dust and water intrusion. With a single detector measuring loop and a terminating resistor, Arvak offers excellent detection capabilities for wire interruptions and low-temperature shorts, making it the ideal solution for monitoring fire risks in critical areas of a vehicle or industrial site. For more information about Arvak and other fire protection solutions from Dafo Vehicle, visit https://lnkd.in/dbhVfvJE

On July 1, federal and state firefighting agencies inaugurated a new aerial firefighting hub at Casper/Natrona County International Airport, a strategic initiative aimed at enhancing firefighting capabilities across Wyoming. This collaboration between the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), the USDA Forest Service, and Wyoming State Forestry Division comes as the region prepares for an active fire season. The facility, specializing in Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs), was initially established in 2020. Since then, efforts to upgrade similar bases nationwide have been ongoing, adapting to what fire experts now refer to as extended fire seasons. Craig Short, the High Plains District’s BLM fire management officer, highlighted this shift during the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “We’re witnessing longer seasons and increasingly severe fires that cause significant damage to watersheds, ecosystems, critical species, infrastructure, and threaten communities and livelihoods,” Short remarked. Funded by the Forest Service and the BLM, the new base cost $6.2 million, with $2 million allocated for large air tankers and $4.2 million for other operational needs. Concurrently, Wyoming State Forestry is developing a helitack base to support firefighting helicopters. Mark Haines, chief of the POWDER RIVER RURAL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT in southern Johnson County, KS Government, emphasized the importance of aerial resources in managing fires in rugged terrain. “Given that 95% of our coverage area is roadless, these resources are essential for containing fires in mountainous regions until ground crews or engines can be deployed,” Haines explained. At the unveiling ceremony, officials celebrated with a red ribbon held by two new SEATs stationed at Casper’s airport. These aircraft can carry up to 800 gallons of fire retardant or water, supporting ground crews in their suppression efforts. Additionally, the new base can accommodate large air tankers capable of carrying between 2,000 and 4,000 gallons of fire retardant or water, underscoring its critical role in the region’s firefighting infrastructure. For more details, visit our blog for the full article. #AvfoilNews #Firefighting #AerialFirefighting #Wyoming #BLM #USForestService #WyomingStateForestry #CasperAirport #FireSeason #CommunitySafety #FireSuppression

With National Wildfire Awareness Month upon us, it's important to equip ourselves with the tools to mitigate risks. Learn how to implement a comprehensive Wildland Fire Safety Plan with practical advice from ACRT Services Senior Manager Bob Urban. 🔥

With National Wildfire Awareness Month upon us, it's important to equip ourselves with the tools to mitigate risks. Learn how to implement a comprehensive Wildland Fire Safety Plan with practical advice from ACRT Services Senior Manager Bob Urban. 🔥

This article will grab the attention of anyone in vegetation management for an electric utility or power company. But it should also be read by people in wildfire mitigation for communities - the people who implement CWPPs and do disaster planning. Scott Chambers of Tempest Utility Consulting, LLC describes some of the challenges of getting and keeping the funding for Vegetation Management programs. At Athena, we've been thinking about the reporting requirements for grants today (and in the future) for mitigation plans. Make sure your program keeps its funding by keeping the plans current and the mitigation actions measured and documented. ... and, as Scott says, keeping your funding source educated about the importance of being proactive in the face of wildfires. People supervising the vegetation management are likely to have been recruited from other disciplines. Without a background in forestry, they may speak less persuasively to executives about the financial merits of a vegetation management. Conversely, well-intentioned executives who decide to reallocate money from a UVM program may not be adequately briefed on the long-term effects to reliability when pruning is reduced, or cycles postponed. 

With National Wildfire Awareness Month upon us, it's important to equip ourselves with the tools to mitigate risks. Learn how to implement a comprehensive Wildland Fire Safety Plan with practical advice from ACRT Services Senior Manager Bob Urban. 🔥