Agenda - 05-06-2010 - 4m - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

Wildfire Wildfires occur in North Carolina during the dry spring and summer months of the year. The potential for wildfires depends upon recent climate conditions, surface fuel characteristics, and fire behavior.Wildfires can destroy precious natural resources and forestry essential to the survival of wildlife. Increased development in Orange County,including the Town of Carrboro and Town of Hillsborough, in recent years has increased the potential impact of wildfires as structures ' that locate near vulnerable woodlands become vulnerable themselves. Because wind fuels wildfires, structures in close proximity to potential wildfire fuels are at risk of damage as wind direction and velocity change. The frequency and extent of wildfires in Orange County has historically been quite low. Chemical Spills A chemical spill or HAZMAT(Hazardous material) spill is an accidental and unwanted release of a hazardous chemical from its container. Chemical spills can occur at chemical storage sites or while chemicals are in transit via roadways or railways. Approximately � 6,774 HAZMAT events occur each year nationwide. On average,there will be 991 events. Trucks are responsible for most of the remainder of events. The average distance for trip lengths for gasoline transport is 28 miles; 260 miles is the average trip length for chemical trucks. Even though trucks account for most accidents,it is railway transport that has the greatest potential for concern in many areas. Collisions and derailments can cause very large spills as it is rare that a single car will be damaged. Extremely hazardous substances, as defined by the EPA, can pose a serious threat, whether by rail or other ground transportation. HAZMAT spills occur at fixed sites each year. Natural disasters, such as floods and earthquakes can cause HAZMAT releases or disturb old HAZMAT release sites (Superfund sites). These same disasters can make it difficult to contain these events once they occur. Also,natural disasters can limit access to the spill, waterlines for fire suppression may be broken, and response personnel and resources may be limited. Flooding and high winds can quickly spread the contaminant, threatening agriculture,water supply and air. HAZMAT releases pose short and long term threats to people,wildlife, vegetation, and the environment. HAZMAT materials can be absorbed through inhalation,ingestion, or direct contact with the skin. Orange County Emergency Services maintains an inventory of chemical storage sites within the county and has developed plans to rapidly notify the public of situations involving those sites and have personnel and equipment to effectively respond to incidents involving those sites. Orange County Emergency Services, and the fire departments that serve those sites maintain contact with the site owners and exchange information as 17