Los Angeles Wildfire

http://www.weather.com/news/los-angeles-wildfire-contained-20120916
About 150 firefighters and a few water-dropping helicopters continued to battle a wildfire near the Getty Center on Saturday September 15, 2012.  The blaze which started on Friday at around 3:30 pm had burned through over 90 acres of mountain brush.  The art museum remained open on Saturday, with about 90 percent of the wildfire contained.  The Getty Center had been built with fire-resistant walls, a complex sprinkler system and a back-up resevoir.  Fortunately, there were no casualties.  The wildfire was a result extreme dry, hot weather in southern California.

I thought it was really interesting that I read this article because we just got done playing the online game for lab exercise 1.  I didn't select the wildfire game because I honestly am uncertain of the mitigation measures needed to be taken.  After reading the article, I gained an understanding the kind of area where wildfires are to erupt, how quickly a fire could spread, and ways to build buildings in order to protect against wildfires.  Though the Getty Center was well prepared for such an event, I'm sure there are other ways to improve.  I'd be interested in looking at the evacuation routes, for example.  If the building were surrounded entirely by a wildfire, how long will the sprinkler system last before the back-up resevoir is needed?  Where are the closest fire stations in the area and how many are there?  I think since we can't directly control the temperature, it's important to learn and understand ways to prevent any casualties from such environmental hazards/events.

Two Tornadoes in NYC

http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/08/us/northeast-severe-weather/index.html?iref=allsearch

Tornado warnings and watches were issued on Saturday September 8, 2012 in New York City.  Winds up to 70 mph stirred areas of the city, including Breezy Point, Brooklyn, and Queens.  Two tornadoes were apparent, one of which churned 600 yards inland before breaking apart, forcing the fire department of Breezy Point to respond to overturned cars, broken windows, and roof damage.  Nine miles north of the previous reported tornado sighting, a second tornado was confirmed and touched down in Brooklyn.  The Brooklyn tornado had winds up to 110 mph and was categorized as a strong EF1.  Fortunately, there were no casualties in either cases.  Further watches and warnings were in effect across parts of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut until later that night.  Evidently, the severe weather postponed the U.S. Open men's and women's singles tennis matches in Flushing Meadows.

Films such as, "The Day After Tomorrow" and "NYC: Tornado Terror" had given us visualizations of natural disasters in our very own New York City.  I couldn't even imagine being in NYC on Saturday and not gripping onto the frame of my bed with blankets toppeling over me.  True, movies tend to exaggerate the nature of things, but in this case the weather proved that it was capable of doing just what we've imagined.