According to CBS News, nearly 30,000 firefighters are battling massive wildfires across the United States. Over 28,000 wildfires have burned more than 4.5 million acres. The Park Fire, burning in Northern California, has grown to more than 400,000 acres to become the fourth largest wildfire in state history. California Resources
Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) are used to send concise, text-like messages to WEA-capable mobile devices during emergency situations. WEAs are sent by your state and local public safety officials, the National Weather Service, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, and the President of the United States. SIGN UP HERE Each County in California has an […]
Earthquake Warning California is the country’s first publicly available, statewide warning system that could give California residents crucial seconds to take cover before you feel shaking. Managed by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), Earthquake Warning California uses ground motion sensors from across the state to detect earthquakes before humans can feel them and can notify […]
Extreme heat and wildfire smoke, potentially lethal on their own, can act in concert to produce increased damage to people’s hearts and respiratory systems, according to researchers. ZIP codes in red were shown to have increased relative excess health risks due to interaction (RERI) of smoke and heat among residents. A new study led by […]
NorthNet Libraries’ contribution to the IMLS funded research project on disaster preparedness continues to benefit libraries across the country. Read the latest on the teams’ workshop from the LibLearnX conference session of January 2024 and the TOP SIX TIPS for Librarians. Links to the documents are below: LibLearnX January 2024 Handout LibLearnX24 Final
Old Foresthill Road near the Mammoth Bar area in Placer County, California was closed on January 18, 2024 due to a mud and rock slide. Click to view video of the rock slide. In order to open the road, a contractor hired by Placer County blasted large boulders that had fallen onto Old Foresthill Road […]
This IMLS funded research project presented at the International Federation of Libraries conference in August of 2023 demonstrates how public libraries serve as community catalysts to facilitate the building of community capacity and resources for emergency response and recovery. Libraries from the NorthNet Library System participated in focus groups to share their experiences in […]
This research study was done in collaboration between Dr. Lindsey Nenadal and her team of undergraduate students at California State University, Chico and the Boys and Girls Clubs of the North Valley. In 2018, the Camp Fire swept through communities in Northern California, bringing massive destruction and devastation. During the fire and in the years […]
Living Under Smoky Skies (PDF) With much of the state seeing worsening air quality, risks increase for Californians, especially those more vulnerable due to pre-existing health conditions or communities who don’t have the necessary infrastructure or resources to endure smoky periods safely. David Eisenman, director of UCLA’s Center for Public Health and Disasters, research on […]
Amid the continuing drought, California communities are again facing the prospect of an early and intense fire season. While state and local leaders are investing unprecedented sums in wildfire mitigation efforts, libraries are also revisiting their disaster response plans. Before fire season intensifies, consider how the four conversations below can support your preparedness efforts. With staff and […]