Haze and Fire - Where would you rather be?

Source: catchthefire.com & AsiaOne 

The haze has been a very big inconvenience in a health hazard particularly to do young, old and the sick. However, if faced with the very confronting question where would you rather be, in the haze all in the fire, I'm sure most would agree that being in the haze is much better.

Living in Australia has made me realise the real perils of bushfire. In a bushfire one not only face the threat of smoke inhalation, but also the potential of losing your home, your family and even your life. On Black Saturday 2009, we saw the over 400 fires engulfed multiple towns killing 173 and injuring hundreds more. Whole families were found dead in their cars trying to flee the fire. Their cars no match for the speed the winds were spreading the flames. Out in open country, the fire service is largely voluntary. Water sources may even dry up in mid summer. Fire is indeed frightening.

What causes forest and bush fires?
There are many natural and man-made causes of fires. To start and continue a fire, you basically need 3 things - Ignition Source, Oxygen and Fuel. Oxygen is naturally occurring in the atmosphere. Forest are filled with fuel in the form of plants. Ignition source is what makes a fire natural or man-made.

Natural Causes
Lightning
When lightning strike flammable objects, it is possible to start a fire. Out heavily forested areas, lightning strikes can easily cause trees to burn. In fact in 2012 in the US, over 22000 fires were started by lightning strikes.

Man-made Causes
Deliberate Backburning
Backburning is a process of controlled burning of the forest. Strange as this may sound, but this is a method commonly used in US and Australia to prevent serious fires from reaching homes. This is done by professionals who study weather patterns, topography and the forest to deliberately burn the forest. This done with fire-control lines. Of course, there are risks involved. At times, the wind may decide to take a turn and sweep fires the wrong direction around. Or fires may break a control line.

Arson
Arson is a serious criminal offence. There are "fire bugs" who deliberately cause fires to the forest or to property.

Accidents
Accidents can happen in many shapes and form which lead to fire. Some of which are much more preventable than others. These include:
- Parking a car on dry grass
- Home fires (kitchen, stove, heater) burning out of control.
- Littering of cigarette butts on dry grass.
- Litter causing sun's radiant heat to be concentrated by convex shapes.

Deliberate agricultural forest clearing
One of the cheapest and fastest way to clear a forest for agricultural purposes is to slash and burn. However, this should be done in consultation with local authorities and fire service to ensure the burning is done in a controlled fashion.



How to cope with the current Haze?
People who are most affected by the haze are those with chronic lung disease (e.g. COPD, asthma) or heart disease. The elderly, pregnant and children are more susceptible to the effects of the haze.

If you have an air-conditioner, especially one with a HEPA filter, it is advisable to use it during this period. Else, try to get to somewhere you can use one - like a library or shopping centre.

Minimise prolonged of strenuous psychical exertion. Instead switch to indoor psychical activities. For example instead of cycling outdoors, try cycling in a gym. Maybe try something different, like pilates or yoga in an indoor studio. Alternatively, Wii Fit might be a fun way to exercise.

If you go need to go out for a prolonged period, try using a N95 mask. Masks are advised mainly if you need to be out in the open for a prolonged period when the PSI is over 300. It is also advised for the vulnerable when PSI is over 200 and have to be in the open for prolonged periods. N95 mask should be properly fitted. Children should use a child size mask. Men with facial hair should be properly shaven for the mask to be fully effective. However, prolonged use of a mask can be very uncomfortable.

Try to stay positive about the Haze. Yes, it's not exactly healthy, nor is it convenient. But be thankful you're not in the fire. You can't tell your neighbour how to run his home, so let our neighbour manage their own land. You can offer your neighbour what you think is good, but if he doesn't want it, you can't force him. Very often, to live harmoniously together, you have to love your neighbour by accepting what their choices are.

To subscribe to my blog, please Like on our Facebook page.
To support my blog, please click on one of my sponsor's advertised links :)

References
[1] National Fire Protection Association
[2] Ministry of Health
[3] Food and Drug Administration


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

COVID-19 Stay-at-home Day 6: Kimchi Pork Stew Recipe

Image
Hi guys! It's day 6 of our COVID-19 stay-at-home plan. I've decided to resurrect my blog by sharing our meals with you guys. Tonight on the menu is my version of a Kimchi Pork Stew. It's super easy to make and you don't have to follow the vegetable recommendations strictly here. You can use whatever veggies you like. So here's it! It's best served with rice. Ingredients 200g Pork - Best cuts are belly if not shoulder or leg is fine. 1 tablespoon Oil 1 cup Kimchi 1 tablespoon Korean spicy red pepper paste (Gochujang) 3 cups water Your choice of mushrooms and vegetables. 1 packet of spicy Korean instant noodles 300g Medium tofu sliced (Optional) Spring onion to garnish Marinade Mixture 2 tablespoon of wine - Chinese cooking wine, Mirin/ cooking sake, or sherry 1 tablespoon of soy sauce 1 teaspoon of black pepper Method 1) Cut pork into thin slices. I have around 200g of pork shoulder here, but pork belly would be even better. It's bes...
Read more

COVID-19 Stay at Home Day 7: Crispy Rice Cakes Recipe

Image
Hey guys! Just sharing a quick analogy about numbers and COVID-19 and why you should avoid the disease before I post my recipe of the day. Imagine you have a packet of M&Ms with 100 little chocolates in it. Now you're being told between 2-6 pieces in that packet has cyanide in it, and there are a few that will give you violent diahorrea what would you do?  1) Throw the whole packet away 2) Eat it cause I won't die from diahorrea 3) Eat it cause what's the risk of dying, it's just 2-6%?! 4) Eat it and share it with all your friends and family and even your doggy! Personally, the most logical answer for me is to throw the whole packet away. It's the same reason why I'm staying at home to help stop the spread of COVID-19. I guess it's really food for thought! That said, here's my recipe for today! I've had some leftover rice from last night and NO WAY, not wasting any rice as it's super hard to find rice out there. I've turn my lef...
Read more

How to pick your notebook for Bullet Journal

Image
The bullet journal is a "back-to-traditional" organisational tool. It has won many fans not only from those who like being organised with to-do lists, but also from many craft and stationary enthusiast. If you've not heard of bullet journalling (or bujo for short), it is a system using a combination of long term and short term to-do lists, coupled with calendars to keep organised. Variations include meal prep lists, shopping lists, goals, etc. Many craft lovers also use their bujos for variations of paper crafts (like scrapbooking) and calligraphy. There are a good variety of different types and styles of notebooks available on the market. One of the most common dilemmas most newbies to bullet journalling have is what type of notebook to use. It might seem quite trivial for those who have never stepped into the bullet journalling world, but in fact the different types of notebook are used quite differently. To pick your first bullet journal, I've tried to catego...
Read more