Lightning: Learn the Facts
by Einar Jensen, SMFR Risk Reduction Educator
Photo: Rachel Hurst
Lightning, a rapid discharge of electrical energy in the atmosphere, is among the most impressive weather phenomena on the planet. The winds within a thunderstorm or similar column of rapidly rising air causes particles of ice to crash into each other. During the crashes, smaller particles lose electrons while larger ones gain electrons, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). As the cloud bottoms become charged negatively, the ground below becomes charged positively. When the difference between the negative charge in the cloud and the positive charge on the ground becomes large, the negative charge starts moving toward the ground. As it moves, it creates a conductive path. When the negative charge from the cloud contacts the positively charged ground, electrical current surges through the path, which creates a visible flash of lightning. Thunder is the sound of a shock wave created by the rapid heating and cooling of the air in the lightning channel.
Lightning strikes the Earth over 25 million times each year. Thirty people typically die in the US each year from lightning strikes, according to National Weather Service records. Tragically, this year’s first lightning fatality occurred in Colorado on May 7 when a woman riding a horse was struck.
Between 2011 and 2016, lightning caused 38 fires in South Metro Fire Rescue’s jurisdiction. Half of those fires were in buildings while the other 19 were wildfires of varying sizes.
Lightning bolts strike throughout the district, but in this period 44% of the strikes that ignited fires occurred in the Parker area. The second leading area with 16% is the 80108 zip code, which includes Castle Pines, Castle Pines Village and Happy Canyon.
The other zip codes in our district received the remaining 40% of lightning-ignited fires: 80121 (8%), 80112 (8%), 80125 (5%), 80124 (5%), and 80104, 80135, 80111, 80016 and 80113 each had a single fire caused by lightning.
In that same duration, lightning struck three people in our district. Two were touching metal when a bolt of lightning struck a building and one was hit while walking outside. None of the three was injured seriously.
Many lightning victims are caught outside during a storm because they were not aware of the predicted weather, they did not act quickly to get to a safe place, or they return outside too soon after a storm has passed. Those victims include athletes, roofers, landscapers, farmers, families and builders. The safest place during a thunderstorm is inside a building or hard-topped vehicle. When thunder roars, go indoors.
If you hear thunder, even a distant rumble, get to a safe place immediately. Lightning can travel several miles from the actual cloud. Thunder is the perfect clue to seek shelter before dangerous lightning begins.
South Metro's Quarterly Newsletter
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Drop Off Your Leftover and Unused Household Chemicals at the next Tri County Health Department Roundup on Saturday, August 12, 2017 at 3270 Redstone Park Circle, in Littleton.
For complete information, visit: http://tchd.org/250/Home-Chemical-Waste.
Remember! Wildfire Can Happen at Any Time
The following fire restrictions have been issued:
Town of Parker Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect as of Feb. 21, 2017. Click here.
Arapahoe County Open Burning Ban effective Feb. 20, 2017. Click here.
News from the Life Safety Bureau
The South Metro Fire Rescue Board of Directors has approved a new fee schedule for plan review, permitting, and inspections. Please click here to view the new Fee Schedule effective March 1, 2017.
2017 Citizens Academy
This year's Academy is full, but check our website next year at the end of January for the 2018 Academy. The Academy consists of eight week sessions, typically held on Wednesday evening from 6:00-9:00 p.m.
Following is information about what is covered at South Metro's Citizens Academy:
Have you ever wondered what firefighters do? Or what it's like to be inside a burning building? Or how to improve the fire safety of your family? Or how to use the Jaws of Life to save someone from a car crash? Or how investigators find the causes of fires? Or how dispatchers direct resources to emergencies? South Metro Fire Rescue invites you to participate in our annual Citizens Academy. This 8-week week academy is a rare opportunity to discover the mysteries of modern firefighting and learn priceless life-saving skills. As the images below reveal, you'll learn about SMFR from behind the scenes and learn about yourself and your community in the process.
South Metro Fire Rescue Announces the Recent Graduation of its Newest Class of Firefighters
Centennial, Colo. -- (Dec. 5, 2016) -- SMFR
announced today that the latest class of firefighters from SMFR Training Academy has graduated. A ceremony recognizing the 20 graduates was held at the Parker Arts, Cultural and Events (PACE) Center on Friday, Dec. 2, 2016 in recognition of all their efforts through the 16-week academy. Click here to read entire press release..
South Metro Fire Rescue Warns Wildland Fires Can Happen Any Time of Year. October Was the "Most Burned Month" in 2016 for SMFR
Centennial, Colo. -- (Nov. 17, 2016) -- South Metro Fire Rescue is warning that a wildfire can happen any time of year and all residents in Colorado need to be aware of the risks and be prepared with preventative measures. Click here to read entire press release...
Ultimate Car Seat Guide
Have you seen the Ultimate Car Seat Guide put out by Safe Kids Worldwide? It's a great new tool to help parents figure out what car seat to purchase, how to install it, how the child is supposed to fit in the seat, and when they should graduate to the next step.
Centennial, Colo. - (Sept. 22, 2016) A few weeks ago, members of all 17 stations in South Metro Fire Rescue's district participated in helping raise money for MDA - standing at storefronts, intersections and other areas in the south metro area using their boots to collect money to help support this important cause. Muscular dystrophy is characterized as a group of genetic diseases that causes progressive muscle deterioration that limits strength and mobility. South Metro Fire Rescue has participated in this event for over 17 years - raising approximately $1.5 million to-date -- filling the boot each year in between calls for service. The organization plans on continuing this tradition for many years to come. Click here to read more.
South Metro Fire Rescue Opens Recruiting for Paramedic/Firefighters
Centennial, Colo. - (Sept. 20, 2016) South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) has
opened up the recruiting process for entry-level and experienced paramedic/firefighter positions. Applicants must register for intent to test no later than Nov. 18, 2016. Click here to read more.
Are You Ready for a Wildfire?
South Metro Fire Rescue takes every precaution to help protect you and your property from a wildfire, but we can’t do it alone. We need you to prepare, too. Successfully preparing for a wildfire requires you to take personal responsibility for protecting yourself, your family and your property at home and on vacation. Here are some tips you can follow:
- Read your workplace and school emergency plans so you know how those organizations will protect your family members in emergencies;
- Ensure family members know how to use gas, electric and water shut-off controls;
- Plan and practice different escape routes from your neighborhood;
- Assemble an emergency supply kit as recommended by the American Red Cross, FEMA or similar organizations;
- Create an evacuation plan for your babysitter or children in case such an order occurs when you aren’t home;
- Inventory your home so that insurance claims can occur faster
Contact South Metro Fire Rescue’s Preparedness Division for information at ReducingRisk@southmetro.org or 720-989-2271.
Hidden Village in Parker Earns Firewise Designation
Congratulations to our neighbors in Hidden Village for earning their Firewise Communities status. The crew of Station 43 - Lt. Mark Hamill, Engineer Daryl Troute and Firefighter Scott Russell - joined Risk Reduction Specialist Einar Jensen to present the award on May 22nd. To be Firewise means to invest time and money individually and collectively to reduce the risk of wildfire in a community. They are protecting their families and our firefighters, and ultimately, creating a community that is better adapted to the presence of wildfire. For more information on becoming a Firewise community or learning about our other wildfire mitigation resources, email reducing.risk@southmetro.org.