Media Up In Smoke?

Since June 8, 2012, firefighters and volunteers have been fighting wildfires that have spread quickly in the dried forests of Colorado. The fire spread 31-square-miles within about a day of being reported and now has consumed 80-square-miles.



“The fire is very large, unpredictable and aggressive. It was moving at 20 to 40 feet per second or about 1 mile an hour -- fast for a fire," reported by a firefighter. The fire has sent up heavy smoke, obscuring the sun and creating an eerie, orange dusk in the middle of the day. The smell of smoke drifted into the Denver area and smoke spread as far away as central Nebraska, western Kansas and Texas. Crews are working to build a fire line around the blaze. While lower temperatures, slightly calmer winds and higher humidity were offering some help to firefighters, the fire was entirely uncontrolled Monday morning. More than 100 structures had been damaged or destroyed; it is unknown if they were homes, sheds or other buildings. The fire has forced hundreds of residents to evacuate their homes, leaving the majority of their worldly possessions behind.

Even though many forms of media will be destroyed by fire, many lives will and have been saved by the media. The media (television, radio, print and internet) can help inform and educate you, your family, neighbors, co-workers and friends about the location and status of fires. Some people have received verbal warnings, phone calls, texts or messages warning them to be ready to evacuate. Due to technological advancements today, many more lives have been and will be saved. "These folks are doing everything they can, but Mother Nature is running this fire," a sheriff stated. Even when Mother Nature is in control, we have so many resources available to protect and help save lives through the many methods of communication we have available.

Example of an advanced notification that saved lives: http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/colorado-wildfire-forces-evacuations/2012/06/14/gJQAulKDdV_video.html