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The term wildfire is used to broadly describe any forest, brush or grass fire that is not controlled or supervised. Wildfires have recently become a widely known term due to the massive wildfires in western states like California, Wyoming, Idaho, and Oregon, sparking national attention to the issue. These fires cause immense damage to forests, wildlife habitats, water quality and air quality, not to mention property and building damage. Some of the major contributing factors that can influence the intensity of a wildfire can be lack of precipitation (drought), wind currents, forest density, and proximity to sources of water.

According to the National Park Service (NPS), there are three types of fire spread:

• Ground fires burn organic matter in the soil beneath surface litter and are sustained by glowing combustion;

• Surface fires spread with a flaming front and burn leaf litter, fallen branches, and other fuels located at ground level; and

• Crown fires burn through the top layer of foliage on a tree, known as the canopy. Crown fires, the most intense type of fire and often the most difficult to contain, need strong winds, steep slopes, and a heavy fuel load to continue burning.

Potential Impacts

Wildfires can cause a wide range of environmental, infrastructural, and health-related issues, such as smoke inhalation, burns, property damage, air and water pollution, habitat devastation, loss of human and/or animal life, crop loss and building damage. In the event of a wildfire, Hanahan fire, police and emergency service personnel should coordinate with adjacent jurisdictions in containing the fire and mitigating property and ecological damage. Residents should track the projected pathway of a wildfire and plan any evacuations accordingly.

Seasonal Weather Extremes

Risk Level - Minimal

There are two types of seasonal weather extremes that Hanahan can experience: Winter weatherrelated events and Summer weather-related events. The response to these events is very similar in that local police, fire and emergency service personnel should regularly check in on elderly, homeless, and medically and economically disadvantaged residents. Temporary shelters should be opened for residents when necessary. These extreme weather events are described below.

Winter Weather-related Events

Due to the infrequency of winter weather-related events, Hanahan, like most cities and towns in the south, does not have the adequate equipment and resources to manage the impacts that can occur during and after such events. There are many different combinations of weather that can occur during the winter season but a wintery mix of snow and rain, freezing temperatures, and ice storms are perhaps the most dangerous due to the hazardous road conditions that they can create.

Summer Weather-related Events