You’ve Created a World Unfit for Living

ENVIRONMENTAL HOLOCAUST
TOXIC AIR POLLUTION
.

Victoria Government Should Evacuate Morwell 

Officials have upgraded health warning for Hazelwood coal mine fire after nearly a month of burning, instead of evacuating the town.

Heath authorities have recommended the elderly, pregnant women, those with respiratory problems and children to leave the town.

Particulate matter, which can cause heart attacks and lung cancer, is currently 11 times Australia’s daily threshold near South Morwell [Population: 14,000], about 150 km east of Melbourne [Population: 4.25million,] Australia’s 2nd largest city.

“Morwell on Fire.” Apocalyptic fumes blanket the town of Morwell in Latrobe Valley, Victoria, Australia.  Screenshot from a news clip by abc.net.au

“We are now into the third week and we know that continued exposure to the smoke increases the risk of bad health outcomes,” said Dr Rosemary Lester, Victoria State’s chief health officer.

“We are not currently seeing serious health effects from the smoke, such as an increase in ambulance callouts or hospital attendances,” she said.

“Health impacts may change if vulnerable people continue to be exposed to smoke.”

At this stage officials say it is not an evacuation and they are making the recommendation as a precaution.

Locals joining reporters at a media conference on Friday were sceptical of Dr Lester’s confidence that the health of the broader community is unlikely to suffer as the crisis drags on.

“I’m 25-years-old, yesterday I spent five minutes in the smoke outside, I could not see for one hour,” one Morwell resident said.

Dr Lester replied: “Because we know now that the exposure is likely to continue we think that now is the right time to increase the advice to temporary relocation.” [abc.net.au]

However, a study published in the British Medical Journal in January, found even small increase in the PM2.5 particulate matter can lead to an increased risk of heart attacks and lung cancer.

The concentration of PM2.5 in the air reached 280 micrograms per cubic meter in Morwell South on Thursday, or 11 times Australia’s daily threshold, said a report.

The study’s lead researcher, Guilia Cesaroni from the Department of Epidemiology at Rome’s regional health service, studied more than 100,000 people in five European cities over a decade.

“We found an association between increased levels of PM2.5 and mortality and also with incidence of lung cancer,” she said.

Dr Cesaroni found an increase in annual exposure to PM2.5 of just 5 micrograms per cubic metre means a 13 per cent increased risk of heart attack.

She calls the Morwell reading of 280 micrograms per cubic metre “a huge level”.

Dr Cesaroni says it would lead to more hospital admissions and, if the area is largely populated, “an excess in mortality” if the readings continue for a month or more.

“For sure there will be an increase in the annual average, but at the moment I would be more worried about the immediate effect,” she said.

The fires at the Hazelwood and Yallourn coal mines were ignited on February 9, and have been burning since.

Forecasters say the fire could burn for at least another 10 days due to the windy, dry weather.

Related Links

• Morwell Could Catch Fire February 22, 2014
• Australian Disasters [links index page]
• More Australian Coal, Anyone? Posted on January 31, 2011

California “Mega Drought” Intensifies

EXTREME CLIMATIC EVENT
CATASTROPHIC DROUGHT
WATER FAMINE
STATE OF EMERGENCY
.

Extreme and Exceptional Drought Conditions Plague about ¾ of California

Extreme and Exceptional Drought conditions (D3 and D4 drought levels) have spread to about 73.83 percent of California, from 68.73 percent last week. The rest of the Golden State is covered by other drought levels, according to the latest data released by the U.S. Drought Monitor.

California Drought Comparison Map: February 25 – February 18, 2014. Source: U.S. Drought Monitor.

All California Counties Declared Crop Disaster Areas

All of the 58 counties in the state of California have now been declared Crop Disaster Areas due to the worsening Mega Drought.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated ALL  58 counties in the state of California as crop disaster areas, starting January 2014.

California Data Exchange Center – Reservoirs

Conditions for Major Reservoirs in California: 26-Feb-2014 [Report Generated: 27-Feb-2014 8:00 PM PST]

Snow Water Equivalents (inches)

STATEWIDE SUMMARY – Data For: 27-Feb-2014
Number of Stations Reporting: 101
Average snow water equivalent: 6.1 in
Percent of April 1 Average: 21%
Percent of normal for this date: 24%

State of Emergency

Governor Brown proclaimed a State of Emergency on January 27  amid the worsening statewide drought.  He called the “really serious,” adding that 2014 could be California’s third consecutive dry year. “In many ways it’s a mega-drought.”

California State Resources

• Electronic snowpack readings –  http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cdecapp/snowapp/sweq.action
• Electronic reservoir readings – http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cdecapp/resapp/getResGraphsMain.action
• Water Conditions – http://www.water.ca.gov/waterconditions/
• California Drought Page – http://www.water.ca.gov/waterconditions/drought/

Related Links

• Crop Disaster Declared in Three States February 27, 2014
• EXTREME and EXCEPTIONAL Drought Conditions Spread in California February 20, 2014
• California Drought Could Worsen Water Contamination February 19, 2014
• California Drought Worsens February 6, 2014
• COLLAPSE OF CALIFORNIA LOOMS February 2, 2014
• California Drought Could Paralyze the U.S.  February 2, 2014
• California Drops State Water Allocation to Zero  February 1, 2014
• California Drought Intensifies January 30, 2014
• California Communities Could Run Out of Water in 60 to 120 Days January 29, 2014
• Drought Disaster Declared for Multiple Counties in Four States January 25, 2014
• California Declares Drought State of Emergency January 18, 2014
• California Governor to Declare Drought Emergency January 17, 2014
• High Fire Danger in Southern California amid Driest Conditions on Record January 17, 2014
• 520 Counties across 16 States Declared Crop Disaster Areas due to Drought January 16, 2014

FIRE-EARTH 2009 Forecast: Desertification of California in the Near Future Is Almost a Certainty

[NOTE: The above forecast and most of the links posted below have previously been filtered by Google, WordPress and others. Editor ]

• California: Biggest Desert in N America August 16, 2009
• Warning: California Is Being Mojavefied!
• Can’t have your water and eat the fish, too!
• Alaska: One Fire Away From Exporting Charcoal
• Calif Drought: Schwarzenegger declares a state of emergency
• Images of the Day: California Drought & Folsom Lake
• Desertification
• California ‘Mojavefied’ by 2011?
• Land degradation threatens 1.5 billion people
• Topsoil
• First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities

• Schwarzenegger Proclaims Water Emergency in Nine Counties
• Drought
• A Few Extreme Events Away
• Image of the Day: Southern Spain
• Schwarzenegger Proclaims Water Emergency in Nine Counties

Drought Information – Water Resources – State of California

Water years 2012 and 2013 were dry statewide, especially in parts of the San Joaquin Valley and Southern California. Water year 2014, which began on October 1st, continues this trend. Precipitation in some areas of the state is tracking at about the driest year of record. 

Britain Saw Wettest, Most Catastrophic Winter

EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC EVENTS
WETTEST WINTER IN 1/4 MILLENNIUM
HUMAN-INDUCED NATURAL DISASTERS
.

Wettest, 5th Warmest and Probably Most Disastrous Winter in the UK

Britain had the wettest winter since records began in 1766, with 435mm of rain recorded up to February 24, said the UK Met Office.

New records were set in many parts of the UK, with southeast and central southern England receiving more than double the average winter rainfall. And more rain is expected…

Ferocious storms have caused extensive damage along the coastal areas, cutting off a major rail link and flooding thousands of homes.

Some 25 square miles of land have been inundated in the Somerset Levels, as well as towns and villages along River Thames.

More than 6,500 properties have been flooded in England and Wales since December.

The cost of damage could top $2billion.

Britain has seen record rainfall this winter … more rain forecast. Source: UK Met Office.

Average Temperatures

The UK has been experiencing a warmer than average winter so far, with an average mean temperature of 5.2ºC, or 1.5ºC above normal.

It is the 5th warmest winter since 1910, said the Met Office.

12% More sunshine than average

Despite the wet weather, south England has experienced 12% more sunshine than average this winter.

UK experienced its 5th warmest winter, with the south receiving 12 per cent more sunshine than average. Source: UK Met Office.

Sinkholes and Landslides

Meanwhile, the British Geological Survey reported that the exceptional winter storms that struck the UK this year have contributed to an increase in the incidence of sinkholes and landslides.

UK Weather Forecast

The Met Office has warned:

“An area of low pressure is expected to move eastwards on Friday. There is considerable uncertainty in its track and therefore on the risk and location of any snow.

“This warning will be kept under review and the public are advised to keep up to date with the forecast and warnings.”

FIRE-EARTH / EDRO Forecast

In November 2009,  EDRO/FIRE-EARTH Models showed climate change could directly affect about half the UK population within 3 to 5  years. Our Forecast and most of the links posted below have since been filtered, censored, blocked or buried by Google, WordPress and others.

• Climate change could directly affect about half the population in the UK  in the next 3 to 5 years  posted on November 20, 2009.

Related Links

• Latest Storm Dumps Yet More Rain on Ireland, UK  February 17, 2014
• UK Floods Intensify February 14, 2014
• Ireland and Britain Face Major Disaster Crisis February 13, 2014
• “Red Warning” Issued for UK Hurricane Force Winds February 12, 2014
• UK Floods Threaten Thousands of Homes February 10, 2014
• Britain Moving Closer to Climate Checkmate February 10, 2014
• Britain Battered by Barrage of Storms February 9, 2014
• Massive Storm Striking Ireland, Britain February 8, 2014
• Superstorm Striking W Europe – Satellite Image Update 2 February 7, 2014
• Catastrophic Superstorm Targetting Britain – Satellite Image February 7, 2014
• Catastrophic Superstorm to Smash into Britain Shortly February 7, 2014
• Superstorm to Hit UK February 5, 2014

What you should know by now

• RAPID DECLINE IN PROGRESS!
• Critical Overload Threatens Planetary Life Support Systems

Other Links

• Britain Set for “Worst Winter in History” December 2, 2013
• ‘Catastrophic Losses’ of Animals Feared due to UK Spring Snow Posted on March 26, 2013
• How Homo Ignarus Killed Spring Posted on March 21, 2013
• Intensifying Winter Drought in England Worst Since 1888 Posted on March 12, 2012
• British Govt Makes Another Straw Man March 17, 2010

Six U.S. Fisheries to Receive Disaster Relief

Fishery Disasters caused by tsunami,  river flood, drought … and Hurricane Sandy

Six fisheries across the U.S. that were declared fishery disasters in 2012 and 2013 will receive $75 million in disaster relief funds, announced NOAA.

The allocations from the disaster relief fund will go to

• Commercial fisheries in American Samoa (damaged by the tsunami of 2009)
• Commercial fisheries in Mississippi (affected by the Mississippi River flood of 2011)
• The New England multispecies groundfish fishery for the 2013 season
• Alaska’s Chinook salmon fishery for 2011 and 2012 (near collapses)
• The Florida oyster fishery in the Gulf of Mexico (damaged by  drought in 2012)
• Fisheries in New York and New Jersey (destroyed or damaged by Hurricane Sandy in 2012)

Crop Disaster Declared in Three States

EXTREME CLIMATIC EVENTS
DROUGHT
CROP DISASTERS
.

Crop Disaster Declared for 20 Counties in Three States

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has declared 20 counties in three states as crop disaster areas, in two separate designations, due to the recent drought.

The disaster designations are for the states of California, Arizona and New Mexico.

• California: Riverside, San Diego, Imperial, Orange,  and San Bernardino counties.
• Arizona: Cochise, Graham,  Pima, Gila, Maricopa, Pinal, Apache Greenlee, Navajo, Yavapai, Coconino,  La Paz (2 disaster designations), Santa Cruz and Yuma counties.
• New Mexico: Hidalgo County.

Between January 10 and February 26, 2014 USDA has declared 674 counties as crop disaster areas due to drought.

Notes:
1. USDA trigger point for a countywide disaster declaration is 30 percent crop loss on at least one crop.

2. The total number of counties designated as agricultural disaster areas includes both primary and contiguous disaster areas.

3. A number of counties have been designated crop disaster areas more than once due to multiple disasters.

4. The U.S. has a total of 3,143 counties and county-equivalents.

5. The disaster designations were approved by USDA on February 26, 2014.

State of Emergency

Governor Brown proclaimed a State of Emergency on January 27  amid the worsening statewide drought.  He called the “really serious,” adding that 2014 could be California’s third consecutive dry year. “In many ways it’s a mega-drought.”

57 California Counties Declared Crop Disaster Areas

All but one of the 58 counties in the state of California have been declared Crop Disaster Areas due to Extreme Drought conditions.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 57 counties in the state of California as crop disaster areas due to the worsening drought, since the beginning of the year.

California State Resources

• Electronic snowpack readings –  http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cdecapp/snowapp/sweq.action
• Electronic reservoir readings – http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cdecapp/resapp/getResGraphsMain.action
• Water Conditions – http://www.water.ca.gov/waterconditions/
• California Drought Page – http://www.water.ca.gov/waterconditions/drought/

2014 Federal and Agriculture Disaster Declarations

• Crop Disaster Declared in 3 States February 14, 2014
• Crop Disaster Declared For 8 States Due to Extreme Weather  February 7, 2014
• UPDATE: Drought Causes Crop Disaster in 25 Counties across 4 States February 6, 2014
• California Drought Worsens February 6, 2014
• California Drought Could Paralyze the U.S.  February 2, 2014
• California Drops State Water Allocation to Zero  February 1, 2014
• California Drought Intensifies January 30, 2014
• California Communities Could Run Out of Water in 60 to 120 Days January 29, 2014
• Drought Disaster Declared for Multiple Counties in Four States January 25, 2014
• California Declares Drought State of Emergency January 18, 2014
• California Governor to Declare Drought Emergency January 17, 2014
• High Fire Danger in Southern California amid Driest Conditions on Record January 17, 2014
• 520 Counties across 16 States Declared Crop Disaster Areas due to Drought January 16, 2014
• Crop Disaster Declared in 40 Counties due to Drought January 16, 2014
• Crop Disasters Declared in 6 States January 10, 2014

Related Links

• Drought 2013
• Agricultural Disasters Index

You Don’t Stand a Chance Because…

Thought for the Day

… the essence of existence is the ability to change.

You are denied the ability to change!

Thousands of Fires Caused by Dry Spell in Malaysia

EXTREME CLIMATIC EVENTS
DRY SPELL
LARGE SWARMS OF WILDFIRES
WATER FAMINE
“STATE OF CRISIS”
.

Water rationing enforced as thousands of wildfires plague Malaysia

The state of Selangor, Malaysia’s wealthiest state, began water rationing on Tuesday as their reservoirs dipped to critically low levels.

“We pledge that every consumer will receive water, but it will be rationed to ensure supply every two days,” the state chief minister was reported as saying.

“In a week, consumers will receive water for four days.”

Meanwhile, authorities revealed more than 7,000 forest and bushfires had been reported throughout the country since early February, five times the normal.

The state of Negeri Sembilan, near the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur, has already declared a “state of crisis” due to water shortage.

“In peninsular Malaysia, 15 areas have not had rainfall in more than 20 days, with some of them dry for more than a month, according to the Malaysian Meteorological Department. The dry weather is expected to run for another two weeks,” reported Reuters.

SE Asia 30-day precipitation anomaly (mm) for 27 Jan. – 25 Feb. 2014. Source: cpc.ncep.noaa

Singapore

The city-state of Singapore has experienced its longest dry spell on record, between January 13  and  February 8,  and has received little rain since.

Authorities say the dry weather contributed to the death of fish stocks at offshore aquaculture facilities. More than 160 tons of fish have perished recently due to a lack of oxygen in the water.

Indonesia

Governor of Riau declared a province-wide state of emergency as forest-clearing fires raged out of control due to drought.

Smog caused by record air pollution has enveloped a large region of Sumatra, forcing the pollutants standard index (PSI) to climb to a hazardous 778, and prompting authorities to close schools and urge residents to stay at home.

Forest-Clearing Fires in Indonesia

Many of the fires, started intentionally to clear the forests, have been raging since early February, engulfing forests in six provinces on Sumatra Island.

Smoke rises from a burning forest in Sumatra. Credit: Antara/FB Anggoro. Image may be subject to copyright.

Satellite images showed more than 700 hotspots in Sumatra alone on February 15, nearly twice the number the previous day, with at least 600 of the blazes in Riau Province , said a report.

“We have asked the central government to help with fighting fires by sending aircraft,” said the newly-sworn-in governor of Riau.

“If it’s just helicopters, we won’t be able to cope.”

Raging Forest Fires: State of Emergency Declared in Riau, Indonesia

EXTREME CLIMATIC EVENT
DROUGHT
FOREST CLEARING FIRES
STATE OF EMERGENCY
.

RIAU declares a state of emergency amid major forest fires

RIAU declared a province-wide state of emergency amid forest-clearing fires raging out of control due to drought.

Smog caused by record air pollution has enveloped a large region forcing the pollutants standard index (PSI) to climb to a hazardous 778, and prompting authorities to close schools and urge residents to stay at home.

Port officials along the Strait of Malacca, meanwhile, issued multiple warnings as visibility plunged to below 50m.

Riau Province is located in the central eastern coast of Sumatra, Indonesia’s largest island, along the Strait of Malacca.

Forest-Clearing Fires in Indonesia

Many of the fires, started intentionally to clear the forests, have been raging since early February, engulfing forests in six provinces on Sumatra Island.

Smoke rises from a burning forest in Sumatra. Credit: Antara/FB Anggoro. Image may be subject to copyright.

Satellite images showed more than 700 hotspots in Sumatra alone on February 15, nearly twice the number the previous day, with at least 600 of the blazes in Riau Province , said a report.

“We have asked the central government to help with fighting fires by sending aircraft,” said the newly-sworn-in governor of Riau.

“If it’s just helicopters, we won’t be able to cope,” he added.

M3.8 Strikes Montana

Seismic Hazard
.

Shallow earthquake strikes S of Plentywood, Montana

The quake struck at a depth of 5km about 59km S of Plentywood, NE Montana.

Meantime, at least 16 shocks measuring between M2.5 and 3.5 occurred in the state of Oklahoma in the past 7 days.

Preferred Location Parameters
Event Time: 2014-02-25 22:45:38 UTC
Magnitude: 3.8 mb_lg (± 0.07)
Location: 48.250°N, 104.699°W
Dept:h 5.0 km  (± 2.0 km)
Number of Phases Used 12
Minimum Distance 44.6 km (0.40°)
Travel Time Residual 0.63 sec
Azimuthal Gap 148°
Nearby Cities:

• 59km (37mi) S of Plentywood, Montana
• 81km (50mi) W of Williston, North Dakota
• 244km (152mi) S of Regina, Canada

Review Status MANUAL
Event ID usc000my5t [USGS/EHP]

Related Links

• Another Swarm of Shallow Quakes Strikes Close to Oklahoma City February 18, 2014
• More Quakes Strike Oklahoma February 11, 2014
• Significant Earthquakes Strike Oklahoma December 29, 2013
• M4.5 Quake Strikes NE Edmond Oil and Gas Field, Oklahoma December 8, 2013
• 41 Earthquakes Strike Oklahoma in November  December 1, 2013
• Earthquake No. 19 Strikes N. Texas November 29, 2013
• Two More Quakes Strike North Texas November 29, 2013
• Oil Drilling Likely Caused Texas Earthquake Posted on May 17, 2009
• M3.3 Quake Strikes Azle, Texas Posted on November 25, 2013
• FEWW Earthquake Links

FIRE-EARTH Bulletin NO. 69

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

FIRE-EARTH Bulletin NO. 69 has been released.

Related links

https://feww.wordpress.com/2-bulletin-board/

No. of Days left: 743

Apocalyptic Smog Covers 10 Percent of China

FIRE-EARTH Models show smog affecting at least 500millon people in China, or 37% of the population.

ENVIRONMENTAL HOLOCAUST
“APOCALYPTIC SMOG”
.

NO “Red Alert” for Beijing despite 6th consecutive days of hazardous smog

Satellite remote monitoring showed 980,000km², or 10 percent of the country,  blanketed by smog Sunday including Beijing and the provinces of Liaoning, Hebei, and Shanxi.

Beijing entered its six consecutive day of hazardous smog (AQI above 300), described by as “Apocalyptic smog” by the residents, on Tuesday. However, the authorities have failed to issue a “Red Alert” for the capital, breaking their own rules.

“A red alert indicates the most serious air pollution (AQI above 300) for three consecutive days. An orange alert indicates heavy to serious air pollution (AQI between 200 and 300) alternately for three consecutive days. A yellow alert indicates severe pollution for one day or heavy pollution for three consecutive days,” said a report.

Beijing was placed on “Yellow Alert” on Thursday, but the alert was upgraded to “Orange” for the first time on Friday, where it has stayed since.

The poisonous smog is forecast to linger until at least Thursday, according to the China Meteorological Administration.

Smog shrouds the Imperial Palace in Beijing, China, Feb. 24, 2014. Many parts of China have been enveloped by poisonous smog since last week. The potentially deadly pollution will linger in Beijing until at least Thursday,  forecasters said.  (Photo: Xinhua/Li Wen)

Beijing AQI

PM2.5 AQI for Beijing was 413 , indicating a PM2.5 concentration of between 350.5 and 500.4  micrograms per cubic meter (µgm–³), as of posting. (PM10 AQI: 240+; Temp: 2°C ; Range: 0°C to 12°C; Pressure: 1028hpa).

Pollution levels below 15.4µgm–³ (AQI of up to 50) are considered as “safe.”

A formula for calculating the AQI from the concentrations of various air pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, O3, CO, SO2, NO2 …)  is posted HERE.

Related Links

• Hazardous Smog Continues Choking N China February 24, 2014
• Beijing 398 February 23, 2014
• Derisory “Yellow Alert” as Brown Smog Bears on Beijing  February 21, 2014
• Smog and Mirrors in Beijing February 16, 2014
• “Breathtaken” Beijing Brown January 16, 2014
• “Apocalyptic” Smog Smothers China January 14, 2014
• “Apocalyptic” Smog Paralyzes Much of China December 6, 2013
• “Apocalyptic” Smog Turns Skies Yellow in North, East China December 5, 2013
• Shanghai Air Pollution Shoots Off the Chart Posted on December 2, 2013
• China’s Air Quality Chart Goes Apesh*t Again  October 28, 2013
• Air Pollution Levels Climb in China, India  October 27, 2013
• It won’t get any better, before it gets a lot worse! October 22, 2013
• Major City Shuts Down in China Smog Emergency October 21, 2013
• Smog Forces China’s Expressways Closures October 6, 2013
• Breathtaking Beijing in ‘Maroon Alert’  October 4, 2013
• Air Pollution: Visibility Down to 10 Meters in E China September 30, 2013

For earlier posts on Beijing AQI, search blog content.

2013 Disasters in China Cost about $70B

EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC EVENTS
HUMAN-ENHANCED NATURAL DISASTERS
.

Natural disasters cost China about $70 billion in 2013

Droughts and deluge, earthquakes and typhoons cost China about $70 billion in 2013, nearly twice the total in 2012.

The National Statistics Bureau reported flooding and mudslides cost China about $32billion in 2013, an increase of nearly 11 percent on  previous year, said Reuters.

Damage from droughts nearly quadrupled to about $15billion, while storm surges, snowfall and freezes cost an additional $7 billion.

Seismic disasters, primarily the deadly Sichuan Earthquake, added more than $16 billion to the total.

[For a comprehensive listing of disasters in China search blog content.]

China is the world’s biggest energy-related CO2 emitter (23.6% in 2009), and 2nd biggest cumulative energy-related CO2 emitter during the 158-year period between 1850 and 2008, accounting for about 9.37 % of the total.

Top Ten cumulative energy-related CO2 emitters (1850 – 2008)
1. The United States (28.56 %)
2. China (9.37%)
3. Russia (7.98%)
4. Germany (6.77%)
5. United Kingdom (5.78%)
6. Japan (3.94%)
7. France (2.75%)
8. India (2.53%)
9. Canada (2.18%)
10. Ukraine (2.14%)

Seawater intrusion affecting 2 million people in Shanghai

Meanwhile, CNTV reported:

Seawater is causing problems for two million people in Shanghai. The city is enduring its longest-lasting salt tide in more than 20 years. As of this morning, the salt tide intrusion has already lasted for 21 days, the longest since 1993. Shanghai is located at the mouth of the Yangtze River.

The intrusion occurs periodically, especially in winter and spring when the Yangtze water level is relatively low. High salt levels in water is harmful to people’s health, machinery, and crops. Shanghai’s water authorities say the reservoir built in 1993 can only hold a ten-day water supply. They’ve established a comprehensive plan to coordinate the city’s waterworks and appealed to the national government for support.

Chen Guoguang, senior engineer of Water Supply Distribution & Monitoring Center, said, “Together with the previous two salt tides, the intrusion this time is causing huge harm to our water safety. The whole process isn’t expected to end until early next month.”

Hazardous Smog Continues Choking N China

ENVIRONMENTAL HOLOCAUST
‘APOCALYPTIC SMOG’
.

Life-threatening smog choking N China won’t disperse anytime soon

 The potentially deadly smog is forecast to continue for at least three more days in Beijng, Tianjin, Hebei, Shandong, Shanxi, and Shaanxi provinces in north China, said the National Meteorological Center.

Beijing was finally placed on “orange alert”  for the first time on Friday. Municipal authorities have ordered manufacturing plants in the city to suspend or reduce production, and barbecues are disallowed, Xinhua reported.

Photo: xinhuanet.com

Beijing AQI

PM2.5 AQI for Beijing was 411 , indicating a PM2.5 concentration of between 350.5 and 500.4  micrograms per cubic meter (µgm–³), as of posting. (Temp: 7°C ; range -1 ° to 10°. Pressure: 1025hpa).

Pollution levels below 15.4µgm–³ (AQI of up to 50) are considered as “safe.”

A formula for calculating the AQI from the concentrations of various air pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, O3, CO, SO2, NO2 …)  is posted HERE.

Related Links

• Beijing 398 February 23, 2014
• Derisory “Yellow Alert” as Brown Smog Bears on Beijing  February 21, 2014
• Smog and Mirrors in Beijing February 16, 2014
• “Breathtaken” Beijing Brown January 16, 2014
• “Apocalyptic” Smog Smothers China January 14, 2014
• “Apocalyptic” Smog Paralyzes Much of China December 6, 2013
• “Apocalyptic” Smog Turns Skies Yellow in North, East China December 5, 2013
• Shanghai Air Pollution Shoots Off the Chart Posted on December 2, 2013
• China’s Air Quality Chart Goes Apesh*t Again  October 28, 2013
• Air Pollution Levels Climb in China, India  October 27, 2013
• It won’t get any better, before it gets a lot worse! October 22, 2013
• Major City Shuts Down in China Smog Emergency October 21, 2013
• Smog Forces China’s Expressways Closures October 6, 2013
• Breathtaking Beijing in ‘Maroon Alert’  October 4, 2013
• Air Pollution: Visibility Down to 10 Meters in E China September 30, 2013

For earlier posts on Beijing AQI, search blog content.

Beijing 398

ENVIRONMENTAL HOLOCAUST
APOCALYPTIC SMOG
.

KILL the SMOG or EVACUATE Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shandong, Henan, Liaoning, Shanxi, Shaanxi… before you run out of options!!

“Apocalyptic smog” smothered large parts of central, northern, northeastern and eastern China for the third consecutive day, reportedly prompting the Ministry of Environmental Protection to send 12 inspection teams to Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei and surrounding areas to check the response to the pollution (!)

Beijing AQI.  Source: waqi. info

Related Links

• Derisory “Yellow Alert” as Brown Smog Bears on Beijing  February 21, 2014
• Smog and Mirrors in Beijing February 16, 2014
• “Breathtaken” Beijing Brown January 16, 2014
• “Apocalyptic” Smog Smothers China January 14, 2014
• “Apocalyptic” Smog Paralyzes Much of China December 6, 2013
• “Apocalyptic” Smog Turns Skies Yellow in North, East China December 5, 2013
• Shanghai Air Pollution Shoots Off the Chart Posted on December 2, 2013
• China’s Air Quality Chart Goes Apesh*t Again  October 28, 2013
• Air Pollution Levels Climb in China, India  October 27, 2013
• It won’t get any better, before it gets a lot worse! October 22, 2013
• Major City Shuts Down in China Smog Emergency October 21, 2013
• Smog Forces China’s Expressways Closures October 6, 2013
• Breathtaking Beijing in ‘Maroon Alert’  October 4, 2013
• Air Pollution: Visibility Down to 10 Meters in E China September 30, 2013

For earlier posts on Beijing AQI, search blog content.

Brazil Drought Continues Intensifying

EXTREME CLIMATIC EVENT
SEVERE DROUGHT
WATER RATIONING
.

Water rationing enters third week as cities across 11 Brazilian states impose penalties on waste

Water rationing, which began more than two week ago in cities across 11 Brazilian states, has now entered a new phase with authorities imposing penalties for water waste.

The water rationing has affected about 10 million people throughout the country.

Meanwhile, temperatures continue to set new records in many regions, including the northeast, where up to a million cattle have perished due to heat exhaustion.

Brazil is world’s 7th largest economy and leading exporter of beef, coffee, orange juice, soybeans and sugar.

Brazil 30-day precipitation anomaly (mm) for 23 Jan. – 21 Feb. 2014. Source: cpc.ncep.noaa

Related Links

• Major Blackout in Brazil amid Record Heat, Low Rainfall February 5, 2014
• Worst drought in half a century destroying dozens of communities in NE Brazil  January 6, 2013

Morwell Could Catch Fire

Our thanks to Kiery-Anne Clissold (Morwell, Australia) for the heads up!

EXTREME CLIMATIC EVENTS
BUSHFIRES
TOXIC FUMES FROM BURNING COAL MINES
.

Toxic fumes from burning open-pit coal mines threaten thousands in Latrobe Valley, Australia

Fires in the Hazelwood and Yallourn  coal mines have been burning for 13 days, sending thick, toxic fumes and ash over Latrobe Valley [pop: 130,000] in the Australian state of Victoria.

The blaze was ignited by bushfires earlier this month and is burning over a 2.5-km front close to the town of Morwell, 130km east of Melbourne.

“Morwell on Fire.” Apocalyptic fumes blanket the town of Morwell in Latrobe Valley, Victoria, Australia.  Screenshot from a news clip by abc.net.au

Australia’s  Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has issued a high-level alert after the air pollution index topped 1,300 Friday afternoon.

The toxic smoke and ash from the fires forced ABC Australia to evacuate staff from its newsroom on Morwell’s main street, said the network.

Several schools and childcare centers in Morwell have been closed, and hundreds of students relocated to schools in neighboring towns, said ABC.

Kiery-Anne Clissold who lives in Morwell said:

We have had a recent normal spate of bushes…but the fire has gotten into the Open Cut Coal Mine. Into the Seam, which happens to have a town built on it. It has been burning for weeks with no sign of being controlled or put out. The locals are being poisoned by the pollutants in the Volcano like smoke that continually spews out of this disgusting hole in our beautiful planet. We need some help here. Thought your organisation should know.

Related Links

• Australian Disasters [links index page]
• More Australian Coal, Anyone? Posted on January 31, 2011

Deadly Blizzard Prompts State of Emergency in Minnesota

EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC EVENT
STATE OF EMERGENCY
DEADLY BLIZZARD
.

Minnesota paralyzed by deadly snowstorm

Gov.  Dayton declared a State of emergency after a deadly blizzard dumped more than 18 inches of snow on some parts of Minnesota, leaving most roads iced over or impassable.

The order mobilized National Guard to help with recovery and sheltering of stranded motorists throughout the state.

More than 400 crashes and 1,300 spinouts or vehicles skidding off the road were reported between Thursday afternoon and Friday morning, according to a State Patrol spokesperson.

A deadly collision in Wabasha County claimed at least one life.

The  conditions were the worst in living memory, according to the state’s veteran troopers.

Authorities closed schools in Minnesota’s three largest districts—Anoka-Hennepin, Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Tornadoes reported across six states

Meanwhile, the fierce storm system spawned two dozen tornadoes across six states—Illinois, Mississippi, Ohio, Georgia, Maryland and  North Carolina—Thursday through Friday.

FIRE-EARTH Bulletin NO. 68

IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

FIRE-EARTH Bulletin NO. 68 has been released.

Related links

https://feww.wordpress.com/2-bulletin-board/

No. of Days left: 746

Derisory “Yellow Alert” as Brown Smog Bears on Beijing

ENVIRONMENTAL HOLOCAUST
APOCALYPTIC SMOG
.

Hazardous Smog in China to Last for a Week: Officials

Beijing authorities on Thursday issued a derisory “Yellow Alert” for the Chinese Capital as heavy air pollution enveloped the region. The smog, previously described as “Apocalyptic” by the residents, is forecast to last for a week.

“Beijing, its neighbors Tianjin and Hebei Province, as well as central and western Shandong Province can expect heavy air pollution to linger for a week, according to a joint weather forecast issued by the China Meteorological Administration [CMA] and the Ministry of Environmental Protection,” said a report.

CMA believes the smog will last for a week because there is no cold front in sight to help disperse it, said the report.

PM 2.5 AQI had risen to 374 and PM10 concentration was hovering above 160µgm–³, as of posting.

Pollution levels below 15.4µgm–³ (AQI of up to 50) are considered as “safe.”

A formula for calculating the AQI from the concentrations of various air pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, O3, CO, SO2, NO2 …)  is posted HERE.

) as “safe.”

“Yellow” is the 2nd lowest of a four-tier alert system—red, orange, yellow, blue—indicating the severity of air pollution.

Map of air pollution in SEA. Source: waqi. info

“A red alert indicates the most serious air pollution (AQI above 300) for three consecutive days. An orange alert indicates heavy to serious air pollution (AQI between 200 and 300) alternately for three consecutive days. A yellow alert means severe pollution for one day or heavy pollution for three consecutive days,” said Xinhua.

Related Links

• Smog and Mirrors in Beijing February 16, 2014
• “Breathtaken” Beijing Brown January 16, 2014
• “Apocalyptic” Smog Smothers China January 14, 2014
• “Apocalyptic” Smog Paralyzes Much of China December 6, 2013
• “Apocalyptic” Smog Turns Skies Yellow in North, East China December 5, 2013
• Shanghai Air Pollution Shoots Off the Chart Posted on December 2, 2013

• China’s Air Quality Chart Goes Apesh*t Again  October 28, 2013
• Air Pollution Levels Climb in China, India  October 27, 2013
• It won’t get any better, before it gets a lot worse! October 22, 2013
• Major City Shuts Down in China Smog Emergency October 21, 2013
• Smog Forces China’s Expressways Closures October 6, 2013
• Breathtaking Beijing in ‘Maroon Alert’  October 4, 2013
• Air Pollution: Visibility Down to 10 Meters in E China September 30, 2013

For earlier posts on Beijing AQI, search blog content.

ML4.3 Quake Strikes UK Region

Seismic Hazard
.

Shallow earthquake strikes Bristol Channel Region UK

Richter magnitude scale 4.3 earthquake struck at a depth of 5km about 36 km S of Swansea, United Kingdom at 13:21:28UTC on February 20, 2014, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Center (EMSC).

Earthquake Details

• Magnitude: ML4.3
• Region:BRISTOL CHANNEL REGION, U.K.<
• Date – time: 2014-02-20 13:21:28.0 UTC
• Location: 51.31 N ; 4.08 W
• Depth: 5 km
• Distances:
  • 233 km NW of Saint Peter Port, Guernsey [pop: 16,488]
  • 65 km W of Cardiff, Wales, UK [ pop: 302,139]
  • 36 km S of Swansea, United Kingdom [ pop: 170,883]
  • 11 km N of Ilfracombe, United Kingdom [pop: 10,486]

Earthquake Location Map

Euro-Med Earthquakes – 24 hrs to 01:44UTC on February 21, 2014. Source: EMSC

Recent UK Earthquake

• Irish Sea earthquakes send tremors across British Isles August 26, 2013

Related Links

• FEWW Volcano Links
• Volcanoes
• FEWW Earthquake Links

EXTREME and EXCEPTIONAL Drought Conditions Spread in California

EXTREME CLIMATIC EVENT
STATE OF EMERGENCY IN CALIFORNIA
EXTREME & EXCEPTIONAL DROUGHT INTENSIFY
WATER FAMINE
.

Drought conditions cover the entire Golden State

Extreme and Exceptional Drought conditions spread to 68.3 percent of California. The rest is covered by other drought levels, according to the latest data released by the U.S. Drought Monitor.

California Drought Comparison Map: February 11 – February 18, 2014. Source: U.S. Drought Monitor.

State of Emergency

Governor Brown proclaimed a State of Emergency on January 27  amid the worsening statewide drought.  He called the “really serious,” adding that 2014 could be California’s third consecutive dry year. “In many ways it’s a mega-drought.”

57 California Counties Declared Crop Disaster Areas

All but one of the 58 counties in the state of California have been declared Crop Disaster Areas due to Extreme Drought conditions.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has designated 57 counties in the state of California as crop disaster areas due to the worsening drought, since the beginning of the year.

California State Resources

• Electronic snowpack readings –  http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cdecapp/snowapp/sweq.action
• Electronic reservoir readings – http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cdecapp/resapp/getResGraphsMain.action
• Water Conditions – http://www.water.ca.gov/waterconditions/
• California Drought Page – http://www.water.ca.gov/waterconditions/drought/

Related Links

• California Drought Could Worsen Water Contamination February 19, 2014
• California Drought Worsens February 6, 2014
• COLLAPSE OF CALIFORNIA LOOMS February 2, 2014
• California Drought Could Paralyze the U.S.  February 2, 2014
• California Drops State Water Allocation to Zero  February 1, 2014
• California Drought Intensifies January 30, 2014
• California Communities Could Run Out of Water in 60 to 120 Days January 29, 2014
• Drought Disaster Declared for Multiple Counties in Four States January 25, 2014
• California Declares Drought State of Emergency January 18, 2014
• California Governor to Declare Drought Emergency January 17, 2014
• High Fire Danger in Southern California amid Driest Conditions on Record January 17, 2014
• 520 Counties across 16 States Declared Crop Disaster Areas due to Drought January 16, 2014

FIRE-EARTH 2009 Forecast: Desertification of California in the Near Future Is Almost a Certainty

[NOTE: The above forecast and most of the links posted below have previously been filtered by Google, WordPress and others. Editor ]

• California: Biggest Desert in N America August 16, 2009
• Warning: California Is Being Mojavefied!
• Can’t have your water and eat the fish, too!
• Alaska: One Fire Away From Exporting Charcoal
• Calif Drought: Schwarzenegger declares a state of emergency
• Images of the Day: California Drought & Folsom Lake
• Desertification
• California ‘Mojavefied’ by 2011?
• Land degradation threatens 1.5 billion people
• Topsoil
• First Wave of World’s Collapsing Cities

• Schwarzenegger Proclaims Water Emergency in Nine Counties
• Drought
• A Few Extreme Events Away
• Image of the Day: Southern Spain
• Schwarzenegger Proclaims Water Emergency in Nine Counties

Record-high Radioactive Water Leaks at Fukushima NPP

NOTE: Many of the links posted below have previously been blocked or buried by Google, WordPress and others

SNAFU IN JAPAN
CRIMINAL INCOMPETENCE AT FUKUSHIMA
“COSMIC-LEVEL” RADIATION LEAK
CRIMES AGAINST NATURE
.

100 tons of highly radioactive water has leaked out of a tank: TEPCO

The criminally incompetent operator of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant says 100 tons of contaminated water containing record high levels of radioactive substances have overflowed from a storage tank.

Officials at Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) said on Thursday workers had found the highly contaminated, massive leak in one of the tanks near the Number 4 reactor building Wednesday night.

The spill contained an extraordinarily high 230-million becquerels per liter of beta-ray emitting substances, which is about 7.6 million times the government’s standard for contaminated water that can be released into the sea.

Highly contaminated water leaked from a storage tank at the tsunami-crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Fukushima, Japan.  Handout photo released by TEPCO on February 20, 2014. (via Reuters).

On October 18, 2013 FIRE-EARTH said [but was censored by Google, WordPress and others]:

• Fukushima Potentially More Disastrous Than Hiroshima

On November 7, 2013 FIRE-EARTH said [but was censored by Google, WordPress and others]:

• Scale of potential catastrophe at Fukushima could dwarf a limited nuclear war.

On January 13, 2014 FIRE-EARTH said [but was censored by Google, WordPress and others]:

THE TEPCO REPORT, QUOTED BY JAPAN’S ASAHI SHIMBUN, MAY BE SERIOUSLY FLAWED.

ACCORDING TO http://new.atmc.jp/ THE RADIATION LEVEL AT OR NEAR FUKUSHIMA PLANT IS ≥ 40 MICROSIEVERT PER HOUR (OR ~ 350 mSv/yr)

NOTES:

1. Radiation dose of about 2,000 millisieverts (200,000 millirems) cause serious illness.

2. Average background radiation in the US is about 3 mS/yr. [Ironically, the average background radiation in many parts of Japan is about 1mS/yr, or a third of that in the U.S.]

3. The average annual radiation dose per person in the U.S. is currently 620 millirem (6.2 mSv), according to EPA. “Half of our average dose comes from natural background sources: cosmic radiation from space, naturally occurring radioactive minerals in the ground and in your body, and from the radioactive gases radon and thoron, which are created when other naturally occurring elements undergo radioactive decay. Another 48 percent of our dose comes from medical diagnostics and treatments.”

Related Links

• Radiation Levels at Fukushima Hugely Underestimated: TEPCO February 8, 2014
• Look for the Cracks!  January 21, 2014
• “Radioactive River” Flowing at Fukushima No. 3 Reactor January 20, 2014
• Fukushima Radiation Level 8 Times* Govt Standard: TEPCO January 13, 2014
• Record Radiation Detected at Fukushima [AGAIN] December 22, 2013
• Japan Renews Nuke Ambitions Despite Fukushima, Common Sense December 14, 2013
• Record Outdoor Radiation Level Detected at Nuked Fukushima Plant December 9, 2013
• TEPCO Continues to Contaminate the World October 3, 2013
• 80 Percent Chance of Major Catastrophe at Fukushima NPP November 7, 2013
• Crimes Against Nature: Water Overflows from 12 Fukushima Barriers October 21, 2013
• Fukushima Potentially More Disastrous Than Hiroshima October 18, 2013
• Fukushima Fatal Farce Turns Deadlier September 1, 2013

For additional links to the never-ending nuclear disaster at Fukushima, search blog content, where they have not been hacked.

State of Emergency Declared in Wisconsin ahead of Severe Winter Storm

EXTREME WEATHER & CLIMATIC EVENTS
STATE OF EMERGENCY
SEVERE WINTER STORM
.

Blizzard to hit Wisconsin

Gov. Walker has issued an executive order declaring a State of Emergency ahead of a severe winter storm forecast to impact Wisconsin on Thursday, February 20. Heavy snowfall, freezing rain, and strong winds are expected, and some areas of west central and northwest Wisconsin could receive more than 12 inches of snow.

“… an extremely dangerous winter storm with associated heavy snow, freezing rain, ice accumulation, and sleet exacerbated by winds gusting to 40mph is expected to move across the entire state of Wisconsin … due to this prolonged extreme weather, conditions are expected to worsen throughout the day on February 20, 2014 … there is an ongoing shortage of of road salt available to local units of government that will impact their ability to manage snow and ice on public roadways …,” said Walker. “This executive order ensures we are prepared for this potentially dangerous winter storm.”

• 7-day Storm Animation [valid for the duration of storm]

Meanwhile, the NWS has issued the following forecast for the region:

Multiple Weather Impacts Behind Strong System on Thursday

A strong weather system will continue to move through the central U.S. towards the East Coast. On Thursday, severe weather is possible from the Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes with damaging winds as the primary threat however, tornadoes will also be possible. Farther south and west, dry and windy conditions will lead to fire weather concerns. And behind the system, winter weather makes a return.

U.S. Weather Hazards Map (Hazmap)  for Thursday, February 20, 2014. Issued at 11:33UTC. Source: NWS. UPDATE

Energy Emergency

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) extended on Wednesday the regional States of Emergency Declarations, Waivers, Exemptions & Permits for transporting propane throughout the United States.

A total of at least 36 states and District of Columbia are currently impacted by shortages of propane and other heating fuels.

States covered by the emergency declarations include:

• Western Service Center: North Dakota and South Dakota
• Southern Service Center: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Tennessee
• Eastern Service Center: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia
• Midwestern Service Center: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin

Colorado Gov Issued Emergency Declaration to Authorize Temporary Exception to Hours of Service Regulations for CMVs Used for Propane Transport on February 7, 2014.

Texas Gov Renews Proclamation Declaring Liquefied Petroleum Gas Emergency [Feb. 4, 2014.]

Connecticut Provides Emergency Exemption from Hours of Service of Drivers [Feb. 11, 2014.]

S. Carolina Gov Issues Emergency Declaration for Severe Winter Weather Impact [Feb. 11, 2014.]

S. Carolina Gov Issues Executive Order to Waive Truck Restrictions  [Feb. 11, 2014.]

N.  Carolina Governor Temporarily Suspends Motor Vehicle Regulations … [Feb. 11, 2014.]

Related Links

• States of Emergency Declared for NY & CT February 14, 2014
• State of Emergency Declared in Tennessee February 13, 2014
• NJ Declares State of Emergency Ahead of Deadly Snowstorm February 13, 2014
• State of Emergency Declared in Maryland February 12, 2014
• Virginia Declares State of Emergency Ahead of Deadly Storm February 12, 2014
• Deadly Ice and Snow Blanket U.S. South February 12, 2014
• States of Emergency Declared in 4 States February 11, 2014
• States of Emergency Declared in New York, Pennsylvania February 6, 2014
• Disaster Emergency Declared in Multiple States Feb. 5, 2014
• State of Disaster Emergency Declared in Kansas Feb. 5, 2014
• State of Emergency Declared in New Jersey  February 4, 2014

Energy Emergency Links

• Never Mind the Salt, Propane Shortage Biting Hard Feb.  6, 2014
• Deadly Winter Storm Prompts States of Emergency in Georgia, Carolinas  January 29, 2014
• States of Emergency Declared in Alabama, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi …  January 28, 2014

• Wisconsin Declares State of Emergency over Extreme Cold, Fuel Shortage January 26, 2014
• Louisiana Declares 2nd State of Emergency due to Dangerous Cold January 25, 2014
• State of Emergency Declared for Louisiana January 24, 2014

• Energy Emergency Declared for Alabama January 24, 2014
• Tennessee Declares Statewide Energy Emergency January 22, 2014
• Ohio Declares Statewide Energy Emergency January 20, 2014
• State of Emergency Declared in Oklahoma due to Propane Shortage January 8, 2014

Drought Severely Affecting Sri Lanka

EXTREME CLIMATIC EVENT
WORSENING DROUGHT
.

Severe Drought cutting Sri Lanka’s tea production by half 

Worsening drought in Sri Lanka has cut the country’s tea production by at least 50 percent, affecting the livelihoods of about 400,000 families. 

The rainfall, humidity and cool temperatures in the island’s central highlands have provided a favorable climate for production of high quality tea.

Sri Lanka is the world’s leading exporter of tea accounting for 24% of the global export.

Tea production is the country’s second largest export netting the island about 1.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2013.

The industry employs about 1.5 million people.

Toxins Leak into North Carolina River [Again]

UPDATED on February 20, 2014

CRIMES AGAINST NATURE
.

Dan River water samples show elevated levels of arsenic

Groundwater is showing elevated levels of arsenic reportedly leaking from a Duke Energy coal ash dump in Eden, North Carolina into the Dan River, which was already contaminated following a massive spill on February 2.

The discharge from a large stormwater pipe under a coal ash dump was the second so far this month at the Eden plant.

“The duration and volume of the discharge are not known.” Duke Energy said. [More likely, they are unwilling to disclose the extent of damage. Editor]

DUKE-ENERGY is preventing FIRE-EARTH moderators in FIVE locations from accessing its website.

When tried to access their website using a different system we received the following WARNING:

The first [known] spill at Dan River Steam Station, a Duke Energy retired power plant in Eden, NC, occurred on February 2, 2014, when another broken stormwater pipe located under a 27-acre ash pond released about 27 million gallons of ash basin water, according to the company.

Close up of excavation and pipe work inside the Dan River ash basin. Source: Duke Energy

Earlier this month FIRE-EARTH commented:

Other than for obvious reasons, there were no immediate comments from Duke Energy as to why the ash pond was built over a stormwater pipe and so close to Dan River, nor any reason why the largest electricity provider in the U.S. failed to remove the toxic ash nearly two years after the plant was retired.

Source: Duke Energy

Aerial view of the retired Dan River Steam Station and ash basins in North Carolina. Source: Duke Energy [This photo taken on February 5, 2014 shows the primary basin almost completely drained into Dan River.]

On January 12, 2014 FIRE-EARTH said [but was censored by Google, WordPress and others]

If Anything Can Explode, Leak, Contaminate…[IT WILL]

Estimated 100,000 HAZMAT storage sites across the U.S. can potentially explode, leak, contaminate the environment—FIRE-EARTH

United States is dotted with an estimated 100,000 HAZMAT storage sites containing one or more of deadly substances including radioactive, biohazardous, toxic, explosive, flammable, asphyxiating, corrosive, oxidizing, pathogenic, or allergenic materials, as well as herbicides, fungicides and fertilizers that don’t fall into those categories.

Some of the substances (hazchems), which include more than 200 types of dioxins, are so lethal that even a small leak into the water supply could kill or permanently harm millions of people, before they are detected.

Related Links

• Up to 27 Million Gallons of Coal Ash Spill into Dan River, NC February 7, 201

• If Anything Can Explode, Leak, Contaminate… January 12, 2014
• UPDATE: Hundreds are Sick after West Virgina Water Pollution January 11, 2014
• 737 People Reported Sickness after West Virgina Water Pollution January 11, 2014

• UPDATED: State of Emergency Declared in West Virginia after Chemical Spill January 10, 2014
• State of Emergency Declared in West Virginia due to Chemical Spill January 10, 2014
• State of Emergency Declared in West Virginia after Chemical Spill  January 10, 2014