In cases of natural or engineered disasters, such as a terrorist attack, influenza pandemic, or earthquake, state or local authorities can request that the U.S. federal government provide assets from the Strategic National Stockpile to augment the state and local jurisdictions’ resources.

Firefighters often find themselves in situations where they are in danger of receiving burns because of a rapid rise in the ambient temperature to a level beyond the protective capabilities of the Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) and the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) worn by the firefighters. The hazard associated with infrared radiation (IR) is particularly acute because the intensity of IR can increase to dangerous levels in seconds.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) announces the availability of a new mobile application (app) version of its longstanding Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. The app was developed as part of the Worker Health History Small National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) Project Award and can be used on any device with a Web browser.

Cal Fire is continuing to build containment on several large fires burning in the state Thursday.

According to the state's firefighting agency, more than 3,600 firefighters are assigned to 10 major wildfires across the state. That's slightly less than Wednesday's 4,000.

Though crews do have the upper hand on most of the incidents in the state at this point, officials warn that the chance of new fires will increase as winds pick up in parts of the state.