Published

8 months ago

July 11, 2025

Alice Rush

Last Updated on July 11, 2025

I witnessed some crazy wildfires back when I lived in California. The Atlas and Patrick fires both burned less than 15 miles from my home in 2017.

As someone who’s lost everything to fire before, it was an incredibly uneasy and tense time. And it only seems to be getting worse – the Canadian wildfires were so bad in 2023 that the smoke reached New York.

What Is Fire Weather? Is it Preventable?

Wildfires aren’t always linked to climate change – sometimes they’re started by arsonists, mismanagement, or natural causes. But climate change is definitely making wildfires worse and more frequent – leading to something called fire weather.

But what exactly is fire weather, and how can we prepare for it? Is there a way to prevent it? Here’s everything you need to know to keep yourself informed, safe, and ready.

what is the definition of fire weather?

Fire weather refers to any time the conditions are right for a blaze – typically issued as a warning when an area has been too hot, dry, and windy for substantial amounts of time. Fire weather doesn’t mean there are any actual fires – it simply means there could be.

According to NOAA, fire weather watch alerts will be issued whenever these three critical elements are met:

sustained winds averaging 15 mph or greater
relative humidity 25 percent or less
temperature 75°F or greater

When these fire weather conditions are met, the landscape is primed for really disastrous infernos that can be difficult to control and put out.

For instance, The Camp Fire of 2018 moved so quick that it overwhelmed the city of Paradise, killing 86 people, many trying to leave in their cars.

what are the 5 critical fire weather conditions?

The five critical fire weather conditions include high air temperatures, low precipitation, low soil moisture, low relative humidity, and gusty winds. When you mix all five of these together, you get ample weather that fuels fires.

Here’s a deeper dive into each element:

High air temps: Very warm temperatures can strip moisture from easily combustible materials, like grass
Low precipitation: Lack of rain or snow, or in extreme cases, a drought
Low soil moisture: When soil moisture is low, vegetation is likely dry and stressed, making it easy kindling
Low relative humidity: If there’s a lack of water vapor in the air, it makes kindling (grass, brush, etc) easier to burn
Gusty winds: Winds can strengthen flames, should a fire ignite

how do you prepare for fire weather?

The best way to prepare for fire weather is to stay on top of weather conditions. Springtime is when most wildfires occur, but secondary fire weather season occurs during fall.

Be mindful that climate change affects wildfires, making them more common and less predictable. Be sure to monitor alerts on your phone and check National Weather Service (NWS)’s fire weather map consistently.

Another way to prepare for fire weather is to create an action plan, in case there is a fire. You should research and check your location on FEMA’s website to get information about disaster declarations in both the past and present.

Listen for wildfire evacuation orders and take them seriously: Devise a plan with your family members so you all know where to regroup and meet, should you have to evacuate.

Having a bug out bag full of supplies is a great idea. A bug out bag can be stashed under the bed, in a closet, or in a car – but it should be somewhere you can easily access.

Here’s what to pack in a bug out bag:

First aid kits
Medications + supplements
Physical maps (important if you lose GPS signal)
Essential documents (passport, insurance, birth certificate, etc.)
Flashlights
Pet food + supplies
Non-perishable food (canned goods, trail mix, etc.)
Water (4-pack of aluminum bottled water)
Extra phone chargers (Nimble is a sustainable brand that uses recycled materials)
Solar powered radio
Extra clothing and pairs of underwear (ideally enough for a week)
Toiletries (safety razors, shampoo bars, body wash, etc.)
Menstrual care products (Kayaness and/or organic tampons)

how can we reduce chance of wildfires?

Obviously being prepared for the worst is important, but what if we could reduce their occurrence? Good news:There are several ways we can reduce the likelihood of fire weather alerts (and wildfires in general).

controlled burns

It may seem counterproductive, but doing controlled burns will help reduce wildfires. Why? Because a planned fire can remove dead grass, fallen tree branches, dead trees, and thick undergrowth – aka, the kindling that fuels wildfires.

Planned burns are done when weather conditions are not fire weather conditions – and can be properly controlled and monitored. Ash from burnt vegetation also releases nutrients back into the soil, allowing for new vegetation to grow and promoting biodiversity.

You can learn more about controlled burns via Nat Geo but it’s important to note it’s nothing new – indigenous people have been practicing controlled burns for decades. We can advocate for more controlled burns by writing to our local reps, learning more about them, and simply spreading awareness.

tackling climate change

By having strong climate policy in place, we can ensure fire weather becomes less common. Voting for people who vow to protect the environment – both on local and national levels – is essential to this.

Getting involved in your government, emailing and calling your local reps, and volunteering your time at environmental non-profits are all great ways to fight climate change on a collective level.

On an individual level, taking steps to reduce your own carbon footprint too (like switching to renewable energy and driving less) is also a great idea. And of course, don’t forget to make plastic-free swaps or start composting if you haven’t yet!

creating drought tolerant lawns

If you live in a state that’s prone to droughts (like California), investing in drought-tolerant landscaping is a great way to reduce risk of fires. Drought-tolerant plants require less water and can be less susceptible to igniting.

Xeriscaping is worth looking into, as well as planting fire-resistant plants (agave, succulents, red yucca, etc).

Looking into native plants is also worth checking out, as these plants require less maintenance and tend to be more durable in your specific climate. My friend Shelbi recently turned her lawn into a native pollinator habitat and I’m here for it!

Do you have any questions on fire weather? Let me know in the comments!

The post What Is Fire Weather? Is it Preventable? appeared first on Going Zero Waste.

What Is Fire Weather? Is it Preventable?

Green Living

Earth911 Inspiration: Time Is but the Stream

Published

1 day ago

February 27, 2026

Alice Rush

Thoreau wrote in Walden that “Time is but the stream I go a-fishing in,” which reminds us that life is short and nature fills it beautifully. What are you looking for that can’t be found during an afternoon in nature?

Earth911 inspirations. Post them, share your desire to help people think of the planet first, every day. Click the poster to get a larger image.

The post Earth911 Inspiration: Time Is but the Stream appeared first on Earth911.

https://earth911.com/inspire/earth911-inspiration-time-is-but-the-stream/

Green Living

Classic Sustainability In Your Ear: The Ocean River Institute’s Natural Lawn Challenge for Climate Action

Published

4 days ago

February 25, 2026

Alice Rush

Turn back the clock with this classic interview that will get you ready for Spring yard care planning. A lawn may be beautiful but it can take a heavy toll on the environment, accounting for between 30% and 60% of residential water use in the United States. Rob Moir, Ph.D., is president and executive director of the Ocean River Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts. ORI works with residential lawn owners to heal damaged ecosystems by restoring coastal areas to lessen the destructive impacts of climate change. The benefits of a natural lawn reach far beyond reduced local water pollution, eliminating chemicals that can contribute to cancers, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and other cellular diseases. Natural lawns are also better for local pollinators and store much more carbon than heavily fertilized lawns. If you considered removing your lawn to play a part in the battle against climate change, this interview may change your mind — a healthy lawn is a powerful carbon sink.

Rob Moir, Ph.D., president and executive director of the Ocean River Institute, is our guest on *Sustainability in Your Ear*.

The Ocean River Institute is recruiting Massachusetts communities, town by town, to take a pledge to follow natural lawn practices in the Healthy Soils for Climate Restoration Challenge. You don’t need to live in Massachusetts to participate and learn about the alternatives to the traditional, chemical-intensive lawn practices that use Roundup, a source of glyphosates that kills soil-dwelling fungi and local pollinators, and fast-acting nitrogen fertilizers. You can learn more about the Ocean River Institute at www.oceanriver.org.

Rob has contributed many articles about climate change and the history of environmental change since this interview, including:

Subscribe to Sustainability in Your Ear on iTunes and Apple Podcasts.
Follow Sustainability in Your Ear on Spreaker, iHeartRadio, or YouTube

Editor’s Note: This episode originally aired on May 30, 2022.

The post Classic Sustainability In Your Ear: The Ocean River Institute’s Natural Lawn Challenge for Climate Action appeared first on Earth911.

https://earth911.com/podcast/earth911-podcast-the-ocean-river-institutes-natural-lawn-challenge-for-climate-action/

Green Living

7 Best Sustainable Wedding Dresses for Your Special Day

Published

5 days ago

February 23, 2026

Alice Rush

Choosing your perfect gown can be one of the most exciting decisions for your special day, but for the eco fashionista, it can be a challenge to find a dress that fits your values and style — but these brands have exceptional sustainable wedding dresses you’ll swoon over!

Using earth-minded materials like hemp, cruelty-free peace silk, deadstock recycled fabrics and vintage lace, and producing consciously, either in small batches or handcrafting each individual piece made-to-order, the brands below meet high standards for transparency, ecological sustainability, and fair labor.

[For more sustainable wedding dresses, check out this guide to secondhand wedding dress sites!]

Note that the guide contains affiliate links. As always, we only feature brands that meet strict criteria for sustainability we love, that we think you’ll love too!

1. Christy Dawn

sustainable wedding dresses from Christy Dawn

Dreamy dress brand Christy Dawn does not disappoint with their romantic bridal collection! Each piece is more swoon-worthy than the next.

Their three sustainable bridal gowns are made from regenerative silk charmeuse —sourced through BOMBYX, an innovative silk producer using best practices — and colored in a beautiful pearl silk with non-toxic dyes. Each dress is ethically cut and sewn by makers in Los Angeles earning living wages, as with the rest of Christy Dawn’s collections.

The Britta Dress and Fitzgerald Dress are 1920s inspired while the Athena Dress is a more modern (but equally romantic) option. All of these dresses are made-to-order with an estimated timeline of 4 weeks.

Conscious Qualities: Regenerative silk and organic non-toxic dyes, ethically made-to-order in Los Angeles

Price Range: $2,500 – $3,000

Size Range: XS – XL

Check Out Christy Dawn Bridal

2. Pure Magnolia

Classic sustainable wedding dresses from Pure Magnolia

Blending the traditional with the modern, Pure Magnolia designs classic-inspired sustainable wedding dresses with contemporary touches. And each dress is made in their Canadian studio by seamstresses earning fair wages from eco-fabrics, such as organic cotton and hemp silk.

The brand sources recycled fabrics whenever possible as well, and recycles their scrap fabric through FABCYCLE.

Conscious Qualities: Eco-friendly fabrics, locally and fairly made, recycles scrap fabrics

Price Range: $845 – $3,300 CAD

Size Range: 0 – 28

Check Out Pure Magnolia

3. Lost in Paris

Bohemian-inspired gowns ethically made by Lost in Paris

Lost in Paris crafts each of their creatively designed bohemian-inspired gowns ethically in their Sydney, Australia studio. Unconventional yet undeniably striking, Lost in Paris’ dresses are made from vintage lace and cotton.

Investing in a dress from Lost in Paris is seamless — the brand offers at-home sample try-ons, offers train and sleeve adjustments on several styles, ships their dresses worldwide for free, and even accepts returns. Oh, and, if one of their ready-made sizes doesn’t work for you, you can get a dress designed to your measurements.

Conscious Qualities: Made-to-order model, uses vintage lace, locally made

Price Range: $950 – $3900 AUD

Size Range: XXS – XXL + custom sizing options

Check Out Lost in Paris

For More Slow Fashion Content:

4. Wear Your Love

Ethical wedding dresses made with organic cotton from wear your love

Wear Your Love creates feminine, effortless dresses in their Northern California studio that are — in contrast to the majority of wedding dresses on the market — actually comfortable! The brand’s free-spirited designs are made with soft, earth-minded fabrics like organic cotton and each dress is made to order for each bride to their exact measurements.

There are also customizations available for each eco-friendly wedding dress such as train or no train, skirt or sleeve linings, back coverage, skirt style, and more.

Conscious Qualities: Eco-friendly fabrics, made-to-order model, locally and transparently made

Price Range: $680 – $1,700

Size Range: N/A; dresses are made to your measurements

Check Out Wear Your Love

5. Larimeloom

Custom-made ethical wedding dresses from Larimeloom

Based in Reggio Emilia, Italy, Larimeloom crafts exceptional custom-made dresses by hand in their atelier. The brand creates comfortable minimalist dresses from durable natural fabrics and colors them with natural or non-toxic dyes.

Larimeloom has also implemented zero waste design techniques, cutting their patterns strategically in order to minimize fabric waste.

Conscious Qualities: Made-to-order model, zero-waste designs, natural fabrics and dyes

Price Range: 650€ – 2,650€

Size Range: XS – XL

Explore Larimelume

6. Sister Organics

Lace wedding dresses made with earth-friendly natural fabrics from Sister Organics

Sourcing quality earth-friendly natural fabrics like organic hemp and cotton, Sister Organics creates classic, eco-friendly wedding dresses for UK-based brides.

Each dress is made to order in England, so you can select a pre-defined size, customize the length of a size, or get an entirely different dress made for your measurements.

Conscious Qualities: Eco-friendly fabrics, made-to-order model

Price Range: £125 – £390

Size Range: XXS – XXL + custom sizing

Check Out Sister Organics

7. Indiebride London

Vintage-inspired eco wedding dresses from Indiebride London

Indiebride’s vintage-inspired sustainable wedding dresses are delicate and romantic yet free-spirited, offering a unique collection for the bride that wants to skip the conventional wedding gown and choose a piece that fits their individual style.

The brand’s conscious wedding dresses are handmade in London using majority natural fibers and can be altered or customized to your specifications.

Conscious Qualities: Made-to-order model, uses many natural fabrics, locally made

Price Range: £1,200 – £1,700

Size Range: 8 – 16 (UK sizes)

Check Out Indiebride