The Emergency Management Network Podcast

Today’s emergency brief takes you through the biggest safety and emergency updates making news right now. We start with a troubling cybersecurity alert involving Iranian-affiliated threat actors and growing concerns about attacks on critical infrastructure.
From there, we check in on wildfire activity across the country and the efforts underway to contain dangerous blazes. We also discuss rising tensions in the Middle East, including a Shelter in Place advisory issued for U.S. citizens in Bahrain.
We wrap up with the latest on Kilauea in Hawaii, severe weather building across the Southern Plains, and other urgent public safety developments, including water advisories. It’s a clear, concise roundup of the risks, response efforts, and evolving situations you should know about.
Takeaways:
* CISA has issued a critical advisory regarding Iranian threat actors exploiting vulnerabilities in PLCs.
* Organizations utilizing Rockwell Automation’s technology must prioritize remediation of exploited vulnerabilities.
* The recent Shelter in Place directive for Bahrain reflects heightened security concerns in the region.
* Wildfire activity across the United States has reached significant levels, necessitating ongoing suppression efforts.
* Heavy rainfall continues to pose a threat in Florida, with moderate flash flood risks identified.
* A substantial severe weather threat is anticipated in the Southern Plains over the coming days.
Sources
CISA / Cyber
- CISA Advisory AA26-097A — Iranian-Affiliated Cyber Actors Exploit PLCs Across US Critical Infrastructure (April 7, 2026)
- CISA ICS Advisory ICSA-26-097-01 (April 7, 2026)
- CISA Adds One Known Exploited Vulnerability to Catalog — CVE-2026-35616 (April 6, 2026)
- CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog
NIFC / Wildland Fire
- NIFC/NICC Incident Management Situation Report (April 7, 2026, PDF)
- NIFC National Fire News
USGS / Volcanoes
- USGS Kīlauea Volcano Updates
- USGS Volcano Updates (all U.S. volcanoes)
NWS / NOAA / Severe Weather
- NWS Miami — Flood Watch for Southeast Florida (April 7, 2026)
- Storm Prediction Center — Convective Outlooks
U.S. Department of State
- U.S. Embassy Manama — Security Alert: Bahrain Shelter-in-Place (April 6–7, 2026)
- State Dept — Middle East Regional Travel Advisory
FAA / Aviation
- FAA Ground Stop at Miami International Airport (April 7, 2026) — CBS Miami
California
- CAL FIRE — Springs Fire Incident Page
Florida
- Flood Watch, Heavy Rain for South Florida (April 7, 2026)
Hawai’i
- Big Island Video News — Earthquakes Swarm Before Kīlauea Eruption Episode 44
Illinois
- City of Freeport — Boil Order April 6, 2026
- WIFR — Boil Order Lifted in Freeport (April 7, 2026)
Texas
- TDEM — Governor Abbott Activates State Emergency Response Resources (March 31, 2026)


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The predominant focus of our discourse today centers on the critical wildfire emergencies unfolding across the Southern Plains, where a confluence of red flag warnings, extreme weather conditions, and active wildfires necessitates urgent attention. Regions including Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, and New Mexico are experiencing gusty winds, soaring temperatures, and alarmingly low humidity levels, which collectively exacerbate the fire hazards. Notably, significant evacuations have been mandated in various locales, particularly in Oklahoma, where fast-moving blazes pose substantial threats to residential areas. Conversely, the Midwest grapples with severe flooding resulting from substantial rainfall over the Easter weekend, with numerous rivers exceeding flood stage. As we navigate through these pressing issues, we shall also address cybersecurity vulnerabilities and health alerts pertinent to public safety in the current landscape.
Sources
NOAA / NWS
* NWS — Active Alerts (national)
* NWS — WWA Red Flag Warning summary
* SPC — Day 1 Convective Outlook (Apr 6 UTC)
* NWS Miami — Special Marine Warning (Apr 7)
* NWS Grand Rapids — Grand River Flood Watch
NIFC / InciWeb
* NIFC — National Fire News
* NIFC — Incident Management Situation Report, Apr 3, 2026
* InciWeb — Bent Willow Fire evacuations (Apr 4)
* InciWeb — Texas Fire incidents
FEMA
* FEMA — Current Disasters
* FEMA — Disaster Declarations
* FEMA — FM-5627-OK Dibble Creek Fire
* FEMA — FM-5628-OK Jumping Juniper Fire
* FEMA — FM-5626-OK Buck Horn Fire
* FEMA — FM-5625-TX Corner Pocket Fire
* FEMA — FM-5622-SD Qury Fire
* FEMA — DR-4900-LA Louisiana Severe Winter Storm
* FEMA — EM-3643-DC DC Sewer Line Collapse
CISA
* CISA — CISA Adds One Known Exploited Vulnerability (Apr 6, 2026 — Fortinet FortiClient EMS CVE-2026-35616)
* CISA — Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog
* CISA — Emergency Directive 26-03: Cisco SD-WAN Vulnerabilities
* CISA — Supplemental Direction ED 26-03: Hunt & Hardening Guidance
* CISA — ICS Advisories
* CISA — Cybersecurity Advisories
DHS / NTAS
* DHS — National Terrorism Advisory System (current status)
* DHS — Home Page
State Department / Travel Advisories
* State Dept — Travel Advisories (all countries)
* State Dept — Middle East travel page
* U.S. Embassy Ethiopia — Travel Advisory: Ethiopia, April 2026 (Level 3 renewed)
* State Dept — Crisis Response and Evacuations
CDC
* CDC HAN-00527 — Medetomidine in Illicit Fentanyl Supply (Apr 2, 2026)
* White House / ONDCP — Joint Advisory on Medetomidine in Fentanyl (Apr 2, 2026)
Oklahoma
* Oklahoma OEM — 2026 Emergencies and Disasters
* Oklahoma Dept of Agriculture — Fire Situation Report, Apr 6, 2026
* Wikipedia — 2026 Oklahoma Wildfires
Texas
* InciWeb — Bent Willow Fire (Texas, evacuations Apr 4)
* Wikipedia — 2026 Texas Wildfires
* Texas A&M Forest Service — Current Wildfire Status
Kansas
* Kansas Adjutant General’s Dept — State Fire Response Update
* Kansas Division of Emergency Management — Wildfire Update (Salina Post)
* KAKE — Wildfires and strong winds prompt statewide response in Kansas
Michigan
* WWMT — Flood Warning for Grand River, West Michigan rivers
* The Watchers — Flooding impacts northern Indiana, southern Michigan, NW Ohio (Apr 6)
Indiana / Ohio
* GovOneStop — Flood Warning Indiana, Ohio (effective Apr 4)
* GovOneStop — Flood Warning Indiana, Michigan (effective Apr 5)
Wisconsin
* Wisconsin Emergency Management — Response to historic flooding in SE Wisconsin
* Men’s Journal — Flood Warning Issued for Millions Across Six States Easter Weekend
* Stormwater Solutions — Midwest flooding swamps rivers, roads across six states
Iowa / Missouri
* ABC17 News — Flood Warning NWS Kansas City/Pleasant Hill through Apr 7
Oregon
* OPB — Drought emergency declared in Deschutes, Umatilla, Baker counties (Apr 1)
* OPB — Jackson County declares drought emergency (Apr 2)
* East Oregonian — Grant County declares drought emergency (Apr 1)
* Redmond Spokesman — Central Oregon farmers face tight water supply (Apr 6)
* NBC 16 — Kotek issues first 2026 drought declaration for Baker, Umatilla, Deschutes
Middle East / U.S. Military Relocation
* NPR — Evacuation of U.S. troops from Mideast base sends community groups scrambling (Apr 3)
* NPR — Troops and families evacuated to US after attacks on Middle East bases (Apr 2)


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The ongoing U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, now in its 37th day, constitutes the most pressing national emergency management concern at present. As the self-imposed pause by President Trump on potential strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure nears its expiration, analysts describe the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as the most significant energy supply disruption since the 1970s oil crisis. Concurrently, the rise in gasoline prices by approximately 37% since the commencement of the conflict underscores the profound economic implications of this situation. Emergency managers are thus urged to closely monitor fuel supply chains, logistics, and mutual aid costs in this increasingly volatile environment. Moreover, the episode further delineates the heightened wildfire risks across various states, exacerbated by climatic anomalies and ongoing drought conditions, necessitating vigilant preparedness and response strategies.
Takeaways:
* The ongoing U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran has now reached a critical 37-day mark, presenting significant national emergency challenges.
* The closure of the Strait of Hormuz since late February is noted as a major energy supply disruption, comparable to the 1970s oil crisis.
* Regular gasoline prices in the United States have surged by approximately 37% since the commencement of the conflict in the Middle East.
* The International Energy Agency has issued warnings regarding worsening supply constraints in April as pre-war crude oil shipments are depleted.
* Emergency managers are urged to closely monitor fuel supply chains and logistics costs amidst the current geopolitical tensions.
* National wildfire conditions in the United States are significantly exceeding historical averages, with over 810,000 acres burned thus far in 2026.
Sources
DHS / NTAS
* DHS — National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS)
State Department / Travel Advisories
* State Dept — Middle East Global Events Page
* State Dept — Worldwide Caution
* State Dept — Travel Advisories Landing Page
* U.S. Embassy Ethiopia — Travel Advisory Renewed April 1, 2026
NOAA / NWS
* NOAA SPC — Day 2 Convective Outlook (April 6, 2026)
* NOAA Weather Prediction Center — Home
USGS
* USGS — Significant Earthquakes 2026
* USGS — Latest Earthquakes Map
NIFC / InciWeb
* NIFC — Incident Management Situation Report, April 3, 2026 (official update ~72 hours ago)
* NIFC — National Fire News
* InciWeb — Wildland Fire Application Information Portal
FEMA
* FEMA — Newsroom
* FEMA — Disaster Declarations
* FEMA — Hazard Mitigation Deadline Extension (March 24, 2026)
CISA
* CISA — Cybersecurity Alerts & Advisories
* CISA — ICS Advisories
* CISA — Emergency Directive 26-03: Cisco SD-WAN Vulnerabilities (February 2026)
CDC
* CDC — Health Alert Network (HAN) Archive
Iran War / Energy Crisis
* NPR — Iran war updates, April 6, 2026
* CNN — Live updates: Iran war, April 6, 2026
* Bloomberg — Trump escalates threats to bomb Iran’s power plants, April 5
* CNBC — IEA warns oil supply crunch will worsen in April
* Wikipedia — 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis (context)
Alaska
* FEMA — Alaska Typhoon Halong Disaster Assistance (deadline passed April 3)
California
* CAL FIRE — Springs Fire incident page
* Newsweek — California Wildfire Update: Evacuations Lifted as Springs Fire Contained
* ABC7 Los Angeles — Springs Fire / Crown Fire live updates
* NBC Los Angeles — Evacuations underway for Crown Fire in northern LA County
Florida
* Fox Weather — Florida fire danger spikes as extreme drought reaches 25-year high, state of emergency declared
* WUSF/NPR — Florida’s drought caused a surge in wildfires, peak season still ahead (April 2, 2026)
* Florida Governor — Executive Order 26-33 (February 9, 2026)
* Florida DEM — Morning Situation Report, April 4, 2026
Hawaii
* Nomad Lawyer — Hawaii flooding alert: March 2026 storm
Kansas
* KSN — Wildfire burns 145,000+ acres in Kansas and Oklahoma
Nebraska
* Wikipedia — 2026 Nebraska wildfires
New Mexico
* Albuquerque Journal — New Mexico could face high wildfire risk in 2026 due to warm winter, poor snowpack
* NM Fire Info — Current wildfire information
New York
* City of Plattsburgh — MLD Power Outage, April 6, 2026 at 8:30 AM
North Carolina / South Carolina
* NWS Wilmington — 2026 Spring Climate Outlook for Southeast NC and Northeast SC
Oklahoma
* Oklahoma OEM — April 2026 Newsletter
* Direct Relief — Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas wildfires: evacuations underway
* Wikipedia — 2026 Oklahoma wildfires
Texas
* TDEM — Governor Abbott activates emergency resources ahead of severe weather, March 31, 2026
* NOAA WPC — Fort Worth/Dallas weather forecast


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Today’s discourse elucidates the pressing issue of wildfire preparedness amid a backdrop of alarming statistics: 17,006 wildfires have already incinerated over 1.6 million acres this year. The National Interagency Fire Center has reported a national preparedness level of 2, with 16 significant fires remaining uncontained and nearly 1,800 personnel engaged in suppression efforts. Concurrently, we explore critical cybersecurity vulnerabilities, notably a recently identified flaw in Google Chrome, which underscores the urgency for federal agencies to adhere to an impending remediation deadline. Furthermore, we examine the severe weather patterns currently affecting the central United States, including the potential for devastating thunderstorms and a late-season winter storm. As we navigate through these multifaceted challenges, it is imperative to remain vigilant and informed.
Takeaways:
* The National Interagency Fire Center reports an alarming number of wildfires across the nation, totaling over 17,000 incidents this year.
* Federal agencies must address a newly identified Google Chrome vulnerability before the impending April 15 deadline.
* Severe weather is anticipated across multiple regions, particularly strong thunderstorms and potential tornadoes in the Midwest.
* A state of energy emergency has been declared in Michigan due to soaring gas prices linked to global oil market disruptions.
* FEMA assistance applications for disaster relief in Alaska are due by 11:59 PM local time today, emphasizing urgency.
* Recent winter storms have caused hazardous conditions across the Midwest, leading to widespread travel disruptions and school closures.
Sources
NIFC / Wildfires
* NIFC Incident Management Situation Report — April 2, 2026
* NIFC National Fire News
* InciWeb — Wildland Fire Information Portal
CISA
* CISA adds one KEV — CVE-2026-5281 Chrome zero-day (April 1)
* CISA flags Apple, Craft CMS, Laravel bugs — patching deadline April 3
* CISA Emergency Directive 26-03 — Cisco SD-WAN systems
* CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities Catalog
FEMA
* FEMA — One more day to apply for disaster assistance (April 2)
* FEMA — Assistance deadline extended to April 3
* FEMA Disaster 4699 — Alaska
NWS / NOAA
* SPC Convective Outlooks
* NOAA Weather Prediction Center
USGS
* USGS Significant Earthquakes — 2026
* USGS Kilauea Volcano Updates
* Alaska Volcano Observatory
DHS / State Department
* DHS National Terrorism Advisory System
* State Department Travel Advisories
* State Department Worldwide Caution
* U.S. Embassy Baghdad Security Alert — April 2, 2026
FDA
* FDA Recalls, Market Withdrawals & Safety Alerts
Alaska
* KDLG — April 3 deadline to apply for October 2025 storm relief
California
* USGS earthquake details — M4.6 Boulder Creek
* ABC News — 4.6 magnitude earthquake rattles Northern California
Hawaii
* Hawaii News Now — State awaits Presidential Disaster Declaration
* Governor Josh Green — April 2026 message
Michigan
* Executive Order 2026-4 — State of Energy Emergency
* Washington Examiner — Whitmer declares energy emergency
Minnesota / Wisconsin
* The Watchers — Winter storm ice, snow Upper Midwest
* The Watchers — Second winter storm intensifies
Nebraska
* KNLV — Statewide burn ban lifted
* WOWT — Governor lifts burn ban as wildfire risk subsides
* KSNB — Ashby and Minor fires near full containment
New Mexico
* NM Fire Info — Current incidents and restrictions
Severe Weather (Iowa, Missouri, Illinois, Oklahoma, Texas)
* Cabarrus Weekly — Iowa, Illinois, Missouri severe storm threat Friday
* Washington Post — Severe storms possible from Texas to Illinois
* Fox Weather — Midwest tornado threat
Virginia
* 12 On Your Side — Colonial Heights boil water advisory


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The current state of preparedness in the United States is critical, as evidenced by the National Interagency Fire Center’s designation of preparedness level 2, with over 51 uncontained large fires actively threatening various regions. This episode delves into the multifaceted hazards facing the country, particularly the elevated tornado threat spanning several states, including Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri, amidst extremely dry conditions that exacerbate fire risks in the Great Plains. We examine the ramifications of a severe weather outbreak that is anticipated to unfold, potentially leading to significant tornado activity and damaging winds throughout the Midwest. In addition, we discuss the ongoing drought conditions in Florida, which represent the worst in a quarter of a century, and the implications of these environmental crises on state resources and emergency responses. Furthermore, we highlight FEMA’s reopening of applications for disaster mitigation funding, emphasizing the need for robust infrastructure in light of these escalating risks.
Takeaways:
* The National Interagency Fire Center has reported 51 uncontained large fires currently burning across the nation.
* Severe weather warnings have been issued for several states, highlighting the potential for significant tornadoes and severe wind gusts.
* FEMA has reopened applications for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program, with $1 billion in funding available for hazard mitigation projects.
* Florida is facing its worst drought in 25 years, prompting emergency measures and burn bans across numerous counties.
* The State Department has elevated its travel advisory for the United Arab Emirates due to escalating security threats following regional conflicts.
* A tornado watch is currently in effect for large portions of Oklahoma, indicating a significant risk of severe weather events.
Sources
NIFC / Wildfire
* NIFC — National Fire News
* NIFC — IMSR Wednesday April 1, 2026 (PDF)
* NIFC — Monthly/Seasonal Outlook, April 1, 2026 (PDF)
NWS / Severe Weather
* NWS Storm Prediction Center — Convective Outlook
* NWS SPC — Day 1 Convective Outlook Apr 1, 2026
* NWS SPC — Day 2 Convective Outlook Apr 1, 2026 (April 2 threat)
* Cabarrus Weekly — Iowa/IL/WI/IN/MO EF2+ tornado threat April 2
* Cabarrus Weekly — KS/OK/TX/KY/VA/MD/NJ severe setup April 1
* OKC Fox — Tornado Watch issued for majority of Oklahoma
* Newsweek — Tornado map, risk level across TX/KS/OK
* WTRF — Flood Warning portions of Ohio Valley
Texas
* TDEM — Governor Abbott activates state emergency resources (March 4, 2026 release)
* Texas Governor — Abbott activates resources ahead of severe storm risk
FEMA
* PBS NewsHour — FEMA complies with court order, resumes BRIC grant program
* WSAW — FEMA resumes BRIC after yearlong hiatus (March 26, 2026)
DHS / NTAS
* DHS — National Terrorism Advisory System
CISA
* CISA — BRICKSTORM Backdoor Malware Analysis Report
* CISA — Warning on BRICKSTORM malware, PRC state-sponsored actors
* Industrial Cyber — CISA, NSA update BRICKSTORM with Rust-based variants
Travel Advisories
* Travel and Tour World — UAE Level 3 Travel Advisory, April 2026
* Meskerem.net — Ethiopia Travel Advisory updated April 1, 2026
* Travel.State.Gov — Travel Advisories
USGS / Volcanoes
* USGS HVO — Volcano Notice April 1, 2026 (Kilauea)
* USGS HVO — Volcano Notice April 1, 2026 (Kilauea update)
* Hawaii Volcano Expeditions — Episode 44 forecast April 6-14
Hawaii
* Hawaii News Now — Hawaii still awaits word on Presidential Disaster Declaration (April 1)
* Hawaii HIEMA — March 2026 Kona Low Storms disaster page
* Al Jazeera — Flash flooding swamps Hawaii, 5,500 evacuated (March 2026)
Nebraska
* Wikipedia — 2026 Nebraska wildfires
* Omaha World-Herald — Nebraska wildfire updates: Morrill fire state’s all-time largest
* Nebraska Governor Pillen — Documents addressing wildfires
North Carolina
* NCAGR — Wildfire activity intensifies, 626 new ignitions over 10-day period
* WECT — Woman accused of starting 420-acre wildfire in NC mountains (April 1)
Florida
* Fox Weather — Florida fire danger spikes, extreme drought at 25-year high
* Wikipedia — 2026 Florida wildfires
Virginia
* 12 On Your Side — Colonial Heights under boil water advisory (April 1)
California
* Bloomberg — California snowpack at 18%, drought and wildfire risks grow (April 1)
* Insurance Journal — California Drought, Wildfire Risks Grow (April 2)


This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit emnetwork.substack.com/subscribe