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What To Do If You Are Caught In A Wildfire

wildfire

I have written several Blogs about Wildfires and what to do in order to make your home more resistant and safer. I have also written several Blogs on what to do when you face a possible Fire Evacuation or an urgent evacuation order. But, what do you do when you come fact-to-face with an actual fire in you path?

US Fire Officials have raised the 2007 Fire Alert to the highest level. When wildfire strikes the evacuation order can come quickly and with no warning at all. It’s possible that you and your family could come in direct contact with the actual fire. It could happen early in the morning or late at night, you may be asleep when the raging inferno comes close to your home and you have to respond.

point If You Are Trapped at Home

  • Stay calm.
  • If the fire has blocked any safe exit from your home go back inside and call for help if possible.
  • It may be possible to survive inside the home, if you have time wet as many blankets as possible–use the toilet water if you can‘t use any other… cover the living people and pets with the wet blankets if the fire gets too close.
  • In many cases of wildfire the fire will pass before the house is completely burned down.

It’s possible you could be out in your yard enjoying a day of gardening or a weekend barbecue when wildfire encroaches your property. What if you or your family should happen to be camping and wildfire is seen?

point What do you do if you are caught in the open:

  • The safest area would be in a sparse fuel area where there is less to burn.
  • If you are in the mountains, the back side from the fire and wind is the safest.
  • Canyons are considered by the firefighters as a natural “chimney” and saddles. Canyons are the last place you want to be caught out in the open during a wild fire.
  • If there is a road is near, it’s best to lie face down along the road.
  • If there is a ditch you could lie on the uphill side.
  • Look for anything that can help shield you from the fire’s heat.
  • If you are camping or hiking in rural or wild country, find any kind of depression with as little fuel to burn as possible.
  • Remove fuel away from the spot if there is time while the fire approaches.
  • Lie face down in the depression and cover yourself even if you only have sand or dirt.
  • Remain down on the ground until the fire has passed

You and your family may hear the evacuation order and you may take all the correct steps to follow the order, only to start driving down the road and encounter the fire directly.

point What to do to survive Wildfire in your car:

  • It is possibly one of the most dangerous situations a family might face.
  • It is possible to survive a firestorm if everyone stays inside the car. It is more risky to attempt to run from a fire on foot.
  • While inside the car roll the windows up and close all of the air vents.
  • Turn on the headlights.
  • Drive very slowly and watch for other autos and/or people walking.
  • Never drive through heavy smoke.
  • If the fire is too close and you have to stop, pull off to a place as far away from heavy trees or brush. Keep your headlights on and shut off the ignition. Roll up windows and close air vents.
  • Lie on the floor of the car and cover up with a blanket or coat or anything. If you have any liquid in the car soak the coats or blankets. (Keep water in your car.).
  • Stay in the car until the fire has passed.
  • Remember Do not run from the car!
  • The car engine may stall and not restart.
  • The air currents around the car may rock the vehicle.
  • Smoke and sparks may get inside the auto and the temperature inside could get very high.
  • Keep in mind that metal gas tanks and containers rarely explode
  • If you have Comprehensive Auto Insurance your car damage will be covered less the deductible.

Photo credit for this blog entry: sxc (standard restrictions for this photo)

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