Fires | Disaster Rally

How To Protect Your Family With a Wildfire Disaster Management Plan

In 2017, wildfires ravaged the West Coast. The devastation left people wondering how they could prepare for the next time. Wildfire disaster management plans are the way to do that. Preparation is vital when you want to protect your life and the lives of your family. In order to do that correctly, you have to know how to create a wildfire disaster management plan.

There are several steps that go into being prepared and making a plan. First, you have to find out how at risk you are. Then you have to make an emergency kit that will fit your families needs and situation. Finally, if you must evacuate your home, your plan should outline your steps in an orderly fashion.

The next time you get an alert that there is a wildfire near you, this wildfire disaster management plan will help your family will reach safety.

Are You at Risk of Losing Everything?

Before you plan for a natural disaster, it is always vital that you know your risk. For example, if you live in Florida, you know that you are at risk of hurricane damage. If you live in Kansas, tornadoes would be a concern. Wildfires can happen anywhere at any time. However, they occur more frequently in places like California. And if you live in specific zones, you are at a more significant risk than in other areas.

To find out if you are in danger, check with your local or state authorities. For instance, in California, residents can go to CA.gov and look at the Cal Fire map to find out what zone they live in. California Fire has identified which areas in the state are at a higher risk and formulated a wildfire disaster management plan.

Take a look at the map below:

wildfire disaster management California fire map. Your state may have a map like this to help you create your wildfire disaster management plan. — Image Public Domain, by Cal Fire, via CA.Gov

States keep track of weather conditions and alert the public about risks. The federally controlled Air Now website also tracks air quality across the country. This lets people know if conditions are favorable for wildfires which then allows people to implement their wildfire disaster management plan. All they have to do is enter their zip code, and the websites let them know what the conditions in their area are.

How to Get Ready for an Evacuation

Now on to developing the best wildfire disaster management plan for your own family. This will help you get out quickly if local officials find a wildfire and alert you to the danger.

Before the evacuation alert: Make an emergency supply kit

Emergency supply kits are a significant part of your wildfire disaster management plan. It prepares your family for an extended period away from your home, so make sure you have everything you’ll need to make a temporary home. For example, you will need three days of non-perishable food per person, a battery operated radio, and about three gallons of water per person. Also, keep a map marked with at least three evacuation routes.

As part of your wildfire disaster management kit, you will want to make sure you bring photocopies of your credit cards/debit cards (or, a second set of cards if your bank allows that) along with cash or traveler’s checks. You will also need copies of your essential documents including a copy of your mortgage, social security cards and birth certificates, marriage certificates and financial records. Your kit is not complete without two additional sets of clothing per person. Finally, always keep a flashlight and a sturdy pair of shoes/boots for each person, for peaceful evacuation purposes, especially at night.

For a comprehensive disaster preparation checklist, check out our article here.

Practice makes perfect

It is also essential to practice your wildfire drills with family and any pets. You will want to repeat this with a stopwatch until it takes you five to 10 minutes to get out and on the road to safety. If you do not have time to get away from your house, use a roof access ladder to get on the roof so rescue workers can see you.

When you anticipate the possibility of an evacuation

According to readyforwildfire.org as part of your wildfire disaster management plan, you’ll also want to remove all curtains from your windows and make sure they are tightly sealed but not locked. If you have metal window shutters, close them, too. Then, move all flammable furniture into the middle of a large room. These simple steps might save your home.

How Do Wildfires Form?

Photo is a large wildfire in the woods. Develop a wildfire disaster management plan to save your family from a fire like this. — Image CC0, by Skeeze, via Pixabay

Meteorologists have not figured out why and when wildfires are going to happen. However, while they cannot forecast them accurately, there are three conditions that can cause wildfires to start. Firefighters refer to it as the fire triangle: oxygen, a heat source, and fuel.

Wildfires move at speeds between nine and 12.5 miles per hour while torching everything in their path. That may not seem fast, but how long do you think you could run that fast? Wind makes these fires worse, and dry brush feeds them. One of the reasons the West Coast has such a problem is because they have experienced terrible droughts. Also, the Pacific coast is incredibly windy.

In 2017, the fires were especially brutal in California. It seemed that as soon as the fire department put one out, another would spring up. The “Thomas Fire” in Ventura County, California was the biggest and became the largest in California history. The fire scorched 281,893 acres of land, including 2,820 buildings and homes, while killing 15 people. Wind and the dry environment created it. Mudslides, created by the debris from the fire, killed another 17 people in the ensuing weeks.

Having a wildfire disaster management plan could have saved some of those lives.

Wildfire disaster management: how to prevent wildfires

Photo of Smokey the Bear. Help Smokey prevent forest fires with a wildfire disaster management plan. — Image CC by 2.0, by ChattOconeeNF, via Wikimedia

You have probably all heard the Smokey the Bear commercials where he tells you that only you can prevent forest fires. He is not wrong. You absolutely can help, and it is a vital piece of your wildfire disaster management. For instance, you can make sure that you never leave matches, lighters, and fireworks in the reach of children. Kids are naturally curious, and they will mess with everything. In 2017, a teen in Oregon started a massive wildfire after playing with firecrackers.

Additionally, keep burn piles 500 feet away from any forest and 50 feet away from structures. Keep your yard clear of the brush by trimming your bushes regularly and mowing your grass. Do not ever flick your cigarette butts onto the ground. Cigarettes are notorious for starting fires. Also, be sure to remove debris from your gutters and roof.

Furthermore, use common sense when trying to prevent fires as part of your wildfire disaster management plan. For instance, do not throw out smoldering charcoal from the grill or park a hot car on dry grass, etc.

When to call 911

If you do start a fire accidentally, make sure you alert authorities as soon as possible. Do not run away before you call 911, even if you started the fire doing something you were not supposed to be doing. The authorities can contain a small fire a lot easier than they can hold back something like the Thomas Fire.

Get your neighbors involved

Another thing you can do when preparing for a disaster is helping your neighbors get ready. Maybe you have some elderly neighbors in your neighborhood who do not have the means you do. Go to their homes and see if they need your help. If so, you can help them create wildfire disaster management kits for their household.

Do not leave your pets

In addition to creating a wildfire disaster management plan for humans, you need to make sure that you have a wildfire disaster management plan for your pets, During the California wildfires, an obscene number of animals were left behind. Do not be one of those people. Create emergency kits for them with extra food, bottles of water, and medicine if they take it. Make sure you have a place to go that allows you to bring your pets with you. Also, see if your neighbors are doing the same. Leaving animals in a fire to die is the epitome of cruelty. Take steps to prevent that.

Get Started on Your Plan Today

Every day you could make a difference just by following a few simple steps. As listed above, it is very important to take precautions. There is nothing wrong with preparing for the worst. Follow a few simple guidelines like for example, using ashtrays instead of tossing your “butts” out the window and tending your campfires and outdoor grills.

As we all know Smokey’s favorite line: “Only you can prevent forest fires,” and he is 100 percent correct. We can help prevent wildfires across the whole country, so what do you say? Would you like to protect our Earth? What are you waiting for? Let’s try to protect our grasslands and forests because they are truly too beautiful to lose?

Featured image: CC0, by Skeeze, via Pixabay

What to Do in Case of a Fire: How to Keep Yourself Safe

Fires can start in seconds and engulf entire buildings within minutes. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, there are nearly 400,000 residential fires reported in the country each year. They can start from a variety of causes, like cooking, heating/electrical malfunctions, or simple carelessness. A person could only have minutes to escape to safety, so it’s essential to know what to do in case of a fire. With the proper knowledge and prevention, you can keep yourself and your loved ones safe.

What to Do in Case of a Fire

In the event of a house fire, you may only have seconds to act. Fires are unpredictable and extremely dangerous, so knowing what do in case of a fire could save not only your life, but the lives of your loved ones. We will provide you with some in-depth information that will ensure you know what to do in case of a fire. The most important thing to remember however, can be stated perfectly (and simply) by the American Red Cross: “GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL FOR HELP.”

Learn How to Work a Fire Extinguisher

If you don’t have a fire extinguisher, go get one. For smaller fires, these tools can be extremely effective. You should familiarize yourself with how to work one and remember that they should only be used on small fires that have not spread.

Fire extinguishers should be used on contained fires, and it is important to read all of the instructions and warnings. Certain types of extinguishers may only be designed for specific materials. Using the fire extinguisher is easy enough, if you remember the P.A.S.S. method. You perform the P.A.S.S. method by:

Pulling the pin.
Aiming the nozzle at the base of the fire (from a safe distance).
Squeezing the lever (to release the extinguishing material).
Sweeping the nozzle from side-to-side until the entire fire is extinguished.

ESCAPE

When fires cannot be extinguished easily, it is important not to take any risks. You should get yourself and other family members out as soon as possible. This is when practicing your escape plan comes in handy, because each member of the family should find their nearest, and safest exit point. Getting out safely can be easier with practice, but fires can make factors change in an instant.

Having an exit strategy means nothing if you cannot get there safely. In the event of a fire, remember to follow these safety tips.

Move quickly but safely. If there is smoke, you should always crawl on your hand and knees. Smoke rises first along the ceiling, so you’ll want to crawl quickly to any exit.
Test doors and doorknobs. Before you open any door, you should check the doorknob first. Carefully use the back of your hand or clothing to see if the doorknob is hot. If the door or doorknob is hot, or you see smoke coming from the other side, use a secondary exit. If you do open a door, do so slowly.
Get out. If you can reach members of the family or pets without risking your safety, do it quickly and get out. Once you have reached the outside, never go back in. Take a headcount and alert firefighters of any missing people or pets.
Call for help. Once you are safely outside, call 9-1-1 for help. You should also enlist the help of neighbors if possible.

When You Can’t Escape

In the event that you cannot escape a room safely, this is when your prior preparation could save your life. It is absolutely essential that every person in the family (including children) know what to do in case of a fire that leaves them left in the house. Even children should be able to escape or follow the plan.

Ensure children know not to be scared of firefighters. Let them know how they are dressed, what they do, and that they are there to keep them safe. No one should ever hide from a firefighter.
Close door(s) to the room you stuck in and cover any vents, cracks, or holes surrounding the door. You can use cloth, tape, or anything you can find around the room. This will help keep the smoke from entering the room. Remember to stay low to the floor while you do this.
Use a window, phone, or even just your voice to call 9-1-1, and alert everyone where you are in the house. You can signal firefighters using clothing, a flashlight, or by yelling.
Have a backup plan, especially for rooms that are not on the first level. Rooms not on the first floor should have access to fire ladders, etc.
STOP, DROP, AND ROLL. If yourself or your clothing ever catch on fire, remember to stop where you are, drop to the floor, and repeatedly roll until the fire is extinguished.

Preventing a Fire

Now that you know what to do in case of fire, you should also get the basics on how to prevent a fire from happening in the first place. Simple behaviors, actions, and tips like the ones you’ll find below can help prevent a fire that could cause property damage, personal injury, and even death.

Ensure You Have Working Smoke Alarms

In your home, there should be at least one smoke alarm on every level of the house. They should be installed inside and outside of areas where people sleep. FEMA recommends testing batteries monthly, replacing batteries at least once a year, and replacing the alarm every 8-10 years. Smoke alarms can alert yourself and your family of a possible fire and save lives. There are even smoke alarms designed for people with access or functional needs.

Make (and Practice) a Fire Escape Plan

Fire drills shouldn’t just occur in schools. You should make plans for escaping the house, and every member of the family should be included. If a fire does happen, you’ll only have seconds to act. Your plan should involve getting yourself and other members out as quickly as possible.

A fire escape plan should involve multiple exits. Every member of the household should have knowledge of multiple exit strategies for every room. Things don’t go as planned during an emergency, so it is important to have multiple escape paths. Always ensure you think of and create multiple routes for escaping every level of the home.

Every member of the household should know what to do in case of a fire. This means that your escape plans should be practiced. Practicing the escape plan helps avoid panic and plan for possible contingencies. It is recommended that every member of the household practices (and changes, when necessary) these plans twice a year.

Other Tips

Sleep with bedroom doors closed. This can keep fires contained if they do start. The fire receives less oxygen when the doors are closed and it can give you a safer exit path.
Do not leave unnecessary devices plugged in.
Perform regularly scheduled maintenance on heating/electrical elements in your home.

The Bottom Line

Fires are unpredictable and dangerous, but you can still prepare for them. With proper prevention, education, and action, fires don’t have to be life-threatening. Fires can affect anyone, anywhere, anytime. They do not discriminate or show mercy. Knowing what to do in case of a fire can save your life, as well as the lives of everyone in your household.

Image Source: 1, 2, 3

What Causes Wildfires And How To Prevent Them

Wildfires are a destructive force of nature that you don’t want to cross paths with. Luckily, there might be a chance to prevent some bursts by knowing what causes wildfires. This is what we’ll be focusing on in the continuation of this article alongside with some solutions.

What Is A Wildfire?

Source

Real wildfire isn’t green and able to burn on the surface of water and we should be grateful for that. We say this because they cause enough damage as it is. Wildfires aren’t anything but uncontrollable blazes that have started to spread out on large areas of vegetation. These fires can last for several days straight and they scorch any kind of organic matter in their path.

In the United States, we can talk about approximately 100,000 wildfires starting every year. On an average, millions of acres of land get lost amid the blazes.

For narrower areas, wildfires that mostly affect one particular type of vegetation have their own specific names. We can have forest fires, grass fires, peat fires, or bush fires depending on which type of flora is affected most.

What Causes Wildfires?

Unfortunately, wildfire causes are many and plenty. It doesn’t help that forests and patches with dry vegetation are essentially danger zones. It’s worth noting that wildfires tend to start, most of the time, in areas with dry and hot climates.

Human Actions

Human intervention is what causes wildfires most frequently in the USA. Most of the time it’s because of our indirect actions, though there are some situations where the fire starts with intention. Find below a list detailing what causes wildfires at the hand of any of us.

#1 Campfires

Camping is loads of fun and strumming your guitar while roasting some marshmallows above a campfire can often make the whole experience all the more charming. However, unattended campfires are guaranteed wildfire hazards.

In order to avoid the possible outcomes of a campfire, your first step is ensuring that you’re setting up your tent in a relatively safe area. Igniting a blaze in the heart of the forest with logs and trees all around drastically increases the risk of a wildfire explosion. Moreover, don’t sleep with your fire still lit unless there is someone to watch over it. And don’t forget to put it out when you leave!

#2 Burnings

Many people burn debris and yard junk in order to get rid of it. It’s legal to do so, which should theoretically imply that it’s not dangerous. Unfortunately, at the end of the day, fire is still fire and it can easily get out of hand. Tricky winds may make it bigger and more difficult to keep under control.

If you really have to burn your debris, there isn’t really any way to avoid doing so. You can try to lower the risks of an inferno breaking out by always keeping a source of water nearby. Moreover, it would do to inspect your chosen area beforehand and see that it’s not particularly windy.

#3 Cigarettes

We’ve heard that cigarettes are bad in every possible way. They’re bad for your own health, for the health of people around you, and they’re harmful to the environment as well. When carelessly tossing a still lit cigarette on the ground, you’re turning this harm into a literal business.

Scratch the fact that it’s littering, a cigarette not properly put out can easily develop into a disastrous forest fire.

#4 Fireworks

Fireworks should only be handled by people who know what they’re doing, period. They can cause some serious injuries when not kept under control. And in even worse scenarios, a firework can be what causes wildfires. Always keep your firework shows in open areas with no trees, twigs, figs, bushes, and whatnot around you. Forest fireworks are just a bad idea all around.

#5 Arson

An arsonist sets fire to property, vehicles, and various other things with the express intention of causing damage. Cases of arson amount to approximately 30% of what causes wildfires. There are some people who willingly set fire to their own property and belongings in order to receive damage compensation. We can’t say this applies to forests since they’re public property, so for now we’ll just blame it all on a little bit of… mental instability.

Natural Causes

A human’s action isn’t the only factor that causes wildfires. Mother Nature has a say in all of this as well and, unfortunately, she doesn’t shy away from igniting whole acres of vegetation.

Lightning

Lightning is an extremely dangerous natural phenomenon, but it’s especially dangerous for forests. There is a particular type called “hot lightning” which is known to be the biggest fire-starter whenever a thunderstorm breaks out. Hot lightning can cause sparks that will set its vicinity ablaze, with the flame continuing to burn for a long time and being very difficult to put out.

Heat

During times of extremely arid and hot summer, the sheer power of the heat is enough to start wildfires. This happened in recent times both in the United States and other areas around the world, most notably in Australia.

Wildfire Prevention Solutions

Respect the law. There are specific regulations which refer to the act of burning objects and they also state which substances you are and aren’t allowed to burn. If one particular thing is banned, chances are this is because it’s easily flammable and can accidentally evolve into a wildfire.
Watch weather forecasts before you decide to start any fires, whether it’s burning junk or going camping. Avoid days that are particularly windy and that may pose obstacles in keeping the blaze under control.
Contain your fires. The best example for that is a well-built campfire, which technically doesn’t allow the fire to spread from its source – not incredibly fast, at least. Don’t ever assume that “it won’t happen to you.” Always think one step ahead and ensure you’d be able to easily put out a fire should things go out of hand.