Dealing with wildfires requires extreme care, and I assume that’s a sacrifice you can make to keep you and your family safe. There’s hardly a year that goes by without an avalanche of wildfires coursing through America.
According to stats, nearly 66 000 wildfires were reported in 2016. Early this year, Canada experienced a sickening wildfire that ravaged its lands for almost two months. And as I write this, there’s an unrelenting wildfire violently burning across California.
True, a wildfire can be heartbreaking. Your properties never make it, or do I say, will rarely survive the fire. Fortunately, you can always survive a wildfire. In fact, in recent years, the rate of human casualty recorded in wildfires has fallen. Note that this survival isn’t guaranteed; it is dependent on certain rules and guidelines.
Wildfire Deterrents That Work
As I have insinuated, a wildfire will burn down your property 9/10 times, but that’s a frightening figure I’d love to improve. To get better odds when facing a wildfire, there are specific strategies to try out on your property. They are:
A Defensible Space
When dealing with wildfires, a defensible space refers to the surroundings of a structure that slows down the spread of wildfire towards that structure. A defensible space is usually achieved by clearing, reducing, or treating woods and vegetation around your property. Fire cannot spread rapidly if there is no material it can consume.
So, by leaving a defensible space around your house, you are giving yourself sufficient time to escape in case of an impromptu wildfire that’s started in your locale. Sometimes, your house may be untouched if the wildfire cannot eat through the defensible space. However, this often depends on the strength of the fire, and you should, therefore, never risk staying around because you think the defensible space can hold off the wildfire.
For the ideal defensible space, clear every tree within 50 FT of your property if you live on flatland while you should extend the space to 200 FT if you live on a very sloppy land.
Use Of Flame-resistant Materials
These days, properties, especially those situated in areas with a high risk of wildfires, are built with flame-resistant materials. But many often overlook the importance of using such materials in roof construction. To avoid the same mistake, go for tiles, metal or slate when making your roof.
For the walls (and roof), you can try out concrete, stone, or brick, as they are quite resistant to fire. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t use wood. There are several fire retardants to apply on wood.
This is more than this, though. It is advised to reduce the number of inflammable items, precisely fuel, which you keep at home.
Things To Do When Dealing With Wildfires
As I said, maintaining defensible space and building your property with flame-resistant materials, do not guarantee absolute safety. So, you have to be extra careful as soon as you hear news of a wildfire outbreak. Here are steps to take during a wildfire.
Reducing Exposure To Dust & Smoke
A fair percentage of wildfire victims die through choking, attributed to unrestricted exposure to dust and smoke. Here are things to do to limit dust and smoke when it’s blazing.
- Watch and listen to official reports and warnings on dust and smoke.
- Keep indoor air pure by shutting the door at all times, so the contaminated air outdoors doesn’t get in.
- Use the re-circulate feature of your air conditioner, whether at home or in your car. If you do not use an air conditioner and the air is too hostile for breathing, move out as soon as possible.
- Avoid causing or adding to indoor pollution when there are high smoke levels. Do not light incense, candles, or fireplaces.
- Adhere very strictly to medical recommendations of your doctor if you are asthmatic or suffering any lung illness. In case your symptoms worsen, get a way to the hospital.
Preparing To Escape
As long as the fire does not start in your immediate environment, you’ll have some time to escape. So, here’s what to do when making escape preparations.
- If possible, stick to downhill routes. It is surprising to know that fire travels faster when going uphill.
- Choose areas that do not contain fuel that may aid the fire. Consider plowed, barren fields, riverbeds, ponds, or rocky areas. Avoid areas with vegetation, including dead leaves or trees.
- Stay away from trees. There are reports that trees explode due to extreme heat in the atmosphere.
- If an escape is only possible through a wooded area, select an area with leafy trees instead of evergreens, as the former burn slower than the latter.
- At times, it may be impossible to outdistance a fire. In such times, it is better to take shelter underground. Find a cave or drainage pipe and hide there. However, try your best to ensure these holes are not in the direct line of the wildfire.
- When all hope is lost, and it is either death or nothing, a last-minute resort is to dig a hole in the ground, after which you lay in it face down, covering your body with some soil. Importantly, make a pocket underneath your nose for breathing. However, note that oxygen excites fire, so you may be suffocated. Nevertheless, it is better than nothing — some people have survived using this technique.
- If there’s enough time, discard nylon clothing for cotton options. Nylon will melt easily if too close to high heat levels.
- Although temporary, the best shelter for a wildfire is an area without fuel to feed the fire. Thus, when escaping, avoid saddles, canyons, and natural chimneys.
- If possible, make for the closest water body around and submerge in it. Stay underneath until you’re sure the fire has passed.
Takeaways From Dealing With Wildfires
Dealing with wildfires can be a nightmare, but it is one you can wake up from. Keep to the simple tactics advised above should a wildfire ever break out. Importantly, don’t forget your family emergency plan, as this will help you to stay calm and coordinated. Lastly, keep your wildfire emergency kit ready at all times.