With the recent disaster in Greece, we thought now might be a good time to address wildfires. Namely, how to handle/survive them. Wildfires, aside from destroying ecosystems and the life therein, can even spread into society. It’s hard to hunt when a deer’s nest is gone, and even harder to live when your home burns down.
The two biggest causes of a wildfire are lighting and people. Since we can’t control lighting, we should do our best to follow safe fire procedures when in the wild. They can happen nearly anywhere at any time, though the likelihood increases with a lack of rain and high winds.
What To Do In a Wildfire
If your area has issued an official wildfire warning. Follow the following instructions.
- Leave, if told to do so.
- Call 911 if you are trapped.
- Stay tuned to Emergency Information and Alerts.
- If available, wear an N95 face mask or gas mask.
Precautionary Measures
- If your community has a warning system, sign up for it. You can also familiarize yourself with the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio.
- Learn the evacuation plans for your area. Plot out alternate routes, should the primary be blocked by the fire.
- Have ready supplies, including N95 respirator masks. This is a perfect reason to have a bug out bag.
- If you aren’t in a danger area, designate a room not connected to outside air as a waiting room. We recommend having an air filter unit in this room.
- Invest in a fireproof safe for important documents and items.
Review your home and health insurance and how they relate to smoke and fire-related accidents.
Hopefully, none of you have to deal with a disaster like this. But if you do, you can be prepared. You can visit ready.gov’s page on wildfires for more information