Wildfire survival tips
By
Staff, AccuWeather
Updated Oct 1, 2020 1:04 PM EDT
While it may be impossible to completely protect your home from the threat of a wildfire, there are some things you can do to give it a better chance at surviving.
All around the world, wildfires are becoming increasingly frequent and highly destructive. Fires in California continue to force evaluations. But the problem has also become a major threat in states like Nevada, Oregon, Oklahoma, Idaho, and Texas.
In 2018, 8.8 million acres of US land burned because of wildfires, the sixth-highest total since the mid-1900s.
General preparedness about how to recognize the warning signs of a wildfire, as well as knowledge about what to do if there’s one in your area, is the best way to avoid worry and danger.
Photo by Christian Monterrosa
The National Weather Service issues information to the public when there is a serious threat of wildfire conditions or an active wildfire event. The NWS classifies these notifications by two definitions: a watch versus a warning. If there is an impending danger of wildfires in your area, you can find out about these conditions by checking AccuWeather or one of AccuWeather’s trusted local news and weather partners, like KABC-TV in Los Angeles.
Photo by Michael Owen Baker
Michael Owen Baker
In order to protect your home from a wildfire, experts note two important factors: the quality of the defensible space surrounding your home and the home’s structural ignitability. According to the Colorado State Forest Service, these two factors make up the Home Ignition Zone. They are defensible space around your home and the ignitability of the building. This zone includes the structure of your home and the space that immediately surrounds it. To create a defensible space clear, reduce or treat vegetation within 100 feet of your home. This includes clearing away grass, brush, trees, and overhanging branches and filling in space with fire-resistant material like dirt, stones or ivy.
These measures will help increase the chances of your home surviving a wildfire with as little damage as possible. Here’s what to do if a wildfire does break out in your area:
Photo by Michael Owen Baker
Michael Owen Baker
Photo by Oleg Magni
Oleg Magni
If the local authorities have not advised an evacuation due to an active wildfire or a threat of a wildfire, stay inside your home. Then call emergency services immediately and let them know your location.
Photo by Jill Wellington
Jill Wellington
During a wildfire, everyone in the house should stick close together. Remove any fabrics, like jackets, from doorways and curtains from windows. You can also fill your bathtubs with water to douse anything small that might ignite. Remember: the damage and danger of a wildfire are caused by the domino effect of lots of things catching fire rapidly, one after another, which makes it hard to contain the fire and keep it under control.
Photo by Armando Franca
Armando Franca
Photo by Sharp Design
Sharp Design
If advised to leave your home, evacuate immediately without wasting time. Abandon material objects. If you start gathering things to bring with you it is bound to cost precious time. Wildfires are unpredictable so you simply cannot afford to wait around to see what happens next. You might get trapped. As you leave, close all doors, windows, and openings to stop the fire from entering your house.
Photo by Ingo Joseph
Ingo Joseph
Before evacuating, identify the location of the fire and choose a safe direction to travel. Wildfires move with the wind, and you cannot outrun a fire, so travel against the wind. The ideal route will also have shelter along the way and will put you near rivers, lakes, or open areas to stop the fire from spreading.
Photo by Francesco Califano
Francesco Califano
Warm air rises, so escape to downhill areas.
Photo by Noah Berger
Noah Berger
If you can feel extreme heat or smoke over you, lie down facing the ground, your feet towards the flame. If possible, cover yourself and any children with a wet cloth. Always cover your nose with your clothing or a wet cloth so you don't inhale harmful smoke or gases. These gases might make you faint on the spot.
Photo by Noah Berger
Noah Berger
Wildfires are deadly, destructive and hard to contain. They have also become increasingly more common. To stay safe, make sure your home is protected as best as possible. Also take a few minutes to make sure you know what to do, and what not to do, in case of an emergency.
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News / AccuWeather Ready
Wildfire survival tips
By Staff, AccuWeather
Updated Oct 1, 2020 1:04 PM EDT
While it may be impossible to completely protect your home from the threat of a wildfire, there are some things you can do to give it a better chance at surviving.
All around the world, wildfires are becoming increasingly frequent and highly destructive. Fires in California continue to force evaluations. But the problem has also become a major threat in states like Nevada, Oregon, Oklahoma, Idaho, and Texas.
In 2018, 8.8 million acres of US land burned because of wildfires, the sixth-highest total since the mid-1900s.
General preparedness about how to recognize the warning signs of a wildfire, as well as knowledge about what to do if there’s one in your area, is the best way to avoid worry and danger.
Photo by Christian Monterrosa
Wildfire warnings
The National Weather Service issues information to the public when there is a serious threat of wildfire conditions or an active wildfire event. The NWS classifies these notifications by two definitions: a watch versus a warning. If there is an impending danger of wildfires in your area, you can find out about these conditions by checking AccuWeather or one of AccuWeather’s trusted local news and weather partners, like KABC-TV in Los Angeles.
Photo by Michael Owen Baker
Wildfire preparedness
In order to protect your home from a wildfire, experts note two important factors: the quality of the defensible space surrounding your home and the home’s structural ignitability. According to the Colorado State Forest Service, these two factors make up the Home Ignition Zone. They are defensible space around your home and the ignitability of the building. This zone includes the structure of your home and the space that immediately surrounds it. To create a defensible space clear, reduce or treat vegetation within 100 feet of your home. This includes clearing away grass, brush, trees, and overhanging branches and filling in space with fire-resistant material like dirt, stones or ivy.
These measures will help increase the chances of your home surviving a wildfire with as little damage as possible. Here’s what to do if a wildfire does break out in your area:
Photo by Michael Owen Baker
Wildfire: Indoor safety
Photo by Oleg Magni
1- Call emergency services
If the local authorities have not advised an evacuation due to an active wildfire or a threat of a wildfire, stay inside your home. Then call emergency services immediately and let them know your location.
Photo by Jill Wellington
2- Stay protected
During a wildfire, everyone in the house should stick close together. Remove any fabrics, like jackets, from doorways and curtains from windows. You can also fill your bathtubs with water to douse anything small that might ignite. Remember: the damage and danger of a wildfire are caused by the domino effect of lots of things catching fire rapidly, one after another, which makes it hard to contain the fire and keep it under control.
Photo by Armando Franca
Related:
Wildfire: Outdoor safety
Photo by Sharp Design
1- Evacuate safely
If advised to leave your home, evacuate immediately without wasting time. Abandon material objects. If you start gathering things to bring with you it is bound to cost precious time. Wildfires are unpredictable so you simply cannot afford to wait around to see what happens next. You might get trapped. As you leave, close all doors, windows, and openings to stop the fire from entering your house.
Photo by Ingo Joseph
2- Plan your route
Before evacuating, identify the location of the fire and choose a safe direction to travel. Wildfires move with the wind, and you cannot outrun a fire, so travel against the wind. The ideal route will also have shelter along the way and will put you near rivers, lakes, or open areas to stop the fire from spreading.
Photo by Francesco Califano
3- Stay down because heat goes up
Warm air rises, so escape to downhill areas.
Photo by Noah Berger
What to do if you are caught in a wildfire
If you can feel extreme heat or smoke over you, lie down facing the ground, your feet towards the flame. If possible, cover yourself and any children with a wet cloth. Always cover your nose with your clothing or a wet cloth so you don't inhale harmful smoke or gases. These gases might make you faint on the spot.
Photo by Noah Berger
Wildfires are deadly, destructive and hard to contain. They have also become increasingly more common. To stay safe, make sure your home is protected as best as possible. Also take a few minutes to make sure you know what to do, and what not to do, in case of an emergency.
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