Prepare for Forest Fires

image as to why you should prepare for forest fires

It has been horrible as a result of forest fires in the American West, Australia, and Canada. But, did you know that in recent years, wildfires have become more prevalent in other locations? For example, even countries like Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Chile have experienced devastation. So, only you can prepare for forest fires!

Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires

Interestingly, I would be surprised if you were not familiar with Smokey Bear and how he became famous way back in 1944 and what his well-known saying was. Remember what it was or why it even came to being? The famous saying arises from World War II when our firefighters who were in the armed forces were called on to fight wildfires. This left many people at home with no protection.

Years ago, Smokey became famous. In my opinion, he was a hero. If you are not familiar with the story of the original Smokey, it tears at your heartstrings as to what happened to him. It also serves to provide hope that something good can come out of something bad.

History of Forest Fires

Have you ever wondered where the terms forest fires came from? The term “forest fire” is derived from the combination of “forest” and “fire.” The word “forest” refers to a large area covered chiefly with trees and undergrowth. The word “fire” refers to the combustion or burning of something.

When wildfires occur specifically within forested areas, they are often called “forest fires” to distinguish them from other types of wildfires, such as grass fires or bushfires. The term emphasizes the location and nature of the fire—burning within a forested environment where trees and other vegetation are the primary fuel.

The naming likely arose from the need to categorize and describe different types of wildfires based on their location and impact. Over time, the term “forest fire” became widely accepted and used in both scientific contexts and everyday language to describe fires that occur within forested areas.

The next section will look at some of the causes of wildfires.

Causes of Wildfires

The causes of wildfires or forest fires can be multiple. For example, they can be caused by nature or human-caused. Lightening is your number 1 natural source for the start of these fires. In addition, Australian brushfires are usually “preceded by extreme high temperatures, low relative humidity and strong winds, which combine to create ideal conditions for the rapid spread of fire,” according to Wikipedia. These same conditions can also be prevalent in other countries.

The second cause for those tremendous fires that can cause huge costs – even in the billions of dollars – is…by us, meaning humans. Either due to carelessness or purposeful actions, the Natural Park Service clearly states that “Human-caused fires result from campfires left unattended, the burning of debris, equipment use and malfunctions, negligently discarded cigarettes, and intentional acts of arson. However, I have a few more causes that are not mentioned in the article that I feel are important for you to be aware of. Let’s take a look.

More Causes of Forest Fires

  • Fireworks
  • Vehicles (Hauling trailers with safety chain dragging, heat exhaust, no or non-working spark arrester)
  • Prescribed burns (also called Controlled Burns). According to Wikipedia, a controlled or prescribed burn also known as hazard reduction burning, backfire, swailing, or a burn-off is a fire set intentionally for purposes of forest management, farming, prairie restoration, or greenhouse gas abatement. Fire is a natural part of both forest and grassland ecology and controlled fire can be a tool for foresters.
  • Electric Power (Fallen power lines rank among the top causes of wildfires, ranking as the third most common cause of wildfires in California. In some cases, it only takes a branch falling from a tree and striking a power line to create sparks.
  • Nearly 10% of wildfires result from fallen power lines.) So to explain further, nature has a mind of her own, and we cannot control her. In contrast, we (you) can become more aware of preventing forest fires and being accountable for our actions.
  • Road Construction – You might not think of this as a possible catalyst for a forest fire, but in the copper mining town of Bagdad, Arizona, this actually happened. It was probably a spark from one of the equipment or vehicles they use.

Ways to Prepare for Forest Fires

Create a Defensible Space

To explain, there are three types of defensible space that you need to prepare for forest fires. To begin with, you can use removal to prepare for a forest fire. Check for, and remove, fire hazards in and around your home, such as dried-out branches, leaves, and debris.

While I could tell you that you want to create a fire break of at least 500 feet from your home, that is not necessarily a good rule of thumb. More is not always better. Typically, your better option is to follow the advice of the USDA Forest Service. They explain the different fire zones for homes surrounded by forests or grasslands.

The second defensible space is the reduction of plant parts. Get rid of branches or leaves. Prune those overgrown shrubs and bushes.

Finally, to prepare for forest fires, the third defensible space is a replacement of plants. On the contrary, that doesn’t mean that you cannot have any plants at all. A better option would be to use less flammable plants. An even better substitute would be a well-irrigated flower bed.

Have an Emergency Escape Plan

Since your livelihood and the lives of your family are so valuable, an emergency escape plan is critical. The time is now to sit your family down and ensure each member knows, understands, and is prepared to follow that plan if you all need to evacuate quickly. Also important is learning fire safety techniques and practicing regularly.

Ready, Set, Go!

Arizona’s wildfire season brings with it the constant threat of evacuation, which is why the state has implemented the ‘Ready, Set, Go!’ program to help residents prepare for forest fires. This initiative, tailored to Arizona’s unique wildfire risks, is part of a broader national effort to ensure that communities across the country are ready to act when disaster strikes. The ‘Ready, Set, Go!’ program, developed by the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), provides a clear, actionable plan for residents to follow before, during, and after a wildfire.

The RSG program focuses on three key steps:

  1. Ready: Prepare your home and family for wildfires before an emergency happens by creating defensible space around your property, assembling emergency supplies, and making a plan for evacuation.
  2. Set: Be aware of the current fire conditions in your area and be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice. This includes packing essentials and ensuring your vehicle is ready for a quick departure.
  3. Go: When it’s time to evacuate, leave immediately. Follow your personal wildfire action plan and listen to the directions of local officials.

Prepare an Emergency Kit

Admittedly, you might not think of having an emergency kit as a must-have preparation. Basically, I would suggest you have the same items if you were to bug in. Furthermore, always charge your smartphone before any type of emergency, especially when you prepare for wildfires.

Make Your Home a Fortress

Your home needs protection against fires. Don’t bypass these effective ways to make your home and property more resistant to wildfire. For example, gutters, roofs, and outdoor spaces are all known to collect leaves and twigs. You want to clean those out frequently. Another way is to clear out window screens and attic vents.

Another thing you can do is use roofing materials with a Class A fire rating (the highest you can get). Speaking of the roof, you want to install metal angle flashing at the edge of the roof. Flashing comes in a variety of materials, so I would recommend speaking with your favorite hardware store clerk to get their input. In addition, it’s a good idea to install metal angle flashing on your wood decking where it meets the siding of the house.

Finally, replace single-pane windows with multi-pane, tempered glass windows with screens. To take it one step further, plan on having firefighting foam on hand and install wildfire sprinklers around the house as extra protection.

Plan for an Evacuation

So what if the time comes when your government officials advise you that you need to evacuate? Ready suggests that you know what your evacuation route is.

You may not have the luxury to take your time to evacuate quickly due to a wildfire. When you prepare for wildfires, time will be of the essence. You will need to act quickly as you will not have a spare moment.

First, you want to learn your evacuation routes. This doesn’t mean just for you or your immediate family. It also means for your pets or livestock. Prepare and know ahead of time where you will go. This may well save your life and the lives of your loved ones.

Asbestos Warning

Wildfires pose a threat for many obvious reasons, but one overlooked potential threat is asbestos exposure. Asbestos is a mineral that was once used extensively in home construction due to its fire-resistance until it was discovered that it causes mesothelioma cancer. Learn why asbestos is a high risk for mesothelioma during natural disasters from Asbestos.com.

Your local authorities know best and have the most up-to-date information so follow the instructions from them. They will provide the latest recommendations based on the threat to your community and appropriate safety measures.

Prepare to Bug In is a subsidiary of Borlok Virtual Assistants, LLC. Our mission is to learn as much as we can about bugging in and survival techniques and then to pass that information on to our readers. Enjoy!

Resource

Whitmer, Michelle. “Asbestos and Natural Disasters Guide.” Asbestos.com. Last modified August 6, 2024. https://www.asbestos.com/asbestos/natural-disasters/.

Author’s note

This article was originally published on May 28, 2021. It has been extensively updated and republished on 8/12/2024 to include new information, including a section on asbestos risks during wildfires.

Leave a Reply

Theme: Overlay by Kaira Extra Text
Cape Town, South Africa
Verified by MonsterInsights