Wildfires

As the climate warms worldwide, wildfires are, and will be an increasingly common disaster. These massive blazes can cause widespread disruption and death; this is a disaster you cannot fight head-on. The crucial steps to surviving this disaster include -

• Having a plan
• Fortifying your home
• Obtaining emergency supplies
• Listen to evacuation orders & have go-bags (bug-out bags) ready

A wildfire is a large fire, either started by humans or natural causes, that spreads rapidly over woodland or brush. While these fires can move slowly, they can reach top speeds of over 14mph/22kpm or faster if fueled by wind. Factors that affect a fire include fuel, wind speed, slope, and man-made structures.

Due to incorrect knowledge about suppressing wildfires, fires nowadays are larger, burn hotter, and occur more frequently than they do naturally. A natural fire would burn frequently, be smaller in size, and burn at a cooler temperature. Some trees actually depend on fire to seed, and fire can refresh and revitalize a forest as it burns through naturally.

Unfortunately, the increased fuel load (due to constant extinguishing efforts) and not managing the forests correctly over many decades has caused an imbalance. The massive fires that we see nowadays, instead of rejuvenating a forest, completely destroy it.

Most wildfires are started by human activity (90% or so). Ignition sources include unsecured trailer chains, cigarettes, fireworks, campfires, and unintentional ignition. Part of being prepared for a wildfire is ensuring you don't start one!

The top 10 U.S states at risk for wildfires are listed below. As the climate warms, expect more states that usually aren't at risk to increase in likelihood for this event.

Methods to prevent wildfires:

• Prescribed burns.
• Keeping invasive species from overtaking native populations.
• Educating the general public about properly extinguishing any ignition sources.

It is important to realize that regular, small wildfires are healthy for forests and grasslands under normal conditions.

Preparing for a Wildfire

1. Have a plan. This should be both an evacuation plan, and long-term maintenance of your home to fortify it against a wildfire as best as you can. Make sure you have a communications plan with family members to stay in touch if you get separated.
   Pre-evacuation steps
   Ensure you have multiple evacuation routes and places to meet up well outside a wildfire zone. Plan on not returning home for a few days, or up to a week.
2. Fortifying your home/creating defensible space. This involves removing flammable material from near your home in a few different zones and severities. The goal is to deprive a wildfire of anything that could burn near your home. Here is a diagram outlining how to do this - Link
3. Obtaining emergency supplies: If you're in an area with wildfires, your bug-out bags should be structured around evacuation. Ensure you have backups of essential documents and have originals in a fireproof safe. Cash for purchases, extra medications, pet supplies, and any other necessities should be ready to go at a moment's notice.
   Supplies that are wildfire-specific may include -
   • Face masks or respirators for heavy smoke, such as N95 masks.
   • A map marked with at least two evacuation routes including meet-up locations if separated.
   • Prescriptions or special medications such as high cholesterol medication, anti-seizure prescriptions, insulin, or thyroid medication.
   • Change of clothing.
   • Extra eyeglasses or contact lenses.
   • An extra set of car keys, credit cards, cash, or traveler's checks.
   • First aid kit including cold compresses and burn cream.
   • Flashlight.
   • Battery-powered radio and extra batteries.
   • Sanitation supplies.
   • Copies of important documents (house deeds, photos, birth certificates, passports, etc.).
4. Listen to evacuation orders. You can't fight a wildfire. These disasters can move unsettlingly fast and outpace even someone running. If an evacuation order is given, do not delay and get out!