by L Hurley

Created on: December 21, 2008   Last Updated: December 29, 2008

Everyone who lives in a wildfire danger area needs to have a survival plan. These safety tips explain how you can protect your family and home.

Evacuating your property

If you decide to leave you should do so before a wildfire threatens. If fire is burning nearby there will be a lot of smoke, visibility will be poor and roads may be blocked.

Take your pets and important documents. An emergency kit that has a change of clothes, medication and plenty of water should be packed and ready to use. Advise neighbours, friends and family of your whereabouts.

What to do if you are caught on the road

If you can u-turn to safety do it, if not, pull over in a clear area. Do not park in long, dry grass or scrub. Wind your windows up and close vents, leave the air conditioning on recirculate to keep the car cool but the smoke out. Put your hazard and headlights on and keep the engine running.

Cover exposed skin with natural fiber clothing; synthetics can melt in the radiant heat from a wildfire. Get down as low as possible below window level and cover yourself with a woollen blanket. Do not leave the car until the front has passed.

Fighting wildfires at home

Maintain your property to reduce the likelihood of it catching alight from a wildfire. Design your home and landscaping to be wildfire resistant. Manage the vegetation around your property to reduce fuel for the wildfire and purchase appropriate firefighting equipment. For more information on preparing your property go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Before the wildfire front arrives

Wear wool or cotton clothing. Long pants and a long sleeved shirt, socks, leather boots, gloves, goggles, a broad brimmed hat and a scarf or mask will protect you from radiant heat and smoke inhalation.

Fill all available receptacles with water. Put rakes, shovels and mops inside the house for easy access. Put a ladder under the manhole and a torch nearby to make it easy to check for embers in the roof cavity.

Block downpipes and fill gutters with water. Wet down the side of the house that is facing the fire and dampen surrounding vegetation to reduce the impact of radiant heat. Patrol the property for embers blown ahead of the wildfire front and drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. Use a battery powered radio to stay updated on the situation.

During the wildfire

Go inside when it becomes too hot to stay outside and stay away from windows. Extinguish burning embers that land inside the house.

After the wildfire front has passed

Water down the outside of the house and roof. Look out for small fires and burning embers. Stay vigilant for at least a couple of hours as this is the time when most homes are lost.

The noise, smoke and heat of wildfires can be terrifying, being well prepared and sticking to your plan will help protect your family and home. For more information and safety tips go to the US Fire Administration.

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