The spreading of fire from one tree to another happens in almost no time when the forest is thick. People are evacuated when this happens, but there are some steps that you can take to protect your home and family before an evacuation order:
A getaway bag will help: Keep some of your most important belongings in a bag near the front door, so that you can grab it and go if you need to evacuate quickly. If one of your family members is not home when disaster strikes, you will be able to gather up what is important for them as well. Copies of your important documents, and life saving prescription drugs should be included in your bag. Some optional but important things would be your electronic items and toiletries.
Important Data: Back up your data on an external hard drive automatically, so that if you need to leave in a hurry, you can just grab the drive, and have more time to get other irreplaceable items.
Look up, look way up: If you have overhead power lines on your property, make sure they are clear of vegetation and well away from the nearest tree. Trees fall down, not only in fires, but in wind storms as well.
Protection zone: A general rule of thumb is to clear any trees, vegetation that could catch fire, or other debris away from your home at a distance of 10 metres.
Only you can prevent forest fires: Close to 50% of wild fires are caused by human carelessness. An extremely dangerous and costly forest fire can come from any spark, from a cigarette butt, a careless camper, or even a controlled burn that is done improperly.
If the weather is extremely dry, it's a bad idea to build a camp fire. And make sure you don't throw a lit cigarette from your car. Dry vegetation on the side of the road can catch fire quite quickly from an still burning cigarette butt.
Keep your property clear of excess vegetation. Your home should be constructed from materials that are fireproof or fire resistant, if you have those options. Fire resistant shingles, a spark arrestor on your chimney, and tempered glass windows go a long way to help prevent disaster. Not only do these things keep you safer, they will likely end up saving you money on your home insurance.
A prepared evacuation plan is essential. Make sure everyone in your family knows what to do. And do keep an emergency kit on hand. This should include non-perishable foods and at least a three-day supply of drinking water. You should also include a first-aid kit, a flashlight and batteries, and a portable radio.
Fill any large containers, such as pools, hot tubs, or garbage cans with water to slow down an approaching fire. If an official evacuation order is handed down, don't take chances, leave the home immediately Use fireproof door numbers on your home, so that it can be easily identified. Your home will be determined faster by firefighters this way.
Call 911 immediately if you see any signs that a wildfire is forming.
Make sure you have the right home insurance. You really don't want to be without protection if a wildfire was to destroy your home, so be sure that you're fully insured against that.
A getaway bag will help: Keep some of your most important belongings in a bag near the front door, so that you can grab it and go if you need to evacuate quickly. If one of your family members is not home when disaster strikes, you will be able to gather up what is important for them as well. Copies of your important documents, and life saving prescription drugs should be included in your bag. Some optional but important things would be your electronic items and toiletries.
Important Data: Back up your data on an external hard drive automatically, so that if you need to leave in a hurry, you can just grab the drive, and have more time to get other irreplaceable items.
Look up, look way up: If you have overhead power lines on your property, make sure they are clear of vegetation and well away from the nearest tree. Trees fall down, not only in fires, but in wind storms as well.
Protection zone: A general rule of thumb is to clear any trees, vegetation that could catch fire, or other debris away from your home at a distance of 10 metres.
Only you can prevent forest fires: Close to 50% of wild fires are caused by human carelessness. An extremely dangerous and costly forest fire can come from any spark, from a cigarette butt, a careless camper, or even a controlled burn that is done improperly.
If the weather is extremely dry, it's a bad idea to build a camp fire. And make sure you don't throw a lit cigarette from your car. Dry vegetation on the side of the road can catch fire quite quickly from an still burning cigarette butt.
Keep your property clear of excess vegetation. Your home should be constructed from materials that are fireproof or fire resistant, if you have those options. Fire resistant shingles, a spark arrestor on your chimney, and tempered glass windows go a long way to help prevent disaster. Not only do these things keep you safer, they will likely end up saving you money on your home insurance.
A prepared evacuation plan is essential. Make sure everyone in your family knows what to do. And do keep an emergency kit on hand. This should include non-perishable foods and at least a three-day supply of drinking water. You should also include a first-aid kit, a flashlight and batteries, and a portable radio.
Fill any large containers, such as pools, hot tubs, or garbage cans with water to slow down an approaching fire. If an official evacuation order is handed down, don't take chances, leave the home immediately Use fireproof door numbers on your home, so that it can be easily identified. Your home will be determined faster by firefighters this way.
Call 911 immediately if you see any signs that a wildfire is forming.
Make sure you have the right home insurance. You really don't want to be without protection if a wildfire was to destroy your home, so be sure that you're fully insured against that.
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