Wildfire Preparedness
Post Sections In Order:
About Wildfires
Before A Wildfire (Advice & Suggestions)
During A Wildfire (Advice & Suggestions)
After A Wildfire (Advice & Suggestions)
Product Recommendations (Includes a coupon code)
Afterword
About Wildfires
Let’s talk about wildfires. What is a wildfire, and what causes them? Wildfires are any unplanned fires that burn in forests and other wildlands, such as shrub or grass communities. They’re a powerful natural force we must fully understand, and respect, in order to best help control.
Nearly nine out of 10 wildfires nationwide are caused by humans and could have been prevented. Here are some common causes:
Arson
Campfires
Discarding lit cigarettes
Improperly burning debris
Playing with matches or fireworks
Prescribed fires
Gender reveal parties (The very talked about California Wildfire of 2020)
Natural ways:
Lightning
Spontaneous combustion of dry fuel, such as sawdust and leaves (very small percentage)
Before A Wildfire
Home Prep
If you haven’t already, consider purchasing fire insurance to protect the life you've built and to assure financial protection from future disasters.
Review your homeowner's insurance policy and also prepare/update a list of your home's contents.
Develop an evacuation plan
Find out if you live in a potential, or past, wildfire zone.
Plan several route options incase of road closure.
Stay tuned in to local news, and follow evacuation orders.
Move personal, financial, and medical records in a fireproof document case. This also makes it easier to toss it in your Bug Out Bag in a hurry.
Secure or bring in outdoor objects (patio furniture, children's toys, trash cans, etc.) that could be caught up in the fire.
Learn fire safety techniques and teach them to members of your family.
Have fire drills with your family on a regular basis.
Make sure all family members are familiar with the technique of "STOP, DROP, AND ROLL" in case of clothes catching on fire.
Consult with your local fire department about making your home fire-resistant.
If you are on a farm/ranch, sheltering livestock may be the wrong thing to do because a wildfire could trap animals inside, causing them to burn alive. Leaving animals unsheltered is preferable, or if time and personal safety permits, evacuation away from the danger zone should be considered.
Regularly clean the roof and gutters to keep them free of dried debris.
Learn fire safety techniques and teach them to members of your family.
Have fire drills with your family on a regular basis.
Make sure all family members are familiar with the technique of "STOP, DROP, AND ROLL" in case of clothes catching on fire.
Make sure every floor and all sleeping areas have smoke detectors.
Consult with your local fire department about making your home fire-resistant.
If you are on a farm/ranch, sheltering livestock may be the wrong thing to do because a wildfire could trap animals inside, causing them to burn alive. Leaving animals unsheltered is preferable, or if time and personal safety permits, evacuation away from the danger zone should be considered.
Regularly clean the roof and gutters to keep them free of dried debris.
Inspect chimneys at least twice a year. Clean them at least once a year. Keep the dampers in good working order. Equip chimneys and stovepipes with a spark arrester that meets the requirements of National Fire Protection Association Standard 211. (Contact your local fire department for exact specifications)
Install a dual-sensor smoke alarm on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms; test monthly and