The Los Angeles area has been hit by wildfires, and many citizens have had to be evacuated away from the blaze’s path. A particularly dry summer leaves room for many more wildfires to spring up, and it’s imperative that you know what to do both to limit the chances of an occurrence and to get out of your home safely if doing so is necessary. The tips contained in a report from National Geographic would thus be invaluable.
If you go camping, you must be extremely careful with campfires. Supervision is required at every moment, and if at any point you or your group must step away, or you’re about to go to sleep, then make sure to put out the fire. Water should be tossed on and the ensuing ashes should be stirred around until they’re sufficiently cool that they won’t prompt a fire. Caution should also be taken with anything that gives off excessive heat, such as stoves, lanterns, and heaters.
By the same token, if you’re out camping or hiking and you notice that someone has been more careless with their campfire than you have and they’ve left it unattended, call park authorities immediately, especially if that fire has caught on to nearby brush.
You don’t have to be camping to spark a wildfire, though. Simply driving by dry brush and flicking a cigarette butt out the window of an automobile is enough to start a fire that quickly escalates out of control. Dispose of cigarettes and matches properly when in a vehicle or hiking.
If you ever decide to burn off yard waste, it’s imperative that you consult local laws to figure out the proper way to do so. Should the wind be strong, wait to burn off the waste, and like camping, never leave the fire unattended. Have water, a shovel, and some type of fire suppressant handy, and make sure nothing that’s flammable is in the vicinity.
Should it look like your home is right in the wildfire’s path, make sure your yard is clear of things like firewood, fuel canisters, and other potent flammable substances if you have time to do so. Shut off your home’s gas and eliminate the possibility of a draft by shutting windows, doors, and vents.
When you get the alert to leave your residence at once because a wildfire is imminent, exit promptly. Set up some sort of evacuation plan with your family so that everyone knows what to do to protect themseleves. Know what supplies to take and make sure all members of the family are on the same page. Finally, have everyone put on footwear and clothing that’s conducive to safety and won’t catch if contacted by a spark.