Wildfires are becoming increasingly common as the world becomes warmer and drier. If you live in an area that is at risk for wildfires, it is important to know what the safest place to be during a wildfire is. In this blog post, we will discuss the safest places to be during a wildfire, as well as some tips on how to protect yourself and your home from wildfires.
Wildfires are becoming increasingly common as the world becomes warmer and drier. If you live in an area that is at risk for wildfires, it is important to know what the safest place to be during a wildfire is. In this blog post, we will discuss the safest places to be during a wildfire, as well as some tips on how to protect yourself and your home from wildfires.
The safest place to be during a wildfire is in an enclosed building with smoke detectors and a fire extinguisher. If you cannot get inside an enclosed building, the next best place to be is in an open area away from trees. If you are caught in a wildfire, try to stay calm and remember the following tips:
- Stay low to the ground
- Cover your mouth and nose with a wet cloth
- Move away from the fire
- Do not try to outrun the fire
- Creating a defensible space around your home by clearing away brush and debris
- Installing fire resistant materials on your home, such as metal roofs and siding
- Installing smoke detectors and fire extinguishers
- Creating a fire evacuation plan for your family
By following these tips, you can increase your chances of surviving a wildfire. Remember, if you are ever in doubt, always err on the side of caution and evacuate immediately. Safety is always the number one priority.
There used to be a well-defined wildfire season, with predictable peak activity in the dry and hot July-September months.. However, between the climate crisis and increase in human development in wild areas (called Wildland Urban Interfaces), many experts now consider wildfires a year-round threat. Between 1980-2000, there were three US fires that caused over $100 million in damage. That has grown to 15 over 2000-2020.
The reason for this increase is two-fold. First, the world is getting warmer due to climate change. This means that there are more wildfires started by natural causes, such as lightning strikes. Second, there is an increase in human development in wildland areas. This means that there are more houses and buildings located in areas at risk for wildfires. When a wildfire does occur, it can be much more destructive, as evidenced by the wildfires that have been happening in California recently.
So, what is the safest place to be during a wildfire? The answer is: it depends. If you are in an area that is at risk for wildfires, the best thing to do is to create a fire evacuation plan. This should include a route to safety and a designated meeting place for your family. It is also important to have an emergency kit ready to go, in case you need to evacuate quickly.
