Wildfires can be some of the most devastating national disasters. The United States, and especially the southwestern part of the country, sees hundreds of wildfires each summer. While some are caused by lightning strikes, over 80% of all wildfires in the Southwest are human caused. With that being said, ALWAYS practice fire safety while having an open fire while camping or hiking. For example, in the state of Utah, during the Summer of 2012, there were nearly 1500 fires! 1500! That’s just in Utah! While the odds of being caught in a wildfire are slim, it’s always a good idea to know what to do if you find yourself on a hiking trail or in the backcountry when a billowing cloud rises in the area.
The best defense to avoid getting caught in a wildfire is to be aware of the current conditions in the area. If it’s been a dry summer, a wildfire can be only one spark away. Be aware of the weather conditions. Know the lay of the land for all hikes, and while on the trail, look for possible escape routes especially if hiking where conditions are ideal for a wildfire. There may be plenty of time to escape, or there may only be few minutes to decide a course of action, so be prepared, and know ahead of time what to do.
Luckily, there are signs to look for when it comes to wildfires. If you smell smoke or see smoke where it shouldn’t be, that’s a good sign that a wildfire is close. If ash begins to fall, then a large fuel source is burning nearby. If flames are spotted, immediate action is needed.
A wildfire raging in Arizona
Do the following if caught in a wildfire:
Remember that wildfires move very quickly and are unpredictable. Winds can fan the flames in any direction, at any time. Don’t try to outrun the wildfire, they move too fast. If hiking in the mountains, try to recall if there is a water source nearby, like a pond, lake, creek, or stream, and seek safety there. However, if the water source is narrow and just a couple of inches deep, get all your clothes wet and move on, because the fire will most likely just hop the shallow creek. If in a canyon, get out of the canyon They act as a chimney, drawing the flames up into it.
Also, the updraft that wildfires produce cause the fire to burn uphill much faster than downhill. Head downhill and if the fire is close, try to find a clearing relatively free of fuel, and look for a depression in the ground, lie face down, and cover yourself with wet clothing, dirt, or dig a quick trench if you have the time. Stay down until the fire passes. Breathing may become difficult so have a damp cloth to cover the mouth and nose. As the temperatures rise, synthetic clothing will melt and burn into the skin, so remove it beforehand. If parts of clothing catch fire, roll along the ground to extinguish the flames. Try and stay calm.
Being in a wildfire can be extremely dangerous, but by following these tips, you will know what to do, and it may just save your life.
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