WildfiresPart 3: Safety Measures

By: Hannah Fortson and Rebecca Mitchell

What can you do to minimize the destruction that a wildfire

can cause?

• Build fires away from nearby trees or bushes.

• Have a way to extinguish the fire quickly.

• Always have a person attendant to the fire. Never leave a fire untenanted.

• Avoid open burning especially during dry season.

What you can do to minimize the destruction a wildfire could cause?

• Never use lanterns, heaters or stoves in a tent.• Never take burning sticks out of a fire. If you

were to drop it, it could catch on anything that is flammable and it could start a wildfire.

• Store flammable liquid containers in a safe place.

What you should do if you are present during a wildfire.

• Call 911• If you are close to the

fire get as far as you can away from it.

• Stay calm and wait until the fire department gets there.

What you should do if a fire ever approaches your house.

• Evacuate. Make sure your family members and animals are all out of the house.

• Remove anything around your house that will catch fire.• Shut off your gas. Make sure the oil and propane tanks

are off.• Have water ready. If a fire every comes to your house

make sure you have water to get the fire out.• Get in your car. Role up the windows. Make sure you

have everything you can’t live without in the car.• When you are leaving, leave all the lights on in the house

and leave your doors unlocked. It will be easier for firemen to enter the house.

Make sure your house is at least 30 feet away from the woods.

Health Hazards

• Make sure you don’t go back to your house

until you know it’s safe. There is a

possibility that you will be exposed to

hazardous materials. Water down debris to minimize the effect of

breathing in dust particles.

What should you do after a wildfire?

• You should check your surroundings for any sparks that may cause another fire.

• For several hours after the fire make sure you keep checking your house and its surroundings for smoke or sparks.