How to Prevent Wildfires?
Most fires in the forest are caused by human negligence. Wildfire prevention requires the responsible observance of safety rules at every visit to the forest. Nature lovers may forget to extinguish a fire, may set fire to dry grass, or leave an unquenched cigarette or match. Sometimes a fire is caused by a lightning strike, but such cases are very rare.
Forest fire prevention requires an understanding of the cause of the fire. Moreover, the type of fire affects your behavior and how you extinguish.
In this article, we will define the main types of fire in the forest and how to avoid it.
Low Fires
It is the fire of the forest floor and the bark in the lower part of the trees. It is the most common species. Fire spreads at different speeds, capturing only the subsoil and undergrowth, which does not affect the tree crown. Low fires, can have a steady and fluent nature of the distribution. Ways to prevent wildfires as this is familiar to all.
High Fires
Fire rages on the leaves of trees, pine, branches, capturing the entire crown. It is the most dangerous type of fire because it is almost impossible to put out without additional equipment.
Soil or Peat Fires
They occur as a result of drying the bogs and occur in the peat layer at a depth of more than 50 cm. The cause may be a grassroots fire, a top fire, or a peat self-ignition. The danger is that it can be difficult to detect because the combustion occurs underground.
Wildfire Prevention Tips
Specialists recommend to follow simple rules among the basic wildfire prevention techniques:
- do not throw burning matches and cigarette butts on the ground;
- do not to leave glass objects;
- do not leave oily or soaked with flammable substances;
- do not park cars in the wrong place.
- do not make fires in a fire hazardous period;
- do not burn garbage in the forest.
Also, rescuers categorically prohibit making fires in places with dried out grass, on peatlands, in coniferous bushes, and under tree crowns. As in these places, cases of fire are doubled. It should be noted that dry grass, leaves, and branches catch fire instantly, and in case of strong wind, typical for spring weather, the flame can spread to neighboring objects in a few minutes. In some cases, the fire may spread at a speed of 50 kilometers per hour.
What to Do in Case of a Fire?
If a hike in nature has triggered a fire, you should follow a clear order:
- Call the rescue service;
- Assess the situation yourself. If the fire is small, you can try to put it out by yourself. For this purpose, the earth, sand, or dense matter will be suitable. If the attempts are unsuccessful, you must quickly leave the place of fire;
- If the fire has managed to surround you, you need to look for a pond and enter it;
- In case of high fire, you should go as low as possible to the ground and cover your respiratory system with a wet cloth.
Remember that 80% of forest fires are caused by humans. So when you are resting in nature, you should be vigilant and remember about safety measures. Of course, forest management to prevent fires also plays an important role, but if you want to save nature, you should start with yourself.
