How to Do Your Part During Wildfire Season

Last year, there were around 59,000 wildfires across the US, which burned 10.1 million acres. Sadly, 88% of those fires were human-caused.

Although fire is a natural land management tool, burning in the ferocious way it has done so for the past several years has taken an untold toll on wildlife, with officials still unsure what impact the fires will have on species.

Humans are also affected; in 2020, almost 18,000 structures were destroyed, and there were 47 direct fatalities, with many more caused by the adverse health impacts of smoke inhalation.

As the wildfire season gets longer and longer–-with some fire officials now referring to it as a “fire year” instead–-it’s becoming increasingly important to make sure we do our best to protect the land from burning as catastrophically as it did in previous years.

August 03, 2021

By: Lucy Sherriff

Shop This Look

Photo By: Lucas Ninno

Photo By: Fabian Heigel / EyeEm

Photo By: Marin Tomas

Photo By: Mariusz Roclawski / EyeEm

Photo By: Alexander Spatari

Pay close attention to weather and drought conditions as these factors affect the flammability of vegetation.

If it’s hot, dry and windy, steer clear of any activities that involve fire or sparks, such as fireworks, burning debris, off-roading on dry grass, and operating equipment in dry areas — as well, of course, as building a campfire.

If you are going to build a fire, make sure you do so in an open location and far away from flammables.

Follow any local fire restrictions, which are particularly common across the west during summertime. When building a fire, select a flat, open location, away from logs, brush or decaying leaves, and clear away grass, leaves and needles down to the soil. Cut wood in short lengths, and stay with your fire at all times, dousing it with water until it’s cold, and making sure it’s extinguished before you leave the site.

Regularly maintain your vehicle.

Regularly maintaining your vehicle and equipment may not sound like it has links to fire, but vehicles can emit sparks from their exhaust pipes. So make sure you take your car in for regular check-ups and don’t off-road or park on dry grass —exhaust pipes can reach temperatures of 1000 degrees and upwards. Equally, towing a trailer can mean bearings, axles and safety chains can drag on the ground, causing dangerous sparks.

If you live in a forested area, defensible space is essential to improve your home’s chances of surviving a wildfire.

It’s essentially a buffer between your building and the grass, trees and shrubs that surround it, and the size of the buffer zone depends on where you live–so check local official guidelines. Having that space helps slow the spread of wildfire and helps protect your home from catching fire. It also provides firefighters with a safe area to work in. It’s vital to remove dead and dry leaves and pine needles from the yard roof and rain gutters. Remove branches that hang over the roof and keep dead branches 10 ft away from the chimney.

Make — and practice — an escape plan.

Your ability to get out of your home safely depends on planning. Walk through your home and get to know possible escape routes, always make sure your car is half filled with gas, and make sure the local fire department’s number is saved in your phone.