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How to tell if a forest fire has started
There are a few signsby which this can be determined:
- there is a persistent burning smell in the air;
- dense smoke resembling fog spreads;
- birds, animals and insects behave restlessly and migrate in one direction;
- At night you can see a glow on the horizon.
You should be wary of any of these factors, especially if you are in the forest during a high fire danger regime.
You can learn about its introduction at website of the Ministry of Emergency Situations according to your region. Moreover, this must be done before going into the forest, and not when a threatening situation arises.
What to do if you notice signs of a forest fire
If the fire is small, for example, dry grass near the fire has caught fire or a pile of garbage has caught fire, you can try to put it out on your own.
Knock down the flames Can different ways:
- being overwhelmed by long branches of deciduous trees;
- fill with water;
- throw earth or sand;
- trample underfoot small fires on the ground.
If the source of the fire is not visible, but there are signs of a forest fire, try to determine where it is. You can climb a tall tree or go out onto a hill to view the area from above.
This way you can find out how far away the flame is, in what direction and how fast it is spreading. Ground fires, in which forest litter, small trees, shrubs, dead wood and rhizomes burn out, moving at a speed of 0.1 to 3 m/min.
If, due to the wind, a crown fire occurs and the crowns of trees are engulfed in flames, it moves much faster – especially if it is a coniferous forest. The speed of fire can reach 100 m/min.
If there are no hills nearby, it is important to determine which way the wind is blowing. This will help you understand which way to run.
How to escape a forest fire
Leave the danger zone as quickly as possible, observing a few rules:
1. Run away from a forest fire along its front, and not away from him, in an attempt to outrun the fire. The smoke will travel in the wind ahead of the flames, putting you at greater risk of suffocation. In the video below, Barash from “Smeshariki” clearly demonstrates exactly how to save yourself.
2. Protect your respiratory system. Wet any available cloth with water and apply it to your face. If you find it difficult to breathe, bend down to the ground: there the space is less smoky.
3. If possible, move to an area free of trees: on the road, clearing, wide clearing, to the bank of a river or reservoir, in a field. During a fire, the danger is not only flames and smoke, but also the falling of burning trunks and branches.
4. Strive to be among deciduous trees. Fire spreads faster through coniferous trees due to the high concentration of resins.
5. Report the fire to everyone you meet along the way.. And when leaving the danger zone, immediately call 112 and tell us about the location of the fire.
What to do if you find yourself in a ring of fire
If there is a pond or swamp nearby, go there as quickly as possible. Choose a spot in shallow water that is free of reeds. Take a dip, wet your clothes, and press a damp cloth to your face.
If you have a sleeping bag, wet it and wrap yourself over your head. Turn over periodically to moisten dry areas. Also check the condition of the bandage on your face – it should remain wet at all times.
If there is no pond, try to find an area free of trees. Remove clothing made from materials that can melt and stick to the skin (nylon, nylon, etc.), and get rid of flammable equipment.
If you have water, wet your clothing and the bandage you use to cover your mouth and nose. Clear the ground of rocks, branches and debris that could ignite. Lie down on the ground and wait for the fire to subside.
How to avoid becoming the culprit of a forest fire
Most often, forest fires are caused by people. Careless handling of fire, burning dry grass, scattering unextinguished cigarette butts – in hot and dry weather, any of these reasons can lead to the fire of forest litter, bushes, and then trees.
To avoid becoming the culprit of a terrible disaster, observe a few rules:
- During periods of high fire danger, do not light a fire in the forest. – even in the grill. Do not throw away unextinguished cigarette butts – take them with you.
- When the fire danger is not high, choose the right place for the fire. It should be located 4–6 m from trees, stumps and roots. Do not make a fire in dense thickets, near moss and reeds, among young pines or other conifers, or on peat bogs. Make sure there are no low hanging tree branches above the fireplace.
- To make a fire, remove the turf and clear an area 2–3 m in diameter from dry vegetation and pine needles. Dig this place or cover it with stones.
- Don’t light fires in windy weather. And do not use flammable liquids for this – drops can get on the grass and lead to a fire.
- Don’t leave the fire unattended. Before leaving, fill it with water, stir it with a stick or shovel and wait until it stops floating. You can also cover the fire with damp soil, paying special attention to the periphery.
- Never burn dry grass and explain to children how dangerous it is.
- Do not leave flammable materials in the forest, for example, rags soaked in flammable materials. Also take away bottles and glassware – in sunny weather they can focus the light beam and cause dry grass to catch fire. In general, do not leave anything in the forest – take everything with you.
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