Survival in the open when confronted by
an intense fire is not easy. The threats to life come from three sources:
- Radiant heat, so intense as to
induce heat stroke and death.
- Smoke and hot gases, able to induce
asphyxiation and permanently damage airways.
- Flames, by direct burning.
1. Understand the Fire
Fire behaviour is influenced by three
main factors: fuel, weather and topography.
Fuel:
The type of fuel, the amount of fuel, its moisture content, and the arrangement
of the fuel, determines the intensity and rate of spread of a fire. For
example, in forest the fire burns with high intensity, but moves slowly,
whereas in grassland the fire is less intense, but moves quickly.
Weather:
Fires will be more intense on hot dry days than on cool humid days. Fires
move more quickly when it is windy and wind changes affect fire behaviour
dramatically.
Topography:
- The ‘lay of the land’
has considerable effect on the way the fire travels. A "preheating"
effect causes the fire to move more quickly up hill.
- The key to surviving a bushfire
is to understand these factors, predict how they will interact, and take
appropriate actions.
Schedule your walk to remote forest areas
to avoid the time of year when bushfires are likely to be more intense and/or
occur more often (avoid the hottest summer months and days of Very High
or Extreme fire danger). During summer, a walk on the beach may be pleasant!
- In planning your walk, note features
shown on the map which may offer some refuge (bodies of water, rocky outcrops
etc).
- Wear or carry clothes which offer
protection from radiant heat. When threatened by bushfire it is important
to avoid synthetic clothing, as these can melt and burn skin severely.
Cotton long trousers, long sleeved shirts' and leather boots should be
a part of your walking gear (maybe even woollen jumpers).
- Carry plenty of water and avoid
dehydration.
- While walking, maintain your navigation,
so that you know where you are at all times. This makes the decision making
process easier.
- Keep a lookout for smoke at all
times.
2. Anticipate Fire Behaviour (& act accordingly)
- Move to a low fuel area.
- Don't try to outrun the fire -
move across the front of the fire to the flanks (sides), or move upwind
and away from the fire.
- Move downhill - fire is more intense
moving up hill.
- Don't try to run through the flames
unless you can clearly see behind them. This means flames less than 1m
high and less than 3m deep, which are generally only associated with grass
fires. Move towards the flanks or back of the fire, and look for lulls
in the fire (find flames of less intensity) before trying to get through
the fire to the burned area.
- Carry plenty of water and avoid
dehydration.
- Remain calm and avoid exhaustion
- plan your actions.
3. Find an Area that Won't Burn (the bigger the better)
You need to avoid direct flame contact
by getting to an area devoid of bushfire fuel. Some examples include:
- Water bodies such as lakes, dams
or creeks.
- Avoid areas of swampy vegetation
such as Melaleuca sp., which can burn intensely.
- Avoid elevated water tanks. Water
above the ground in elevated tanks heats up very quickly during a fire.
A body immersed in lukewarm water cannot sweat or lose heat, and at 44C,
a state of collapse is reached in about three minutes.
- Rocky outcrops (such as granite
monadnocks) a road or firebreak.
- A paddock area heavily grazed
or trampled by stock.
- An area of previously burnt ground.
- Any other area with no combustible
material.
4. Protect Yourself From Radiant Heat
Radiant heat is the biggest killer in
bushfires, so protect yourself from it! This is not easy in the open. Wear
as much cotton/woollen clothing as you have. Lie down on the ground and
cover yourself as far as possible. Anything that will deflect or absorb
the radiant heat should be used.
- Move into a building or vehicle.
- A tree trunk or large rock between
you and the fire.
- A wheel rut or depression in the
ground.
5. Protect Your Airways
Smoke and hot gases can cause asphyxiation
and even burn the inside of the airway:
- Keep low, breathing into clothing
or the ground to avoid smoke and hot gases.
- Cover your mouth and nose with
a wet cloth if possible.
6. First Aid
Bushwalkers should maintain their first
aid skills and know how to treat:
- Heat induced illness
- Asphyxiation and smoke inhalation
- Shock
- Burns
- Smoke and foreign matter in eyes
- Arrange evacuation and medical
aid
Bushfires are a real and immediate threat
to life. Your survival when caught in the open depends on sound judgement
and taking appropriate actions.
Adapted from: "Sue Davies Regional
Officer Bush Fire Service of WA - November 1998"
