We have helicopters flying over head taking care of a grass fire not far from us. The wind is blowing eastward of us so we need not panic evacuation , however there is fear among the neighbors. Fires are a real issue, and dealing with them can be formidable especially the unprepared. Having been a fire fighter I know how fast they can grow. If nothing has been done to suppress fire advancement around your get away, I suggest action be taken. Fire can be used to smoke one out of their home, Do you have a plan? Do you have water pressure if the power is off? Are there fire extinguishers handy? If there is no one comming to halp, how will yo deal with it and the aftermath? I am forced to deal with these issue and more in this little community I live .
I tried. My relatives live out in the boonies where it is a very real possibility to have to fight a forest fire, because they already went through it several times. I proposed that everyone on the shared, private lane pitch in and make a gas powered pump/200 gal.plastic water tank on a trailer (with a soap container to make foam) -that anyone can grab at a moment's notice and hook up to their truck, tractor, or Jeep. Of course, non of them would bother even talking to each other, let alone figure out how to pay and build it. I don't even live on the lane, and I already donated an old trailer that was a little bent up but has a 3500lb rated axle with AT jeep tires and rims already on it. With a little work, you'd think they could straighten out the trailer, beef it's structure up a bit, and get the rest of the parts needed to make the property's emergency water buffalo fire pump. It's not like it's hard for them; several of the lane's residents have really good welders, are farmers with tractors that could tow it, have the mechanical know-how to build it, and the experience as volunteer fire fighters that could set up the hose and nozzle to work the best it could. Of course not, the trailer just sits there, still bent up, just the frame and wheels, rusting away in the sun.
Fire is one of those things that happen to "other people" until it doesn't. Then the blame game starts about who started it and most importantly why the *^%^* fire department didn't put it out quicker. We have our share of wildfires here and I would bet there isn't 10 people who have given the first thought to keeping important papers where they can grab them, where they will go if they have to leave, keeping fuel in the car, and a zillion other things that needs to happen. I put a 25' hose on the back wall of the hall closet with a ball valve on it just for my own piece of mind. I can at least bring a little water to bear inside to buy some time. Most people think I'm nuts for doing it.
cut hose bib outlets into the house plumbing where there wasn't any existing hose hookups close - keep flat hose reels stored nearby - this in addition to the 20+ fire extinguishers I have positioned around the place ..... https://www.neilgunton.com/doc/?o=1mr&doc_id=19364 >>> good write up on home fire prevention and fighting
Forest fires are a fact of life here. I cannot control what others do around me but I can control my lands. Part of that is my implementation of a proper forestry plan. It not only mitigates a fires growth giving you a fighting chance it helps to keeps the land much healthier. We have a group plan being implemented albeit a bit slow to go into action. Mainly for escape routes through peoples property or staging points for fire fighting vehicles and equipment. As a last resort I have proper clothing and tools to get into a wildland fire. At least initially to make a decent line. If the fire is fast moving and gets near the house most of the evacuation routes will be very limited at best. I still have some things I need to plan for and implement such as a roof top sprinkler system but if it gets to that point things are pretty serious. Having a last line of defense strategy is a high priority.
