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"
