Rural Fires in Plett: What to Do
Bush fires in Plett’s rural areas are a real threat. Because of the overgrown stands without fire breaks, there is a great risk of “runaway” fires. Home owners in rural areas must prepare for bush fires and it all starts with a plan.
If one fails to plan, ultimately one plans to fail
Ask yourself a few questions: Look at your home, where it is situated, what vegetation surrounds it and how many roads lead to or from your property. Have you got fire breaks? Have you got fire fighting equipment? Do you have an action plan?
Preparing your home and having a plan
- Clean the leaves from your gutters regularly and fit good quality metal leaf guards.
- Screen your roof vents with fine metal wire mesh.
- Keep woodpiles and other flammable materials covered and well away from the house.
- Keep your lawn short and the backyard tidy – free from any build up of flammable material. Consider buying a portable pump to use from your swimming pool or water tank.
- Create and maintain an adequate fire break around your property. Your fire break should be at least three times the height of the vegetation and the area must be clear of dead wood, pine needles, cones and other debris.
- In case of an emergency you are likely to panic and make unnecessary mistakes. Therefore, it’s imperative that you have a pre-determined plan to follow in case you need to evacuate your property.
Turn off gas and power
- Close all doors and windows and block gaps with wet towels or blankets.
- Move flammable materials such as curtains and furniture away from your windows.
- Call the Fire Brigade, a neighbour and a friend to tell them where you are.
Your Survival Kit
Your Survival kit must enable you to meet your own primary needs until professional aid is available to you. It is best to prepare for the worst and have your backpacks ready packed and watertight in case you ever had to leave your home urgently.
Pack a standard First Aid Kit with instruction manual. A torch with spare batteries, drinking water, canned food with an opener, water containers, and a portable stove if you have one. Include cooking gear and eating utensils. A good quality pocket knife is essential and matches, a fuel lamp and duct tape for your windows and to waterproof your bags is important.
Add lightweight emergency blankets and some cash to your rucksack, grab your phone and you should be fine until the emergency team gets to you.
During the fire, dial 044 533 5000
- Make sure someone has called the Fire Brigade. The 24hr emergency number is 044 533 5000.
- Wear protective clothing such as enclosed shoes, cotton full-length clothing for protection, a hat and gloves.
- Prevent embers from igniting a fire inside by closing all windows and doors, including internal doors.
- Activate your sprinkler system if you have one.
- Wear eye and breathing protection like goggles and face masks to prevent your eyes from watering and minimise smoke inhalation.
- Take shelter in the room with least combustible materials; usually the bathroom.
- Ensure all family members and pets drink enough water to prevent dehydration.
- The Fire Brigade would have informed the local Fire Protection Association (FPA) of the fire.
- Do Not leave the house while the flame front passes through the property grounds Unless the fire is raging and is so close that You Have No Choice but to find an escape route.
Escape Route
Although you may feel that clothing hampers you movement, do not discard it because it will shield you from the full force of radiated heat.
- Cover as much exposed skin as possible, tip water over yourself to dampen your clothes and dampen a piece of cloth to cover your nose and mouth.
- The smoke will show you the direction of the wind and the fire will travel fastest in that direction
- If the wind is blowing towards you the fire is likely to travel more quickly. If at all possible, GO AROUND THE FIRE into the direction that has already burnt.
- If the wind is blowing away from you, towards the fire) move INTO the wind and head for a natural fire breaks such as roadways or rivers.
- If you can neither skirt round nor outdistance the blaze, take shelter in a large clearing, deep ravine, watercourse or gulley.
- If the fire is coming towards you and you cannot get round it, the best escape route might be to go through it providing that the flames are not dense. Cover as much exposed skin as you can and if you have water available, tip some over yourself to dampen your skin, clothes and hair. Cover your nose and mouth with a damp cloth; take a deep breath and RUN!
Remember:
- Never try to outrun the blaze.
- Fire travels faster uphill, so do not make head for high ground.
After the fire
- Go outside to extinguish any spot fires in gutters etc.
- Beware of any electric power lines that may have dropped to the ground.
- If you cannot extinguish the fire move all persons and pets to a burnt out area.
- If it is not safe for you to stay in your home after the fire, protect the site from further damage by weather, theft or vandalism. Never leave your property unsecured.
References
H. Venter, Bitou Fire Department.