• Terms Used in Describing Wildfires
• Frequently Asked Questions

Terms Used in Describing Wildfires

• Surface Fires - the most common type of wildfires, surface fires move slowly and burn along the forest floor, killing and damaging vegetation.  

• Ground Fires - usually started by lightning, ground fires burn on or below the forest floor through the root system. 

• Crown Fires - crown fires spread by wind moving quickly along the tops of trees. 

• Santa Ana Winds - "Santa Ana" is the name given to the gusty northeast or east wind that occurs in Southern California during the fall and winter months. Santa Ana winds are often hot and very dry, greatly aggravating the fire danger in forests and bush lands. 

• Conflagration - a large and destructive fire, typically aggravated by strong winds that carry firebrands over natural or artificial barriers. 

• Dry Thunderstorm - typically a thunderstorm with a high altitude base where thunder and lightning are observed, but little or no rain reaches the ground.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Where can wildfires occur?

• How many acres of U.S. woodland burn every year?

• Are people responsible for wildfires?

• What natural conditions contribute to the occurrence of wildfires?

• Can a large wildfire modify local weather conditions?

• What kinds of human behavior are common causes of forest fires?

• How can you know if your area is prone to seasonal wildfires? 

• How can you anticipate wildfires? 

• How can you prevent wildfires? 

• How will you be warned? 

• What do you have to know if your area is prone to wildfires?

• When should you prepare your property if you are in a fire-prone area?

• What should a Family Disaster Plan include?

• Where can you get information on a Family Disaster Supplies Kit?

• How should you prepare your home? 

• How should you prepare the inside of your home?

• How should you prepare the outside of your home?

• What should you check when wildfire threatens? 

• What happens if you get caught? 

• What should you do after the wildfire? 

• What are the hazards after a wildfire? 

• What are the psychological effects of surviving a wildfire? 

Q: Where can wildfires occur?

Wildfires can occur anywhere. 

Q: How many acres of U.S. woodland burn every year?

An average of 1.2 million acres of U.S. woodland burn every year. 

Q: Are people responsible for wildfires?

People cause more than four out of every five wildfires. 

Q: What natural conditions contribute to the occurrence of wildfires?

Weather conditions such as lightning strikes or an extended dry spell or drought contribute to the availability of fuel that can directly contribute to the occurrence of wildfires. 

Q: Can a large wildfire modify local weather conditions?

A large wildfire, or conflagration, is often capable of modifying the local weather conditions or producing "its own weather." 

Q: What kinds of human behavior are common causes of forest fires?

Negligent human behavior such as smoking in forested areas and improperly extinguishing campfires are common causes of forest fires.

Q: How can you know if your area is prone to seasonal wildfires? 

Check the incidence of wildfires in your area. Check the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) that is based on the impact of both temperature and precipitation for your region or the Keetch-Byram Drought Index that indicates deficit inches of available water in the soil and is used by the USDA Forest Service Wildland Fire Assessment System. 

Q: How can you anticipate wildfires? 

Be aware that periods of drought or unusually low precipitation increase the likelihood of severe wildfires. If it has been a mild winter, or if your area is experiencing dry season, especially with high winds, exercise extra caution when in contact with any flammable materials. 

Q: How can you prevent wildfires? 

Follow the advice of local officials. 

• If they ban outdoor fires, obey their advice and encourage neighbors to do the same. 

• Build fires away from nearby trees or bushes. Ash and cinders may be blown into surrounding areas, starting wildfires. 

• Always have a way to extinguish the fire quickly and completely. If the fire becomes threatening, you will need to extinguish it immediately. 

• Never leave a fire - even a cigarette - burning unattended. Fire can quickly spread out of control

Q: How will you be warned? 

There currently is no way to forecast wildfire outbreaks, so it is critically important to plan ahead and remove potential hazards. Because wildfire can change direction and speed suddenly, a minor threat can quickly escalate into a major threat. If you are warned that a wildfire is threatening your area, listen regularly to The Weather Channel, your local TV or radio station, or NOAA Weather Radio. If evacuation is advised, FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS OF LOCAL OFFICIALS, as the safest escape route may be different from what you expect.

Q: What do you have to know if your area is prone to wildfires?

Be informed:

• Contact your local American Red Cross Chapter for your chapter number or check the business listing of your white pages. 

• Determine your insurance eligibility now. Contact your insurance agent. Find out more from your insurance agent, National Insurance Consumer Helpline (1-800-942-4242), and The Insurance Information Institute (1-800-331-9146).

• Learn how your town handles emergencies by contacting your local fire department, forestry service or local emergency services agencies (EMA). 

Q: When should you prepare your property if you are in a fire-prone area?

Prepare your property before the season. 

Q: What should a Family Disaster Plan include?

• The plan should include

• Decide where to go if at home, school, work, outdoors, or in a car if faced with a weather emergency. Update these plans every school year and as places of employment and residence change. 

• Designate a friend or relative outside your town as your contact in the event you are separated from family members.

• Agree upon a place where family members can meet if separated. 

• Make sure Your Family Disaster Supplies Kit is up-to-date. 

Q: Where can you get information on a Family Disaster Supplies Kit?

For more information on assembling and refreshing supplies, contact the American Red Cross for their Disaster Supplies Kit brochure. 

Q: How should you prepare your home? 

Follow these steps:

• Create a 30 to 100 foot safety zone around your home to separate the home from combustible vegetation. 

• Stone walls act as heat shields to deflect flames. 

• Swimming pools and patios can be a safety zone. 

• Use tile, stucco, metal siding, brick, concrete block, rock, or other fire-resistant materials on roofs. 

• Use only thick, tempered safety glass in large windows and sliding glass doors. 

• Install electrical lines underground, if possible. Regularly clean roofs and gutters. 

• Install a smoke detector on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms. Test them monthly and change the batteries at least once a year. 

• Keep handy household items that can be used as fire tools such as a rake, axe, chain saw, bucket, and shovels. 

• Have several garden hoses long enough to reach any area of the home and surrounding vegetation.

Q: How should you prepare the inside of your home?

Take these steps:

• Close all windows, vents, doors, window coverings and heavy drapes to prevent a draft. 

• Open fireplace damper and close fireplace screens. 

• Move flammable furniture into the center of the home away from windows and sliding glass doors. 

• If hoses and adequate water are available, leave sprinklers on roofs and anything that might be damaged by fire.

Q: How should you prepare the outside of your home?

Follow these steps: 

• Seal attic and ground vents with pre-cut plywood or commercial seals.

• Turn off any propane tanks. (e.g. grill) Place combustible patio furniture inside 

• Place waterproofed valuables in a pool or pond. 

• Connect garden hoses to outside taps. Use only if you have not been advised to leave and you have time to wet the roof and outdoor shrubs. 

• Place lawn sprinklers on the roof and near above ground fuel tanks. Wet the roof. 

• Wet shrubs within 15 feet of the home. 

• Gather fire tools. 

Q: What should you check when wildfire threatens? 

• If wildfire threatens your area, be sure to check the following before leaving your home. Remember, a shift in the wind can easily change the direction the fire spreads and it might be in your direction. 
• Be ready to evacuate all family members and pets when fire nears or when instructed to do so by local officials. 
• Confine pets to one room. Make plans to care for your pets in case you must evacuate.  
• Back your car into the garage facing the direction of escape. Shut doors and roll up windows, but leave them unlocked. Leave keys in the ignition. 
  YOU CANNOT OUTRUN A FIRE!

Q: What happens if you get caught? 

Don't try to outrun the fire:

• Crouch in a pond or river. 

• Cover your head and upper body with wet clothing. 

• If water is not around, look for shelter in a cleared area or among a bed of rocks. 

• Lie flat and cover your body with wet clothing or soil. 

• Breathe the air closest to the ground through a wet cloth to avoid scorching your lungs or inhaling smoke

Q: What should you do after the wildfire? 

It's important to wait until your local emergency personnel have announced it's safe to return home. Then, use only recommended routes and take the following steps. 

Q: What are the hazards after a wildfire? 

Everywhere you go, there are potential hazards:

• Be careful walking on smoldering surfaces. After a fire the ground may contain heat that can cause severe injury, or spark another fire. 

• Stay away from damaged buildings until inspectors have given you the green light. 

• If your home has been spared, keep children and pets inside. 

Q: What are the psychological effects of surviving a wildfire? 

In addition to the obvious physical damage, the devastation of fire can sometimes cause emotional trauma and distress. Crisis counseling can help. 

• Should you or your family need or desire crisis counseling, contact your local American Red Cross Chapter for information about resources in your area.

• Address your problems one at a time. Preparation may help you save lives and avoid injury. The rest can be rebuilt. 

Fire & Safety Group does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process presented here.