Bushfire Protection for Bushwalkers.

"What to do if caught in a bushfire whilst walking in remote areas"

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

• Smoke and hot gases, able to induce asphyxiation

• Flames, which induce actual burns

WHAT WILL THE FIRE DO?

The fire behaviour is influenced by three main factors:

the fuel, the weather and the 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 land 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 most intense and/or occur most 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!

 

• Register that you are walking with the appropriate authorities. Give them details, including numbers of people walking, your intended route and estimated time of arrival. don't forget to de-register when you complete the walk.

• In planning your walk, note features shown on the map which may offer some refuge (bodies of water, rocky outcrops etc)

• Carry clothes which offer protection from radiant heat. When threatened by bushfire, it is important to remove all 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 woolen jumpers)

• Carry plenty of water

• 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

 

1. Anticipate the fire's behaviour and plan the best course of action.

• Move to a low fuel area

• Don't try to outrun the fire - move across the front of the fire to the flanks (sides)

• Move downhill - the most intense fire will be at the top of hills. Don't try to run through the flames unless you can clearly see behind them. This means flames less than 1m high and less than3m deep. Move towards the flanks or back of the fire, and look for lulls in the fire to find flames of less intensity

• Remain calm and avoid exhaustion - plan your actions

 

2. 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 Melaluca 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 44 degrees C, 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

 

3. Protect yourself from radiant heat

This is not easy in the open. Wear your cotton/woolen clothing. 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

 

4. Protect your airways.

Smoke and hot gases can cause asphyxiation and even burn the inside of the airway.

• Keep low, breathing into the ground, to avoid smoke and hot gases.

• Cover your mouth and nose with a wet cloth

 

• First Aid - Walk leaders should know how to treat:

Burns

Shock

Asphyxiation and smoke

inhalation

Smoke and foreign matter in eyes

Heat induced illness

• Arrange evacuation and medical aid

• Notify relevant authorities of your situation.

Bushfires are a real and immediate threat to life. Your survival when caught in the open depends on sound judgement and taking appropriate actions.

Sue Davies Regional Officer Bush Fire Service of WA November 1998