Survival Situation: Forest Fire

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KennyB

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Jan 19, 2010
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So okay here's the scenario... You went out for an afternoon hike and you pressed on a good couple hours, maybe up to a summit... And you look down to the forest where you just were and see fire.

So what should you do?

Try to hike back out an alternate route? What if the fire spreads fast, it can move through the forest quicker than you can.

Stay at the summit? Fire climbs up hill very quickly as well.

Assuming you've already made a cell phone call and the search and rescue teams are out to find you, what can you do to not wind up caught in the fire? Is smoke inhalation a danger? What about stampeding animals, should you avoid game trails?

There's been a lot of forest fires around here this year and I have never thought about any of this. Is it generally just a case where the fire will move slowly enough and stay contained enough to give you time to get out? What is your best bet if you're cut off from your car and have to attempt to walk out?


There are lots of logging and mountain roads around here, but generally the chances of coming across another person traveling those roads is still pretty slim. One thing about logging roads, is that the generally cut down dead or diseased timber around here... Stuff that would probably be more likely to catch on fire, so if one takes a logging road, could they be walking into a fire?


Suppose worse case scenario and fire is actually bearing down on you... What can you possibly do to stand the intense heat, the lack of oxygen from the intense flame, etc.
 
While the logging road maybe surrounded by fuel, shouldn't the road itself act as a firebreak that the fire can't cross easily? I think I would be looking for either an existing firebreak or trying to create one if I could.
 
D'ohboy said:
While the logging road maybe surrounded by fuel, shouldn't the road itself act as a firebreak that the fire can't cross easily? I think I would be looking for either an existing firebreak or trying to create one if I could.
Click to expand...

Interesting, what do you mean by trying to create your own firebreak? Like cutting down loose vegetation behind you so it can't spread to the forest in front of you?
 
I think it would really depend on the type of vegetation around you. if going back over familiar ground is not an option, and SAR is not coming, (I'll assume for my scenario that there was no cell coverage, as that is what I'm used to) the best think is to make a wind direction estimate, and try to flank the fire. If it is a low, grass fed fire, it will travel very fast, but be more likely to stop at a road or river. Tall burning forest will just keep going, but there may be thinner places to break through into the burned area. (although at the risk of melting all your synthetic gear to your back....) That all said, there are no rules for fire, there are far too many variables involved to be able to make an accurate prediction. I would not place any odds on outrunning a fire. Some fires do move slowly, but its not the rule. Personally if getting onto a logging road was an option, I'd take it, as you'd likely be able to make better time. you may also come across cleared areas that would be better to hunker down in if the fire got close.
As for the fire bearing down on you scenario, at that point your only option is keep moving away, dump any and all heavy gear, and synthetic clothing, and probably pray. you would be just as well off standing butt naked in front of a tornado. as for making a fire-brake, if it is a forest fire, fire-brake is usually made with heavy equipment, and chainsaws, I doubt a lone person could make much of a difference, unless you were in a grass field, and had an hour or two to tramp down all the dry grass and get it to burn slower.
I think it is a case of know before you go. in cases of extreme fire risk, its better to just stay away, or find somewhere else to go. If a fire does start, not only are you at risk, but so are the people who may be looking for you.
I know it doesn't sound terribly optimistic, but I've known a few forest fire fighters, and so most of what I know comes from them. Forest fire fighting is less putting the fire out, and more, giving everyone else time to get away, and hopping mother nature puts it out sooner than later.
 
I have heard it suggested that in the case of a low scrub fire, you could start a fire downwind of yourself, then move onto the burnt area as your fire front moves on. Get yourself as low as you can on the burnt area to reduce the danger of radiant heat. Obviously this would only work with tinder dry, low, flammable vegetation. Don't know if it'd work, and if the weather is looking bad for a bush fire, I'll go to the beach instead:)
 
We use to carry fire proof blankets and were told if dig up all the surroundings around us till we hit mineral soil and lay down in it and cover the blanket over us till the fire past. Only really works on a fast move fire though, other wise you just suffocate from smoke. And you never run up hill from a fire, cus you'll loose!!!!
 
If a river/creek or stock tank is in sight I am headed that direction and sitting in the middle of it. Hopefully it will pass. If no water I am headed for the logging road and doing my best Usan Bolt impression.
 
I always EDC one of these when hiking
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Here in So Cali with the Chaparral type of brush. The fire would move fast and hot and the parts that started to burn would burn for a long time. I would look for a fire road and start moving as fast as I can away from the fire. Dont cross the fire road and keep on running. The fire Always jumps the fire road over here. It might slow it down for a short time but it always jumps. If there wasn't a fire in the area for a few years then the brush would be soo thick and dry that you are out luck unless you can out run it. If for some reason can't out run it.. Dig a 2-3 foot hole if you can, Then get butt naked smear lots of salt and peper bite an apple and cover your self in the dirt. After the fire there would be an Hawaiin style Luau party with long pig as he main course.
On a serious note,
A few years back a group of fire fighters tried to outrun a fire that was moving up a hill. They were trying to drive the fire truck away from a fast moving fire on the fire road. The fire did overtake the truck and engulfed it burning it down killing all the men. It happened a few times over here. One time a truck with 3 firefighters that got surrendered by a fire were saved when a helicopter droped a full load of water on top of the truck.
I talked to a firefigher up at the forest one time while they were training and his advice was. If you see a fire don't wait for it to get closer. Pick up your pace and start moving NOW. If it close to you drop everything you carry and run as fast as you can. Thats the best thing you can do to survive a fire. Everything else they teach you is when you are out of options. Digging a hole and cover your self in a fire blanket is nothing more then giving you a better chance to survive what is almost a certain death.
 
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