Prevention and Preparednes

• Keep emergency contact numbers of district fire service department and local forest authorities handy.
• Immediately inform them in case of an unattended or out-of-control fire
• Never leave a fire unattended in the vicinity of forested areas. Completely extinguish the fire by dousing it with water and stirring the ashes until cold.
• Be careful while using and fuelling lanterns, stoves and heaters during camping. Make sure lighting and heating devices are cooled before refuelling. Avoid spilling flammable liquids and store fuel away from appliances.
• Do not discard cigarettes, matches and smoking materials while passing through forested area
• Do not burn stubble, municipal waste, etc. next to a forest area.
• Do not burn dry waste in farms close to forest areas.
• Know your evacuation route(s). Keep emergency supplies ready.
• Practice evacuation drills regularly. Determine safe meeting locations.

Evacuation in case of forest fire

• Evacuate immediately on instructions from local authorities.
• Take precautions for protection from flying sparks and ashes
• Untie cattle to ensure their safety.

Before leaving your house

• Remove all combustibles, including firewood, yard waste, cooking gas cylinders and fuel cans, etc. from your yard
• Close all windows, vents, and doors to prevent draft.
• Fill large vessels with water to limit the spreading of fire. It can also be used for emergency dousing.
• Cut down bushes and hedges close to the house to isolate the house from fire.
• Clear all gully and roof spaces of leaves.
• Spray water to dampen house roof, walls and any trees and foliage adjacent to the house.
• Close shutters, blinds or any noncombustible window coverings to reduce radiant heat.
• Keep the radio ON for official announcements.

If caught in a forest fire in an open area:

• Don’t try to outrun the blaze. Instead, look for a static water body such as a pond or a river to take refuge until the fire passes. Do not take refuge in a fast river or stream
• Ifthere is nowater nearby,find a depressed, cleared area with little vegetation, lie low to the ground and cover your body with wet clothes, a blanket, or soil until the fire passes.
• Breathe through a moist cloth, if possible, to avoid inhaling smoke.
• Take shelter in an area with little or no fuel to feed the fire.

If trapped at home in a forest fire:

• Stay calm. As the fire front approaches, retreat inside the house. It is probable that the fire will pass before the house burns down.
• If a closed door is hot to the touch, do not open it as there may be fire on the other side.

If caught in a vehicle in forest fire:

• Stay in your vehicle. It is less dangerous than trying to outrun a forest fire on foot.
• Close windows and air vents.
• Drive slowly with headlights full on
• Watch carefully for other vehicles and people on foot
• Do not drive through heavy smoke. If you can’t see what’s ahead, don’t risk danger

In case you must stop:

• Park as far as possible from trees and thickets.
• Keep lights on and the engine off
• Stay on the floor of your vehicle.
• Cover your body with anything nonflammable.
• Do not panic if smoke and sparks enter the vehicle as fuel tanks rarely explode.