Texas Wildfires Highlight Need for Safety

As reported by AP News, several wildfires raged through the Texas panhandle last week, serving as a reminder of the importance of wildfire safety and preparedness.

The wildfires included the Smokehouse Creek fire, which became the largest in Texas’ history, with flames covering an area larger than the size of Rhode Island, according to Texas A&M Forest Service. As of February 29, only 3% of the fire had been contained.

According to authorities, strong winds, dry grass, and usually warm temperatures encouraged the wildfires, but their origins are still to be determined.

It’s easy to assume that wildfires in the United States are just a West Coast problem, but as these wildfires prove, many other states throughout the U.S., including Texas, Florida, and Kentucky are equally at high risk, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). So, it’s important to be prepared and know how to stay safe.

The American Red Cross has shared the following specific steps to take to ensure safety both during and after a wildfire, as well as how to clean up safely.

Staying Safe During a Wildfire

• Keep track of the weather, as well as any fires near your facility, and listen to instructions from local authorities.
• Suggest that your employees keep a small emergency kit (often referred to as a Go-Kit) nearby, in case a hasty evacuation is necessary. For a complete list of items to include in such a kit, check out this document from the U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO).
• Be ready to leave if local authorities advise people to do so—or if you feel you and the people within your facility are in danger. Keep in mind that you might not get an official notice to evacuate and might have to use your own judgment.

Staying Safe After a Wildfire

• Wait for officials to say it is safe before going back to the area.
• Avoid hot ash, charred trees, smoldering debris, and live embers.
• To keep from being electrocuted, avoid damaged or fallen power lines, poles, and downed wires.
• Watch for pits in the ground filled with ash, which might contain hidden hot embers

Cleaning Up Safely After a Wildfire

• Follow public health rules while cleaning.
• Avoid direct contact with ash.
• Wear safety equipment, including an N95 respirator, goggles, gloves, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, socks, and shoes.
• Wash off ash that gets on skin or in eyes or mouth as quickly as possible.
• Children, pregnant women, and people with asthma, heart problems, or lung conditions should not participate in clean-up activities.

For more information on staying safe during and after a wildfire, check out the American Red Cross website. To be more prepared before a wildfire strikes, also see 4 Things to Do Before a Wildfire Hits Your Facility.