Evacuation During Wildfire
When you hear the order to “evacuate now.,” you need to do so. Staying behind not only puts you at risk, but it puts the people who are trying to put out the fire at risk. They have to make sure the area is clear.
The Surprising Speed of Wildfires
You may not think the emergency order is all that serious. After all, you can’t see a fire close by. What will surprise you is that forest fires have the ability to travel at 14mph. A grass fire can travel at 28mph. The firebrands? Well, they travel at a surprising 60mph.
You don’t always have time to act. With the right wind conditions for the fire, the fire that was 5 miles away could end up on your doorstep within minutes.
People have died because they haven’t taken the evacuation order seriously. A couple died in the 2013 Black Forest Fire in Colorado. They were found in their garage trying to pack items in their car and had been overcome by the fire. They should have just left as soon as the order came in.
Come to An Understanding Before the Evacuation Order
The downside of evacuation orders is the way the minds of different people work. It generally is a male vs. female mentality, but this isn’t always the case. Some people think that they can wait out the fire, but the other member of the family is urging for evacuation. The best thing you can do is have a clear understanding before the order comes in. Once that order is in, you leave regardless of personal feelings at the time.
There are usually two levels of evacuation orders: voluntary and mandatory.
Voluntary evacuations are great for those who need a little more time, such as those with special needs. It gives fire departments time to make a list of all those who will need extra assistance. If you can get out at this time, it’s best to do so.
Don’t Tie Up Resources
During mandatory evacuations, some states can give emergency services the power to forcibly remove people. It can be a Class 2 misdemeanor in some states for violating the order. You will also be liable for the costs of the firefighters if you refuse to leave in the majority of states. If there are minor children in the house and the parents refuse to leave, police will remove the children.
Emergency services don’t have time to argue with people. There is a lot going on, and if you don’t leave when they say to, you’re putting extra pressure on them.
There’s also the issue of road blocks. If you decide to leave when the fire trucks are rolling in, you may find that you can’t actually get out. So, when you hear “evacuate now,” follow the instructions