How to Prepare for a Forest Fire | Disasters

If you see a forest fire starting, attempt to put it out if it's small and safe to do so. Immediately call the fire department.

Open your driveway gate for emergency vehicles. If fire hasn't reached your home, sprinkle water around the house and on wooden objects. Close outdoor gas cylinders. Do not evacuate unless instructed by authorities. If the fire is close, stay inside, turn off gas, close shutters, doors, and windows to block drafts. Seal air inlets with wet cloth and sprinkle inside doors and windows with water to improve resistance to flames. Never leave your house during a fire.

To get instructions from local authorities or the fire department, listen to the radio or watch television.

Ensure all family members know evacuation routes and shelters. Prepare firefighting equipment, including water sources, a long hose, and a fire extinguisher. Remove deadwood from your garden. Store flammable materials like wood, fuel, or butane away from the house.

When in a forest, do not light fires, throw away cigarette ends, or barbecue.