Wildfire nearby: leave early, avoid smoke

A wildfire is driven by three things: dryness, wind and terrain. Dry grass, leaves, needles and dead wood catch fire easily and burn quickly. Wind supplies the fire with oxygen and pushes the flames forward onto new fuel. On a slope, a fire usually runs uphill faster, because the flames reach closer to the material above and preheat it.

Flying embers are particularly treacherous. Glowing pieces of bark and embers are carried far ahead by the wind and can start fires long before the fire front arrives – in gardens, on roofs, in woodpiles. That is why a situation that seemed far away a moment ago can change very quickly.

Smoke is a separate danger. It contains fine particles that penetrate deep into the lungs, and gases such as carbon monoxide. Smoke can spread over long distances and harm health even where nothing of the fire itself can be seen. Children, older people, pregnant women and people with heart or lung disease are especially sensitive.

The decisive factor is time. Leaving early means clear roads, good visibility and room for decisions. Leaving too late means smoke, traffic jams and rush, and roads can be blocked by emergency vehicles or by the fire itself. So: when an evacuation is ordered, leave at once – and if you feel threatened, leave even without an order.

Preparation makes a quick departure possible. Know two ways out of your residential area, in case one is closed. Keep your go bag packed, your documents ready and plan for your pets. Do not store flammable things such as woodpiles, dry leaves and gas cylinders right next to the house. In times of high wildfire danger, it helps to have the car fuelled and parked facing the direction of departure.

If there is still time, close windows and doors – but do not lock them if the authorities recommend this, so that firefighters can get in. Turn off the gas if it is safe to do so. Do not lose time trying to put out the fire: a wildfire cannot be stopped with a garden hose.

Never drive towards smoke or fire, and use the designated evacuation routes. Smoke takes away visibility, and you do not know what lies behind it. If you notice smoke while hiking, leave the area across the wind or against it, on paths if possible and away from the slope above the fire, and make an emergency call (112 in the EU).

If no evacuation is needed but there is smoke in the air, stay indoors. Keep windows and doors closed, set the ventilation to recirculation or off and avoid extra smoke sources such as candles or a grill. Avoid exertion outdoors. If you have to go out, a well-fitting FFP2 or N95 mask helps against particles – but it does not filter gases such as carbon monoxide and does not replace leaving a smoke-filled area.

If you are short of breath, get medical help. After the fire, return only when the area has been cleared: hot spots can smoulder under the ash for a long time, trees can fall and lines can be damaged. Wear sturdy shoes and gloves and do not stir up ash unnecessarily.

Most wildfires in central Europe are caused by people – through carelessness such as discarded cigarettes, barbecue fires or hot vehicle parts on dry grass. That is why fire and barbecue bans in dry periods are so important. The rules differ by region; check with the local authorities before making any fire outdoors.

In Germany the German Weather Service publishes a wildfire danger index showing how high the danger currently is. Many other countries have similar services. It is worth checking before hikes and camping trips in dry periods.

A false alarm is no reason to stay next time. No one can say for certain in advance where a fire will move. If you leave and are then allowed to return safely, you did everything right – and you helped responders to concentrate on the fire instead of on rescues.