Recent years have seen a marked increase in the frequency and severity of wildfires in many states. Historically, most wildfires were caused by lightning and many still are, but most these days are caused by human beings. Many are due to carelessness or conscious disregard for fire regulations and restrictions. A few are the result of arson.
Wildfires affect campers and careless campers can affect wildfires. If you are camping in the forest you may face a wildfire at some time. Whether the fire was from a lightning strike or human error doesn't make a bit of difference. You may need to evacuate on very short notice. Campers must do their part to prevent wildfires. ALWAYS know and follow fire regulations and exercise proper campfire safety procedures.
Having become a volunteer firefighter during my "retirement" years, I have become especially aware of and concerned about wildfires. In 2020 we experienced the Holiday Farm Fire along the McKenzie River. The fire started just 3 miles from our home. Fortunately for us, it was down river and down wind from us. The somewhat unusual East Winds (with gusts up to 85 mph) blew the fire down the valley like a blow torch, eventually scorching more than 173,000 acres and destroying nearly 800 structures before being brought under control. Fortunately, there was only a single fatality, an older gentleman who initially refused to evacuate his mobile home when advised to do so. Later, when it became apparent the fire was about to overtake him, he called for help but it was too late. Rescuers were unable to get through the raging fire to reach him, despite a valiant effort. If you are told to evacuate, don't wait!
Not long ago I responded to a brush fire at a commercial campground in our district. Luckily the responding fire agencies (including state and US Forest service crews as well as our own rural fire department) were able to limit the damage to about 4 acres. But the fire should never have gotten started in the first place. In this case, it was due to willful, deliberate, and repeated violation of fire restrictions by campers in one of the camp sites. The entire area was under EXTREME fire danger, as posted along the highway and upon entering the campground. The subjects had been given written copies of the fire restrictions and verbally told NO CAMPFIRES. In spite of all that, they still lit a campfire. One of the campground staff discovered the fire, reminded them of the EXTREME fire danger and posted restrictions, and put the fire out. Soon after he left their campsite, they re-lit their fire and it got out of control. Just how dumb can you get? Seems to me they could (and should) be sued for all the costs of fighting the fire and should also be subject to criminal charges for deliberately and repeatedly violating posted fire restrictions. While ignorance is never a legitimate excuse, these folks were well aware of the fire restrictions and openly chose to violate them -- more than once!
We had another brush fire right across the street from the local USFS Ranger Station that was started by a camper ignoring posted fire restrictions during EXTREME fire danger. How dense do you have to be to ignore fire restrictions within sight of a ranger station?
I can't even count the number of illegal campfires we have investigated and/or extinguished. Why people do that is beyond comprehension. As Forrest Gump wisely said: "You can't fix stupid!"
So, what does all this have to do with RVing, OHVing, and camping? Well, first, as responsible outdoor recreationalists we must ALWAYS know and obey fire regulation. We must also exercise proper campfire safety at all times. Secondly, we must be aware that we could find ourselves in the path of a wildfire just about anytime we are out in the forest. Wildfires are usually not seen in the desert area often used by OHV enthusiasts, but they can still happen there. What should we do about it?
First of all, maintain situational awareness -- look for signs of an approaching fire and have a plan for evacuation. Next, if you are contacted by law enforcement or fire service personnel and told to evacuate, to so immediately. There are usually three levels of evacuations, numbered 1 through 3. #1 means "GET READY". In camp, start packing up and organizing your equipment and belongings to you are ready to go when the time comes. #2 is "GET SET". That means packing up, planning your escape route, and being ready to leave when told to do so. #3 is "GO". When you reach a Level 3 Evacuation, it is time to hit the road. Don't even take time to change your shoes. Get going NOW! It is always a good idea to park so you can make a quick exit during an emergency and especially important during fire season. Plan alternate routes ahead of time as many roads can be quickly closed during wildfires. Wildfire can move amazingly fast and, if you need to evacuate, you don't want to waste time disconnecting packing up, and turning around or figuring out where you are going.
As outdoor recreationalists you may be caught in a wildfire situation. In the old days, in some cases you might be recruited to help fight the fire. Note that safely fighting a wildfire requires a significant amount of special training that you probably don't have. I have heard of citizens near a wildfire in the old days being ''invited'' to help in the past, but because of liability issues these days that probably won't happen now. Fighting wildfires requires a lot of very specific training. If you do happen to be recruited or constricted to help fight a wildfire, pay close attention to the instructions you are given and adhere strictly to the assignment you are given. The wildlands firefighters who will be directing you will be doing their best to keep you safe and for both your safety and theirs you must follow their directions. Wildland firefighters wear fire-resistant clothing. Since their Nomex clothing is very expensive you probably won't want to fork out the cash on the off chance you might get tagged to help. If you do get asked to help, plan to wear at least a long-sleeved shirt and long pants. Denim will give you more protection than light weight slacks. You will also need sturdy boots. Avoid steel toes as the steel can heat up if you are walking on hot ground. Good leather gloves will also be essential. You will probably be issued a hard hat but having one of your own might be a good idea. Most likely you will be asked to assist in clearing fire lines. These are lines 3' or more wide dug down to bare earth around ground fires to prevent or at least resist spreading. Ground fire lines don't do anything for a crown fire -- a fire that is racing through the tops of the trees in the forest. You might also be asked to remove "ladder fuels", which is brush and low hanging limbs fire can use to climb into the canopy.
Check the weather before you start out. The NOAA weather forecasts will include predicted temperature, relative humidity predictions, wind predictions. High temperatures, low humidity, and high winds all contribute to high fire danger. Pay special attention to Red Flag Warnings. Red Flag Warnings means the conditions for the rapid spread of wildfires are high. Best to stay home or find other venues during a Red Flag situation, but, if you must go out during one be extra careful and pay extra attention to weather and strictly obey all fire restrictions. Always plan an escape route in advance. If you spot smoke near your location, you may want to leave before the fire gets too close.
If you see a fire (or even unexplained smoke), call it in immediately. Even in areas of sketchy cell phone coverage you can sometime make 911 calls. Provide as much information as you can, including the location, type of fuel (trees, grass, brush, structures, etc), height of the flames, and approximate size of the area involved. If it is a small fire, such as a campfire that has just started to spread to surrounding vegetation, you might attempt to extinguish it, but only if you can do so safely. Water or an ABC fire extinguisher or putting dirt on the fire are good ways to put it out. For larger fires, your best action is to get out!
If you happen to live in an area that may experience wildfires or spend time camping in such places, there are at least two things you do. First, be aware of evacuation levels and procedures for your area. Level 1 is "Get Ready". Level 2 is "Get Set". Level 3 is "Go Now!". If you are in an area that could experience wildfires, don't wait to be told you are at Level 1; always consider yourself at Level 1 and be ready to evacuate. That means having your important papers, critical resources, and valuables identified and organized so you can quickly gather them up, put them in your car (or other vehicle) and be ready to leave. Level 2, "Get Set", means actually gathering things up and putting them in your vehicle so that when you reach Level 3 "Go Now!" you just need to load your family and yourself into your vehicle and hit the road. We have experienced Level 3 Evacuations twice in the last 3-4 years living in the Willamette National Forest in Oregon. The first was for the Holiday Farm Fire in 2020, which started just 3 miles down river (and down wind fortunately!) from our house. The second was in 2023 for the Lookout Fire that threatened our little town of McKenzie Bridge, which had, luckily, been spared during the Holiday Farm Fire in 2020. Believe me, the last thing you want to be doing at nearly midnight when the power goes out and wildfire danger is imminent is trying to get things ready to go! All you want to do is get in the car and get out of there!!! I have seen Level 3 Evacuations where the flames were already close enough for the radiant heat to be almost unbearable for people evacuating.
Good old Smokey Bear reminds us that only we can prevent forest fires. Some wildfires are started by lightning, but in recent years more are caused by humans. Using good judgement, like maintaining proper campfire safety, obeying fire restrictions, and avoiding driving over dry grass, can prevent unnecessary wildfires. Knowing what to do if/when you are near a wildfire could save your life and the lives of your loved ones.
Be fire safe!
