Extensive studies and research have proven that wildfires are occurring five times more often in the recent decades; such forest fires also burn six times the land area when compared to past occurrences and also tend to last much longer. According to scientific researches, climate change and global warming are the two main culprits to be blamed for the sudden increase in frequency and intensity of wildfires. Any responsible hiker must prioritize fire safety during hiking, no matter the season.
What Causes a Forest Wildfire?
Forest fires can erupt due to natural causes like friction due to the rubbing of trees or lightning that further causes combustion of debris. It can also happen due to human actions like smoking and cooking the forest. A larger percentage of forest fires happen due to human neglect
Forest fires are based upon something known as the fire triangle. A forest fire needs heat, oxygen, and fuel to spread. Destroying the supply of any one of these elements will help extinguish the forest fire.
Forest fires can be classified into three main categories based the part of the forest in which they occur.
Controlling the Wildfire
For convenience, fire safety while hiking can be divided into four main phases.
1. Before You Hit the Trail
2. There’s a Wildfire, What Now?
Despite all precautions, you find yourself in the midst of a slowly yet surely growing wildfire. Here is a list of things you can do to save yourself, should something like this happen.
3. Worst Case Scenario: What if get caught in a wildfire?
Should all the stars be aligned against you on that fateful day, you watch your nightmares turn real and find yourself surrounded by a wildfire; here are a few things that might save your life.
4. After you survive the Wildfire
Let’s say you have done the impossible and survived the wildfire, now what?
Being a Responsible Hiker
If you are an ardent backpacker or hiker, you might be a seeker of adventure. Hiking is a sure shot way to better your health. But we must always keep in mind that it is also important to be responsible and restraint from acts that might put your life and others at risk.
A large percent of wildfires erupt entirely due to human neglect. Actions, like cooking carelessly or smoking at campsites, have all been identified as causes of wildfires in the past. All it takes is a spark to build a wildfire. We must also keep in mind the great losses of wildlife and vegetation we endure as a result of forest fires.
Credit: Riderstrail