Camping Savvy: How To Survive A Forest Fire
Dec/090
All too often these days, Mother Nature reminds us that she is still the boss. Almost every summer, for instance, in two of the world’s forest fire hotspots — the west-coast states of USA, and the southeastern regions of Australia — thousands of hectares of forest are lost, homes burned to the ground, and most tragic of all, lives are lost.
Indeed, back in January 2005, my wife and I had centre-stage involvement in one of nature’s more violent demonstrations as we found ourselves caught up in the wildfires that ripped through the Eyre Peninsula region of South Australia.
If nothing else, the unbelievable power and savagery of a full-on bushfire leaves you with an indelible respect for its wholesale destructiveness — along with permanent paranoia regarding campfire safety. Because every summer those searing images come back on the boil.
So how would you cope if your peaceful forest campsite was threatened by wildfire? That ominous pall of smoke and ash rising above the treetops could reach your tents and your family within the hour. What can you do?
Well, first up, it should go without saying that you must instil in every member of your group the on-going necessity for strict control over campfires and cooking appliances. And on days declared a “total fire ban”, fires and LPG/propane cookers must not be lit.
Keep in mind also that, even in lightly forested areas, wildfire moves at an incredible pace — particularly uphill. During those critical summer months it pays, therefore, to stay constantly informed about any fire threat within, say, 100 kilometres of your camp. Radio news reports, passing travellers, or personal observation from nearby vantage points should all be utilised.
In fact whenever you camp in “high fuel” environments — such as forests, areas of long, lush grasses, or thick layers of dry leaf litter — remain alert for critical fire danger signs: high temperatures, low humidity, and strong wind. The onset of a thunderstorm, possibly many kilometres away, may well provide that feared spark of ignition.
Back at the campsite, your first awareness may simply be a vague smell of smoke, or fine pieces of ash settling on vehicles, tents and awnings. This might soon be followed by a light smoke-haze enveloping the camp and surrounding bush. Once that smoke and falling ash thicken, visible flames, moving closer among the trees, may not be far off.
At those very first indications of a possible bushfire you should commence positive defensive action. If the fire is within, say, 50 kilometres, cutting short your holiday is definitely the wisest course, but even if still further off, get your group together to revisit your plans and basic emergency procedures.
For example, prepare now to fight possible ash-initiated spot fires by filling containers with water, and keeping axes, shovels, and wet sacks (or branches) close at hand. Non-essential gear — including combustible awnings or shelters — should be packed and loaded, and vehicles parked in open areas for ease of departure (without blocking access for others) with keys in the ignition. Place a blanket and water bottle on board for each member of your group.
Ensure, too, that everybody is suitably dressed, with clothing covering as much skin as possible. Cotton or woollen garments are preferable to synthetics, along with broad brimmed hats and leather boots. Be aware, too, all that smoke might trigger an asthma attack in a susceptible member of your group.
As early as possible, undertake a recce around the campsite to determine if any areas nearby might provide some degree of refuge — like open fields, large carparks, wide creeks, pools or ditches (but not overhead tanks). Also, stress on everybody that, if caught in the open with fire bearing down, lying flat or below ground level, covered by blankets, dirt or sand, and using a wet towel to breathe through, will protect them from the two most critical dangers: radiated heat and thick smoke. Above all, they must not panic or try to outrun a vigorous fire front. Thankfully, the worst of a forest fire usually passes in three to four minutes.
In fact, if suddenly surrounded by blazing forest, the safest place may be in the car (parked in any available open space) with all windows, doors and vents closed. If everyone gets down low on the floor, covers up with blankets, and resists the urge to run as the fire passes through, danger is reduced significantly. Despite popular belief, the chances of the fuel tank rupturing are extremely low.
Then again, if an opportunity presents itself to drive out through smoke, turn the headlights on and leave windows fully closed with the air conditioner off. Stay alert for burning trees or branches that have — or might — come crashing down.
On the other hand, if your only alternative is to evacuate on foot, take your blanket, wet towel, and water bottle, and crouching low, try to move downhill or toward already burnt ground. But never give in to the temptation to sprint through a wall of flame that is higher or deeper than a couple of metres.
Yes, it is pretty scary stuff. But despite their awesome fury, and their terrible toll over the years, with knowledge, clear thinking and decisive action, you can survive a major fire.
Even so, the experience has changed forever the way I look at our magnificent Australian bush.
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Camping Savvy: 7 Common Mistakes New Campers Make
Dec/090
Any camper who claims never to make a mistake in the bush is either handling the truth carelessly or doesn’t get out there too often. No matter how many years we’ve been at it, all of us are guilty of an occasional “error of judgement”.
But is that such a problem? Certainly not. If we admit to the blunder, carefully think through it, and try to salvage a lesson from it, each mistake becomes a more effective learning experience than any number of trouble-free camping trips.
It seems to me, though, a few campground blunders crop up more frequently than others, particularly among newbies of the outdoor scene. Here are seven bloopers you should watch out for:Mistake #1: Poor choice of equipment
No doubt the earliest trap of all for enthusiastic but inexperienced campers lurks among that vast array of equipment and hardware that confronts them in a well-stocked outdoor supplier’s store. It’s right here where they are most vulnerable to the well-meaning but poorly informed — and usually equally inexperienced — sales assistant. Possible results are inappropriate, insufficient and unnecessary camping gear. Solution: Hasten slowly. Hold off buying too much stuff until you get a feel for the outdoor lifestyle and activities that most appeal to you and your family. Read, ask, look around; maybe hire some gear to see if it suits. After each trip, review your equipment options, then add (or discard) according to your needs, wants and outdoor aspirations. Mistake #2: A tough first trip
By leaping straight into the deep end — perhaps a week-long trip through remote and uninhabited desert country — it is possible that you or your family may never want to go camping again. Unfamiliar equipment, seemingly hostile terrain, lack of established routines and very little skill add up to a trip you all, quite probably, would prefer to forget. Solution: Take your camping one step at a time, progressively developing each trip from the one before. For example, try a shake-down trip, first up, to a not-too-distant country town where there’s a commercial campground or RV park. Next, visit national parks that offer basic facilities and amenities. Finally, venture into the “real bush” or further into the backblocks where higher levels of self-sufficiency are necessary. Mistake #3: Traveling too far or too fast
Many outdoor people fail to distinguish between camping and touring. They spend maybe a week of their two-week camping vacation just getting to and coming from. Or they travel on such a tight driving schedule that the whole trip becomes one frantic dash from campsite to campsite. Isn’t this meant to be a holiday?Solution: When touring, take time to see and experience the country. A good daily maximum is 300-400 km. On the other hand, when off on a camping trip, try to spend no more than 25 percent of total holiday time travelling. Plan your route or your destination accordingly. Mistake #4: No stand-up-height shelter
With the increased popularity of small, low-profile tents, more and more campers get caught with no other form of shelter. A two or three person hike tent is fine for sleeping, but that’s all they’re good for. Who wants to spend a day of foul weather hunched and huddled in a space the size of a dog box. After all, no matter where you go, one day it’s going to rain. Every so often, it will bucket down. Solution: As well as your sleeping accommodation, take along a large tarp or awning to string up, at head height, between trees, vehicles, poles or whatever to provide day to day living space during pouring rain or blazing sun. Go for quality and sturdy construction, with sufficient room for all in your group, plus a bit of camp furniture. Mistake #5: Unsuitable toilet arrangements
If there’s one thing that’s inevitable in the city or the bush, it’s the need for a toilet. On unimproved campsites for a night or two, the camp shovel and a long walk is often adequate. But always use the shovel. There’s not much worse than finding toilet waste around the perimeter of a campsite — the hygiene implications don’t bear thinking about! Unfortunately, this is so common I can only conclude that few campers give toilet arrangements any forethought at all. Solution: Add a small shovel to your camping gear and take it along on every trip. For camps of four days or more, a bucket-style chemical toilet will be more convenient, but you still, eventually, need to bury it. Indeed, in some areas, taking all forms of waste back out with you is now the only legal option, so prepare accordingly. Mistake #6: No campfire preparations
A cosy campfire — where they’re allowed — is an integral part of camping’s attraction, so it’s always a surprise to witness the blundering, half-hearted attempts of many new campers. Scrounging for damp wood, huffing and puffing (even dousing their meagre efforts with petrol!) they usually finish up with more smoke and frayed tempers than flames and comfort. Believe it or not, most campsites — particularly the popular areas — rarely provide sufficient kindling let alone dry firewood. Solution: Plan ahead. Collect enough dry firewood and kindling for your first campfire, either before you leave home or along the way. A bow saw and an empty carton is all you need. Also, a supply of waterproof matches, newspaper, and firelighters should be packed on board where you can get to them soon after arrival. Mistake #7: Inadequate refrigeration
It seems to me, whoever came up with the idea to carry an icebox on roof racks or in an open trailer is a couple of cans short of a six-pack. He’s probably the same guy who buys a bag of party ice for a long-weekend camping trip and wonders why the steaks are sloshing about in a cooler of bloodied water by Saturday night. Getting the most out of an icebox requires a bit of thought and careful nurturing. Solution: If possible, use block ice. (Make your own in the freezer at home. ) If party ice is your only option, choose bags that are frozen solid and leave them unbroken. Carry more ice than you think you need. Better still, find a supplier of dry ice. Always carry and store the icebox in a shaded spot, or cover it with a heat-reflective tarp. Keep a layer of cans or watertight containers across the bottom to keep food (in containers!) out of the water.
Don’t be too surprised if, in your early camping days, you bump up against a lot more mistakes than these. But take heart: Each error you make eventually adds to your outdoor savvy. And although there will always be campers with more experience than you, there are even more with considerably less. Watch and learn from their mistakes.
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