Forest fire

Keep emergency contact numbers of the district fire service department (101) and local forest authorities handy.
Immediately inform the fire service department and local forest authorities in case of an unattended or
out-of-control fire.
Never leave a fire unattended in the vicinity of forested areas. Completely extinguish the fire by dousing it
with water and stirring the ashes until it is cold.
Be careful when using and fueling lanterns, stoves, and heaters while camping. Make sure lighting and heating
devices are cooled before refuelling. Avoid spilling flammable liquids, and store fuel away from appliances.
Do not discard cigarettes, matches and smoking materials while passing through forested areas.
Do not burn stubble, municipal waste, etc., next to a forest area.
Do not burn dry waste in farms close to forest areas.
People living in remote and forest fire-prone areas should know their evacuation route(s) and keep emergency
supplies ready.
People living in remote and forest fire-prone areas should practice evacuation drills regularly in collaboration
with local forest authorities.
People living in remote and forest fire-prone areas should determine safe meeting locations in advance and make
family members aware of such safe locations.

Evacuate immediately to the safer places on instructions from local authorities.
Take precautions for protection from flying sparks and ashes.
Untie cattle to ensure their safety.

Remove all combustibles that may catch forest fire, including firewood, yard waste, cooking gas cylinders,
fuel cans, etc., from your yard and relocate them to safer places.
Close all windows, vents, and doors to prevent draft.
Fill large vessels with water to limit the spreading of fire. It can also be used for emergency dousing.
Cut down bushes and hedges close to the house to isolate the house from fire.
Clear all gully and roof spaces of leaves. Spray water to dampen the house roof, walls and any trees and
foliage adjacent to the house.
Close shutters, blinds or any non-combustible window coverings to reduce radiant heat.
Contact local forest authorities to know about forest fire incidents in your area. Pay attention to warnings
and alerts issued by local officials about forest fires.

Don’t try to outrun the blaze. Instead, look for a static water body such as a pond or river to take refuge
until the fire passes. Do not take refuge in a fast river or stream.
If there is no water nearby, find a depressed, clear area with little vegetation, lie low to the ground and cover your body with wet clothes, a blanket, or soil until the fire passes.
Breathe through a moist cloth, if possible, to avoid inhaling smoke.
Take shelter in an area with little or no fuel to feed the fire.

Stay calm. As the fire front approaches, retreat inside the house. It is probable that the fire will pass
before the house burns down.
If a closed door is hot to touch, do not open it, as there may be fire on the other side.

Stay in your vehicle. It is less dangerous than trying to outrun a forest fire on foot..
Close windows and air vents.
Drive slowly with headlights full on.
Watch carefully for other vehicles and people on foot.
Do not drive through heavy smoke. If you can’t see what’s ahead, don’t risk danger.

Park as far as possible from trees and thickets.
Keep lights on and the engine off.
Stay on the floor of your vehicle.
Cover your body with anything nonflammable.
Do not panic if smoke and sparks enter the vehicle as fuel tanks rarely explode.

Do not smoke near thick vegetation; do not leave a lighted cigarette/ bidi in dry vegetation areas.
Do not leave any open fire in the forest area after use.
Lightning in places of dry vegetation causes fires, create a buffer zone to manage such fires, if possible, else alert forest officials and seek help.
Try to put the fire out by digging or circling around it with water; if that is not possible, call the Fire brigade.
Move farm animals & movable goods to safer places.
During fire, listen regularly to news for advance information & obey the instructions cum advice given by local authorities regarding moving to safe locations.
Teach your family, friends, and others about the causes and harm of fire. Make people aware of forest fire safety.
Do not be scared when a sudden fire occurs in the forest. Be calm and encourage others and the community to deal with it patiently.
After adventure activities, ensure no light bonfire is left.
One should not leave the burning wood sticks in or near the forest vegetation.
Don’t enter the forest during the fire.
Discourage the Community from using the slash &burn method for cultivation. This also has severe health impacts as Co2 levels rise