Since the year 2000, an average of 71,300 wildfires occur, burning 6.9 million acres every year.
More wildfires occur in the East and Central states, but the wildfires in the West are larger and burn more acreage.
Only a small fraction of these become deadly, raging, destructive fires.
The problem is, predicting which fires will blow up.
Recently, the Cold Springs fire erupted near Omak, Washington.
The fire spread due to strong winds and low humidity.
In this rural part of Washington, Jake H., his wife Jaime, and their 1-year son were visiting their property.
The property was in a remote part of Okanogan County.
There is no cell service, electricity, or running water.
And the closest town is a 45-minute drive.
During their visit, the family’s truck became stuck in a ravine about a mile from their property.
Family members found the burned truck after the wildfire, but there was no sign of the family.
That’s because when their truck hit some rocks, they fled in the darkness, carrying their son and a jug of water.
The family of three made their way to the Columbia River where rescuers found them.
Jake and Jaime survived the wildfire and were hospitalized in critical condition.
Tragically, their one-year-old son did not survive.
A relative told local media, “It’s a miracle with a sad ending,” he said. “They survived, but lost a child.”
But the Cold Springs Fire is just one of the many destructive blazes in the Pacific Northwest and California.
Officials said the death toll is expected to rise in California, Oregon, and Washington…
Thousands of residents have already faced evacuation orders.
But the reality is that wildfires can occur all over the country.
More than 46 million homes and more than 70,000 communities are at risk of wildfires in the United States.
And stocking up on your emergency supplies and bug out gear is a key to survival.
So, here are a few items you may want to think about adding to your gear…
They could save your life – even if you’re not in a “wildfire-prone” area.
Anchor Industries Fire Shelter: This fire shelter is similar to those carried by wildland firefighters.
It is manufactured to meet U.S. Forest Service Specifications and standards.
This is the fire shelter to rely on when the flames get close.
It’s a last ditch resort when you cannot escape.
These shelters won’t guarantee you’ll survive, but they give you the best chance when there are no other options.
This shelter is made with woven silica, laminated to an aluminum foil outer shell, and fiberglass laminated to an aluminum inner layer.
It comes in different sizes so make sure you pick the right one for each family member.
These aren’t cheap but are well worth the cost since it can save your life.
You can buy them online for about $450.
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter: This environmental tool monitors weather conditions.
The device measures wind speed, temperature, wind chill, and relative humidity.
It also measures the heat stress index, and dew point temperature.
Both which are critical to know when outside conditions are unhealthy or dangerous.
And the pocket weather meter isn’t only for warm weather or wildfires.
The waterproof casing means it can work in water and snow.
The weather meter can help you decide when conditions get bad enough that you need to bug out.
The Kestrel 3000 sells for $150 on Amazon and comes with a 5-year warranty.
J.R. Chingadera Tool: This is a hand tool with a large head, three sharpened sides, universal necks, and interchangeable heads.
You see, the goal of wildland firefighting crews is to create a two to five feet barrier to stop the fire from spreading.
And the chingadera is one of the most efficient tools to do this.
It has a 9 ¼” wide cupped head and is 8.5’’ tall, with 7” of digging depth. The tool meets Forest Service and Cal-Fire specifications.
The J.R. Tool Chingadera sells for about $100 online.
Bottom line: give yourself the best chance of protecting your home and surviving a wildfire by considering adding these tools to your gear list.
