During the fire
Staying indoors during a forest fire
Counter-intuitive but true: if no evacuation order has been given, a solidly built house with cleared undergrowth around it is the best shelter there is. The fire front passes within a few minutes; smoke and panic on the roads claim far more lives. Here is a step-by-step guide to taking shelter.
Key points
- You should stay indoors if an evacuation has not been ordered and the fire is close by — trying to get out at the last minute is the worst option.
- Close everything : shutters, windows, hatches, chimney ; switch off the mechanical ventilation and air conditioning ; seal any gaps with damp cloths.
- Turn off the gas. Move the gas cylinders to a safe distance if you have time; otherwise, alert the emergency services to their presence.
- Wear loose-fitting cotton clothing, keep a supply of water, a torch and a radio to hand; stay away from windows.
- It takes a few minutes for the fire front to pass: we only go out once the fire has passed, to put out any remaining hotspots.
Why lockdown helps protect us
The tragedies caused by major fires — both in France and abroad — follow a similar pattern: people caught in the flames or smoke on the roads or by fleeing on foot at the last moment. Conversely, experience shows that a solid building, with the shutters closed, and the surrounding area cleared of undergrowth, protects its occupants whilst the front passes through — which usually lasts only a few minutes in a specific location. The house can then be protected against residual sources of fire (embers in the gutters, smouldering hedges), which are the real cause of most damage.
Lockdown: a step-by-step guide
Gather and alert
Everyone inside, including pets. Alert the neighbours by shouting or phoning — remember to vulnerable people. If the fire has not yet been reported: 112.
Sealing the building envelope
Shutters and windows closed (solid shutters protect the windows from direct sunlight), chimney flue closed, mechanical ventilation and air conditioning arrested — they would draw in the fumes. Seal the air inlets and the bottoms of the doors with damp cloths.
Turn off the gas
Turn off the gas supply (cylinders and tanks). If you have time and can do so without putting yourself at risk, move the cylinders away from the building facades; otherwise, leave them where they are and tell the emergency services where they are when they arrive. Leave the electricity on as long as it is working (for lighting and information).
Prepare the water
Fill the bath, sinks and buckets: keep these ready to put out any remaining fires and dampen cloths in case the mains water supply fails. Unroll the garden hose and connect it, keeping it under cover if possible.
Getting kitted out
Loose-fitting clothing made of cotton or wool (never synthetic: it melts on the skin), closed shoes, and a damp scarf to hand. Torch, emergency kit and a nearby radio — the battery-powered receiver comes in handy if the power goes out.
Choosing the right place to settle
In a room opposite the fire front, if possible, away from the floor-to-ceiling windows. If smoke gets in, breathe close to the floor. Keep your mobile with you, but use the network only for essentials — information is shared via FR-Alert and the radio.
After the front had passed
Wait until the situation has clearly calmed down (the heat has subsided, the flames have died down). Go outside carefully, fully equipped, and check the following: guttering, corners of the roof, hedges, woodpiles, the shed — extinguish any remaining hotspots. This routine, repeated over several hours, saved most of the houses. Then it was time for the First steps to take after a fire.
Mistakes that cost a lot
- Setting off at the last minute “ because it’s getting closer ”: that’s the scenario in road accidents. If the traffic lights are there, you stay put.
- View from the terrace or the roof : The radiation burns from a distance, and a sudden gust of wind can catch you off guard in a matter of seconds.
- Douse yourself and go out to face the flames : one only ‘defends’ one’s home after the front has passed, against the embers — never against the front itself.
- Taking refuge in the swimming pool : The superheated air and the fumes just above the water’s surface make this refuge far more dangerous than it appears (see our common misconceptions).
- Getting back in the car to ‘ get the family to safety ’ when the axes are obscured: see by car.
The risk changes every day. So do your reflexes.
Check the fire alert status for your department, monitor current fires and report a fire outbreak via the Feux de Forêt mobile app.