How to Prevent Wildfires
In partnership with: Tennessee Department of Agriculture
As Smokey Bear says, “Only you can prevent wildfires.” But you may be surprised at some of the seemingly innocuous activities that can lead to a blaze.
Brook Smith, an Area Forester with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry (TDF), recounts one recurring situation in Sevier County that starts in fireplaces.
“We had a big problem with fires starting from ashes being removed from rental cabins,” Smith says, explaining that guests and cleaning staff sometimes dumped the ashes outside where they would ignite vegetation like dry leaves.
See more: How Prescribed Fires Help Manage Land
His team helped solve this problem by educating the community and helping to develop prevention programming. For instance, they supplied property owners with metal ash buckets to dispose of hot ashes. This education campaign was proof that knowledge is power when it comes to reducing fire risk.
“Awareness of the ways wildfires start is a very important factor in minimizing risk from wildfires in your community,” Smith says.
Surprise Sparks
He adds that there are several other unexpected ways to start fires. While it’s not hard to imagine how a discarded cigarette or fireworks can catch a landscape on fire, it may not be common knowledge that chains dragging between a vehicle and a towed trailer can ignite sparks that can lead to a bigger blaze. Likewise, parking a recently driven vehicle in tall, dry grass can lead to the same outcome.
Surprisingly, mulch piles can spontaneously combust. Add snow – a powerful insulator – to the mix, and it can make things worse. Best practices when managing a mulch pile include spreading the material out over a larger area instead of piling it high, and keeping it turned with equipment or hand tools. Following these rules helps mitigate anaerobic activity, which generates heat.
Smith has also seen unintended blazes start when homeowners tried to burn out a hornet nest and when a fire set by hunters to smoke out game spiraled out of control.
For hunters and campers who light campfires, he recommends building the fire in a fire circle or ring using noncombustible materials like rocks, and keeping water on hand to extinguish the flames. Never leave the fire unattended, and always make sure it’s cool before you go.
If you do accidentally set a fire or witness one, immediate reporting is crucial, Smith says.
“Call 911 right away. Never try to fight the fire by yourself.”
See more: How Can Homeowners Protect Themselves and Their Homes From Wildfires?
Happy Birthday, Smokey Bear!
Did you know Smokey Bear celebrated his 80th birthday in 2024? The character was originally created by the United States Forest Service in 1944 as the symbol of its Wildfire Prevention Campaign. However, there was also a real Smokey Bear born in 1950 in Lincoln National Forest, where he fell victim to a forest fire himself as a cub. Smokey was found badly burned and clinging to a tree, but veterinarians in New Mexico were able to nurse him back to health.
The Forest Service then transferred him to the Smithsonian to live a life dedicated to forest fire prevention and wildlife protection at the National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute in Washington, D.C. While the real Smokey died of old age in 1976, he lives on as the beloved Smokey Bear character spreading fire safety and wildfire prevention tips. His iconic message, “Only you can prevent wildfires,” is as relevant today as ever. Learn more at smokeybear.com.