This document provides information on preparing for wildfires. It discusses why preparation is important, how to get information on ongoing wildfires from websites like meteoalarm.eu and national meteorological services, and steps to take to prepare like making an emergency plan and pack. The emergency plan should include who to contact, how to turn off utilities, practicing escape routes from home, and checking insurance. Being prepared is key to staying safe during a wildfire.

1. WILDFIRES
PREPAREDNESS
SECONDARY LEVEL
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters

2. IN THIS LESSON YOU WILL LEARN
● Why is it important to be prepared?
● How to get information about on-going wildfires
● What can you do to be prepared for a wildfire?
● The importance of following the advice of adults and
professionals
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters

3. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO BE PREPARED FOR
WILDFIRES?
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters

4. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO BE PREPARED FOR
WILDFIRES?
o During wildfires, large areas may be
covered with smoke making it
difficult to see what is happening
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters

5. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO BE PREPARED FOR
WILDFIRES?
o During wildfires, large areas may be
covered with smoke making it
difficult to see what is happening
o It may be dangerous to stay in
particular areas
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters

6. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO BE PREPARED FOR
WILDFIRES?
o During wildfires, large areas may be
covered with smoke making it
difficult to see what is happening
o It may be dangerous to stay in
particular areas
o You may have to leave your home
quickly
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters

7. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO BE PREPARED FOR
WILDFIRES?
o During wildfires, large areas may be
covered with smoke making it
difficult to see what is happening
o It may be dangerous to stay in
particular areas
o You may have to leave your home
quickly
o It is safer and easier to act if you
know what you have to do
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters

8. How to get information about on-
going wildfires
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters

9. How to get information about on-going wildfires
● From www.meteoalarm.eu
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
www.meteoalarm.eu will provide the
most relevant information needed to
prepare for extreme weather that is
expected anywhere in Europe, including
the UK.
The website will alert you to the possible
occurrence of heavy rain with risk of
flooding, severe thunderstorms, gale-
force winds, heat waves, forest
fires/wildfires, fog, snow or extreme cold
with blizzards, avalanches or severe
coastal tides.
You will be able to see where in Europe
the weather might become dangerous.
www.meteoalarm.eu integrates all
important severe weather information
originating from the official National
Public Weather Services across a large
number of European countries. This
information is presented in one place to
make it easier to compare what is
happening throughout Europe and
identify countries and regions at risk of
severe weather.

10. ● From www.meteoalarm.eu
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
To find information specific to wildfires: select
“forestfires” in the list of awareness types or
look for the wildfire symbol next to your country
How to get information about on-going wildfires

11. ● From www.meteoalarm.eu
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
www.meteoalarm.eu is developed for EUMETNET,
the Network of European Meteorological Services.
This initiative is supported by WMO the World
Meteorological Organization.
How to get information about on-going wildfires?

12. ● From www.meteoalarm.eu
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
The countries participating in www.meteoalarm.eu include:
Austria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Belgium, Bulgaria,
Switzerland, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark,
Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary,
Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Luxemburg, Latvia, Former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia, Malta, Montenegro, Netherlands,
Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Sweden,
Slovenia, Slovakia, United Kingdom.
How to get information about on-going wildfires?

13. ● FROM NATIONAL METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
In each country, the National Meteorological Services
also provide information and alerts on severe
weather, including wildfires.
How to get information about on-going wildfires?

14. ● FROM NATIONAL METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
In each country, the National Meteorological Services
also provide information and alerts on severe
weather, including wildfires.
Check the weather forecasts to
see if there are any weather
warnings in place for wildfires
How to get information about on-going wildfires?

15. ● FROM NATIONAL METEOROLOGICAL SERVICES
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
In each country, the National Meteorological Services
also provide information and alerts on severe
weather, including wildfires.
Check the weather forecasts to
see if there are any weather
warnings in place for wildfires
How to get information about on-going wildfires?
UK FIRE SEVERITY INDEX
You can also click here to check the UK Fire Severity
Index (FSI). The FSI shows any areas of the country
which are forecasted to experience conditions
favourable for the ignition and spread of wildfires.
Click here to read a factsheet about the FSI.

16. COUNTRY NATIONAL METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE and website link
Austria Zentralanstalt für Meteorologie und Geodynamik (ZAMG):www.zamg.ac.at
Belgium
Institut Royal Météorologique de Belgique (IRM) / Koninklijk Meteorologisch
Instituut van België (KMI) www.kmi.be
Bulgaria Национален институт по метеорология и хидрология (INMH):www.meteo.bg
Croatia Državni hidrometeorološki zavod (DHMZ):www.meteo.hr
Czech Republic Český hydrometeorologický ústav (CHMI), Družicové Oddělení:www.chmi.cz
Denmark Danmarks Meteorologiske Institut (DMI):www.dmi.dk
Estonia Keskkonnaagentuur (KAUR):www.emhi.ee
Finland Ilmatieteen laitos / Meteorologiska institutet (FMI):www.fmi.fi
France Météo-France www.meteo.fr
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
List of
National
Meteorological
Sevices
How to get information about on-going wildfires?

17. COUNTRY NATIONAL METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE and website link
Germany Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD) www.dwd.de
Greece Εθνική Μετεωρολογική Υπηρεσία (HNMS):www.hnms.gr
Hungary Országos Meteorológiai Szolgálat (OMSZ):www.met.hu
Iceland Veðurstofa Íslands:www.vedur.is
Ireland Met Éireann:www.met.ie
Italy Ufficio Generale Spazio Aereo e Meteorologia (USAM) - Reparto Meteorologia www.meteoam.it/
Latvia Latvijas Vides, ģeoloģijas un meteoroloģijas aģentūra (LVGMA):www.meteo.lv
Lithuania
Lietuvos hidrometeorologijos tarnyba (LHS), prie Aplinkos
ministerijos:www.meteo.lt
Luxembourg Administration de la navigation aérienne:www.aeroport.public.lu
Netherlands Koninklijk Nederlands Meteorologisch Instituut (KNMI) www.knmi.nl
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
List of
National
Meteorological
Sevices
How to get information about on-going wildfires?

18. How to get information about on-going wildfires?
COUNTRY NATIONAL METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE and website link
Norway Meteorologisk institutt (met.no):www.met.no
Poland Instytut Meteorologii i Gospodarki Wodnej (IMGW):www.imgw.pl
Portugal Instituto de Meteorologia (IM):www.meteo.pt
Romania Administrația națională de meteorologie www.meteoromania.ro
Serbia Republic Hydrometeorological Service of Serbia:www.hidmet.gov.rs
Slovakia Slovenský hydrometeorologický ústav (SHMU):www.shmu.sk
Slovenia Agencija Republike Slovenije za Okolje (ARSO):www.arso.gov.si
Spain
Agencia Estatal de Meteorología (AEMET), Ministerio de Agricultura, Alimentación y
Medio Ambiente www.aemet.es
Sweden Sveriges meteorologiska och hydrologiska institut (SMHI) www.smhi.se
Switzerland MeteoSchweiz / MétéoSuisse / MeteoSvizzera www.meteoschweiz.ch
United Kingdom Met Office www.metoffice.gov.uk
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
List of
National
Meteorological
Sevices

19. e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
RADIO
How to get information about on-going wildfires?

20. e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
RADIO
TV
How to get information about on-going wildfires?

21. e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
RADIO
Mobile Apps/Social
Media
TV
How to get information about on-going wildfires?

22. e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
RADIO INTERNET
Mobile Apps/Social
Media
TV
How to get information about on-going wildfires?

23. e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
READ THE WEATHER FORECAST
THE FORECAST WILL
INCLUDE INFORMATION
ABOUT WEATHER
CHANGES AND
WEATHER WARNINGS
How to get information about on-going wildfires?

24. What can you do to be prepared?
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters

25. What can you do to be prepared?
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
In case of a emergency it is very
important that everyone knows what to
do. That’s why it is very important to
have emergency plans at home, school
and at places people work.

26. What can you do to be prepared?
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
EMERGENCY PLAN
An emergency plan is a plan of what to do during an emergency
such as a storm, fire, flood and what to do before leaving your house,
school if necessary.
An emergency plan contains a list of the steps that need to be
followed in order to stay safe and/or explain how to get to a place of
safety.

27. What can you do to be prepared?
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
AN EMERGENCY PLAN SHOULD
CONTAIN:
Each of these will now be explained.

28. EMERGENCY PLAN
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
Who to contact and how

29. EMERGENCY PLAN
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
• Know your home number and your
parents telephone numbers
Who to contact and how

30. EMERGENCY PLAN
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
• Know your home number and your
parents telephone numbers
• Know where to meet and how to
contact each other in an emergency
Who to contact and how

31. EMERGENCY PLAN
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
• Know your home number and your
parents telephone numbers
• Know where to meet and how to
contact each other in an emergency
• Make a list of the most important
people you might need to contact in
an emergency. For example,
electricity and gas suppliers, water
company, telephone provider,
doctor, school, work, Floodline or
similar, local council, home
insurance provider, etc
Who to contact and how

32. EMERGENCY PLAN
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
What about your pets?

33. EMERGENCY PLAN
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
What about your pets? CAN YOU TAKE YOUR PETS
WITH YOU ?

34. EMERGENCY PLAN
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
What about your pets? CAN YOU TAKE YOUR PETS
WITH YOU ?
HOW CAN YOU TAKE YOUR PETS
WITH YOU?

35. EMERGENCY PLAN
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
What about your pets? CAN YOU TAKE YOUR PETS
WITH YOU ?
HOW CAN YOU TAKE YOUR PETS
WITH YOU?
WHAT DO THEY NEED?

36. EMERGENCY PLAN
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
What about your pets? CAN YOU TAKE YOUR PETS
WITH YOU ?
HOW CAN YOU TAKE YOUR PETS
WITH YOU?
WHAT DO THEY NEED? WHO WILL TAKE CARE OF THEM ?

37. EMERGENCY PLAN
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
How to turn off
electric, gas and water
Ask you parents to show
you:
• Where to turn them off
• How to turn them off
• Also ask them when you
should turn them off

38. EMERGENCY PLAN
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
KNOW YOUR WAY OUT OF YOUR HOME
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY

39. EMERGENCY PLAN
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
KNOW YOUR WAY OUT OF YOUR HOME
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
Practise finding your way out of your
home.
Could you do this in the dark or during
smoke? Practise your escape route a
number of times. It could save your life.

40. EMERGENCY PLAN
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
KNOW YOUR WAY OUT OF YOUR HOME
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
Practise finding your way out of your
home.
Could you do this in the dark or during
smoke? Practise your escape route a
number of times. It could save your life.

41. EMERGENCY PLAN
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
KNOW YOUR WAY OUT OF YOUR HOME
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
Image courtesy of John Kasawa at
FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Practise finding your way out of your
home.
Could you do this in the dark or during
smoke? Practise your escape route a
number of times. It could save your life.
REMEMBER TO TAKE A
GRAB BAG

42. EMERGENCY PLAN
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
Check your insurance
Ask your parents to check if
your home insurance covers
natural disasters including
fires, floods, storms.
Your parents should know
the name and contact details
of the insurance company
and the insurance number.
Source: Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency

43. EMERGENCY PLAN
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
REMEMBER…
1. Make an emergency plan with your family

44. EMERGENCY PLAN
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
REMEMBER…
1. Make an emergency plan with your family
2. Practise your plan so everyone knows what to do

45. EMERGENCY PLAN
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
REMEMBER…
1. Make an emergency plan with your family
2. Practise your plan so everyone knows what to do
3. Practise leaving your home safely

46. EMERGENCY PLAN
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
REMEMBER…
1. Make an emergency plan with your family
2. Practise your plan so everyone knows what to do
3. Practise leaving your home safely
4. Practise putting together a grab bag

47. 1. Make an emergency plan with your family
EMERGENCY PLAN
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
REMEMBER…
2. Practise your plan so everyone knows what to do
3. Practise leaving your home safely
4. Practise putting together a grab bag

48. EMERGENCY PLAN
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
Emergencies may occur while you are in
school – make sure you stay safe in school

49. EMERGENCY PLAN
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
Emergencies may occur while you are in
school – make sure you stay safe in school
• If told to do so, leave the school
quickly, calmly and without
running. Go to your normal
assembly point, unless a teacher
tells you to go somewhere else.

50. EMERGENCY PLAN
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
Emergencies may occur while you are in
school – make sure you stay safe in school
• If told to do so, leave the school
quickly, calmly and without
running. Go to your normal
assembly point, unless a teacher
tells you to go somewhere else.
• Never return to the school or
classroom for any reason during an
emergency.

51. EMERGENCY PLAN
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
Emergencies may occur while you are in
school – make sure you stay safe in school
• If told to do so, leave the school
quickly, calmly and without
running. Go to your normal
assembly point, unless a teacher
tells you to go somewhere else.
• Never return to the school or
classroom for any reason during an
emergency.
• Only return to the school when a
teacher tells you it is safe to do so

52. EMERGENCY PLAN
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
Emergencies may occur while you are in
school – make sure you stay safe in school
• If told to do so, leave the school
quickly, calmly and without
running. Go to your normal
assembly point, unless a teacher
tells you to go somewhere else.
• Never return to the school or
classroom for any reason during an
emergency.
• Only return to the school when a
teacher tells you it is safe to do so
• Wait for and follow the instructions
from your teachers and emergency
service professionals.

53. What can you do to be prepared?
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
MAKE A GRAB BAG
A GRAB BAG is a bag or container
safely stored in your house to be
picked up quickly. It contains:
Image courtesy of John Kasawa at
FreeDigitalPhotos.net

54. What can you do to be prepared?
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
MAKE A GRAB BAG
A GRAB BAG is a bag or container
safely stored in your house to be
picked up quickly. It contains:
o Essential items you may need if you
have to leave home quickly
Image courtesy of John Kasawa at
FreeDigitalPhotos.net

55. What can you do to be prepared?
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
MAKE A GRAB BAG
A GRAB BAG is a bag or container
safely stored in your house to be
picked up quickly. It contains:
o Essential items you may need if you
have to leave home quickly
o Documents or other important
papers
Image courtesy of John Kasawa at
FreeDigitalPhotos.net

56. What can you do to be prepared?
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
MAKE A GRAB BAG
A GRAB BAG is a bag or container
safely stored in your house to be
picked up quickly. It contains:
o Essential items you may need if you
have to leave home quickly
o Documents or other important
papers
o Medications
Image courtesy of John Kasawa at
FreeDigitalPhotos.net

57. What can you do to be prepared?
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
MAKE A GRAB BAG
A GRAB BAG is a bag or container
safely stored in your house to be
picked up quickly. It contains:
o Essential items you may need if you
have to leave home quickly
o Documents or other important
papers
o Medications
o Provisions (food and drinks)
Image courtesy of John Kasawa at
FreeDigitalPhotos.net

58. What can you do to be prepared?
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
Image courtesy of John Kasawa at
FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Here are examples of things you
may put in a grab bag
Flashlight
Bottled Water
Warm
Clothes
Toys
Medication
Mobile phone
and charger

59. What can you do to be prepared?
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
Image courtesy of John Kasawa at
FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Here are examples of things you
may put in a grab bag
Flashlight
Long Term
Food
Bottled Water
Personal Care
Important
papers
Backup files
for computer
Warm
Clothes
Toys
Blankets
Medication
Mobile phone
and charger

60. Follow The Advice Of Adults And
Profesionals
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters

61. Follow The Advice Of Adults And Professionals
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
Listen out for national and local advice
and guidance.
Look out for weather bulletins, traffic
warnings and news alerts from the
Emergency Services about travel
(road, rail, air and sea) and areas to
avoid.
Learn more about wildfires – watch the
video on the next page.

62. Follow The Advice Of Adults And Professionals
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
If advised to stay indoors and/or close windows,
make sure you do.
If you are told to leave your house, then you need
to do it straight away, even if it goes against your
instinct. Wildfires spread quickly and if the
emergency services decide to evacuate then they
may need you to move quickly in order to keep
you safe.

63. REMEMBER!
• A wildfire is a fire that spreads out of control. Wildfires can be
extremely dangerous and destructive. Always stay safe.
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters

64. REMEMBER!
• A wildfire is a fire that spreads out of control. Wildfires can be
extremely dangerous and destructive. Always stay safe.
• If you live in a wildfire risk area, make sure you know what to do
before a wildfire occurs. Make sure you and your family are
prepared.
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters

65. REMEMBER!
• A wildfire is a fire that spreads out of control. Wildfires can be
extremely dangerous and destructive. Always stay safe.
• If you live in a wildfire risk area, make sure you know what to do
before a wildfire occurs. Make sure you and your family are
prepared.
• Always follow the advice of adults and professionals.
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters

66. REMEMBER!
• A wildfire is a fire that spreads out of control. Wildfires can be
extremely dangerous and destructive. Always stay safe.
• If you live in a wildfire risk area, make sure you know what to do
before a wildfire occurs. Make sure you and your family are
prepared.
• Always follow the advice of adults and professionals.
• Take a look at the next module to find out what happens during
and after a wildfire.
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters

67. Copyright Statement
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Response to Natural Disasters) with the support of the Erasmus+ programme.
Unless otherwise stated, this educational resource is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International
License. It is attributed to the partners of the e-PPR project. Further information can be found at www.e-ppr.eu
The authors are committed to respecting the intellectual property rights of others, and have taken all reasonable efforts to ensure that
the reproduction of content (text, pictures, etc.) has been done with the full consent of copyright holders and that all copyright holders
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If you are going to use parts of the content with materials whose copyright holder(s) is/are not the authors, it is your responsibility to
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This content is the sole responsibility of the project partners and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the European Union.
e-Learning for the Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural Disasters
68