Anti-FIRE: How about burying your guns?

[duenor]

All these recent fires (they're everywhere, guys) have had me thinking. Many of us have many guns. We don't want to leave them to a fire. However, our priorities are rightly family, papers, and the supplies to keep them alive should evacuation be necessary.

This means that hauling out all our guns and ammo is not feasible unless you happen to own a vehicle with extremely large capacity (I'm thinking of buying a used heavy truck for just such occasions... anyone got any suggestions?).

"Fire-proof" safes are useless if your house burns to the ground. So, then, what about burying your guns?

With help from my two neighbors, we could probably dig a 10' deep hole in a hurry. since all my guns are in sack-ups, we'd simply tie off the sacks, toss em in, place down a layer of canvas, and pile the dirt back on top. I figure for for every 10 guns you need to make the hole 1.5' deeper beyond 10'.

ammo could be likewise handled. 10' trench 15' long. pile all the cans and crates in there and then bury.

[hitman13]

digging that much is harder than you may think. you may want to dig ti in advance. other than that burying stuff is an old technique and may work ok, just remember that there is moisture in the ground

[AJAX22]

It sounds like a reasonable way to protect them. I'd reccomend putting a layer of some form of insulating material down on top of the crates and guns.

If you don't have access to a backhoe or a pre-dug hole in the ground, I think it might be a bit ambitious to think you can rappidly dig a 10 foot hole in the ground, also if fire crews show up, the loose soil on top of your guns is going to allow the watter to pool against the naturaly hardpacked earth. so perhapse you might want to rethink the containers you're burrying. they might be down there for days or weeks in accidic or alkali muddy watter.

You'd probably be better served with an older 4wd chevy suburban, k5 blazer or, ramcharger/trailduster that you keep as a backup for hauling large quantitys of heavy materials. Loading it will be just as fast as filling the hole.

if you need aditional hauling capacity, you can get a reinforced roof rack to stack crates on.

With help from my two neighbors, we could probably dig a 10' deep hole in a hurry. since all my guns are in sack-ups, we'd simply tie off the sacks, toss em in, place down a layer of canvas, and pile the dirt back on top. I figure for for every 10 guns you need to make the hole 1.5' deeper beyond 10'.

ammo could be likewise handled. 10' trench 15' long. pile all the cans and crates in there and then bury.

[CSACANNONEER]

Because brush fires are very fast moving, I would think that 1'-2' of soil coverage would be more than enough to protect them for the 1-2 hours (probably more like 10 minutes) that heat and flames would be above them.

[PanzerAce]

I would say put them in a PVC pipe for better protection (both from the moisture in the ground, and from your shovels when you dig them back up).

[SemiAutoSam]

Damn right they are everywhere have a look at this map.

There are at least 14 separate fire burning in the So cal area.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&om=1&msa=0&msid=117631292961056724014.00043d0e9ca465cefeeed&ll=35.960223,-117.443848&spn=4.827737,8.876953&z=7

https://www.latimes.com

90,974 views - Public
Created by Ron on Oct 21 - Updated 26 minutes ago
Canyon Fire (Malibu) (8 a.m. updated, 10-22)
Acres burned: 2,400 Destroyed: 5 homes, 2 commercial and business buildings, church. People evacuated: 1,500 Damaged: 5 businesses, 9 homes damaged. Point of origin: Malibu Canyon Road at Piuma Road B...
Acres burned: 2,400
Destroyed: 5 homes, 2 commercial and business buildings, church.
People evacuated: 1,500
Damaged: 5 businesses, 9 homes damaged.
Point of origin: Malibu Canyon Road at Piuma Road
Burned toward Pacific and Pepperdine University, then moved southeast.
Direction burning: Southeast
Threatened: 600 homes, 200 commercial, 100 outbuildings.
Firefighters dispatched: 1,500 firefighters
Injuries to residents: none
Injuries to firefighters: none
Time of start: 4:50 a.m., 10-21
Possible cause: Downed power lines
Containment: 10%
Buckweed Fire (Agua Dulce) 7:30 a.m. updated 10-22
Acres burned: 25,000 Destroyed: 25 structures destroyed; 3,800 structures threatened Injuries to residents: 3 burned Injuries to firefighters: 1 injured Location: Agua Dulce, Canyon Country, and Santa...
Acres burned: 25,000
Destroyed: 25 structures destroyed; 3,800 structures threatened
Injuries to residents: 3 burned
Injuries to firefighters: 1 injured
Location: Agua Dulce, Canyon Country, and Santa Clarita
Point of origin: 11727 W. Mint Canyon Road
Containment: 10%
Homes Evacuated: 800
Direction burning: southwest
Firefighters dispatched: 685
Time of start: 12:55 p.m. Sunday
Note: 60-65 mph wind gusts expected today.

Witch Fire (NE S.D. Co.) 6:50 a.m. Updated 10-22
Acres burned: 10,000 and growing Damage: "Several structures" damaged/destroyed. Point of Origin: Witch Creek area near Santa Ysabel, northeast San Diego County, 60 miles from downtown San Diego Direc...
Acres burned: 10,000 and growing
Damage: "Several structures" damaged/destroyed.
Point of Origin: Witch Creek area near Santa Ysabel, northeast San Diego County, 60 miles from downtown San Diego
Direction burning: Witch Creek fire burning east toward Julian and west toward Ramona.
Firefighters dispatched: 300
Injuries to residents: none reported
Injuries to firefighters: none reported
Cause: N/A
Time start: 11 a.m. (10-21)

Harris Fire (SE S.D. Co) 6:50 a.m. 10-22 Updated
Acres burned: 20,000 Damage: at least one building Injuries to residents: at least one dead; 14 civilians injured: Four firefighters suffered non-life-threatening burns and were being taken to UC San ...
Acres burned: 20,000
Damage: at least one building
Injuries to residents: at least one dead; 14 civilians injured: Four firefighters suffered non-life-threatening burns and were being taken to UC San Diego Medical Center burn center.
Location: southeast San Diego County, 75 miles east of downtown San Diego, near international border
Point of origin: near Potrero

Direction burning: toward Tecate, Mexico
Firefighters dispatched: 500

Time of start: 9:30 a.m. (10-21)
Possible cause: N/A

Ranch Fire (Castaic) 9 a.m. updated 10-22
Acres burned: 29,000 acres Damage: As many as 200 homes are in fire's path; shed destroyed Location: Castaic Point of origin: due west of the Templin Highway and I-5 junction, near Townsend Peak Home ...
Acres burned: 29,000 acres
Damage: As many as 200 homes are in fire's path; shed destroyed
Location: Castaic
Point of origin: due west of the Templin Highway and I-5 junction, near Townsend Peak
Home evacuated: 1,000
Direction burning: southwest
Firefighters: 653
Containment: 10%

Injuries to residents: none reported
Injuries to firefighters: none reported
Time of start: 9:42 p.m. Saturday
Night Sky Fire/Santa Rosa Valley (7 pm updated 10-21) (Ventura County, between Moorpark and Thousand Oaks)
Acres burned: 35 Location: Ventura County, between Moorpark and Thousand Oaks Point of origin: 13545 Night Sky Drive, Lexington, south of Moorpark and north of Thousand Oaks Direction burning: east, t...
Acres burned: 35
Location: Ventura County, between Moorpark and Thousand Oaks
Point of origin: 13545 Night Sky Drive, Lexington, south of Moorpark and north of Thousand Oaks
Direction burning: east, toward Santa Rosa Valley
Firefighters dispatched: about 100 in 22 engines; three hand crews, one water tanker and three helicopters
Damage: 250 structures threatened
Injuries to residents: none reported
Injuries to firefighters: none reported
Time of start: reported at 10:35 a.m.
Possible cause: N/A; fire began in brush behind homes
Note: Fire not contained at 7 p.m. 10-21, but about evacuation order of 200 homes in Lexington area has been lifted.
Sedgwick Fire (Updated 7:40 p.m. 10-21) (Los Olivos, Santa Barbara County)
Acres burned: 710 Location: Los Olivos area, Santa Barbara County Direction burning: N/A Firefighters dispatched: About 250 Point of origin: Began in brush about five miles north of Los Olivos, at Hig...
Acres burned: 710
Location: Los Olivos area, Santa Barbara County
Direction burning: N/A
Firefighters dispatched: About 250
Point of origin: Began in brush about five miles north of Los Olivos, at Highway 154 and Highway 246
Time of start: reported at 6 a.m.
Injuries to residents: none reported
Injuries to firefighters: none reported
Cause: sparking from downed power lines
Notes: Officials issued evacuation warning for about 2,000 residents of the Woodstock area. Fire was about 50% contained by 7:05 p.m. 10-21

Bear Fire (7:30 p.m. update 10-21)
Acres burned: 1.5 Location: Southwest of Lake Arrowhead Point of origin: near Highway 18 and Bear Springs Road Direction burning: N/A Firefighters: 22 Damage: no homes threatened Injuries to residents...
Acres burned: 1.5
Location: Southwest of Lake Arrowhead
Point of origin: near Highway 18 and Bear Springs Road
Direction burning: N/A
Firefighters: 22
Damage: no homes threatened
Injuries to residents: none reported
Injuries to firefighters: none reported
Time of start: reported at 4:18 p.m.
Possible cause: N/A

Roca Fire (Aguanga, Riv Co.) 8p.m. 10-21
Acres burned: 250; spreading rapidly southwest; 40% contained as of 8 p.m. Injured: One resident injured for unrelated abdominal pain Location: Aguanga, Riverside County Roca Vista Road at Highway 371...
Acres burned: 250; spreading rapidly southwest; 40% contained as of 8 p.m.
Injured: One resident injured for unrelated abdominal pain
Location: Aguanga, Riverside County
Roca Vista Road at Highway 371
-200 firefighters
- Evacuation order lifted before 8 p.m.
-still investigating cause
-no injuries or structures damaged
-had two air tankers, but grounded at sunset
-Cal Fire handled
Santiago Canyon Fire (O.C.) 9 a.m. 10-22 updated
Acres burned: 8,800 Location: Silverado Point of origin: Silverado Canyon and Santiago Canyon roads, but crossed the 241 road to the west, and burning to the edge toward the Portola Springs and Northw...
Acres burned: 8,800
Location: Silverado
Point of origin: Silverado Canyon and Santiago Canyon roads, but crossed the 241 road to the west, and burning to the edge toward the Portola Springs and Northwood village of Irvine.
Firefighters on scene: More than 400
Time of start: Around 6 p.m.
Containment: 30%
Believed cause: arson.
Note: mandatory evacuations lifted this morning.
Ontario Fire (9:20 p.m.) 10-21
4 acre brush fire in South Ontario
4 acre brush fire in South Ontario

Guejito Fire (northern San Diego) 9 a.m. Updated 10-22
Acres burned: Unknown Damage: Moving into residential areas Location: Currently at Rancho Bernardo, a neighborhood in the northern part of San Diego Point of origin: near Santa Ysabel Time of start: 1...
Acres burned: Unknown
Damage: Moving into residential areas
Location: Currently at Rancho Bernardo, a neighborhood in the northern part of San Diego
Point of origin: near Santa Ysabel

Time of start: 10-21 afternoon
Possible cause: under investigation

Grass Valley Fire (N. Lake Arrowhead) Updated 10:50 a.m. 10-22
Acres burned: 200 Started: 5:08 a.m. 10-22 Damaged: Homes burning in North Lake Arrowhead, no total. Threatened: 1,500 homes. Injuries: None. Location: Grass Valley Creek and North Lake Arrowhead. Ori...
Acres burned: 200
Started: 5:08 a.m. 10-22
Damaged: Homes burning in North Lake Arrowhead, no total.
Threatened: 1,500 homes.
Injuries: None.
Location: Grass Valley Creek and North Lake Arrowhead.
Origin: Grass Valley Creek
Cause: Under investigation.
Containment: N/A
Evacuations: mandatory North Lake Arrowhead, voluntary Cedar Glen, Twin Peaks, Rim Forest.
Direction: north
Firefighters: Number N/A
Slide Fire (Lake Arrowhead) Updated 10:50 a.m. 10-22
Acres: 200 acres Damaged: Homes being

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&om=1&msa=0&msid=117631292961056724014.00043d0e9ca465cefeeed&ll=35.960223,-117.443848&spn=4.827737,8.876953&z=7

[SemiAutoSam]

I bought a few of these to store cheap rifles like AK's in at a Reno Gun show.

[Scarecrow Repair]

"Fire-proof" safes are useless if your house burns to the ground.

Wy do you say this? My safe, from Hall's, has two safes they bought back that had been in houses burned to the ground, and there is only a little singed carpet in the corners which failed, and I say "failed" in the lightest sense. In both cases, they changed the design to remove the flaw, and the second fire victim safe shows the improvement. I have no doubt my safe would withstand the entire house bruning down around it.

[duenor]

you sure? fireproof safes are rated for 15, 20, and 30 mintues. some are 1 hour (very $). i have no real knowledge of fires, so maybe a fireman can educate us.

the most ive ever dug is 2feet. okay, so maybe 10' is too much. but 2-3 should be too hard i guess. hm.. maybe i should prebuild an underground storage space? a contractor could make good money selling little bomb shelters like they used to have in so cal.

as for loading up a truck... I guess so.. but where would i put that truck when there's no fire? a secondhand pickup i could maybe tuck in the side of the driveway. but one big enough to carry everything i have.. i dont know.

[thedrickel]

If it ever gets that far my plan is PVC filled with CO2.

[hitman13]

as far as evacuating everything and a small truck not being big enough, i think you should step back and rethink your approach.

a small truck should suffice unless you have lots of animals or livestock.

anything else, just insure it and pray. would your life end if you lost all your firearms in a fire? i dont think it will. not saying that a small nbunker or such wouldnt be a good idea for burying stuff, but realistically you should be able to survive and rebuild with what you take with you.

[camillus522]

fire

another alternative is a trailer. I have a small (4x7) utlity trailer that i built up the sides. the sides go on quick and store easily flat against a wall in a storage area. this trailer was well built by a high school kid in his ag-mechanics class, i picked it up for $250. I have many times easily hauled a half-ton on it. It takes up less space than a spare vehicle and was cheaper to register and is automatically covered by insurance if hooked up to one of my other insured vehicles.

[SemiAutoSam]

Here is the one I used to bury some rifles.

I was looking for an example of it when I found the previous pic I posted.

This one has a larger diameter but is shorter the other is longer and will accommodate longer rifles Milsurps and such. Maybe even the 24 inch barreled AR's.

http://www.galleria-e.com/cgi-bin/Colemans.storefront/en/product/203701

http://www.galleria-e.com/cgi-bin/Colemans.storefront/en/product/203901

[milsurpshooter]

i would say if nothing else grab your high-caps and run.

[Crazyhorse]

Funny, I never considered my firearms in my evac plan. I have one rifle that was passed down to me and I might grab my pistol bag but other than that I'll let insurance buy me new toys and get the F out.