Get Set to Go
During a wildfire, it will likely be dark, smoky, windy, dry and hot. There may be burning embers being blown about, no power, no phone service and poor water pressure.
Remember, there is nothing you own worth your life! Please evacuate immediately when asked by fire or law enforcement officials.
If you are concerned, don’t wait to be asked to leave. Drive slowly, turn on your vehicle headlights and stay as far to the right side of the road as possible
If You Have to Evacuate and There’s Time
- Wear and Carry:
- Long pants, long-sleeved shirt or jacket made of cotton or wool, a hat and boots.
- Gloves, a handkerchief and goggles to cover your face and water to drink.
- Flashlight and portable radio from your to-go bag tuned to a local radio station.
- Family members should:
- Evacuate early, especially if not essential to preparing the house for wildfire.
- Follow practiced evacuation routes to the designated safe meeting place.
- Relay plans to the designated contact person.
- For your animals:
- Evacuate them if possible.
- Contact your county’s animal services department for assistance.
- Bring current pet photos (make sure distinguishing markings are visible), health records and paperwork, especially vaccination information stored in waterproof bags, medications and dosage instructions.
- pets in their own carrier or cage.
- Place your pet to-go bag in the car.
- Keep Your Vehicle Ready
- If you can lift your garage door manually, disconnect the electric garage door opener, and place the vehicle in the garage pointing out. Leave the garage door unlocked and closed. If you cannot lift your garage door manually, park the vehicle in the driveway facing out.
- Leave keys in the ignition.
- Roll up the windows.
- Keep the fuel tank full during fire season.
- Load Your Vehicle:
- To-go bag.
- Disaster supplies kit.
- Important documents (bank, IRS, trust, investment, insurance policies, birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, medical and immunization records, wills, contracts, titles and deeds).
- Credit and ATM cards and extra cash.
- Medications.
- Driver’s license, passport and Social Security cards.
- Laptop, charger and backup of desktop computer files.
- Address book.
- Cell phone and charger.
- Family photo albums and videos.
- Family heirlooms.
- Toys, books and games for entertainment.
If Time Permits
- Inside Your Home (and out Buildings):
- Close all interior doors.
- Leave a light on in each room.
- Remove combustible curtains and other materials from around windows.
- Close windows, skylights and exterior doors (house, garage, shop and barn).
- Close fire-resistant drapes, shutters and blinds.
- Turn off all pilot lights.
- Move overstuffed furniture (couches and easy chairs) to the center of the room.
- Close fireplace damper.
- Turn off air conditioning.
- Outside Your Home (and out buildings):
- Place combustible patio furniture and accessories inside or toss them away from the house.
- Remove barbeque propane tanks and place away from the house where they can safely vent.
- Shut off propane at the tank or natural gas at the meter.
- Close or cover foundation, attic and eave vents with precut plywood covers or several layers of aluminum foil.
- Cover windows with plywood panels at least 1/2-inch thick.
- Prop a noncombustible ladder against the house.
- Connect garden hoses to faucets and attach nozzles set on spray.
- Remove excelsior pads from swamp coolers and toss them away from the house.
- Leave doors and gates unlocked.
- Turn on outside lights.
- Fill trash cans and buckets with water and place where firefighters can find them.
Contact Us
-
Firewise Coordinator
Ph: 541-450-6212