Wildfires can spread quickly, leaving little time to react. A wildfire evacuation can feel overwhelming, but proper preparation and awareness can significantly improve your safety. Follow these essential tips to create an action plan, pack emergency supplies, and protect your family.
Sign Up for Emergency Alerts
Emergency alerts are crucial during a wildfire. Stay informed by signing up for regional alert systems. Many areas, including California, have push notification systems to send evacuation orders to your phone or email.
Download the FEMA app for real-time alerts. Public safety agencies also use the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System to broadcast updates via TV, radio, and wireless devices.
A portable, battery-powered radio is another vital tool. It ensures you receive emergency updates even if cellular networks fail. NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards offers nationwide coverage for real-time alerts.
Read More: LA Wildfires Cause Widespread Destruction
Create a Wildfire Action Plan
Having an emergency action plan can save lives. Tailor the plan to suit your household’s needs.
What to include in your plan:
- A designated meeting point far from danger zones.
- At least two escape routes from your area.
- Arrangements for family members with disabilities or medical needs.
- Plans for pets or livestock.
- A communication strategy with a designated contact person outside the danger area.
Discuss the plan with your family and practice it so everyone knows what to do.
Pack a ‘Go Bag’
Preparing a “go bag” can save precious time during an evacuation. Cal Fire recommends keeping the bag accessible and stocked with essentials.
Key items to include:
- A detailed map with evacuation routes.
- Prescriptions and essential medical supplies.
- Extra car keys, cash, and credit cards.
- A flashlight, extra batteries, and a battery-powered radio.
- Copies of important documents like passports and insurance papers.
- A three-day supply of non-perishable food and water for each person.
- Provisions for pets, including food and water.
- An extra cellphone battery or charger.
- N95 masks to protect against smoke inhalation.
Plan as if you are preparing for a week-long trip. You might end up at an evacuation center or staying with family, so be ready for either scenario.
Protect Your Home
If you have time before evacuating, take steps to protect your home. Connect garden hoses and fill buckets, tubs, or pools with water. This water can help firefighters if they reach your property.
Close all windows, doors, and vents to prevent embers from entering your home. If it’s safe, shut off your home’s gas and power.
Clearing debris and combustible materials around your property can also reduce the risk of fire spreading to your home.
Leave Early and Avoid Delays
Don’t wait for an official evacuation order to leave. Fires can spread faster than you think, especially during high winds.
Jesse Torres, a battalion chief at Cal Fire, stresses the importance of leaving early. “The biggest thing is to get out early, before the notifications come out,” he says.
Congested roads, smoke, and fallen power lines can block your escape. If you feel unsafe, leave immediately and head to a secure location.
“Even if you don’t have a ‘go bag,’ just go,” Torres advises.
What to Do If You’re Trapped
If you can’t evacuate, stay calm and assess your surroundings. Call 911 immediately and provide your exact location. Look for landmarks, street signs, or intersections to help responders find you.
If it’s safe to move, head to an open area away from the fire. Stick to main roads if possible, as they are easier for emergency crews to navigate.
If you are in your car, stay inside with the windows up to protect yourself from smoke. Turn off the air conditioning to prevent bringing smoke into the vehicle.
Stay Informed and Stay Safe
Wildfires are unpredictable, but preparation can make a difference. Sign up for alerts, create a plan, pack your “go bag,” and leave early when danger arises.
Your safety is the top priority. Following these steps can help you stay calm and stay safe during a wildfire evacuation.
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