Ready, Set, Go: Leaving Early During a Wildfire

It is wildfire season and the best thing to do is be prepared. If a wildfire has started in your region and threatens you, the best thing to do is go and act early. These steps will help keep you and your family safe.

Follow your personal wildfire action plan. Following your plan will not only support your safety but will allow firefighters to best maneuver resources to combat the fire. Your personal wildfire action plan should include:

• An evacuation plan for you and your family, including a designated emergency meeting location outside the fire area and several different escape routes from your home and community.
• An evacuation plan for pets and large animals, such as horses and other livestock
• A Family Communication Plan that designates an out-of-area friend or relative as a point of contact to act as a single source or communication among family members in case of separation.
• Have fire extinguishers on hand and train your family how to use them. Also, check expiration dates regularly.
• Ensure that your family knows where your gas, electric and water main shut-off controls are located and how to safely shut them down in an emergency.
• Maintain a list of emergency contact numbers posted near your phone and in your emergency supply kit.

Assemble an Emergency Supply Kit. This should include:

• Face masks or coverings
• Three-day supply of non-perishable food and three gallons of water per person
• Prescriptions or special medications
• Change of clothing
• Extra eyeglasses or contact lenses
• An extra set of car keys, credit cards, cash or traveler’s check
• First aid kit
• Flashlight
• Battery-powered radio and extra batteries
• Sanitation supplies
• Copies of important documents
• Pet food and water
• Family photos and other irreplaceable items
• Easily carried valuables
• Laptops, hard drives, disks, etc.
• Chargers for cell phones, laptops, etc.

Know when to leave. Leave early enough to avoid being caught in fire, smoke or road congestion. Don’t wait to be told by authorities to leave. In an intense fire, they may not have time to knock on every door. If you are advised to leave, do not hesitate!

Know where to go. Have a predetermined location to go to. It should be a low-risk area, such as a well-prepared neighbor or relative’s house, a Red Cross shelter or evacuation center or motel.

Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio, portable radio or scanner or the local news for the latest updates.

Walk carefully around the outside of your home to check for damaged power lines, gas leaks and structural damage.

Stay out of any building in which you smell gas, see smoke or flames or if the building or home was damaged by fire, or if the authorities have not declared it safe.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is one of the leading causes of death after storms in areas dealing with power outages. Never use a portable generator inside your home or garage.

Use battery-powered flashlights. Do not use candles. Turn on your flashlight before entering a vacated building. The battery could produce a spark that could ignite leaking gas if present.

If you were told to evacuate, return home only when officials say it is safe.

Once home, drive only if necessary. If you must go out, watch for fallen objects in the road, downed electrical wires, and weakened walls, bridges, roads, and sidewalks that might collapse.
By leaving early, you give you and your family the best chance of surviving a wildfire. You also help firefighters by keeping roads clear of congestion, enabling them to move more freely and do their job. So, if a wildfire threatens you, make sure to go early!
 

Sources: NWS, Readyforwildfire.org
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Image by Jackie Burton from Pixabay