What to do in Case of a Wildfire

Learn how to protect yourself and your family from a wildfire, evacuate safely during a wildfire, and how to stay healthy when you return home.

Basic Safety Tips

If you see a wildfire and haven’t received evacuation orders yet, call 9-1-1. Don’t assume that someone else has already called.
If ordered to evacuate during a wildfire, do it immediately- make sure and tell someone where you are going and when you have arrived.
Many communities have text or email alerting systems for emergency notifications.To find out what alerts are available in your area, search the Internet with your town, city, or county name and the word “alerts.”
If you or someone you are with has been burned, call 9-1-1 or seek help immediately; cool and cover burns to reduce chance of further injury or infection.

Fire weather watch = dangerous fire weather conditions are possible over the next 12 to 72 hours

Steps to Take

Turn on your TV/radio. You’ll get the latest weather updates and emergency instructions.
Know where to go. If you are ordered to evacuate, know the route to take and have plan of where you will go. Check-in with your friends and family.
Keep your car fueled, in good condition, and stocked with emergency supplies and a change of clothes.

Regularly clean the roof and gutters.
Maintain an area approximately 30’ away from you home that is free of anything that will burn, such as wood piles, dried leaves, newspapers and other brush.
Connect garden hoses long enough to reach any area of the home and fill garbage cans, tubs, or other large containers with water.
Review your homeowner’s insurance policy and also prepare/update a list of your home’s contents.

Returning Home

Return home only when authorities say it is safe.
For several hours after the fire, maintain a “fire watch.” Check and re-check for smoke, sparks or hidden embers throughout the house, including the roof and the attic.
Use caution when entering burned areas as hazards may still exist, including hot spots, which can flare up without warning. Evacuate immediately if you smell smoke.

Cleaning Your Home

Wear a NIOSH certified-respirator (dust mask) and wet debris down to minimize breathing dust particles.
Discard any food that has been exposed to heat, smoke or soot.
Do NOT use water that you think may be contaminated to wash dishes, brush teeth, prepare food, wash hands, or to make ice or baby formula.
Photograph damage to your property for insurance purposes.

Know your wildfire risk.
Make a wildfire emergency plan.
Build or restock your emergency preparedness kit, including a flashlight, batteries, cash, and first aid supplies.
Familiarize yourself with local emergency plans. Know where to go and how to get there should you need to get to higher ground, the highest level of a building or to evacuate.
Stay tuned to your phone alerts, TV, or radio, for weather updates, emergency instructions or evacuation orders.

*Reposted from ready.gov