Creating a Wildfire Emergency Evacuation Plan
Once you’ve done all you can to keep your home from catching on fire and to make a stand on its own, you may still have to evacuate. You need to make a wildfire emergency action plan now, rather than waiting until you are forced to leave quickly. Here is what it should include:
- Designate a meeting place for your family outside of your neighborhood
- Identify a contact person and enter that person’s phone number in each family member’s cell phone
- Keep originals of important documents off-site
- Identify possible evacuation routes
- Learn how to shut off your gas, electricity, and water
- Plan for your pets
On the Day of a Wildfire Emergency Evacuation
When there is a red flag day or a fire is approaching, prepare for an urgent evacuation. Be sure to do these things to keep you family and your home safe on evacuation day:
- Keep your car keys, wallet, glasses, and cell phone in a dedicated location that’s en route to your garage
- Wear cotton or wool clothing, boots and hat
- Know how to open your garage door manually and be sure to close it when you leave
- Close all the openings in your home’s interior
- Move combustibles away from windows
- Extinguish spot fires from embers with a hose, bucket, or car mat if you can do so safely
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