PREPARE
Wildfire Preparedness Tips
- Buy a NOAA Weather radio
- Plan evacuation routes and transportation
- Plan a place to stay
- Practice how you’ll communicate with family members / family member roles
- Practice how to use an ABC-type fire extinguisher
- Take an emergency preparedness class
- Store supplies ahead of time: people, prescriptions, papers, personal needs, priceless items
- Protect your property: reduce fuel sources, fire-resistant construction materials
- Things to do before evacuating: turn on lights for visibility, close all doors/vents/windows, disconnect automatic garage doors so they can be opened by hand, move flammable objects to center of house, connect garden hoses, shut off natural gas
American Red Cross Shelter Find app: www.redcross.org/mobile-apps/shelter-finder-app.
RESPOND
Wildfires are, unfortunately, happening more and more frequently in California due to the increase of greenhouse gases. In November 2018, numerous wildfires caused killed more than 90 people and destroyed more than 20,000 structures. Not only must we prepare for wildfires, we also need to know how to act during one. Click to learn more about ways you can increase you and your family’s chance of survival during a wildfire.
IF YOU ARE UNDER A WILDFIRE WARNING, GET TO SAFETY RIGHT AWAY
Leave if told to do so.
If trapped, call 9-1-1.
Turn on lights to help rescuers find you
Acknowledge that emergency response could be delayed or impossible
Listen for emergency information and alerts.
Use N95 masks to keep particles out of the air you breathe.
Listen to EAS, NOAA weather radio
if you are not ordered to evacuate but smoky conditions exist, stay inside in a safe location or go to a community building where smoke levels are lower.
For families with children or toddlers:
Keep children, babies, and infants away from areas with smoke and fumes. Stay indoors if possible
Wear protective clothing, such as thick denim and gloves
Resources
https://www.savethechildren.org/us/what-we-do/us-programs/disaster-relief-in-america/wildfire-tips
https://www.ready.gov/wildfires
RECOVER
When recovering from a wildfire and returning to your home, be sure to always use caution. Always listen to emergency officials and return when they say that it is safe to do so. Be cautious of fallen power lines, ash pits, hot ashe, charred trees, and be vigilant that re-ignition may be possible. ready.gov urges people to text loved ones as communication lines are very busy after an emergency, so calling should only be used in an emergency situation. When cleaning up, follow public health guidelines such as always wearing a mask. Keep children clear until all ash and clean up is complete. ready.gov recommends that a NIOSH certified respirator is used while cleaning and to wet ash to minimize breathing dust particles. Be sure to document damages and contact your insurance company. Specific to children, Save the Children recommends that you prevent them from being exposed to images of the fire and the aftermath in the media.
After a wildfire occurs, the risk of flooding is severely increased and will be for about five years after or until vegetation returns. ready.gov urges people to consider purchasing flood insurance after a wildfire and to develop an emergency plan for flooding as well.
Resources
https://www.readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/get-set/prepare-your-family/
https://www.savethechildren.org/us/what-we-do/us-programs/disaster-relief-in-america/wildfire-tips