How to Plan for a Wildfire

A wildfire can destroy your home and everything in it in seconds. Fortunately, you usually have hours--sometimes days--to prepare.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Sleeping bags
• Legal documents
• Personal effects
• non-perishable foods
• Drinking water
• Cash
• flashlights
• Portable radio

1. Well in advance, set up a long-term plan to protect documents and property. This should include taking photos of your home and valuables for insurance purposes and putting them in a safe deposit box.
2. Review and update your homeowner’s insurance. Make sure the amounts are adequate to completely replace your home. Also consider including a living expense clause in case you are prevented from returning to your home for an extended period of time.
3. Establish a family emergency escape plan. It should include several escape routes, as well as several possible meeting places (depending on the direction from which the wildfire is coming) such as the local high school or your house of worship. a contact person who can coordinate communications. This might be a relative in a neighboring state.
4. Designate a contact person who can coordinate communications. This might be a relative in a neighboring state.
5. Put together a survival kit that includes first aid supplies, portable radio, flashlight and fresh batteries, bottled drinking water, non-perishable foods and prescription medicines, several days change of clothing and other personal items.
6. Assemble a grab-and-go bag with copies of all important documents (insurance policies, passports, credit cards, phone numbers of family members and financial professionals, vehicle titles), cash, and energy bars. When packing this bag, assume all records left behind will be lost. If you have pets, make arrangements for them in advance, since shelters will not allow them.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider purchasing a battery-free crank-handle flashlight.
• If a wildfire does sweep through your area, it is likely that many people will be affected. The supplies you pack with you will not only help you avoid the need to stand in a Red Cross distribution line; they will also be able to help others.
• Do not try to save your home from a wildfire with your garden hose. A house can be rebuilt, but you may risk your life--and the lives of your family members--by delaying when evacuation is necessary.