How to Prepare for Fire Evacuation

Wildfires result in the evacuation of thousands of homes every year.

"It's time to evacuate!" No one wants to hear these words, but no matter where you live, fire is a possibility. If you live in a drought-prone area such as Southern California, fire (or at least the threat of it) is an inevitable part of your life. If you are prepared to evacuate at a moment's notice, you'll be free to concentrate on the safety of yourself and your family.

Instructions

1. Have an escape plan. If a wildfire is threatening your community, you'll probably hear about evacuation orders from police or firefighters on the street or through a "reverse 911" phone call. Hopefully, you'll be able to walk out of your front door and drive away. Still, you identify alternate escape routes, just as you would for a house fire.

2. Choose a regular time to discuss fire safety, perhaps when you replace your smoke alarm batteries. The start of daylight savings time is another good time, since it's a reminder that the weather is warming and -- in the some places -- it will be fire season soon. A family fire drill is wise. Giving each person a role to play -- like checking on the hamster -- gives everyone a sense of control during a time when everything seems out of control.

3. Make sure you have crates and carriers for all your animals. It's good to have drills for your pets, too. Teach your dogs and cats to walk into their crates as you would any other trick. Give them love and treats while they're inside. Unfortunately, it's very likely that pets will pick up on feelings of panic and hide just when you need their cooperation most, so plan well ahead of time. Don't forget pet food. If you have large animals such as horses, watch the news for information about where animal evacuation centers are.

4. Keep insurance information, birth certificates and all other important papers in one place -- preferably a sturdy box with a handle. Take pictures of your most important assets to identify for insurance. Keep the following in or close to your box of important papers: a list of phone numbers, keys to safety deposit boxes, bank account numbers, over-the-counter medicines and prescription medications. Plan to bring your computers with you, if possible. They contain important information. Scan family photos and save them on a flash drive or CDs.

5. Decide which objects and keepsakes are most important to you and your family.
   When emotions are running high, it's difficult to make rational decisions about what is really meaningful to you. It's especially hard when several people are hoping to fit their belongings into one car. Before you need to, walk around your house and decide what will go. It's good to make a list of your most cherished items and keep it with your important papers. That way, when you're under orders to go, all you have to do is read, check off items, and pack.

6. Pack a bag with several day's worth of clothing for each family member. If you have to stay at a shelter, food and blankets will be provided for you but not much else.

Tips & Warnings

• Consider investing in a fire-safe box for your important papers or placing them in a safety deposit box.

• Don't defy evacuation orders. You might think you're the best person to protect your own property, but you're not. Firefighters are trained to do what must be done, they passionately want to stop the fire, and they have the equipment and the coordination to do it. Faced with 80-foot flames, your garden hose is like a squirt-gun. By staying behind to protect your house, you are endangering your life and the lives of police and firefighters, who might have to rescue you at a time when they're desperately needed elsewhere.

References

• Phantom Ranch: Emergency Evacuation Checklist
• Los Angeles Times: Preparing for Fire Evacuation