In the Event of a Wildfire

In the event of a wildfire call 911 or your local fire protection agency or district to report the blaze. Also start your neighborhood emergency phone tree. In some areas, homeowners may receive automated telephone notification and/or text on their cell phone. If there is time a members of your local fire services, law enforcement, or emergency responder agency may stop by to personally alert residents during the evacuation. Media outlets are another good source of information and radio stations, Emergency Broadcast Systems and local government websites can be checked for status updates.

DO NOT WAIT TO BE TOLD TO EVACUATE. Sixty percent of lives lost to wildland fire are of those that chose to stay and wait and see, and then evacuated too late.

First, ready yourself and your family for emergency evacuation.

  • Gather all persons in the household together and let everyone know you are getting ready to evacuate. 
  • Have everyone dress for safety. Put on socks, closed-toed leather shoes or boots, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt. Grab a pair of leather gloves, a bandanna, and a hat as well.
  • Park vehicles in the direction you will escape.  Leave the keys in the ignition.
  • Pack your emergency kit containing clothing, food, water, and valuables in your vehicle.
  • Put pets in pet carriers and in a safe, accessible place, ready to load into your vehicles when you leave.
  • Load horses or other livestock that will need to be evacuated.
  • Check with neighbors to see if they need assistance. Offer to share transportation.
  • Notify others when you are leaving and where you plan to go.

Then, if there is time:

  • Look around for flammable materials lying around or against your home and move them to a safe place. Items include:
    • Patio furniture and cushions
    • Hammocks
    • Door mats
    • Window boxes and planters
    • Wicker baskets, pine cones and dried flower arrangements
    • Newspapers
    • Garbage cans without lids
    • BBQ propane tanks
    • Brooms
  • Shut off the gas supply.
  • Turn on all indoor and outdoor lights to make your house easier for firefighters to find in the dark.
  • Close windows, doors, curtains and blinds.
  • Cover attic and basement vents.
  • Get the emergency generator ready to run any pumps.
  • Place a ladder to the roof opposite the approaching fire and put a sprinkler on the roof.
  • Wet down decks, flammable siding, and lawns.
  • Using aluminum foil or metal flashing, cover areas where combustible materials meet each other. Think of where snow gathers and drifts in the winter – windowsills, where the house meets the deck, corners, etc. This is also where firebrands and embers can gather and start a blaze.