Steps to Evacuating
Steps to Evacuating
Consider these steps before your evacuation, however, chances are you may not have time to complete every step. Have a plan for what you will be able to accomplish with 5 minutes notice, 30 minutes notice, or an hour.
When an evacuation is anticipated, follow these checklists (if time allows) to give your home the best chance of surviving a wildfire.
Inside the Home
- Place your Emergency Supply Kit inside your vehicle (or have a second kit already stocked in your vehicle).
- Shut all windows and doors, leaving them unlocked.
- Remove flammable window coverings and close metal shutters.
- Remove lightweight curtains.
- Move flammable furniture to the center of the room, away from windows and doors.
- Shut off gas at the meter; turn off pilot lights.
- Leave your lights on so firefighters can see your house under smoky conditions.
- Shut off the air conditioning.
Outside the Home
- Gather up flammable items from the house’s exterior and bring them inside or move it in the yard, as far from the house as possible (patio furniture, children’s toys, doormats, trash cans, firewood, etc.).
- Turn off propane tanks and move them away from the house.
- Move propane BBQ appliances away from structures.
- Connect garden hoses to outside water valves or spigots for use by firefighters.
- Shut off sprinklers systems. Do not leave them running as they can affect critical water pressure for firefighters and most likely will not provide protection to your home.
- Leave exterior lights on so your home is visible to firefighters in the smoke or darkness of night.
- Back your car into the driveway with the vehicle loaded and all doors and windows closed.
- Carry your car keys with you.
- Have a ladder available and place it at the corner of the house for firefighters to quickly access your roof.
- Seal the attic and ground vents with good quality duct tape rather than plywood or other materials.
- Patrol your property and monitor the fire situation.
- Check on neighbors and make sure they are preparing to leave
Evacuation Order
- Take only 1 vehicle - this will help you stay together and keep extra vehicles off the road.
- Back any additional vehicle into the garage, roll the windows up, and leave the keys on the front seat.
- Do not take RV's, boats, toy trailers, haulers, etc.
- If possible, dress in cotton material, wear long pants, long sleeve shirts, and sturdy shoes.
- Close the garage door and set it up for manual operation in case firefighters need to make entry to your home.