Here’s how to plan to evacuate from a wildfire
Wildfires have sparked across the west coast, including in Washington state, putting many on alert for evacuation orders.
Wildfires can start anytime under red-flag conditions, by humans or even lightning. If there is red flag warning for an area, that means there is increased risk of fire danger due to high temperatures, low humidity and stronger winds. Ready.gov, a national emergency preparedness website, recommends residents be mindful of local emergency alerts and be prepared to leave immediately.
Here’s how to best prepare for an evacuation.
Emergency Kit
Residents are advised to prepare a to-go emergency kit for each family member, according to non-profit FireSafe Marin. Each kit should include protective equipment and clothing such as a bandana, N95 respirator, goggles, leather gloves, long shirt and pants made of heavy cotton or wool, boots and a hat. This much clothing can be burdensome in the heat but it can help protect the skin from burns.
The emergency kit should also contain useful items such as a flashlight and headlamp with spare batteries, extra car keys, credit cards, cash, a battery-powered radio with extra batteries, spare cell phone chargers and a map marked with at least two possible evacuation routes. Additionally, residents should pack prescription medications, eyeglasses, contact lenses and a first aid kit.
FireSafe Marin also recommends residents pack copies of their important documents such as birth certificates, passports and insurance policies. These documents should be kept in a fire-proof, container or safe place, according to Ready.gov, and residents should make password-protected digital copies.
The emergency kit should also contain some food and supplies for family and pets. FireSafe Marin advises the kit include bottled water, food, sanitation supplies and a change of clothing. For pets, there should be pet food, water, leashes, medication and other pet supplies.
Ready.gov also advises residents to be mindful of the latest COVID-19 guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local authorities. People should be prepared for long-term social distancing, carry hand sanitizer and have spare face coverings.
What to do if you have some time
If an evacuation order is likely and time allows, FireSafe Marin advises residents prepare their home and neighborhood.
Inside the home, residents should shut all their windows and doors but leave them unlocked, remove combustible window shades and close metal shutters if available. Furniture should also be moved away from windows toward the center of the room, all the lights should be turned on and the HVAC and ceiling fan should be turned off.
Outside the home, FireSafe Marin recommends combustible items be moved to a garage or at least 30 feet away from the home. The gas should be shut off and any gas tanks should be kept away from combustibles. People should also connect garden hoses with squeeze grip nozzles to outdoor spigots for firefighters to use. It may also be helpful to place buckets of water around the outside of the home, especially near decks or fences.
FireSafe Marin also suggests residents should clean gutters, blow away leaves, open fences and side gates, seal any attic or ground vents and leave ladders by structures for firefighters. From there, residents should regularly patrol their property to monitor conditions.
Additionally, Ready.gov recommends residents review their insurance policies to make sure they have sufficient coverage and be mindful of air quality alerts. Cars should also be loaded with supplies and ready to go with a full tank of gas.
With regard to animals and pets, consider moving them prior to evacuating, especially if they are large. Pets should be placed in carriers, have collars and be chipped, according to FireSafe Marin. People should also be mindful that some evacuation centers do not accept animals, according to Ready.gov.
What to do if there is an evacuation order
Leave immediately if there is an evacuation order. FireSafe Marin advises people to leave as soon as they feel unsafe rather than wait for an evacuation order. When evacuating, take the best paved route to a valley floor, ideally one of the evacuation routes you previously identified and know best.
Residents should consider minimizing the amount of cars on the road by carpooling and only taking essential vehicles, FireSafe Marin recommends. While on the road, drivers should shut all windows, turn on the air conditioning, listen to the local radio and keep their headlights on. These measures help keep smoke from entering the vehicle and help with visibility.
FireSafe Marin also suggests people drive defensively and not abandon their car. Evacuating on foot should be a last resort because people are generally better protected within a car or building, according to FireSafe Marin. Ready.gov advises people call 911 if they are trapped or experiencing a medical emergency, however emergency services may be delayed or impossible.
What to do after you evacuate
Ready.gov recommends residents only return to their homes when authorities say it’s safe to return. People should avoid hot ash or smoldering debris when cleaning up and continue to wear protective clothing, according to Ready.gov.
Additionally, Ready.gov advises people to document their property damage while being mindful of changing conditions. Fires can dramatically change the environment, creating the potential for flash floods and mudflows.
It may also be helpful to check in on neighbors, family and friends, according to Ready.gov. A wildfire can be stressful and devastating, even more so while there is still fear and anxiety around COVID-19.
This story was originally published September 10, 2020 at 1:36 PM with the headline "Here’s how to plan to evacuate from a wildfire."
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