Preparing for wildfire evacuation in California

Evacuating a wildfire area can be scary, but experts say people can significantly improve their own safety with a little preparation and common sense.

Creating a wildfire action plan, packing a "go bag" and maintaining basic situational awareness during evacuations can make a big difference when escaping a disaster, Jesse Torres, a battalion chief for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire, said

But the most important tip? Don't wait around for an evacuation order, Torres said.

"The biggest thing is to get out early, before the notifications come out. It's so important to avoid the congestion," he said. That's especially true in areas that have narrow roadways or limited routes, Torres said, because traffic jams can form quickly: "Everyone's doing the same thing - they're all trying to get out."

Here are some safety tips on what to do before and during a wildfire evacuation, and what to do if you get trapped.

Inside the house

• Pack your 'Go Bag' or Emergency Kit, ready to grab

• Check that your Wildfire Action Plan is up-to-date

• Know your community's emergency plan, evacuation routes, and destinations

• Close all windows and doors but leave them unlocked

• Take down flammable window treatments like shades and curtains, and close metal shutters

• Clear away light curtains

• Move anything that burns easily to the middle of rooms, away from windows and doors

• Turn off the gas at the meter and pilot lights

• Leave lights on for firefighters to see your house in smoke

• Switch off the air conditioning

Outside the house

• Bring in flammable items from outside, like patio furniture, toys, doormats, and trash bins. Alternatively, place them in your pool

• Shut off propane tanks

• Move grills and other propane BBQ appliances away from the house

• Attach garden hoses to outside taps for firefighter use and fill buckets with water to scatter around

• Don't leave sprinklers or water running as it can lower critical water pressure

• Keep exterior lights on to make your home visible in smoky or dark conditions

• Put your emergency kit in your car

• Park your car in the driveway, facing outwards, loaded and ready, with all doors and windows shut

• Have a ladder handy for firefighter roof access

• Seal attic and ground vents with plywood or commercial seals

• Keep an eye on the fire situation and don't wait for an evacuation order if you feel at risk

• Check with neighbors to ensure they're also prepared

Animals

• Keep pets close and ready to go

• Plan for farm animal evacuation early, arranging transport and safe locations

For more tips on how to prepare for evacuations, power outages and guidance if trapped, visit readyforwildfire.org

Tips courtesy CalFire