Evacuation During Wildland Fires
Wildfires can happen. There’s no point hoping that they don’t affect you or wishing that they didn’t happen. The best thing you can do is be prepared.
Evacuation during wildland fires is the safest option for everyone. There will be times the evacuation is ordered by the officials in an attempt to preserve as much life as possible.
You’ll need to ensure your phones are set up to allow the emergency notifications. Everyone with a cell phone should have these set up.
Here are the top tips to be ready for this.
Have a Family Disaster Plan
One of the best things you can do as a family is have a plan. Know what everyone will need to do if a fire happens. Know what you’re going to do with pets and livestock.
Rehearsing the plan is essential. When it comes to the real thing, people will instinctively know what they’re doing. It’s committed to memory rather them standing still as they figure out what they were supposed to do.
Part of the family plan is to have a meeting spot and a go bag. Everyone should have a supply kit for their needs, including spare clothes, some food options like granola bars, and a first-aid kit. Anyone who has glasses or contact lenses will need spares in their emergency kits. Make sure the prescriptions/medications are there, you have electronic devices, and even include all the insurance paperwork and treasured photos.
You’ll want to make sure everyone knows where the emergency kits are (and have one person in charge of that if you want), and then arrange a meeting spot.
By everyone knowing where you’re supposed to meet, you can do a quick headcount. It’s better than phoning around or worrying that someone may still be trapped inside.
Get the Home Ready
Now it’s time to make sure the home is ready for any risk of fire. If there is an emergency alert, close all the windows and doors. Any flammable items outside need to be brought into the home—or placed in the middle of the lawn if there’s enough distance from the house—and you’ll want to make sure exterior lights are on. The exterior lights make it possible for firefighters to see through the smoke.
Ensure everyone is aware of the emergency warning. If they’re not at home, send them a message. They may have been out of the area to get the alerts. You’ll always want to check on your neighbors if it is safe to do so, especially the elderly who may not have cell phones to get the emergency alerts.
As soon as you’re told to evacuate, make sure you do so. Remain calm, stick to the plan, and protect yours and your family’s lives.
You don’t need to wait to be told to leave. If you think the fire is getting close, take action. Nobody will think less of you, and firefighters will be happy that there are a few less people for them to worry about.