How to get prepared for an evacuation?
Despite all efforts to minimize fire dangers by creating defensible space and home hardening, in an extreme wildfire event we may be required to evacuate. Planning and preparing for an evacuation is a key part of wildfire preparedness. There are a few easy steps we all can take to get prepared.
Understand the terminology: Fire professionals do not want residents to evacuate unless they are asked to, since this can clog the roads and hinder the fire fighting effort. Follow the recommendations of the professionals. A Shelter in Place order means that you should NOT evacuate. An Evacuation Warning means that you should prepare to evacuate and leaves as soon as possible -- you may leave if you feel unsafe. An Evacuation Order means that you must evacuate immediately without any delays for further preparation.
Sign up for Emergency Alerts: Use the resources on our Alerts page to make sure you will be notified in the event of an emergency.
Make a plan and checklist: Your evacuation plan includes knowing what your available evacuation routes. You should also have a checklist reminding you of key things to be done around your home in the events leading up to an evacuation. A sample checklist can be found here.
Prepare a "Go Kit": A go kit is a bag containing key emergency supplies. Recommendations on what to include can be found here.
Power Outage/Garage Door: Consider that during an evacuation event, the power in our area may be out. How will you open your garage door to get your car out? If you receive an evacuation warning, consider removing your car from the garage at that time, with the front end pointed toward the street. If you are elderly or have difficulty opening your garage door manually, consider adding a battery backup system to the door.
MORE
There is much more detail available on the FIRESafe Marin website.
Understand the terminology: Fire professionals do not want residents to evacuate unless they are asked to, since this can clog the roads and hinder the fire fighting effort. Follow the recommendations of the professionals. A Shelter in Place order means that you should NOT evacuate. An Evacuation Warning means that you should prepare to evacuate and leaves as soon as possible -- you may leave if you feel unsafe. An Evacuation Order means that you must evacuate immediately without any delays for further preparation.
Sign up for Emergency Alerts: Use the resources on our Alerts page to make sure you will be notified in the event of an emergency.
Make a plan and checklist: Your evacuation plan includes knowing what your available evacuation routes. You should also have a checklist reminding you of key things to be done around your home in the events leading up to an evacuation. A sample checklist can be found here.
Prepare a "Go Kit": A go kit is a bag containing key emergency supplies. Recommendations on what to include can be found here.
Power Outage/Garage Door: Consider that during an evacuation event, the power in our area may be out. How will you open your garage door to get your car out? If you receive an evacuation warning, consider removing your car from the garage at that time, with the front end pointed toward the street. If you are elderly or have difficulty opening your garage door manually, consider adding a battery backup system to the door.
MORE
There is much more detail available on the FIRESafe Marin website.