WILDFIRE EVACUATION CHECKLIST

If evacuation is anticipated and time allows, follow this checklist to give your family and home the best chance of survival.

EVACUATION NOTIFICATIONS & INFORMATION

Register for ReadySBC Alerts to receive evacuation and fire information notices! www.ReadySBCAlerts.orgUsed when emergency action is needed at a specific address: wildfires, imminent flooding, evacuations, or other public safety incidents where lives may be at risk; critical information about evacuation routes, hazards, and shelters. Online registration required!

SOCIAL MEDIA, RADIO, TV

Used to provide less critical and low level frequent updates intended for larger populations: traffic updates, road closures, incident updates, and contact information; safety announcement, power outages, minor issues; disaster recovery resources.

ALWAYS

COMMUNICATIONS

☐ Keep your cell phone fully charged.

☐ Notify an out-of-area contact of your phone number, location and status. Update regularly.

☐ Leave a note with your contact info and out-of-area contact taped to fridge or inside a front window.

☐ Check on or call neighbors to alert them to prepare at first sign of fire.

ON YOUR PERSON

☐ Dress all family members in long sleeves and long pants; heavy cotton or wool is best, no matter how hot it is.

☐ Wear full coverage goggles, leather gloves, head protection.

☐ Cover faces with a dry cotton or wool bandanna or scarf over an N95 respirator. Tie long hair back.

☐ Carry a headlamp and flashlight (even during the day).

☐ Carry car keys, wallet, ID, cell phone, and spare battery.

☐ Drink plenty of water, stay hydrated.

☐ Put “Go Kits” (reverse) in your vehicle.

PETS & ANIMALS

☐ Locate your pets and place in carriers NOW. You won’t be able to catch them when the fire approaches.

☐ Be sure your pets wear tags and are registered with microchips.

☐ Place carriers (with your pets in them) near the front door, with fresh water and extra food.

☐ Prepare horses and large animals for transport and consider moving them to a safe location early, before evacuation is ordered.

IF TIME ALLOWS

INSIDE THE HOUSE

☐ Shut all windows and doors (interior too) and leave them unlocked.

☐ Remove combustible window shades and curtains; close metal shutters.

☐ Move furniture to the center of the room, away from windows.

☐ Leave indoor and outdoor lights on.

☐ Shut off HVAC and ceiling fans.

OUTSIDE AND IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

☐ Place combustible outdoor items (patio furniture, toys, doormats, trash cans, etc.) in garage or 30’ from structures (optional: place in a pool).

☐ Shut off gas at the meter or propane tank; move small tanks at least 15’ away from combustibles.

☐ Connect garden hoses with squeeze- grip nozzles to outdoor spigots for use by firefighters.

☐ Fill water buckets and place around outside of house, especially near decks and fences.

☐ Clean your gutters and blow leaves away from house.

☐ Back your car into driveway, loaded, with doors and windows closed.

☐ Prop open fence and side gates.

☐ Place ladder(s) at the corner(s) of structures for firefighters.

☐ Seal attic and ground vents with pre- cut plywood or metal covers (even duct tape will protect from ember entry) if time allows.

☐ Patrol your property and monitor conditions. Leave if spot fires ignite or conditions change.

WHEN YOU LEAVE

☐ Leave immediately if ordered.
☐ Don’t wait for an evacuation order if you feel unsafe or conditions change; leave early if unsure.

☐ Assist elderly or disabled neighbors.

☐ Carpool with neighbors to reduce traffic.

☐ Take only essential vehicles with adequate fuel.

☐ In your car, turn on headlights, close windows, turn on inside air and AC, tune to local radio.

☐ Drive slowly and defensively; be observant.

☐ The best evacuation route is usually the one you know best. Take the fastest paved route to a valley floor, away from the fire if possible.

☐ Proceed downhill, away from the fire if possible. Know at least two routes.

☐ If roads are impassable or you are trapped: take shelter in a building, car, or an open area; park in an outside turn if trapped on a hillside; stay far from vegetation; look for wide roads, parking lots, playing fields, etc.

☐ If trapped, you are better protected inside a building or vehicle.

☐ Don’t abandon your car in the road if passage is impossible. If you must leave your car, park it off the road and consider other options for shelter.

☐ Evacuate on foot only as a last resort.

☐ Don’t evacuate by fire road, uphill, or into open-space areas with unburned vegetation.

☐ Remain calm—panic is deadly.

Family Emergency Communications Plan

HOUSEHOLD INFORMATION

ADDRESS ......................................................................................

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PHONE ...........................................................................................

EMAIL .............................................................................................

NAME .............................................................................................

MOBILE ..........................................................................................

EMAIL ............................................................................................

OTHER # or SOCIAL MEDIA .....................................................….