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Wildfire Guide
Respond
Do Not Panic
Be ready to evacuate. Tune your radio to fire reports and listen for the order to evacuate. Don't be a hero. When firefighters tell you it's time to go, they mean it. Until then, get busy and protect your home.
Get ready to move
- Wear protective clothing — sturdy shoes, cotton or woolen clothing, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, gloves and a handkerchief to protect your face.
- Back your car into the garage or park it in an open space facing the direction of escape.
- Shut doors and roll up windows.
- Leave the key in the ignition. Close garage windows and doors, but leave them unlocked.
- Disconnect automatic garage door openers.
Caught in the fire? Learn these survival tips
If you're sure you have the time, take steps to protect your home inside and out:
- Close windows, vents, doors, Venetian blinds or non-combustible window coverings and heavy drapes. Remove lightweight curtains.
- Shut off gas at the meter. Turn off pilot lights.
- Open fireplace damper. Close fireplace screens.
- Move flammable furniture into the center of the home away from windows and sliding glass doors.
- Turn on a light in each room to increase the visibility of your home in heavy smoke.
- Seal attic and ground vents with pre-cut plywood or commercial seals.
- Turn off propane tanks.
- Place combustible patio furniture inside.
- Connect the garden hose to outside taps.
- Set up the portable gasoline-powered pump.
- Place lawn sprinklers on the roof and near above-ground fuel tanks. Wet the roof.
- Wet or remove shrubs within 15 feet of the home.
If you think it's time to leave, you're probably right.
- Take your disaster supply kit.
- Lock your home.
- Tell someone when you left and where you are going.
- Watch for changes in the speed and direction of fire and smoke.
- Choose a route away from fire hazards.
Next: Recover in the aftermath.
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