Preparation for Wildfire Evacuation
PREPARE:
STEP 1: Sign up for important alerts. See pdf "Sign up for Alerts" below.
STEP 2: Learn the Ready, Set, Go Program on FiresafeMarin. org. Protect your home and the homes of your neighbors by complying with Defensible Space Ordinances and red flag warning restrictions and by having a sound disaster response and evacuation plan.
STEP 3: Work with and through organizations like Central Marin NRGs, FiresafeMarin and local fire departments to educate neighborhoods and form strong neighborhood response teams.
DOWNLOAD THE READY FOR WILDFIRE APP: http://www.readyforwildfire.org
STEP 1 ALERTS
SIGN UP FOR EVACUATION ALERTS AND HIGH RISK WEATHER ALERTS
Alert Marin: www.alertmarin.org
Nixle Alerts: https://local.nixle.com/register or text your zipcode to 888777
FireSafe Marin: http://www.firesafemarin.org
Note: A new version of the Sign up and Enable Alerts containing updated instructions for Android users can be found below.
SIGN UP FOR PG&E ALERTS
PGE Extreme Weather Policy: People who live in Tier 2 and Tier 3 areas may have their power de-energized during extreme fire weather. PG&E has its own criteria for when that may occur, how they will notify the affected areas and how long it may last. PG&E is messaging aggressively regarding their emergency response plans and we suggest that you visit the PG&E website to create an online account and sign up for PG&E alerts:
https://www.pge.com/en_US/residential/home.page
WHAT DO ALERTS MEAN?
EVACUATION ORDER Fire expected to arrive in less than 1 hour, with threat to civilian life. Evacuate immediately, do not delay to gather belongings or prepare your home.
EVACUATION WARNING Fire expected to arrive in 2 hours or more, with threat to civilian life. Evacuate as soon as possible. A short delay to gather your evacuation kit and prepare your home (See Evacuation Backpack Checklist and Grab and Go List Checklist below) may be ok.
SHELTER IN PLACE Community members should stay secured in current location. Sheltering in place may be used when evacuation would cause greater threat to life.
STEP 1: Sign up for important alerts. See pdf "Sign up for Alerts" below.
STEP 2: Learn the Ready, Set, Go Program on FiresafeMarin. org. Protect your home and the homes of your neighbors by complying with Defensible Space Ordinances and red flag warning restrictions and by having a sound disaster response and evacuation plan.
STEP 3: Work with and through organizations like Central Marin NRGs, FiresafeMarin and local fire departments to educate neighborhoods and form strong neighborhood response teams.
DOWNLOAD THE READY FOR WILDFIRE APP: http://www.readyforwildfire.org
STEP 1 ALERTS
SIGN UP FOR EVACUATION ALERTS AND HIGH RISK WEATHER ALERTS
Alert Marin: www.alertmarin.org
Nixle Alerts: https://local.nixle.com/register or text your zipcode to 888777
FireSafe Marin: http://www.firesafemarin.org
- Sign up and Enable Evacuation Alerts. To receive evacuation alerts, sign up for both Alertmarin.org and Nixle.com. (Have every family member sign up) on your desktop search engine. More information in handout below. For Red Flag Alerts, go to National Weather Service/Bay Area an FireSafe Marin.org
- Redundancy is key. Sign up for alerts with multiple devices. Hardwired landlines are automatically signed up for AlertMarin. Power dependent landline phones may not work if the power is out. You must opt in or sign up for all cell phone lines, Voice over internet Protocol (VOiP) phones and other devices that can receive phone calls or text messages.
- Enable your cell phones to receive evacuation alerts. This is especially important on high risk fire days and nights (“Red Flag Days”) when weather conditions are high risk for fast
Note: A new version of the Sign up and Enable Alerts containing updated instructions for Android users can be found below.
SIGN UP FOR PG&E ALERTS
PGE Extreme Weather Policy: People who live in Tier 2 and Tier 3 areas may have their power de-energized during extreme fire weather. PG&E has its own criteria for when that may occur, how they will notify the affected areas and how long it may last. PG&E is messaging aggressively regarding their emergency response plans and we suggest that you visit the PG&E website to create an online account and sign up for PG&E alerts:
https://www.pge.com/en_US/residential/home.page
WHAT DO ALERTS MEAN?
EVACUATION ORDER Fire expected to arrive in less than 1 hour, with threat to civilian life. Evacuate immediately, do not delay to gather belongings or prepare your home.
EVACUATION WARNING Fire expected to arrive in 2 hours or more, with threat to civilian life. Evacuate as soon as possible. A short delay to gather your evacuation kit and prepare your home (See Evacuation Backpack Checklist and Grab and Go List Checklist below) may be ok.
SHELTER IN PLACE Community members should stay secured in current location. Sheltering in place may be used when evacuation would cause greater threat to life.
On May 12, 2018, Central Marin Fire and Police Department held an evacuation drill in the Chapman Park community in Corte Madera to test the AlertMarin system. One of the lessons learned was although some individuals had signed up for AlertMarin alerts, they did not receive the test alerts during the evacuation drill. This handout was developed by CMNRG to help residents enable their cell phones to enable alerts. This is critical at night time on high risk fire or Red Flag Days when many residents put their phones on silent mode or do not disturb mode.
STEP 2: Learn the Ready, Set, Go program on FiresafeMarin.org. Protect your home and the homes of your neighbors by complying with Defensible Space Ordinances and Red Flag warning restrictions and by having a sound disaster response and evacuation plan.
Go to Readymarin.org and Firesafemarin.org for complete resident level preparation lists.
FIRESafe MARIN, in cooperation with the Marin County Fire Chiefs Association, has updated its online Wildfire Evacuation Guide with new information and initial updates from lessons learned during the recent North Bay wildfires:
Learn about:
~Evacuation Orders vs Warnings
~Sheltering in place
~What to do BEFORE a fire threatens
~What to do when evacuation is a possibility ~When to Evacuate
~The Evacuation Process
~What if my road is blocked?
~My neighborhood is "one way in, one way out"! ~What to do if you need help evacuating ~Should I evacuate over fire roads?
~What to do if you become trapped - inside your home, outside your home, in your vehicle
We urge you to read the Guide today and to promptly take these important steps.
Go to Readymarin.org and Firesafemarin.org for complete resident level preparation lists.
FIRESafe MARIN, in cooperation with the Marin County Fire Chiefs Association, has updated its online Wildfire Evacuation Guide with new information and initial updates from lessons learned during the recent North Bay wildfires:
Learn about:
~Evacuation Orders vs Warnings
~Sheltering in place
~What to do BEFORE a fire threatens
~What to do when evacuation is a possibility ~When to Evacuate
~The Evacuation Process
~What if my road is blocked?
~My neighborhood is "one way in, one way out"! ~What to do if you need help evacuating ~Should I evacuate over fire roads?
~What to do if you become trapped - inside your home, outside your home, in your vehicle
We urge you to read the Guide today and to promptly take these important steps.
HAVE A PLAN:
- Prepare a family communication plan for family members to check in with each other if separated and plan a possible local contact out of danger zone where to rendezvous. Add “In Case of Emergency: [“ICE”] contacts to each cell phone. Use an out of state contact as one ICE point of contact. If cell service is spotty, local network bandwidths may be saturated, but some text messages or calls to other out-of-area networks may work. See FIRESafe wildfire evacuation checklist and communication plan below. If you have school age children, find out what is the school’s evacuation protocol.
- Evacuation backpack(s): Prepare a backpack for each family member and pet.
- Grab and Go (10-minute) List (if time to grab and go if you have 10 minutes before you leave). Keep list with your evacuation backpack.
- Documentation: Have your insurance policies and scanned important documents (including passports, etc.) available; I have this information stored on my Dropbox or in the cloud online so I can access it anywhere. It is also a good idea to take a video of each room of your home to document your furniture and possessions and jewelry; this could be important evidence to your insurance company for replacement if your property is damaged. I also store these videos in the cloud so they are easily retrievable.
- Leave a copy of the updated NRG phone tree/text tree in your car glove compartment and evacuation backpack(s).
- Create a Cluster and NRG Communications network: Share awareness of high risk fire days with your NRG, on Nextdoor, Share alerts with your cluster with phone and text trees. For neighbors that aren’t technology users, make arrangements with neighbors and block captains to alert technology independent neighbors.
KNOW EVACUATION ROUTES: Know two ways out by two modes (by car and by bike or foot). Evacuating early and by car is the safest and preferred method.
- Cluster Map with potential Evacuation pathways: Have you walked and familiarized yourself with potential ways out if car routes are blocked? Keep a weather proof copy of the cluster map with potential evacuation pathways in your evacuation backpack with a headlamp or flashlight.
CREATE DEFENSIBLE OR SURVIVABLE SPACE AND HARDEN YOUR HOME. HELP MITIGATE YOUR COMMUNITY'S FIRE RISKS: For a list of fire resistant plants, click here or go to FiresafeMarin.org/defensiblespace here.
Central Marin Fire Marshal: Contact Ruben Martin, the Central Marin Fire Marshal, to learn how to harden your home and create defensible survivable space. He asks that 4-6 neighbors set aside time to make one appointment with him, so he can tour the group around the properties and advise them on the steps to take to create safer landscaping, etc. on each property. Contact Ruben Martin at rmartin@centralmarinfire.org
FIREWISE USA: Learn how other communities in Marin are creating stronger defensible and survivable space and gaining recognition by the Firewise USA Program, which may be helpful in reducing insurance coverage. Contact Todd Lando at tlando@centralmarinfire.org
Central Marin Fire Marshal: Contact Ruben Martin, the Central Marin Fire Marshal, to learn how to harden your home and create defensible survivable space. He asks that 4-6 neighbors set aside time to make one appointment with him, so he can tour the group around the properties and advise them on the steps to take to create safer landscaping, etc. on each property. Contact Ruben Martin at rmartin@centralmarinfire.org
FIREWISE USA: Learn how other communities in Marin are creating stronger defensible and survivable space and gaining recognition by the Firewise USA Program, which may be helpful in reducing insurance coverage. Contact Todd Lando at tlando@centralmarinfire.org
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Grab and Go Checklist and Evacuation Backpack List. For more resources, please go to readymarin.org/plan-prepare
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EVACUATION STRATEGIES:
For evacuation events, saving lives is the priority. There is no NRG response or duties, but with preparation and by creating communication networks in advance, your NRG community can help its members to be prepared to evacuate safely and quickly, and possibly share evacuation alerts and save the lives of your friends and neighbors.
Pay Attention to the Weather and your Surroundings:
For Hillside and Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) communities, leaving early and by car is the safest strategy. See “Hillside Wildfire Evacuation Strategies”, from Central Marin Fire Chief Scott Shurtz, below.
For evacuation events, saving lives is the priority. There is no NRG response or duties, but with preparation and by creating communication networks in advance, your NRG community can help its members to be prepared to evacuate safely and quickly, and possibly share evacuation alerts and save the lives of your friends and neighbors.
Pay Attention to the Weather and your Surroundings:
- Red Flag Days (RFD): means high risk weather conditions exist for fast-moving fires or wildfire. A “Watch” means RFD conditions could develop. A “Warning” means RFD conditions exist now or soon for that designated time period. Be sure to note where the RFD conditions exist.
- Keep track of Red Flag Days, 1) Red Flag Signs are posted around town (see list here); Sign up to receive email or text alerts for Red Flag Days (see list here), Tune into radio and TV news stations for Red Flag Day watches and warnings (see list here); Check National Weather Service -Bay Area online for live updates; Leave a radio on during the day tuned to the news.
- Share awareness of Red Flag Days with your NRG network and neighbors. Use an NRG email network to share awareness or call neighbors who don't use email. See Red Flag posting on private property guidelines hereBest Practices.
- What to do on Red Flag Days: 1) Keep your cell phones and sound powered on, 2) Enable emergency calls on your cell phones, and 3) Keep your cell phone by your bedside at night. 4) Refrain from spark or fire inducing activities. See list below.
- Identify and practice potential evacuation pathways now. Know 2 modes (by car and by foot/bike) and two routes. NRGs can help map out alternate routes and distribute maps by cluster. Hold parties to familiarize families with the routes, or organize work parties to clear paths or make paths easier to see at night, etc.
For Hillside and Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) communities, leaving early and by car is the safest strategy. See “Hillside Wildfire Evacuation Strategies”, from Central Marin Fire Chief Scott Shurtz, below.
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Refrain from Spark or Fire Inducing Activities: On Red Flag Days (High Risk Fire Warning)
For more fire prevention tips visit a www.PreventWildfireCA.org.
One Less Spark - One Less Wildfire: A few helpful reminders and safety tips include:
1. Equipment Use Safety
· Never mow or trim dry grass on a Red Flag Warning Day. (Mow before 10 a.m. on a day when its not hot and windy).
· Never use lawn mowers in dry vegetation.
· Spark arresters are required in wildland areas on all portable gasoline powered equipment.
2. Campfire Safety
· Before starting a campfire, make sure you have a campfire permit and that they are permitted on the land you are visiting.
· Afterwards, ensure that your campfire is properly extinguished.
3. Defensible Space
· Residents should make sure they have 100 feet of defensible space around structures.
· Clear dead weeds and vegetation.
· Remove leaves and needles from gutters.
· Trim branches 6 feet from the ground.
4. Vehicle
· Never pull over in dry grass.
· Ensure trailer chains don't drag on the ground.
· Make sure your vehicle is properly maintained.
· Have proper tire pressure to avoid driving on wheel rim.
· Never let your brake pads wear too thin.
5. Other
· Make sure cigarette butts are properly extinguished.
· Never burn landscape debris like leaves or branches on NO Burn Days or when it's windy or areas where not allowed.
· Target shoot only in approved areas, use lead ammunition only, and never at metal targets.
· Report any suspicious activities to prevent arson.
For more fire prevention tips visit a www.PreventWildfireCA.org.
One Less Spark - One Less Wildfire: A few helpful reminders and safety tips include:
1. Equipment Use Safety
· Never mow or trim dry grass on a Red Flag Warning Day. (Mow before 10 a.m. on a day when its not hot and windy).
· Never use lawn mowers in dry vegetation.
· Spark arresters are required in wildland areas on all portable gasoline powered equipment.
2. Campfire Safety
· Before starting a campfire, make sure you have a campfire permit and that they are permitted on the land you are visiting.
· Afterwards, ensure that your campfire is properly extinguished.
3. Defensible Space
· Residents should make sure they have 100 feet of defensible space around structures.
· Clear dead weeds and vegetation.
· Remove leaves and needles from gutters.
· Trim branches 6 feet from the ground.
4. Vehicle
· Never pull over in dry grass.
· Ensure trailer chains don't drag on the ground.
· Make sure your vehicle is properly maintained.
· Have proper tire pressure to avoid driving on wheel rim.
· Never let your brake pads wear too thin.
5. Other
· Make sure cigarette butts are properly extinguished.
· Never burn landscape debris like leaves or branches on NO Burn Days or when it's windy or areas where not allowed.
· Target shoot only in approved areas, use lead ammunition only, and never at metal targets.
· Report any suspicious activities to prevent arson.
The Central Marin Fire Department is a great source of information on how to prepare for and behave in a wildfire. Follow them on Facebook.com/centralmarinfire or click here.
"Wildfire Risk and Hillside Evacuation Strategies" by Chief Scott Shurtz (Spring 2018)
Wildfires - Be Evacuation Ready Video
Click the green button above, "BE FIRE SAFE VIDEO LINK", to watch a 6-minute video which features Mill Valley Fire Battalion Chief Mike St. John talking about emergency preparedness and evacuation procedures especially when living in a suburban/wildland interface area. His points are relevant for many areas of California and beyond. For more info: http://cityofmillvalley.org/fire A film by Kristi Denton Cohen for https://stayormove.org (July 2018)
TRAVEL STRATEGIES:
If there is no time to prepare anything, just leave.
IF and ONLY IF there is time to prepare, some ideas:…
If you receive an evacuation warning (typically a 2 hour window), and only if you have time, take 10 minutes to load up your family (pets too), evacuation back pack(s) into your vehicle and your 10 minute grab and go item list.
- If you are concerned for your safety, evacuate by automobile early before the streets become crowded and visibility and breathing conditions become compromised due to smoke conditions.
- You don’t have to wait for authorities to issue an official evacuation order to leave-Be safe first.
- If the power is out, open the garage door manually (it is good to practice now), pull the rip cord down to release the garage door lock while pushing the garage door up). If your garage door won’t go up manually, drive through the garage door to escape.
- Use routes with direct egress out of the area.
- Leaving by automobile is always preferred to leaving by foot or by bike.
- Get in the habit of parking your car(s) facing the direction of car evacuation routes in the driveway or on the street, so you don’t have to turn around to exit. Keep your fuel tanks filled.
- Try to take one car per family.
- As you leave, activate your Cluster or NRG phone and/or text tree alert. Honk your horn and use a bullhorn if you have one to alert your neighbors. You can continue to make noise as you drive out of the neighborhood.
If there is no time to prepare anything, just leave.
- If you receive an evacuation order, time may be of the essence, evacuate immediately as directed by the alert order or shelter in place if directed to do so.
- Evacuate as directed by the alert system or at least to the nearest safe town out of the endangered zone.
IF and ONLY IF there is time to prepare, some ideas:…
If you receive an evacuation warning (typically a 2 hour window), and only if you have time, take 10 minutes to load up your family (pets too), evacuation back pack(s) into your vehicle and your 10 minute grab and go item list.
- Mark an “Evacuated” sign on your front door or street facing window to save first responders time to alert others. Do not mark any of your neighbors’ homes. Use weather proof signs that hang on door knobs, or use sharpie markers on the front door or windows.
- If there is time, move any extra cars off the street into your driveway or yard to allow neighbors and fire engines street access.
- Close interior doors and vents to stop the spread of fire.
- If you have time, check on those that might need help.
- If you have time, use the Japanese Triangle, knock on the door across from you, and the doors of the two homes adjacent to the left and right of your home to alert neighbors.
- Everyone should honk the car horn loudly as you exit to wake up neighbors.
- If you have one, use a bull horn to alert others as you evacuate.
- As you evacuate, have someone (not driving) in your car, activate the cluster/NRG phone tree or text tree to alert neighbors. Keep calling/texting until you get an answer.
Marin Wildfire Urban Interface (WUI) Map
View the Marin Wildfire Urban Interface [WUI] map at this link: firesafemarin.org/wui
Documentation: Have your insurance policies and scanned important documents (including passports, etc.) available; I have this information stored online so you can access it anywhere. It is also a good idea to take a video of each room of your home to document your furniture and possessions and jewelry; this could be important evidence to your insurance company for replacement if your property is damaged. Store these videos in the cloud so they are easily retrievable.
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STEP 3: Work with and through organizations like Central Marin NRGs, Firewise Communities, FireSafe Marin and local fire departments to educate neighbors and form strong neighbor relationships to look out for one another's families and share information in a timely fashion.
Sample NRG preparations:
Sample NRG preparations:
- Organize neighbors in "Clusters" of 10-20 homes. Identify and map out potential evacuation pathways.
- Create cluster and NRG communications (email, text, phone) to share Red Flag Days, and evacuation alerts
- Sample NRG radio communications: I turn on my block captain radio (channel 29) to listen to and communicate with the other members of the our NRG team. Therefore, you should know your Block Captains who have these radios and who are your go-to person for reporting emergencies and having information. Here is the link to the map (and I have attached is here) and list of Block Captains with radios, find your home and find the pink dot in your color coded “block”, that is the home of your Block Captain (BC). Contact me with your address to learn your BC’s email & phone number, and to get involved. If there is no pink dot that means your block doesn’t yet have a captain and we need you! [Link to NRG’s map and contacts.]
- Cluster Map with potential Evacuation pathways: Have you walked and familiarized yourself with potential ways out if car routes are blocked? Car evacuation is always the preferred mode out. Create cluster maps, phone, email and text trees showing potential evacuation pathways. Familiarize yourself now with your plans.
- Create online communities, so families and neighbors can check messages online to connect and find each other after a major disaster.
Do you need someone to check on you after a major disaster or before an evacuation event?
If you live alone, do not use social media much (emails, etc.) or don't use cell phones or text messages regularly, you may want to ask to be added to a "Please check on me" list for your neighborhood response group. Go here to the home page to sign up. Or email CMNRG Program Coordinator at coordinator@nrgmarin.org. Please include your full name, street address, zipcode, best phone #. A block captain or the CMNRG Program Coordinator will follow up with you.
Our mottos are "Let no neighbor be overlooked" and "We are stronger together."
If you live alone, do not use social media much (emails, etc.) or don't use cell phones or text messages regularly, you may want to ask to be added to a "Please check on me" list for your neighborhood response group. Go here to the home page to sign up. Or email CMNRG Program Coordinator at coordinator@nrgmarin.org. Please include your full name, street address, zipcode, best phone #. A block captain or the CMNRG Program Coordinator will follow up with you.
Our mottos are "Let no neighbor be overlooked" and "We are stronger together."
