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Wildfires have been a nasty part of life lately and one of the most unpredictable, scary and devastating natural disasters. While you hope to never have to face a wildfire, if you live in an area prone to them, preparing and planning will help ease some of the anxiety that can occur in these situations.
You are going to want to start by packing a go bag. In the event of a wildfire you don't want to have to rush to pack in an emergency because you will likely forget many of the important items you will need to keep safe. Make sure that you have enough food and water for your family, and any pets, for 3 days. For water, estimate one gallon per person per day ( which will cover both drinking and hygiene). For food, MRE’s or Meals Ready To Eat is the easiest option. If you pack canned food, make sure you have a manual can opener as well. Tip: I like to pack some spices in a TicTac container to make whatever food you pack better– MREs don't have a the reputation of being super flavorable.
Next on your list should be to pack a weather radio with access to your local radio stations and NOAA. Some of the most useful weather radios have solar chargers and can work as a flashlight too. A rescue whistle, extra batteries, and fire safe blankets are essential to have in your go bag. Pack N95 masks that are rated to prevent smoke inhalation for each family member. Make sure you check the package carefully, masks do not all filter out the same thing, a dust mask will not work to protect your lungs in smoke conditions.
First-Aid kits are a good idea in any go bag. When choosing a first-aid kit make sure it carries enough supplies for your family size. Pack smoke filtering masks so that you can be safe when you return home. Include any medications your family is currently taking and also include hygiene items. If you have family members that wear dentures, hearing aids, contacts, or any special medical devices you will need to pack to maintain them. If you have old glasses for family members, your go bag is an excellent place to store these items. In an emergency, back up items can be a life saver.
Cell phone chargers and plugs for any devices you bring are also important. You can easily have chargers that are electric and solar so that you can guarantee communication devices stay working. Paper and a pen will also be useful in your go bag. Write stories, reminders, make up games, draw, this item deserves some space in your bag. Just make sure to place it in a waterproof bag when you are in the elements.
Once you have your go bag packed with all the essentials having an evacuation plan is key. Wildfires can change direction and spread in a moment so you want to study the area really well and have multiple routes selected for evacuation that way if one isn't going to work you have another way out. A good move is to have a paper map of the area in case you don't have access to a GPS or some form of electronic map. Again, backups are always a good idea.
Once you are able to return home or the shelter-in-place order has been lifted, make sure you safely survey the damage. Avoid standing water, smoldering areas, and areas that emergency services have not evaluated. If you need to use a generator, do not use it indoors and keep the area well-ventilated. Because natural disasters can leave hazardous items around, make sure you keep family members up to date on their vaccination for tetanus. If you have any family members with airway/breathing issues like asthma, apnea or emphysema make sure you have breathing treatments and rescue medications on hand.
Preparing your home will be a year-round process if you do it correctly. Landscaping is not just about having a pretty lawn or garden, it can actually help keep you safe. If you live in an area prone to wildfires make sure to always clear the grounds, remove deal plants, rake up and remove leaves and trash. keep your lawn trimmed and well watered. If you keep firewood on-hand move it away from the house. Anything that could be an ignition source needs to be taken away from your home's perimeter. If you have attic vents you can place screening over them so that embers cannot get in. When you are landscaping your home, keep fire danger in mind. Wood chips used in landscaping need to be far out from your home, closer to the home it is best to use gravel or something less flammable.
And most importantly: stay informed, stay together, and stay safe.
