Tacoma — If we’ve learned anything these past couple of weeks, it’s that brush fires are deadly and can spread rapidly with little notice.
When you get an emergency evacuation call, it’s easy to panic and not know what to do. Keeping a level head and preparing before an emergency happens is key.
The website readyforfire.org offers a number of suggestions:
Be ready before fire hits
Plan with your household where you’ll meet in case of an emergency. Have several options in case of different fire perimeters.
The Department of Natural Resources’ Wildfire Action Plan offers “six P’s” to have ready in case of fire emergency:
- People and pets
- Papers, phone numbers, important documents
- Prescriptions, vitamins, glasses
- Pictures and irreplaceable memorabilia
- Personal computer hard drive and disks
- Plastic (credit cards, ATM) and cash
Your go-bag checklist
- Face masks/coverings for smoke
- Three-day supply of nonperishable food (also pet food and water)
- 3 gallons of water per person
- Map with evacuation routes
- Prescriptions, special medications
- Change of clothes
- Extra glasses, contact lenses
- Extra set of car keys, credit cards, cash or traveler’s checks
- First aid kit
- Flashlight
- Battery-powered radio with extra batteries
- Sanitation supplies
- Copies of important documents
- Priceless items
Keep a flashlight and sturdy shoes near your bed in case evacuation is ordered overnight. If time permits, it is easy to take small valuables, family photos and chargers.
If you don’t have a go bag and evacuation is called, grab what you can as quickly as you can. Focus on irreplaceable items that can be easily carried, pets and absolute necessities.
Protect your home
It’s the time of year many of our lawns are drying out, which means people need to be prepared during fire season, said Janet Pearce, a Department of Natural Resources communications manager. The big issue is wind, which can pick up a spark and create a large fire, she said. Pearce said that in her 35 years here, fire season has become longer and more deadly.
“Our summers have gotten a lot hotter and drier, and we just need to be prepared because you see it moving up the California Coast, up to Oregon and now Washington,” she said.
To prevent your home from catching fire:
- Remove leaves, vines, dead limbs, twigs and anything that could catch fire from near your home.
- Plant fire-resistant plants.
- Be cognizant of trees or bushes that abut your home: Pearce said they can dry out and pose a danger to firefighters who can’t go in to save your home.
- Remove dead branches that extend over your roof.
- Mow grass regularly.
- Place stove, fireplace and grill ashes in a metal bucket and soak in water for two days, then bury the cold ashes in soil.
- Review your homeowner’s insurance policy and update a list of your home’s contents.
