Navigating wildfire preparedness is critical if you live in a wildfire-prone area. Sometimes, these unfortunate events happen without warning, challenging us to be vigilant, resourceful, and sharp.
When a wildfire approaches your home, the first thing to do is to stay calm and report its location to the local authorities. Once you know you’re safe and don’t have to evacuate immediately, here’s a list of things you can do during a wildfire to ensure your well-being:
Monitor alerts
Pay attention to local radio and television channels, social media platforms, and government alerts for information, warnings, or evacuation orders from emergency officials. These platforms may also issue announcements on air quality and advisories, which will be helpful to know before you decide to carry on with any outdoor activities. Check out advisories on how smoke from wildfires is expected to move, as well, so that
you can prepare your home should it approach your area or warn family and friends elsewhere. Local authorities will also typically provide health guidance, which you should follow to stay safe.
Protect your home
Here are some steps you can take to help limit or prevent a wildfire from affecting your home:
- Close all doors and windows and cover vents and other openings leading to your home.
- Move all combustibles away from structures, including doormats, trash, and furniture.
- Turn off all gas sources (e.g. propane, natural gas, etc.) if you evacuate.
- Turn on an air filter or portable air purifier.
- Limit the use of exhaust fans.
- Wet down your space by hosing down the roof and shrubs within five meters of your home.
- Place lawn sprinklers on the roof and near above-ground fuel tanks.
- Rake dead leaves away from your home and from under decks; clean the roof of any combustibles.
Any small ember could turn into a fire, so always remember to perform constant checks in your area for any smoke or small fires.
Take your ‘Go Bags’
Make sure to grab your ‘go bags,’ which should contain all the necessary items you may need for a quick evacuation.
Be ready to evacuate
If local officials say it’s time to go–go! Follow evacuation instructions and proceed to the designated area immediately. If you need to drive, be sure to follow evacuation routes and stay at least ten meters away from downed power lines to avoid accidents. Stay tuned to your local radio for up-to-date information on the fire’s route and possible road closures.
Make it easy for firefighters
If it’s safe and possible to do so, make it easier for firefighters to respond to a wildfire approaching your home by leaving your gate open, connecting your garden hoses, placing filled buckets of water around your house, and placing a ladder against the corner of your property.
