8/14/2019 wildfire are you prepared

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WI LDFIRE WI LDFIRE WI LDFIRE WI LDFIRE WI LDFIRE WI LDFIRE WI LDFIRE WI LDFIRE

Wildfire...Are You Prepared?

Wildfires often begin unnoticed. They spread quickly, igniting

brush, trees and homes. Reduce your risk by preparing now

before wildfire strikes. Meet with your family to decide what to do

and where to go if wildfires threaten your area. Follow the steps

listed in this brochure to protect your family, home and property.

There, hom eow nersenjoy the beaut y ofthe envi ronment but

f ace t he very realdanger of w i ldf i r e.

s Contact your local fire depart-

ment, health department or

forestry office for information

on fire laws. Make sure that

fire vehicles can get to your

home. Clearly mark all

driveway entrances and dis-

play your name and address.

s Report hazardous conditions

that could cause a wildfire.

s Teach children about firesafety. Keep matches out of

their reach.

s Post fire emergency telephone

numbers.

s Plan several escape routes

away from your home by

car and by foot.

s Talk to your neighbors about

wildfire safety. Plan how the

neighborhood could work

together after a wildfire.

Make a list of your neighbors

skills such as medical or tech-

nical. Consider how you

could help neighbors whohave special needs such as

elderly or disabled persons.

Make plans to take care of

children who may be on their

own if parents cant get home.

Practice Wildf ire SafetyPeople start most wildfires . . . find out how you can promote and

practice wildfire safety.

M ore and m orepeople are mak -ing thei r hom es

in w oodland set t ings

in or near f or est s,rural areas or remot emount ain s i tes.

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s Install freeze-proof exterior water

outlets on at least two sides of thehome and near other structures onthe property. Install additional out-lets at least 50 feet from the home.

s Consider obtaining a portablegasoline powered pump in caseelectrical power is cut off.

s Identify and maintain an adequate

outside water source such as a smallpond, cistern, well, swimming poolor hydrant.

s Have a garden hose that is longenough to reach any area of thehome and other structures onthe property.

Design and landscape your home with wildfire safety in mind. Select materialsand plants that can help contain fire, rather than fuel it. Use fire resistant or

non-combustible materials on the roof and exterior structure of the dwelling.Or treat wood or combustible material used in roofs, siding, decking or trim withUL-approved fire-retardant chemicals. Plant fire-resistant shrubs and trees.For example, hardwood trees are less flammable than pine, evergreen,eucalyptus or fir trees.

t Rake leaves, dead limbs and twigs.Clear all flammable vegetation.

t Remove leaves and rubbish fromunder structures.

t Thin a 15-foot space between treecrowns, and remove limbs within15 feet of the ground.

t Remove dead branches that extendover the roof.

t Prune tree branches and shrubswithin 15 feet of a stovepipe orchimney outlet.

t Ask the power company to clearbranches from powerlines.

t Remove vines from the wallsof the home.

t Mow grass regularly.

t Clear a 10-foot area around propanetanks and the barbecue. Place ascreen over the grill usenon-flammable material with meshno coarser than one-quarter inch.

t Regularly dispose of newspapersand rubbish at an approved site.Follow local burning regulations.

t Place stove, fireplace and grill ashesin a metal bucket, soak in waterfor two days, then bury the coldashes in mineral soil.

t Store gasoline, oily rags and otherflammable materials in approvedsafety cans. Place cans in a safelocation away from the base ofbuildings.

t Stack firewood at least 100 feetaway and uphill from your home.Clear combustible material within20 feet. Use only UL-approvedwoodburning devices.

Create a 30-50 f oot saf ety zonearound your home

Within this area, you can take steps to reduce potential exposure to flames andradiant heat. Homes built in pine forests should have a minimum safety zone of100 feet. If your home sits on a steep slope, standard protective measures maynot suffice. Contact your local fire department or forestry office for additional

information.

Bef ore Wild f ire Threatens

PLAN YOUR WATER NEEDS

PROTECT YOUR HOME

s Regularly clean roof and gutters.

s Inspect chimneys at least twicea year. Clean them at least oncea year. Keep the dampers ingood working order. Equip chim-neys and stovepipes witha spark arrester that meets therequirements of National FireProtection Association Code 211.(Contact your local fire depart-ment for exact specifications.)

s Use 1/2-inch mesh screen be-neath porches, decks, floor areas

and the home itself. Also, screenopenings to floors, roof and attic.

s Install a smoke detector on eachlevel of your home, especiallynear bedrooms; test monthly andchange the batteries two timeseach year.

s Teach each family member howto use the fire extinguisher (ABCtype) and show them whereits kept.

s Keep a ladder that will reach theroof.

s

Consider installing protectiveshutters or heavy fire-resistantdrapes.

s Keep handy household itemsthat can be used as fire tools:a rake, axe, handsaw or chainsaw,bucket and shovel.

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Outside:t Seal attic and ground vents with

pre-cut plywood or commercialseals.

t Turn off propane tanks.

t Place combustible patiofurniture inside.

t Connect garden hose tooutside taps.

t Set up the portablegasoline-powered pump.

t Place lawn sprinklers on theroof and near above-groundfuel tanks. Wet the roof.

t Wet or remove shrubs within15 feet of the home.

t Gather fire tools.

I f your e sure you have t im e,

take steps to prot ect your home:

Inside:t Close windows, vents, doors,

venetian blinds or non-combustiblewindow coverings and heavydrapes. Remove lightweightcurtains.

t Shut off gas at the meter. Turn offpilot lights.

t Open fireplace damper. Closefireplace screens.

t Move flammable furniture into

the center of the home away fromwindows and sliding-glass doors.

t Turn on a light in each room toincrease the visibility of your homein heavy smoke.

When Wildf ire Threat ens

If you are warned that a wildfire is threatening your area, listen toyour battery-operated radio for reports and evacuation information.

Follow the instructions of local officials.t Confine pets to one room. Make

plans to care for your pets in caseyou must evacuate.

t Arrange temporary housing at afriend or relatives home outsidethe threatened area.

t Back your car into the garage orpark it in an open space facing thedirection of escape. Shut doorsand roll up windows. Leave the keyin the ignition. Close garagewindows and doors, but leave themunlocked. Disconnect automaticgarage door openers.

t Wear protective clothing sturdy shoes, cotton or woolenclothing, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, gloves and a hand-kerchief to protect your face.

t Take your Disaster Supplies Kit.

t Lock your home.

t Tell someone when you left andwhere you are going.

t Choose a route away from firehazards. Watch for changesin the speed and direction of fireand smoke.

I f advised t o evacuat e, do so im mediatelyEMERGENCY SUPPLIES

When wildfire threatens, youwont have time to shop or searchfor supplies. Assemble a DisasterSupplies Kit with items you mayneed if advised to evacuate. Storethese supplies in sturdy, easy-to-carry containers such as backpacks,dufflebags or trash containers.

Include:s A three-day supply of water

(one gallon per person per day)and food that wont spoil.

s One change of clothing and foot-wear per person and one blanket

or sleeping bag per person.

s A first aid kit that includesyour familys prescriptionmedications.

s Emergency tools includinga battery-powered radio,flashlight and plenty of extrabatteries.

s An extra set of car keys anda credit card, cash or travelerschecks.

s Sanitation supplies.

s

Special items for infant, elderlyor disabled family members.

s An extra pair of eyeglasses.

Keep important family documentsin a waterproof container. Assemblea smaller version of your kit tokeep in the trunk of your car.

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Local sponsorship provided by:

September 1991 FEMA L-191 ARC 4466

Wildfire and other types of disasters hurricane, flood, tornado, earthquake, hazardous materials spill,winter storm can strike quickly and without warning. You can cope with disaster by preparing in advance

and working together. Meet with your family to create a disaster plan. To get started...

Pract ice and r eview t hese st eps.

The Federal Emergency Management Agencys Family Protection Program is a nationwideeffort to help people prepare for disasters of all types. For more information, please contact yourlocal or state office of emergency management.

Ask for: Your Family Disaster Plan,Disaster Supplies Kit, andEmergency PreparednessChecklist

Or write to: FEMAP.O. Box 70274

Contact your localemergency managementor c iv i l defense off iceor your local AmericanRed Cross chapter

t Find out about the hazards inyour community.

t Ask how you would be warned.

t Find out how to prepare for eachtype of disaster.

Meet w ith your family

t Discuss the types of disastersthat could occur.

t Explain how to prepare andrespond to each type of disaster.

t Discuss where to go and whatto bring if advised to evacuate.

t Practice what you have discussed.

Plan how your familyw i l l s tay in contact i fseparated by disaster

t Pick two meeting places:

1) a place a safe distance from yourhome in case of a home fire.

2) a place outside your neighbor-hood in case you cant return home.

t Choose an out-of-state friend asa check-in contact for everyoneto call.

Compl ete these steps

t Post emergency telephone numbersby every phone.

t Show responsible family membershow and when to shut off water,gas and electricity at main switches.

t Contact your local fire departmentto learn about home fire hazards.

t Learn first aid and CPR. Contactyour local American Red Crosschapter for information and training.

CREATE A FAM ILY DISASTER PLAN