Prepare Your Home for a Wildfire
Home Maintenance: Regularly clean gutters, trim tree limbs near your home, ensure smoke alarms work, and keep fire extinguishers operational. Make sure escape ladders are accessible.
Landscaping: Use fire-resistant shrubs and trees, and create firebreaks with rocks and flower beds. Maintain defensible space zones free of brush and trees, especially on hills.
Be Prepared: Prepare a survival kit, an evacuation plan, and a home inventory. Consider fire-resistant materials when remodeling.
Prepare Your Business
Maximize Fire Resistance:
Use noncombustible materials for exterior walls, roofs, and gutters.
Install dual-paned windows or fire shutters, metal mesh screening over vents, and spark arrestors on chimneys.
Consider exterior fire sprinklers.
Prepare:
Keep fuel-powered fire pumps ready and test them regularly.
Inventory equipment and store important documents offsite or in a fire-rated safe.
Create an emergency contact list and communication plan.
Maintain accessibility for fire department equipment and develop emergency shutdown procedures.
Develop a business continuity plan and monitor local conditions for early evacuation.
As a Wildfire Approaches
Monitor Conditions: Stay updated on local news and follow evacuation instructions. Review emergency plans and designate a meeting place. Store emergency numbers on mobile phones.
Prepare, if Possible: Close windows, doors, blinds, and shut off utilities. Ready your vehicle with a full fuel tank and keys handy.
During a Wildfire
Heed Evacuation Instructions: Evacuate immediately if advised. Wear protective clothing and take a wet towel for your face. Follow your evacuation plan with your survival kit.
Business Evacuation Plan
Have a documented and communicated evacuation plan with multiple escape routes.
Practice the plan and account for all employees.
Follow emergency shutdown procedures and close all vents, windows, and doors. Shut off gas and fuel supplies.
After a Wildfire
Await the “All Clear”: Check with officials before re-entering. Look for hot spots and check for sparks and embers. Dispose of any food or medication exposed to smoke or fire.
Business Wildfire Recovery
Follow OSHA's Wildfire: Response/Recovery guidelines.
Other Considerations:
Contact local fire departments and agencies for fire laws, building codes, and prevention measures. Look for grants and resources to reduce wildfire risk.