Rogue Valley Fire Prevention

Home Evacuation Plans

If you find yourself in a situation involving potential evacuation of your home due to wildfire, take the following steps to ensure your family's safety:

  •  Listen to your radio and TV reports for evacuation information.
  • DON'T PANIC-- REMAIN CALM AND ACT DECISIVELY
  • Gather family members and make a plan
  • Gather pets and secure them in one room-- ready to go!
  • Have your car parked facing out, windows up, unlocked, with keys in the ignition or on your person.  Know how to MANUALLY open your garage door!
  • Arrange temporary housing at a friend or relative's outside the disaster area
  • There may be a citizen's hotline activated in a disaster such as this-- know the number ahead of time!
  • You should know the quickest evacuation routes (primary and alternative) ahead of time-- this will help you in case of real evacuation emergencies!

ONLY IF THERE IS TIME-- DO THE FOLLOWING:

  • Pack the essentials!  This includes--
    • Prescription Medicines
    • Personal Hygiene Supplies
    • Cash, Checks, Credit Cards
    • Sleeping Bags, Pillows
    • Cell Phones, Contact Numbers
    • *Baby Supplies (If applicable)
    • Pet Foods, etc.
  • IF TIME STILL ALLOWS--
    • Close your windows, vents, doors, and remove lightweight curtains
    • Shut off gas at the meter. Turn off pilot lights
    • Open fireplace dampers.  Close fireplace screens
    • Move flammable furniture into the center of the home away from windows and sliding-glass doors.
    • Turn on a light in each room to increase visibiilty in your home (there may be heavy smoke)
    • Seal attic and ground vents
    • Turn off propane tanks
    • Place combustible patio furniture inside
    • Wet down shrubbery within twenty-five feet of your home-- start on downhill side

For a printable handout on what to do in the event you are unable to evacuate your home, click here.