What Are Wildfires?
A wildfire is an unplanned, uncontrolled fire that burns wildland vegetation. Wildfires are unpredictable, often changing directions or traveling great distances, depending on which way the wind blows. Wildfires are caused by humans, either accidentally or purposefully, or by natural events like lightning. The three types of wildfires include ground fires, surface fires and crown fires. A ground fire burns underground, slowly spreading through organic matter and decayed roots. A surface fire burns through dead vegetation and debris on the ground like twigs, leaves and small branches. Crown fires are the most dangerous and destructive type of wildfire. This type of fire spreads from tree to tree aided by strong winds through the canopy, burning the leaves, small branches and needles.
Preparing for a Wildfire
Safety is key when preparing for a wildfire. Preparing for a wildfire is critical. You don’t need to live in a heavily wooded area for your home to be susceptible to fire. Crown fires are a primary source of embers formed by the intense heat of the fire which are especially threatening during strong winds. Embers can travel several miles and ignite new fires. This is why it’s important to be prepared for a wildfire.
Strengthen Your Home
It’s always a good idea to plan ahead when thinking about the safety of your home. Here are a few things you can do to keep your home safe:
- Use fire-resistant materials when building, renovating or making repairs to your home.
- Create a fire-resistant zone that’s free of debris, leaves and other flammable materials at least 30 feet from your home (see Create Defensible Space Zones below).
- Seal attic openings and gaps around vents with metal mesh to prevent embers from getting inside.
- Consider getting fire-resistant window coverings which reduce radiant heat.
Create Defensible Space Zones
Keep the area surrounding your home clear of flammable debris and vegetation by creating safety buffer zones. This area is the key to slowing or stopping a wildfire from spreading and protecting your home from flames, heat or embers.
Zone 0: 0 to 5 feet from your home, decks, other structures, etc.
- Clear dead plants, grass, weeds and debris.
- Keep decks, gutters and roofs clear of leaves, needles and other debris.
- Trim branches 10 feet away from chimneys.
- Use non-combustible materials like pavers, concrete or gravel for landscaping instead of mulch.
- Move garbage and recycling bins to another zone.
- Move firewood and lumber to another location.
Zone 1: Up to 30 feet from your home
- Remove dead vegetation, pine needles and other flammable debris from your yard, gutters and roof.
- Clear all dead grass, plants and leaves.
- Regularly mow your lawn and ensure it’s well watered.
- Clear any flammable vegetation and items from under balconies, decks and stairs.
- Maintain a 10-foot gap between trees and shrubs.
- Prune trees and plants so the lowest branches are at least six feet from the ground.
Zone 2: Up to 100 feet from your home
- Remove fallen leaves, twigs, tree bark, small branches, needles and pinecones.
- Trim your lawn to a maximum height of 4 inches.
- Clear all dead weeds, plants and grass.
- Trim tree branches up to at least six feet from the ground.
- Create vertical spacing between trees and shrubs to prevent fire from spreading. Vertical Spacing Clearance Formula: Multiply shrub height by 3. Example: A 4-foot shrub near a tree needs 12 feet of clearance to the tree’s lowest branch.
Pack an Emergency Go Bag
Have an emergency go bag packed for each member of the family. When an emergency arises and you’re ordered to evacuate, don’t try to pack on the fly. You’ll forget pertinent items and pack things that you may not really need. Each go bag should be easy to carry and contain essentials like:
- Three gallons of water.
- A three-day supply of non-perishable food.
- A manual can opener.
- A map designating at least two evacuation routes.
- Essential medications or prescriptions.
- Copies of important documents like birth certificates, insurance information, passports, etc. in a waterproof bag.
- A first aid kit.
- A change of clothes and sturdy shoes.
- Personal hygiene items.
- A battery-operated or hand-cranked radio, a flashlight and extra batteries.
- Extra car keys, cash and credit cards.
- A cell phone and charger
- Pet food and water.
- Sanitation supplies (hand sanitizer, masks, etc.).
Although not essentials, if you have the space, you may be able to grab a few small personal items like:
- Easy-to-carry valuables.
- Family photos and irreplaceable items.
- A favorite book, game or other comfort item to help you manage stress.
Keep a pair of sturdy shoes and a flashlight at your bedside so that you’re ready for sudden nighttime evacuations.
Create a Communications Plan
A communications plan is a way for you and your family to stay in contact with one another and share information throughout the emergency timeline. It’s also a way for others to reach out to you and remain updated on your location and safety. You can share this communications plan with whomever you want to remain in contact with and keep updated. Your communications plan should include key elements:
- Important Numbers: List emergency contacts, including family members, neighbors, emergency services and the local fire department.
- Contact Person: Designate an out-of-town contact person — a relative or friend — to be the main point person. This is the person that everyone should contact in case anyone gets separated from the family. Make sure everyone in the household has this person’s phone number(s).
- Meeting Points: Designate two meeting spots, one close to your home and one outside your neighborhood. Ensure all family members know the location of both meeting spots in case of evacuation.
- Evacuation Routes: Map out at least two evacuation routes from your home and neighborhood. Practice these routes regularly with your family to ensure everyone’s familiar with them.
- Wildfire Information Sources: List reliable sources for wildfire updates: weather apps, local news, emergency alert systems, US Forest Service, etc.
Create a Fire Emergency Evacuation Plan
As you prepare for evacuation, you should have a well-thought-out action plan in place that addresses the needs of your specific household. Your fire emergency evacuation plan should ensure that everyone in your household is prepared to leave when an emergency evacuation is ordered. Some things to remember:
- Pay attention to emergency alerts and notifications for information and instructions.
- If you’re instructed by local authorities to evacuate, do so immediately.
- Be aware of the latest information on public shelters. Download the FEMA app and/or the Red Cross app.
- Make advance plans with friends or family to shelter with them in the event of evacuation.
- Protect yourself and your family from smoke inhalation with N95 masks.
- Set a predetermined meeting point for everyone to meet up to determine who has evacuated safely from the home. This meeting point should be a safe distance from your home and the fire.
- Have plans in place for the care of pets and other animals.
What to Do if You’re Told to Shelter in Place
There may be times when the fire is moving too rapidly and it’s unsafe to evacuate or you don’t have time to safely evacuate. For your safety, you may be told that you need to stay in your home. If emergency personnel tell you to shelter in place:
- Don’t panic.
- Prioritize finding a safe spot. If your house is the safest place, shelter in place.
- Call 9-1-1 and give them your location. Turn lights on to make it easier for rescuers to locate you. However, understand that it might be a while before first responders can reach you and it might not be impossible for them to get to you.
- Fill the sinks and tubs with cold water.
- Keep doors and windows closed but unlocked.
- Choose a room to close off from the outside air. Use N95 masks as well as a portable air purifier to keep the indoor air quality in the room as clean and safe as possible during smoky conditions.
- Ask local authorities about any special assistance programs available to you in the event of an emergency. Find out if there are programs that you need to pre-register for.
- Learn about community response plans where you live, evacuation plans and designated emergency shelters in your area. If you don’t drive, find out what the community plans are for evacuation for those who don’t have private transportation and what you need to do to be prepared.
