The devastating L.A. area fires have reminded many of us about the urgency of preparing for natural hazards like wildfires, including how knowledge of extreme weather and early alerts can save lives, properties, and livelihoods. The hard truth is that these fires and countless fires before these, were predictable given drought conditions, high winds, and a lack of homeowner preparation. As tragic as these events are, it’s an opportunity to adapt to a changing climate. From a practical and wildfire mitigation perspective, we should control what we can control: Preparing our properties and evacuating early.
We can dramatically influence various outcomes by getting ready. Cal Fire’s “Ready, Set, Go” program outlines these factors in an effort to guide people to increased safety.
- Ready: This comes months in advance of a fire where people should sign up for local official alerts (and the free Watch Duty app), build go bags, list valuable possessions to take, have proper address signage, update your insurance policy, and implement structure hardening and proper defensible space.
- Set: This is the Evacuation WARNING. Now is the time to prep your property by stowing away all combustible items, have garden hoses available for firefighters, check on your neighbors, leave your private driveway and fence gates open, and prepare to be gone for several days.
- Go: This is when the ORDER is given to evacuate. Stay calm, consider alternative exit routes, tell family members your designated meeting place, and evacuate. Very often it’s better to leave during an evacuation WARNING, because it gives you added time to avoid traffic, cope with pets, care for children, gather important items, etc.
Significantly, preparing your property and evacuating early are a huge benefit to firefighters, law enforcement, EMS, dispatch, and utility repair teams.
Firefighters often look at fire in the following way: Prepare or Fight. Preparing or prevention is the best way to reduce risk to everyone. Fighting is crucial, but prevention has countless benefits, including a reduction in physical and traumatic stress for first responders and the community as a whole. Unfortunately, extreme weather events are here to stay and controlling what you can is the best way to adapt and thrive.
About Stuart Mitchell, CWMS
As a FEMA Crisis Counselor for the 2017 Sonoma County fires, and later as an NFPA Certified Wildfire Mitigation Specialist and wildfire prevention consultant, Stuart has seen firsthand how knowledge of basic information can save lives and homes.
Stuart Mitchell, CWMS
www.WildfireMitigationAdvisors.com