What to do in case of evacuation from the Valley fire in Lake County

Fire Safe Sonoma has created a checklist of items every family should have in place before a wildfire even starts, and a list of things families should do when a wildfire approaches. You can access the entire pamphlet at FireSafeSonoma.org.

IN CASE OF FIRE EVACUATION

Pre-Fire & Emergency Preparations:

- Develop a family emergency plan

- Meet with your family and discuss the types of disasters that could occur

- Have a broad-based plan that will work for most disasters including wildfire

- Discuss where to go and what to bring if advised to evacuate

- Determine and discuss two evacuation routes

- Show responsible family members how, where and when to shut off water, gas and electricity at main controls.

- Practice what you have discussed

- Plan how your family will stay in contact if separated by disaster

- Pick two meeting places: (1) a place a safe distance from home in case of a home fire; (2) a place outside your neighborhood in case you can't return home.

- Choose an out-of-area friend as a 'check-in contact' for everyone to call & make sure they have the phone numbers.

- Relay your plans to the contact person

- Register to get reverse 911 alerts and updates on your cell. First responders and EMA will notify your directly when to evacuate. Use www.safetyinformed.org to find your local service.

WHEN WILDFIRE APPROACHES

What should I have with me?

- Wear only cotton or wool clothes

- Safe attire includes long pants, long sleeved shirt or jacket and boots

- Warm clothing for cold nights

- Carry gloves, goggles, a handkerchief to cover your face and water to drink

- Keep a flashlight and portable radio with you at all times

- Tune in to a local radio station and listen for instructions

What about family members and pets?

- Stay together

- Evacuate all family members and pets

- Capture your pets early as there will be confusion. Restrain them by leash, locked in a bedroom or kennel cage.

How should I prepare my car?

- Place the vehicle in the garage, pointing out with keys in ignition - don't lock keys in car.

- Place essential items in the car

- Roll up all windows when departing from the garage

- Always keep the tank at least half full

- Disconnect the electric garage door opener so that the door can be opened manually

- Close garage door upon leaving

What should I take?

- Important documents (bank, IRS, trust, investment, insurance policies, birth certificates, passports and medical records)

- Credit and ATM cards

- Medications

- Prescription glasses & spares

- Driver's license

- Passport

- Computer backup files

- Inventory of home contents (consider video taping)

- Photographs of the exterior of the house and landscape

- Address book

- Cellphone and charger

- Personal toiletries

- Change of clothing for each family member

- Family photo albums and videos

- Family Heirlooms

How should I leave my home?

- Close all interior doors

- Leave a light on in each room

- Remove lightweight, non-fire-resistant curtains and other combustible materials around windows

- Close fire resistant drapes

- Move over stuffed furniture such as couches and easy chairs to the center of the room

- Shut off main gas supply to house

- Know two or more ways out

What about the outside of my home?

- Shut off propane at the tank or natural gas at the meter

- Show responsible family members how and when to shut off water, gas and electricity at main controls

- Close all exterior vents if possible

- Prop a ladder against the house to provide firefighters with access to the roof

- Make sure all garden hoses are connected and have spry nozzles attached

- Close all exterior doors and windows

- Leave exterior doors unlocked

- Turn on outside lights

- If available and there is time, cover windows, attic openings and vents with plywood that is at least one-half inch thick

Information courtesy of Fire Safe Sonoma.