Evacuating a wildfire area can be scary, but experts say people can significantly improve their own safety with a little preparation and common sense. Creating a wildfire action plan, packing a “go bag” and maintaining basic situational awareness during evacuations can make a big difference when escaping a disaster, Jesse Torres, a battalion chief for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire, said.
But the most important tip? Don't wait around for an evacuation order, Torres said. “The biggest thing is to get out early, before the notifications come out. It’s so important to avoid the congestion,” he said. That’s especially true in areas that have narrow roadways or limited routes, Torres said, because traffic jams can form quickly: “Everyone’s doing the same thing — they’re all trying to get out.”.
Here are some safety tips on what to do before and during a wildfire evacuation, and what to do if you get trapped. Sign up for regional alert systems. Many communities, including several in California, have warning alert systems that allow residents to sign up for push notifications to their mobile phones or email accounts.
FEMA has a downloadable app that provides real-time alerts on mobile phones, and public safety agencies can also push alerts to television, radio and wireless devices through the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System. The NOAA Weather Radio All Hazards is a nationwide network of radio stations that broadcast continuous weather information as well as official Weather Service warnings, forecasts and other hazard information.
