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Under a fire evacuation warning? Here’s what you should bring and how to prepare

An air tanker drops retardant at a wildfire burns at a hillside in Yucaipa, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020. Three fast-spreading wildfires sent people fleeing and trapped campers in one campground as a brutal heat wave pushed temperatures above 100 degrees in many parts of California. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)
AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu
An air tanker drops retardant at a wildfire burns at a hillside in Yucaipa, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 5, 2020. Three fast-spreading wildfires sent people fleeing and trapped campers in one campground as a brutal heat wave pushed temperatures above 100 degrees in many parts of California. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)
SOURCE: AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu
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Under a fire evacuation warning? Here’s what you should bring and how to prepare
As fire season begins to ramp up once again, some California residents may see their homes and neighborhoods under an evacuation warning.Although no one wants to find themselves and their families in this position, it's important to be prepared and have a plan ahead of time.Cal Fire will send you information if there is a wildfire near you. Sign up here. WILDFIRE ACTION PLAN CHECKLISTCal Fire recommends families create a Wildfire Action Plan Checklist, which includes a designated emergency meeting location, as well as several different escape routes from your home and community, and an emergency supply kit.Families are also encouraged to have a plan for pets, as well as large animals like horses and other livestock.Fire officials also recommend that families have an out-of-area friend or relative that can be a point of contact in case your family gets separated, as it may be easier to call or text one person than call or text everyone when systems can be overloaded.Emergency supply kits should include necessary items like prescription medications, eyeglasses, credit cards, flashlights and copies of important documents, but also a three-day supply of nonperishable food items and three gallons of water per person. Find the full checklist here.| RELATED | Here's what to put in your emergency preparedness kit in case of California wildfire, earthquakeAN EVACUATION WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED. WHAT DO I DO NOW?When being evacuated due to a wildfire, be sure to wear protective clothing, like long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, heavy shoes, face covers and goggles/glasses to protect from heat and flying embers.If you have time, Cal Fire recommends a checklist for both inside and outside your home.Inside your houseHave your emergency supply kit and wildfire action plan ready, and know what route you will be taking for when it is time to evacuate.Be sure to shut all windows and doors, leaving them unlocked. Flammable window shades and curtains should be removed, and metal shutters closed.Any flammable furniture should also be moved to the center of the room, away from windows and doors.Don't forget to shut off the gas at the meter, and shut off any air conditioning.Residents are also encouraged to leave lights on so that firefighters can see inside the house under smoky conditions.Outside your homeFor the outside of your home, all flammable items, like patio furniture, children's toys or even doormats, should be brought inside, or placed in a pool if possible.Propane BBQ tanks should be moved away from any structures. People are also encouraged to connect garden hoses to outside water valves or spigots so that firefighters can use them -- but make sure to turn off sprinklers or any running water, as this can affect critical water pressure.If you have a ladder, leave it at the corner of your home so firefighters can quickly access the roof if needed.And if you have enough time, back your car into the driveway with the vehicle loaded and all doors and windows closed, so that you can make a quick exit.THE SIX PSIf under an evacuation warning, Cal Fire says to remember "The Six Ps."People and petsPapers, phone numbers, and important documentsPrescriptions, vitamins, and eyeglassesPictures and irreplaceable memorabiliaPersonal computer hard drive and disks"Plastic" (credit cards, ATM cards) and cash

As fire season begins to ramp up once again, some California residents may see their homes and neighborhoods under an evacuation warning.

Although no one wants to find themselves and their families in this position, it's important to be prepared and have a plan ahead of time.

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Cal Fire will send you information if there is a wildfire near you. Sign up here.

WILDFIRE ACTION PLAN CHECKLIST

Cal Fire recommends families create a Wildfire Action Plan Checklist, which includes a designated emergency meeting location, as well as several different escape routes from your home and community, and an emergency supply kit.

Families are also encouraged to have a plan for pets, as well as large animals like horses and other livestock.

Fire officials also recommend that families have an out-of-area friend or relative that can be a point of contact in case your family gets separated, as it may be easier to call or text one person than call or text everyone when systems can be overloaded.

Emergency supply kits should include necessary items like prescription medications, eyeglasses, credit cards, flashlights and copies of important documents, but also a three-day supply of nonperishable food items and three gallons of water per person. Find the full checklist here.

| RELATED | Here's what to put in your emergency preparedness kit in case of California wildfire, earthquake

AN EVACUATION WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED. WHAT DO I DO NOW?

When being evacuated due to a wildfire, be sure to wear protective clothing, like long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, heavy shoes, face covers and goggles/glasses to protect from heat and flying embers.

If you have time, Cal Fire recommends a checklist for both inside and outside your home.

Inside your house

Have your emergency supply kit and wildfire action plan ready, and know what route you will be taking for when it is time to evacuate.

Be sure to shut all windows and doors, leaving them unlocked. Flammable window shades and curtains should be removed, and metal shutters closed.

Any flammable furniture should also be moved to the center of the room, away from windows and doors.

Don't forget to shut off the gas at the meter, and shut off any air conditioning.

Residents are also encouraged to leave lights on so that firefighters can see inside the house under smoky conditions.

Outside your home

For the outside of your home, all flammable items, like patio furniture, children's toys or even doormats, should be brought inside, or placed in a pool if possible.

Propane BBQ tanks should be moved away from any structures. People are also encouraged to connect garden hoses to outside water valves or spigots so that firefighters can use them -- but make sure to turn off sprinklers or any running water, as this can affect critical water pressure.

If you have a ladder, leave it at the corner of your home so firefighters can quickly access the roof if needed.

And if you have enough time, back your car into the driveway with the vehicle loaded and all doors and windows closed, so that you can make a quick exit.

THE SIX PS

If under an evacuation warning, Cal Fire says to remember "The Six Ps."

  • People and pets
  • Papers, phone numbers, and important documents
  • Prescriptions, vitamins, and eyeglasses
  • Pictures and irreplaceable memorabilia
  • Personal computer hard drive and disks
  • "Plastic" (credit cards, ATM cards) and cash