Ready, Set, Go
Are You Ready for Wildfire?
Reducing the risk of fire and other destructive hazards calls for help from our community. Due to extended drought conditions and climate change, fire season in our community is year round. Firefighters train hard and make countless preparations to be ready for a wildfire and residents need to do the same.
The Fire Hazard Reduction Program (FHRP) is required for residents in our city's fire hazard areas. If you are not involved in the FHRP program, that doesn't mean it's less important to be prepared! Defensible space is essential for structure survivability during wildfire conditions.
The Ready, Set Go! guide will help you through the process of making your home resistant to wildfires and your family ready to leave early and safely. This award-winning, national program helps community members be Ready with preparedness understanding, be Set with situational awareness when fire threatens, and to Go, acting early when a fire starts.
Download the publication (PDF) and plan your personal Wildfire Action Plan today!
Get READY Before fire approaches your house
- Plan at least two ways to evacuate your neighborhood. View our city's evacuation maps here.
- Build an emergency kit
- Evacuate your pets and all family members who are not essential to preparing the home. Anyone with medical or physical limitations should be evacuated immediately.
- Clear items that will burn around the outside of your house: wood piles, lawn furniture, barbecue grills, tarp coverings, etc.
- Close outside vents, windows, doors, pet doors, shutters, blinds or heavy non-combustible window coverings to reduce radiant heat.
- Close all doors inside the house to prevent draft.
- Shut off any natural gas, propane, or fuel supplies.
- Connect garden hoses. Fill any pools, hot tubs, garbage cans, tubs or other large containers with water.
- Place a ladder against the house in clear view.
- Disconnect any automatic garage door openers so that doors can be opened by hand in the event of a power outage. Keep garage doors closed.
- Place valuable papers, mementos, and anything "you can't live without" inside the car in the garage, ready for quick departure.
Get SET as the fire approaches
- Leave on inside and outside lights so firefighters can see your home under smoky conditions.
- Leave doors and windows closed, but unlocked. It may be necessary for firefighters to gain quick entry into your home to fight fire.
- Wear appropriate clothing before evacuating. Cotton is best and have goggles and a face mask available if conditions warrant more protection.
When time, GO!
- Keep road clear of congestion by not delaying an evacuation.
- Don't wait for authorities to knock on your door. In a fast-moving, intense wildfire, there may not be time. Learn more about evacuations and how law enforcement may issue evacuations here.
- Have several travel routes in case one route is blocked by the fire or emergency vehicles.
- Take only emergency supplies for your family and pets.