Fire Evacuation: What Really Happens? And how can you plan?

Lina PortmanJune 3, 2024

0 4 minutes read

Having a “go bag” ready to go – and keeping it somewhere you can access it instantly – is extremely important right now. Read our checklist of items to have in your emergency bag (or leer en español). Do not wait until you are under an evacuation warning or order to make this kit.

COVID safety measure you may also consider adding to your emergency bag:

Masks or face coverings (at least two per person)
Hygiene products such as hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol, soap and disinfectant wipes

Remember: You may have to walk to safety, so pack your emergency supplies in something durable and easy to carry, like a backpack or gym bag. For heavier items, like food and water, using a tub or chest on wheels can make transport easier, but make sure it is still light enough to lift.

How should I prepare to move?

Make sure your family's plan takes into account the best route(s) to leave your location. If a road was blocked, would you still be able to evacuate to a safe location?

If you are planning an evacuation, Cal Fire recommends that you:

Put your emergency bag and supplies in your car, if you have one.
Once your vehicle is loaded, back it into the driveway with all doors and windows closed, but have your car keys ready. with You.
Patrol your property and monitor the fire situation online. Do not wait for a mandatory evacuation order if you feel unsafe.
If it is safe to do so, check with your neighbors and make sure they are planning to evacuate as well.
Make sure your pets are nearby and ready to go.

If you have more time to prepare your home for evacuation, Cal Fire has more tips on how to give your property the best chance of surviving a wildfire.

In an evacuation emergency, you should call 911 and turn on the lights to help rescuers find you.

One thing you shouldn't do during an evacuation? Do not let the water run.

If you have a home with hoses or sprinklers outside, you might be tempted to leave them running in the hopes that it can provide additional protection. But don't do it. Leaving your water on decreases the amount of water flow available to firefighters – and it could actually prevent them from saving your home.

During the Caldor Fire in September 2021, Tahoe firefighters implored residents not to let the water run when they evacuatesaying water providers have seen significant capacity drops in areas that should have been completely evacuated of their residents.

” Not only [leaving the water on] “This is not helpful in protecting homes from wildfires, but it can be detrimental to firefighters who rely on a water supply with adequate water flow to fight fires in extremely dangerous conditions” , says a press release from the Tahoe Fire and Fuels team. “This misuse of water can leave water supplies dangerously low when firefighters need quick access to water from hydrants to protect homes.”

What should I wear to evacuate?

When the Bay Area experiences high temperatures, Cal Fire's evacuation guide recommends covering up to protect yourself from heat and flying embers, and says 100% cotton fabric is best.

The guide advises you to wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, thick shoes/boots, a cap, a dry bandana as a face covering, and glasses or glasses.

Where should I go once evacuated?

When making an escape plan, first check if you can stay in a hotel or with friends and family, which may be the safest option during the pandemic. Here's how to find an evacuation center if you can't make other arrangements.

Stay with friends

If you have relatives or friends outside the evacuation zone who you think might have space to accommodate you, ask them in advance so they are ready to accommodate you.

During the pandemic, Cal Fire's evacuation guide advises you to ask anyone you plan to stay with if they have symptoms of COVID-19 or if they have people at higher risk of severe illness in their home . If the answer to one or both of these questions is “yes,” you may want to consider making other arrangements for your health and theirs.

Stay in a hotel

Check with hotels, motels or campgrounds outside your area to see if they can accept you. Your county might also have a plan to free up available rooms. For example, in August 2020, Santa Cruz County officials requested that all visitors and tourists leave to make room for evacuees.

How to find an evacuation center?

If staying at a friend's house or a hotel is not an option, you can go to an evacuation center. It is wise to research which center you would go to in front of time – because you don't want to search for your destination while you're rushing to evacuate.

Details of nearby evacuation centers will be provided by your county, so find your nearest evacuation center. Keep in mind that your evacuation center may look different than in previous years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The American Red Cross also provides evacuation shelters throughout California. Check to see if there is a Red Cross evacuation shelter near you.

Luke Piland, of Boulder Creek, takes a break from volunteering to set up cots at the evacuation center at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds on August 20, 2020. He and his father left their home in Boulder Creek in due to the CZU Lightning Complex fires. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)