Siskiyou County Emergency Preparedness Guide - Prepare for Wildfires

Fire is a natural element in forest ecosystems. Today, more people are taking up residence in the forests and rangelands—and thus becoming part of the wildland/urban interface—where the urban environment meets the wild. Residents living in wildland/urban interface areas should be aware of the danger of wildfire and prepare accordingly.

The Home Ignition Zone (HIZ)

The home ignition zone includes your home and the immediate area surrounding your home, up to 200 feet from the home depending on terrain and vegetation. Keeping your home ignition zone as fire-safe as possible will reduce the chances that your home will ignite during a wildfire.

Your home:

• Replace wood shake roofs with non-flammable roofing material.
• Remove leaves & needles from gutters, roofs and decks.
• Remove tree limbs that hang over the roof.
• Keep decks free of flammable lawn furniture, door mats, etc.
• Screen vents and areas under decks with 1/8” metal mesh to keep embers from getting in your house.
• Store firewood in a safe location - at least 30 feet away from your home and deck.

Within 100 feet of your home:

• Remove dead plants and brush.
• Remove low branches from trees and shrubs.
• Mow grass to 6 inches.
• Tree crowns should be spaced 10-15 feet apart to avoid dangerous crown fires.
• Driveways leading to the home should also be clear of heavy vegetation on either side, and should be wide enough to accommodate fire-suppression vehicles and personnel.

Stay Safe When a Wildfire Threatens

Prepare Now

• Sign up for your community’s warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.
• Know your community’s evacuation plans and find several ways to leave the area. Drive the evacuation routes and find shelter locations. Have a plan for pets and livestock.
• Gather emergency supplies, including N95 respirator masks that filter out particles in the air you breathe. Keep in mind each person’s specific needs, including and updated asthma action plan and medication. Don’t forget the needs of pets.
• Designate a room that can be closed off from outside air. Close all doors and windows. Set up a portable air cleaner to keep indoor pollution levels low when smoky conditions exist.
• Keep important documents in a fireproof, safe place. Create password-protected digital copies.
• Use fire-resistant materials to build, renovate, or make repairs.
• Find an outdoor water source with a hose that can reach any area of your property.
• Create a fire-resistant zone that is free of leaves, debris, or flammable materials for at least 30 feet from your home.
• Review insurance coverage to make sure it is enough to replace your property.
• Pay attention to air quality alerts.

Survive During

• Evacuate immediately if authorities tell you to do so.
• If trapped, then call 911 and give your location, but be aware that emergency response could be delayed or impossible. Turn on lights to help rescuers find you.
• Listen to EAS, NOAA Weather Radio, or local alerting systems for current emergency information and instructions.
• Use an N95 masks to keep harmful particles out of the air you breathe.
• If you are not ordered to evacuate but smoky conditions exist, stay inside in a safe location or go to a community building where smoke levels are lower.

Be Safe After

• Listen to authorities to find out when it is safe to return, and whether water is safe to drink.
• Avoid hot ash, charred trees, smoldering debris, and live embers. The ground may contain heat pockets that can burn you or spark another fire. Consider the danger to pets and livestock.
• Send text messages or use social media to reach out to family and friends. Phone systems are often busy following a disaster. Make calls only in emergencies.
• Wear a NIOSH certified-respirator and wet debris down to minimize breathing dust particles.
• Document property damage with photographs. Conduct an inventory and contact your insurance company for assistance.
• Wildfires dramatically change landscape and ground conditions, which can lead to increased risk of flooding due to heavy rains, flash flooding and mudflows. Flood risk remains significantly higher until vegetation is restored—up to 5 years after a wildfire. Consider purchasing flood insurance to protect the life you've built and to assure financial protection from future flooding.