With Santa Ana winds whipping across Southern California and raising the risk of wildfire, there are certain steps San Diego County residents can take to stay safe and prepare in case they need to evacuate.
A red flag warning is in effect in areas of San Diego County east of Interstate 15 through Friday evening. And if strong winds spark a fire in the county, fire officials say that every second counts.
With such high winds, blazes can move dangerously fast, said Cal FIRE/San Diego County Fire Captain Robert Johnson. “So you might not necessarily be in an evacuation area at the time when the fire starts — but you could be 5, 10 minutes (into) packing a go-bag, and the fire is already at your front door.”
Here’s what else you can do to prepare before a wildfire ignites.
Pack a go-bag
A go-bag is an emergency supplies kit that you can grab at a moment’s notice during a wildfire or other disaster. Keep it by the front door, in the garage by your car or somewhere else easily accessible.
Each person’s go-bag might look a little different depending individual needs, Johnson says, but everyone should include at least three days of non-perishable food and three gallons of water per person.
Plus, don’t forget any necessary medications and prescriptions, a first aid kit, a flashlight, extra batteries and important documents such as passports and birth certificates.
Throw in chargers for your devices, too — and be sure they’re charged up ahead of time.
Johnson also recommends filling your vehicle’s gas tank or charging up electric vehicles. You want to have enough fuel to get safely far away from a fire, and gas stations may have their pumps off if they don’t have power.
Make a plan for pets
Pet owners should have carriers ready and at least a two-week supply of food and water — or at least three days of hay, feed and water for livestock and horses. Don’t forget leashes and litter boxes, and put animals’ vaccination records and proof of ownership documents in your go-bag.
And in a dire emergency, focus on personal safety, Johnson said. “We would hate to lose human life because they were trying to evacuate a cat,” he explained.
Stay informed with digital resources
There are several websites and apps that offer up-to-date information before and during a wildfire, including through the National Weather Service, SDG&E and Cal FIRE’s firePLANNER, which sends out text alerts, tracks wildfires and lets users create personalized checklists.
Johnson recommends checking Cal FIRE’s social media accounts and using the Alert San Diego website and San Diego Emergency app, which gives emergency notifications and information about evacuation shelters. You can also sign up for emergency alerts sent to land-line phones, cell phones, internet phones and email.
Search for evacuation zones and road closures through the Genasys Protect program.
And in case of spotty service, keep a battery- or crank-operated portable radio on hand to stay updated.
Know your evacuation plans
If you haven’t already, coordinate an evacuation plan with other members of your household — and don’t assume one plan is enough.
“We like to recommend people have two or three different options,” Johnson said, pointing out that evacuation routes can be compromised if high winds topple trees across roadways or if a route is closed for safety or firefighting efforts.
Be sure to map out a meeting place beforehand, as well, especially if your group is taking separate vehicles. And check in with people you know who may have difficulty evacuating on their own, such as those who don’t drive or who have mobility issues.
Johnson also reminds residents that cell phone towers can be overwhelmed and services will be slower during a fire or other disaster, so it may be difficult or impossible to contact your friends and family via cell phone or use your device for navigation.
Monitor your health
If air quality dips due to wildfire smoke, aim to stay indoors, avoid strenuous activity and wear an N95 mask if outdoors.
And if you have an in-home air cleaner or filter, bring it out — especially if the regional wildfires continue or if one starts in the county.
Breathing in wildfire smoke can be especially harmful for children and certain other vulnerable people, such as those with asthma, respiratory illnesses or heart disease or those who are pregnant.
