This week, FIRESafe MARIN will provide a simple, 7 day guide to improving your home and family's wildfire preparedness with simple, easy, inexpensive tips.
Ready, Set, Go. If you've followed days 1-4 of our Wildfire Preparedness Week step-by-step planning guide, you've now taken steps to "Ready" your home for wildfire. By creating Defensible Space, and taking steps to harden your home and maintain fire resistant landscaping, firefighters have a fighting-chance to save your home when wildfire strikes. Today we'll look at the first stage of preparation to evacuate.
Many Marin residents remember the 1991 "Tunnel Fire" in the Oakland/Berkeley hills like it was yesterday. In the Mill valley hills, many watched this devastating fire, the most destructive wildfire in US history, from their living room windows. 25 people perished in the fire, most of whom were residents who died in their homes or cars attempting, too late, to evacuate.
Four years later, the 12,000 acre 'Vision Fire" struck even closer to home in west Marin, burning 45 homes. No lives were lost, in part due to lessons learned in Oakland.
Keep an emergency kit in your car BEFORE a fire starts. Know how to receive and stay aware of the latest news and information on the fire from local media, your local fire department and public safety.
You may have three minutes notice, or three days, before a fire becomes a threat, depending on your location, weather conditions, and the time of year.
As a wildfire approaches, it is important that you get set. Prepare yourself and your home for the possibility of having to evacuate. This means going through a checklist of items you will need to take when evacuating and preparing to implement your Family Disaster Plan.
Elevate your family's situational awareness when extreme fire weather occurs, or when wildland fires are burning nearby. Monitor the environment and be ready to implement your Family Disaster Plan.
Depending on your location, the time of year, and local fire weather conditions, you may have from a few minutes to a few days of warning before a fire threatens your safety.
Always err on the side of safety when considering evacuation. Your home and belongings are insured. Your life, your family's, and the safety of your neighbors and firefighters should not be risked because you waited too long.
These steps should be taken well in advance of the fire when possible:
Learn more at www.readysetgomarin.org, and watch tomorrow for Day 6 of our Wildfire Preparedness Week series. Download a Ready, Set, Go "Action Guide" for more information and checklists.
Did you read our earlier articles?
Wildfire Preparedness Week, Day 4: Choose Firewise Plants
Wildfire Preparedness Week, Day 3: Expand Your Defensible Space
Wildfire Preparedness Week, Day 2: Cut Your Grass!
Wildfire Preparedness Week, Day 1: Clean Your Roof and Gutters!
Wildfire Preparedness: A Community Responsibility
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