During a wildfire or other emergency, timely information can help you act quickly and protect your loved ones. Two important steps you can take now are making sure AlertMarin can reach you and preparing your household for smoky conditions.
Sign up for AlertMarin… and keep your information current
AlertMarin is the primary emergency notification system used by public safety agencies across Marin County. It sends critical information and potentially life-saving instructions when action is needed at a specific address.
AlertMarin is used for evacuation orders, shelter-in-place instructions, imminent wildfire danger, flooding, and other public safety emergencies. Notifications can arrive by phone call, text message or email, depending on what information you provided when you were signing up for AlertMarin.
Everyone who lives or works in Marin should sign up. Enrollment takes less than five minutes, does not require an account and allows you to register up to five locations. The sign-up process is available in English and Spanish, and users can select their preferred language for alerts.
Already enrolled?
Take a few minutes to confirm that your phone numbers, email addresses and registered locations are current. Adding your home landline as a second contact method is also recommended.
To help urgent calls get through even when your phone is silenced, save the AlertMarin number, 877-627-1411, as a contact in your phone. On an iPhone, enable Emergency Bypass for that contact. On an Android phone, favorite the contact and allow its calls and messages through Do Not Disturb.
Want specific notifications?
Within the AlertMarin system, optional notification groups have been added in response to community feedback requesting information about hazards that do not rise to the level of a life-threatening emergency but could still have significant impacts. These groups provide notifications for topics like coastal flooding and King Tides, prescribed burns, riverine and creek flooding, significant traffic disruptions, and significant weather. They do not replace AlertMarin’s primary emergency alerts.
Marin County Office of Emergency Management encourages residents to log in to their AlertMarin account and select any notification groups that meet their needs.
Know where to find reliable information
AlertMarin is one important source of emergency information, but residents should be prepared to monitor multiple sources. The Marin County Public Emergency Portal is the County’s official source for current incident information, advisories, evacuation statuses, road closures, shelters and impacts to County services.
Pay attention to what is happening around you, too. Look, listen and smell for signs of wildfire.
Prepare now for smoky days
Wildfire smoke is a regular part of wildfire season and can affect everyone. Children, older adults, pregnant women and people with pre-existing medical conditions are especially vulnerable.
A few preparations can help protect your household:
- Check local air quality at AirNow.gov or through the AirNow mobile app.
- Keep well-fitting N95 respirators available for times when you must go outside.
- Keep a go-kit ready, just in case. ReadyMarin has additional information about what to pack.
- Review the safety tips on our Smoke Preparedness resources page, such as setting up a “clean-air room.”
- Learn from Marin County Health & Human Services about the health impacts of wildfire smoke and symptoms of smoke exposure.
Preparedness does not have to be complicated. Sign up for AlertMarin, check your contact information and addresses, and make a smoke plan now, before you need them.
