An Evacuation Order will be sent through an Alert Marin text, call, or email, so make sure you are signed up. These alerts will only be sent when action is needed at a specific address.
- Don’t wait. You should already have a Go-Kit packed and ready. Most items can be replaced. If you have time, do things that could help save your home: close your windows, open your gates, turn on your lights, remove combustible items away from your house.
- Don’t evacuate on fire roads. These routes are only used by emergency vehicles and you are putting yourself and firefighters safety at risk if you use them. These roads also put you in areas of heavy vegetation where it is not safe during a wildfire. It is safer for you to take main roads downhill and proceed as directed from police and other emergency responders.
- Don’t ignore alerts. If you receive an Evacuation Warning, you should be ready to leave. If you get an Evacuation Order, you need to leave immediately. Use your senses – ears, eyes, nose – to make smart decisions. Ignoring alerts puts everyone at risk.
- Don’t stay and defend your home. Firefighters’ first mission is to save lives. If you decide to stay behind during an evacuation, you are at risk and firefighters need to get you out before they can put the fire out.
- Don’t abandon the car in the road. You are safer inside a car on pavement – even if there is fire burning on either side of the road. Drive slowly and follow traffic instructions from emergency personnel.
- Don’t panic. Make a plan and practice your plan so that you aren’t caught unprepared if you do need to evacuate. Plan for different scenarios including what to do if: you need to leave immediately, you have an hour or two to get ready, or there is a long term Evacuation Warning that can last days.
Learn more about wildfire alerts and warnings by downloading a Wildfire Evacuation Survival Checklist.
