Red Flag Alerts

Brush Clearing Guidelines

Firescape Garden Guidelines

Prevention, Preparing, Planning

Evacuation

Fighting a Fire

Emergency Numbers

Traffic Safety

Fighting A Fire

This section should not be considered a suggestion that homeowners attempt to remain on their property to defend it against a fire. If the site has been well prepared against a fire, then the chances are good that the property will survive with minimal damage. You should have decided long before a fire is even a threat whether or not you will stay or go.

One of the most dangerous things you can do is to decide you are going to stay and then change your mind when you are face to face with the awful reality of an out of control wildfire. A last minute panicked decision to flee may end in disaster. Do not risk being trapped. If in doubt, leave immediately utilizing the quickest and safest route out of the area.

Time is critical. When threatened by a fast moving wildfire, you should gather your family and leave immediately. Do not delay. Some residents had less that 20 minutes to flee in advance of the 1990 Painted Cave fire. Do not wait until it is too late.

If law enforcement and fire authorities permit and it is safe to do so, a member of the house may want to remain to protect the house in the absence of firefighters or to assist the firefighters when they arrive. You do so at your own risk.

If you do stay, make sure you are dressed appropriately in protective clothing. Make sure that someone knows where you are and that you can get out. Don't be a hero. Remember, your own life is more important than your most valued possessions. If you have taken all proper precautions before the fire, the odds of your property surviving a wildfire are greatly enhanced.

The following recommendations may prove helpful:

1. Make sure you are prepared for evacuation.
2. DO NOT BLOCK THE ROAD WITH YOUR VEHICLE.
3. Understand just how vulnerable you are. Have you cleared defensible space adequately? Do you have adequate water stored on site? Will you be able to evacuate later or will your route be cut off?
4. Notify someone that you have decided to stay and fight the fire.
5. Always have your escape route in mind.
6. Conserve water. Don't wet roofs until burning embers begin falling.
7. Stay calm, work at a steady pace suited for your physical condition.
8. Wear all cotton clothing or fire protective gear (Nomex). Dacrons and polyesters may melt and stick to your skin. Put on boots, gloves, and other protective clothing.
9. A handkerchief tied over your nose and mouth can help you breathe in the midst of smoke, ashes and embers.
10. Wear tight fitting goggles for eye protection.
11. Chop down highly combustible shrubbery and trees near building and remove a safe distance; preferable 60 feet or more away. This should have been done already and is dangerous to do during a fire.
12. Never try to outrun a fire by going uphill. Head for the flanks. Try to get to a cooled off section of the burned area. If the fire cannot be stopped and passes over you, the safest place for protection is inside the house with all doors closed. If the house catches fire, you may exit after the main fire passes and attempt to extinguish.
13. Be aware of the possibility that an air tanker may suddenly unload its retardant over you.  Immediately lie face down on ground clear of overhead trees, place fire fighting tools downhill, cover your head with an arm and hold on to something substantial.
14. Do not interfere with county, Forest Service, city or volunteer firefighters. They may have priorities more pressing than assisting you (saving lives or tactical reasons they cannot assist you at this time).

Clothing

The following clothing should be kept on hand in the event of a fire:

• Helmet
• Goggles
• Bandanna
• Long sleeved cotton shirt
• Leather gloves
• Canteen
• Loose cuffless cotton pants
• Heavy socks and boots

Shorts and "flip-flops" are not acceptable. Fire departments have been issued Cal-OSHA approved Nomex clothing, and other fire fighting equipment for their safety. Consider how they are dress prior to jumping in.

Extinguishing Methods

The following basic emergency methods may be used while help, and fire departments are on their way to the scene.

• Fire Extinguishers - Probably the fastest and most effective first hit on a small fire is a fire extinguisher. Have a few of them strategically mounted near doors or exit points in your house, one near a door of each building, one for each vehicle, and a small one to live with your chain saw. Know how to use each one.
• Water - Best and fastest tool. Direct the spray parallel to the fires edge at the base of the flames. Water cools the fire and prevents its spread. Remove fuel from fares path and construct a fire line down to the mineral soil along the water control line.
• Dirt - Should be thrown in swinging motion to scatter it in a thin layer at the base of the flames of snags, stumps and brush along fares edge. However, buried fire should be uncovered and extinguished after the spread of the fire is checked.
• Wet blanket - Can be effectively used on small grass fires by two people walking along the fares edge and laying the blanket gently down for a few seconds to smother a section of the fire.
• Wet burlap sack - Used to smother flames in advance of fire lines construction. Swing sack toward the fire so that the embers and sparks will be whipped into burned area.

After the Fire Passes

Immediately afterward check for hot spots, using eyes and nose to find whiffs or spirals of smoke. Check on all furniture, cupboards, bedding, storage areas, drapes, and closets, from attic to garage and all roof surfaces. Once over is not enough. Continue checking for at least six to ten hours after a fire is thought to be out.