Red Flag Alerts

Brush Clearing Guidelines

Firescape Garden Guidelines

Prevention, Preparing, Planning

Evacuation

Fighting a Fire

Emergency Numbers

Traffic Safety

Prevention, Preparation, Planning

Prevention is everything. If you can think of it, it can happen, so be prepared. Planning ahead for an emergency is essential for survival and reducing property loss. Do not wait until it is too late. After the fact does not work. Take charge, do not be a victim.

Santa Barbara County has experienced some of California's largest and most destructive wildfires. The chances for your home surviving a wildland fire is greatly increased if you perform basic fire prevention activities. Homeowners should review the following guidelines annually. Try to plan for a worst case scenario. The following guidelines may be helpful in developing your family plan.

• Develop plan of escape for your family. Have at least two exits from you house. Practice the drill and review your fire preparation at the beginning of each fire season.
• Prepare a family evacuation plan and agree on a Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez Valley meeting place in the event that fire lines temporarily separated family members. Include a plan for pets and livestock.
• Arrange in advance for emergency evacuation procedures for horses and livestock.
• Prepare an emergency supply box and keep it up to date (see Emergency Supplies section).
• Keep fire extinguishers charged and up to date. Inspect yearly and recharge at least every three years. Know location of fire extinguishers Have a few strategically mounted near doors or exit points of buildings. Keep a fire extinguisher in every car.
• Clear brush and grasses within 100 to 300 feet of your buildings (see Brush Clearing Guidelines).
• Make sure battery-operated smoke detectors are installed and working. Electric smoke detectors do not work when the power is off.
• Discuss fire plans with elderly neighbors who may need assistance.
• Make a list of all items which you wish to take with you for safekeeping. Decide how important papers and irreplaceable memorabilia can be quickly packed in a vehicle.

Store all tools and equipment you might use for fighting a fire in one central and convenient place. These might include:

1. Locate gas and electric shutoffs. Keep the necessary shutoff wrenches nearby.
2. Completely bury all plastic water lines. Exposed water lines and risers will burn and drain valuable water resources.
3. Connect garden hoses to all outdoor faucets. During the fire season you may consider hooking up a hose just outside your house with a shutoff nozzle on it. The hose should be long enough to come in the door and reach everything in the house.
4. Equip pools, hot tubs and water tanks with a gasoline powered pump for use as an auxiliary water supply for hose line. Completely drain gas from engine when not in use. Store fresh gas in metal can near pump Check your pump and test start it every week during fire season.
5. Store firewood and other flammable away from structures.
6. Prepare plywood coverings for sliding glass doors and windows, especially on the side most vulnerable to fire. Cut these covers ahead of time and store with fire equipment, nails, and hammers.
7. Keep your car fuel tanks full enough at all times to take the longest evacuation route out. Back you car into your parking area.
8. Install a water storage tank and equip it with a gas powered pump and fire hydrant attachment if you do not have another emergency water source.
9. A battery powered scanner and a radio are necessities during emergencies when the power fails.
10. Use steel or aluminum garbage cans with covers. Plastic cans are very flammable. Plastic patio and garden furniture is to be avoided for the same reason.
11. Notify the Volunteer Fire Department and Auxiliary if you have any special evacuation needs. Also keep them informed of your current fire fighting equipment (pumps, hoses, etc.), water storage and any updates.
12. Display your residence address so that it is visible from the road. Numbers should be large and legible so emergency vehicles can find your house easily at night or during smoky conditions.

Emergency Supplies

In the event of a fire or earthquake, you can anticipate that the mountain communities could be without electricity, telephone and water supplies for 3 to 4 days. Highway 154 may also be closed by fire or rock slides, so you have to be well prepared.

• Flashlights with spare batteries (keep batteries up to date. Batteries stored in the freezer will keep longer, but will also deteriorate over time. Let batteries come to room temperature before using.
• Portable VHF radio scanner (frequencies)
• Portable radio and batteries
• Battery powered scanner
• First Aid Kit
• Take basic first aid and CPR courses from Red Cross
• Fire extinguisher
• Food - Canned and dehydrated, powdered milk, canned juices and meats, dried cereals.
• Alternate cooking source - BBQ, camp stove and fuel
• Waterproof matches
• Cooking utensils, can opener
• Water - At least 3 gallons per person for 72 hours period. Water purification tablets
• Special items - infant food, diapers, medication
• Toiletries - toilet paper, plastic bags, soap, shampoo, toothpaste and brush
• Clothes - heavy shoes, work gloves
• Tools - Pipe wrench and crescent wrench for turning off gas and water mains.
• Medications

Protect Your Home From Fire

Wildland fires are not the only fire hazards that confront the mountain communities. Fire hazards within your home also require your attention. Again, prevention is the key to success. Install smoke detectors. Replace the batteries at least twice a year. New construction requires smoke detectors that are attached to the house electrical system with battery back-up. Carbon Monoxide alarms are also available for protection from gas appliance.

CHIMNEY FIRES

• Inspect your chimney every year. Make sure it is not obstructed by trees or other overhanging debris.
• Keep your roof and gutters clean. Do not allow the buildup of debris.

KITCHEN FIRES

• Do not leave food unattended.
• Make sure you turn your coffee maker off when you leave.
• Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen.
• Use caution keeping chemicals under the sink.
• Keep your kitchen clean. Watch for oil and grease buildup in the hood.

HEATING SYSTEMS and WATER HEATERS

• Keep the area around your heaters free of any obstructions.
• Do not store chemicals or combustibles in the same closet area as your heaters.
• Keep your heater vents clean. Replace the old filters.
• Make sure that there is adequate ventilation.
• Check for gas leaks. Do not use a match or other burning object.

BEDROOMS

• Do not smoke in bed.
• Use caution when using an electric blanket.
• Avoid the use of candles when unattended.
• Avoid window bars. If you have bars, have a well tested breakaway mount so you can get out.
• Have a flashlight by the bed.
• Install a smoke detector.

ELECTRICAL

• Avoid the use of extension cords.
• Do not run wires under rugs or carpets.
• Do not overload wall outlets.
• Replace old outlets and switches.
• Do not use high wattage bulbs in low wattage lamps.
• Unplug the television and other large automatic electrical appliances when gone for extended periods.
• Do not jump fuses with pennies, foil or other metallic material.
• Replace broken breakers with the same rating.
• Flickering lights are an indication of serious electrical problems. Call a licensed electrician.
• Keep flammable materials away from lights.
• Observe phasing and grounding protocols when repairing electrical appliances. If in doubt, call a license electrician.
• Use extreme caution if you are backfeeding your electrical system with a generator or other emergency electrical system. Call a licensed electrician.
• Do not run wires outside that are not designed for outdoor use or in conduit.

MISCELLANEOUS

• Use approved storage containers for flammable fluids such as gasoline.
• Do not store flammable together such as paints, cleaning products and gasoline.
• Keep wood piles away from the house.
• Keep hoses coiled on the side of the house.
• Keep a ladder ready for access to the roof.
• Keep obstructions away from your outside propane tank.
• Clearly mark any water source.
• If you store water for fire suppression, use standard pipe fittings. Call the WRA if you need assistance with this.
• Post your address so you can be found.
• Back your cars into your driveway.
• Keep your valuable papers in one place. The best option is to keep them in a safe deposit box.
• Use a fire safe. Not all safes are the same. Call a qualified lockshop for assistance. Santa Barbara Lock & Key has extensive experience with safes.
• Use caution storing ammunition or reloading equipment.
• Know how to turn off your utilities. Keep a wrench tied to the gas and water pipes.

In the event of a fire inside your home, get yourself and your family out of the house. Call 911 and provide your name, address and the nature of the fire. If it is an electrical fire, turn off the power to the house from the main breaker panel. If it is a gas related fire, turn off the gas service from the outside valve.

If you live on a rural road, an address set back from a road, or difficult to find, send someone to flag down the responding fire department vehicle. This can save a lot of time.