Residents across the western United States are facing another dangerous wildfire season. This year, large blazes have been burning across California, Oregon and Washington.
Evacuation orders have been issued for communities near California's Big Sur, while firefighters continue battling multiple large incidents across the Pacific Northwest. Oregon is also on track for its worst wildfire season on record by acreage burned.
Against that backdrop, emergency officials suggest that residents should not wait until an evacuation order appears on their phones. Instead, they should prepare well in advance, as changing wind conditions and rugged terrain can rapidly alter a fire's path.
Ex- FEMA official Josh Dozor told HT.com that wildfire response becomes significantly more challenging when multiple fires burn simultaneously. “The firefighter resources that we have and the emergency response capabilities have to be spread out over a very, very large area,” he said.
Josh Dozor is a former Deputy Assistant Administrator for Response Operations at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and now General Manager of Medical and Security Assistance Services at International SOS.
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Build your evacuation plan before disaster strikes
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Build your evacuation plan before disaster strikes
{{/usCountry}}Emergency agencies, including Ready.gov, advise families to prepare evacuation plans before wildfire season begins. Dozor said people should take several practical steps before an evacuation order is issued.
1. Make a family evacuation plan: According to Dozor, every household member should know where to go, how to leave, and where to reunite if separated. "Have a plan and communicate your plan with your family and your friends," Dozor said.
2. Pack a grab bag: Experts like Dozor have suggested that residents in the vicinity of a progressive wildfire should keep essential documents, medications, cash, clothing, chargers, water, and other necessities ready to leave on short notice.
Ready.gov also recommends preparing supplies for pets.
3. Keep your phone charged: Wireless Emergency Alerts are one of the fastest ways authorities notify residents about changing wildfire conditions. A charged phone ensures people receive evacuation notices immediately.
Dozor said, “When you're traveling, you're in the area, it's very important to keep your phone charged and powered and able to receive the alerts. We have systems in place in the United States where alerts from our public agencies will be pushed to your cell phones, and you will get an alert."
He added, "It's extremely important to heed the advice of those emergency responders.”
4. Prepare your home: If you are in a threatened area, windows should be kept closed. Flammable curtains should be moved away from them.
Dozor further suggested residents shut off gas valves if instructed and run air conditioning on recirculation to reduce smoke entering the house. “Put your air conditioning on, circulate so you're not breathing in smokeful air,” Dozor said.
Masks should also be readily available.
5. Know your evacuation routes: Residents should identify more than one way out of their neighbourhood. Mountain communities often have limited roads. This increases evacuation risks if one route is blocked.
“One of the biggest risks is that there are very few roads into and out of these communities,” Dozor said. “If the fire cuts off that road, you're isolated and you're not able to evacuate.”
What to do when you receive an evacuation order?
One of the biggest misconceptions, Dozor mentioned is that people have plenty of time once an evacuation order is issued. He explained that evacuation timing depends on several factors, including fire containment, wind direction, the number of people at risk and local road infrastructure.
He said, “Once you get the alert to evacuate, evacuate. Don't delay. Don't wait. Don't use the time to get more things.”