With strong Santa Ana winds blowing across Southern California, raising the risk of wildfires, San Diego County residents can follow certain steps to ensure their safety and be ready to evacuate if necessary.
There’s a red flag warning in effect through Friday evening for areas of San Diego County east of Interstate 15. In the event that strong winds ignite a fire in the county, prompt action will be crucial.
High winds pose a significant danger in terms of fire spread, warns Cal FIRE/San Diego County Fire Captain Robert Johnson. “You may not initially be in a designated evacuation zone when a fire starts, but in just a few minutes, the fire could reach your front door while you’re still packing a go-bag.”
Here is a list of additional steps you can take before a wildfire breaks out.
Pack a go-bag
A go-bag, also known as an emergency preparedness kit, is a basic pack of supplies that you can grab quickly when a wildfire or other disaster strikes. Consider keeping it near the front door or in your garage, or some other location that’s easily accessible by car.
stock up on at least three days worth of non-perishable food and about three gallons of water for each person.
Also, make sure to pack any necessary medications, as well as prescriptions, a first aid kit, a flashlight with extra batteries, and vital documents like passports and birth certificates.
Remember to include chargers for your devices, as well, and consider charging them beforehand.
Johnson advises you to fill up your car’s gas tank or charge your electric vehicle so you’re far enough away from a fire to travel safely, as gasoline stations may stop functioning if the power goes out.
Making a Plan for Your Pets. Spent considerable time and effort to create a routine that’s suitable for each family member’s schedule. this could involve setting a specific feeding schedule that works for you and your pet, decide on daily routine activities such as exercises and playtime, allocate time for regular veterinary check-ups. Also, think ahead and create a plan in case of emergencies.
Be sure to stock up on food and water, particularly essentials such as a two-week supply for people and three days’ worth for livestock and horses. Don’t forget to include items like pet leashes, litter boxes, and your animals’ vaccination records and proof of ownership when assembling your emergency kit.
During a life-threatening situation, Johnson advised prioritizing your personal safety above all else. “We would not want to lose a human life just because they were trying to rescue their cat,” he clarified.
Stay up to date with the latest digital information and resources at your fingertips.
A feature that sends out text notifications, monitors wildfires, and enables users to create their own tailored lists.
Johnson suggests looking at Cal FIRE’s social media feeds and using the Alert San Diego website and the San Diego Emergency app, which provides emergency notifications and information about evacuation centers. You can even subscribe to emergency alerts that get sent to home phones, cell phones, internet phones, and email addresses.
Check evacuation zones and road closures via the Genasys Protect program.
In the event of unpredictable service, it’s a good idea to keep a battery- or hand-crank-powered portable radio handy to stay informed.
Know your evacuation plans
Make a household evacuation plan with all family members and note that a single plan may not be adequate.
“We generally advise people to have at least two to three evacuation routes available,” Johnson explained, highlighting the potential risks of strong winds causing downed trees across roadways or a route being shut down due to safety or firefighting reasons.
Before the earthquake strikes, identify a meeting point and inform the group, especially if you’re all driving separately. It’s also a good idea to check in with neighbors or loved ones who may require assistance during an evacuation, like those who don’t drive or have mobility problems.
Johnson also reminds residents that cell phone towers can be knocked out and services will be slow during a fire or other disaster, making it hard or impossible to reach loved ones by phone or use your device for directions.
Monitor your health
When air quality worsens due to wildfire smoke, it’s a good idea to stay inside, cut back on physically demanding activities, and wear a mask rated N95 if you need to be outside.
Bringing the containment measure into effect, especially in the event of continued regional wildfires or the start of a new wildfire in the county.
Inhaling wildfire smoke can be especially hazardous for children, people with asthma, respiratory illnesses, or heart conditions, as well as individuals who are pregnant.
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