- Author: Michael Hsu
Fire advisors offer guidance on minimizing damage, preparing for evacuation, protecting against smoke
With exceptionally dry conditions persisting in many parts of California, residents should double their efforts to prepare homes, families, businesses and communities for potential wildfire and smoke impacts, according to University of California fire experts.
“Even as firefighters make progress in containing the Los Angeles-area fires, communities must continue to be vigilant across Southern California and other regions that are experiencing this historically dry ‘wet season,'” said Lenya Quinn-Davidson, director of UC Agriculture and Natural Resources' Fire Network.
The Fire Network is a team of UC Cooperative Extension fire and natural resource advisors, specialists and staff who deliver fire-related research, outreach, and support for communities across the state.
The experts have assembled a website with a wide range of relevant resources at ucanr.edu/fire. Quinn-Davidson said the “Wildfire Preparedness” page contains essential information on how to protect homes and property from fire: https://ucanr.edu/sites/fire/Preparedness.
“There are many small but significant tasks that people can complete to shore up potential danger spots and minimize fire damage,” she emphasized.
Experts highlight six things to do before evacuating
For communities where evacuation warnings have been issued, Quinn-Davidson and other members of the Fire Network urge residents to do six key things in advance of an actual evacuation order.
- Close windows, fireplace screens, pet doors and skylights.
- Move inside patio cushions, brooms and door mats; tie open wooden gates that attach to the house or deck to prevent a fire from traveling from the fence to the house.
- Relocate any propane tanks away from the home.
- Stage buckets of water and garden hoses in visible locations.
- Dress for evacuation: long sleeve cotton clothes, sturdy shoes, hat and face protection and leather gloves.
- Put your “go-bag” in your vehicle and share your evacuation plans with out-of-area family or friends.
The UC ANR Fire Network website also includes downloadable checklists – in English and Spanish – for your go-bag (https://ucanr.edu/sites/fire/Safety/Evacuation/Preparing_a_Go-Bag/) and for a host of important pre-evacuation tasks for your household, property, pets and livestock (https://ucanr.edu/sites/fire/Safety/Evacuation/).
“These actions can make a tremendous difference when preparing for wildfire, even just hours before evacuation,” Quinn-Davidson said.
Take precautions to protect yourself from smoke
During wildfire events, smoke from nearby fires can blanket nearby areas. A primer on harmful health effects, a list of tips for reducing smoke exposure, and other resources and links can be found on the UC ANR Fire Network site: https://ucanr.edu/sites/fire/Safety/Air_Quality_and_Smoke/.
“It's important to monitor your local air quality so you can mitigate smoke impacts,” said Katie Low, statewide coordinator for UC ANR's Fire Network. “One go-to resource is fire.airnow.gov. If the AQI – Air Quality Index – is high, I would limit my outdoor activity, wear an N95 mask if I do go outside, and run my air purifier.”
For instructions on making a DIY air cleaner, creating a “clean air space” in your home and fitting an N95 mask properly, visit the California Air Resources Board's “Smoke Ready California” page: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/smokereadyca.
A wildfire can also contaminate drinking water to an extent beyond what boiling can remedy; residents should check with their local water department or district for any advisories.
Another useful tool is the crowd-sourced #FireMappers fire activity map – powered by the National Alliance for Public Safety GIS Foundation, GISCorps, and CEDR Digital – accessible through the UC ANR Fire Network site: https://ucanr.edu/sites/fire/Safety/Current/.
Media Resources
Lenya Quinn-Davidson: lquinndavidson@ucanr.edu; (707) 272-0637
Katie Low: katlow@ucanr.edu; (530) 889-7385
- Author: Michael Hsu
UC ANR Fire Network compiles expert advice on preparedness, evacuation tasks
The explosive growth of the Park Fire in Northern California was fueled by recent, intense heat waves and extremely dry vegetation – conditions seen at many locations across the state.
Given the potential for wildfire and smoke impacts during what is expected to be a protracted “fire season,” California residents should think ahead and complete emergency preparations: https://ucanr.edu/sites/fire/Preparedness/.
“If you are concerned that you or someone you know could be affected by fire or smoke, now is the time to take simple steps to prepare,” said Yana Valachovic, University of California Cooperative Extension forest advisor for Humboldt and Del Norte counties.
Valachovic and other members of the UC Agriculture and Natural Resources Fire Network are urging community members to tackle small but significant tasks to minimize potential fire damage. Many of these tasks can be finished in a weekend, such as:
- Clean debris from your roof and gutters.
- Inspect the area around your home and nearby structures and remove all combustibles (dead grass, plants, woody mulch, stored wood, etc.) in the first 5 feet, including under decks and stairs.
- Inspect the foundation, under-eave, and gable-end vents for holes and damage; add a layer of finer metal-mesh screens (1/8” mesh) to the vents to prevent ember penetration.
- Inspect the garage door bottom seal to make sure embers can't blow under the door.
- Replace the first 5 feet of wooden fences that attach to buildings with a noncombustible panel or gate.
A recently published report, “Retrofitting a Home for Wildfire Resistance,” also can help residents prioritize the measures that are most cost-effective and fit their budget.
Six things to do, six hours before evacuation
As evacuation warnings are issued for local communities, there are six important things to do in advance of an actual evacuation order, according to Valachovic:
- Close windows, pet doors and skylights.
- Move inside patio cushions, brooms and door mats; tie open wooden gates that attach to the house or deck to prevent a fire from traveling from the fence to the house.
- Relocate the barbecue propane tank away from home.
- Stage buckets of water and garden hoses in visible locations.
- Dress for evacuation: cotton clothes, sturdy shoes, hat and face protection and leather gloves.
- Put your “go bag” in your vehicle.
The UC ANR Fire Network website also includes downloadable checklists – in English and Spanish – for your go bag (https://ucanr.edu/sites/fire/Safety/Evacuation/Preparing_a_Go-Bag/) and for a host of important pre-evacuation tasks for your household, property, pets and livestock (https://ucanr.edu/sites/fire/Safety/Evacuation/).
“We want communities to be wildfire-prepared – not scared,” Valachovic emphasized.
Smoke exposure a significant public health concern
Hazardous smoke can blanket wide swaths of California – and much of the Western U.S. – during ongoing wildfire events. A primer on harmful health effects, a list of tips for reducing smoke exposure, and other resources and links can be found on the UC ANR Fire Network site: https://ucanr.edu/sites/fire/Safety/Air_Quality_and_Smoke/.
“If there's smoke in the forecast for the next few days, I would keep an eye on my local air quality at fire.airnow.gov,” said Katie Low, statewide coordinator for UC ANR's Fire Network. “And if the AQI – Air Quality Index – is high, I would limit my outdoor activity, wear an N95 mask if I do go outside, and run my air purifier.”
For instructions on making a DIY air cleaner, creating a “clean air space” in your home and fitting an N95 mask properly, visit the California Air Resources Board's “Smoke Ready California” page: https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/smokereadyca.
Another useful tool is the crowd-sourced #FireMappers fire activity map – powered by the National Alliance for Public Safety GIS Foundation, GISCorps, and CEDR Digital Corps – accessible through the UC ANR Fire Network site: https://ucanr.edu/sites/fire/Safety/Current/.
