WHEN WILDFIRE APPROACHES: PNWCG

WHEN WILDFIRE APPROACHES:

Florence Fire The checklist below includes items you should be familiar with and prepared for in the event that a wildfire approaches your home.

Evacuate, if possible, all family members not essential to protecting the home. Evacuate pets as well.

Contact a friend or relative and relay your plans.

Make sure family members are aware of a prearranged meeting place.

Tune in to a local radio station and listen for instructions.

Back vehicles into the garage so they're facing the outside, and roll up all the windows.

Place valuable papers and mementos in the car.

Close the garage door, but leave it unlocked. If you have an electric garage door opener, disconnect it so that the door can be opened manually.

Place combustible patio furniture in the house or garage.

Shut off propane at the tank or natural gas at the meter.

Wear only cotton or wool clothes. Safe clothing includes long pants, long-sleeved shirt or jacket, and boots. Carry gloves, a handkerchief to cover your face, drinking water, and goggles.

Close all exterior vents.

Prop a ladder against the house so firefighters have easy access to the roof.

Make sure that all garden hoses are connected to faucets, and attach a nozzle set on "spray."

Soak rags, towels, or small rugs with water to use in beating out embers or small fires.

Inside, fill bathtubs, sinks, and other containers with water. Outside, do the same with garbage cans and buckets. Remember that the water heater and toilet tank are available sources of water.

Close all exterior doors and windows.

Close all interior doors.

Open the fireplace damper, but place the screen over the hearth to prevent sparks and embers from entering the house.

Leave a light on in each room.

Remove lightweight and/or non-fire-resistant curtains and other combustible materials from around windows.

If available, close fire-resistant drapes, shutters, or blinds. Attach pre-cut plywood panels to the exterior of windows and glass doors.

Turn off all pilot lights.

Move overstuffed furniture (e.g. couches, recliners) to the center of the room.

Keep wood shake or shingle roofs moist by spraying water. Do not waste water. Consider placing a lawn sprinkler on the roof if water pressure is adequate. Do not turn it on until burning embers begin to fall on the roof.

Continually check the roof and attic for embers, smoke, or fire.