During the Fire:
During a Fire: How to Stay Safe When a Wildfire Approaches
When a wildfire is heading toward your home or community, quick and calm action can be lifesaving. Here’s how to stay safe during a wildfire:
1. Evacuate Early
If authorities issue an evacuation order, leave immediately. Delaying can put you and first responders at risk.
Leave with essentials: Grab your emergency kit, important documents, and any essentials for pets or children.
Follow official orders: Pay attention to alerts from Skamania County Emergency Management, local fire services, or law enforcement.
Know your evacuation route: Use the pre-planned evacuation routes you mapped out and keep them clear of traffic or debris.
2. Stay Calm and Act Quickly
If you haven’t been ordered to evacuate yet, but the fire is close, stay calm and prepare to leave at a moment’s notice.
- Tune in to local news: Monitor radio stations, emergency alerts, and social media for the latest updates on fire location and movement.
- Keep your vehicle ready: Park your car facing the road for a quick exit and leave the keys in the ignition. Keep the gas tank full if possible.
- Dress for protection: Wear long sleeves, pants, and sturdy shoes to protect yourself from embers and heat.
3. Prepare Your Home Before You Leave
If time allows, take these steps to protect your home and help firefighters defend it.
Fill buckets or containers with water: Place them around your property for fire crews to use if needed.
Shut off utilities: Turn off gas and propane lines to reduce the risk of explosions.
Close all windows and doors: Prevent embers from entering your home. Leave all doors unlocked for firefighters if they need to access your house.
Move flammable items away: Clear your yard of anything flammable, such as patio furniture, firewood, or propane tanks.
4. If You Can’t Evacuate
In rare cases, you might not be able to leave your home. Here’s what to do to stay safe in place.
Call 911: Let emergency responders know where you are. If possible, provide your exact location and details about your situation.
Go to an interior room: Stay in a room far from outside walls and windows, such as a bathroom or basement. Close all doors between you and the fire.
Seal gaps with wet towels: Block spaces under doors and around windows to prevent smoke from entering the room.
Stay low: Smoke rises, so stay close to the floor where the air is clearer.
5. Protect Yourself from Smoke
Wildfire smoke can be hazardous, even if the flames are far away. Protect yourself from smoke inhalation by following these tips:
Run air filters: Use air purifiers indoors to reduce smoke particles in the air.
Stay indoors: If smoke levels are high, stay indoors with windows and doors closed.
Use a mask: If you must go outside, wear an N95 mask to protect your lungs from the harmful particles in wildfire smoke.
6. Help Your Neighbors
If you’re able to, check on elderly neighbors, those with disabilities, or others who might need assistance evacuating.
Offer a ride: If you have extra space in your vehicle, help transport those who don’t have a car or a means of evacuation.
Coordinate with your community: Make sure everyone has a way to leave and is informed about evacuation routes and safe locations.
7. Know When It’s Safe to Return
Once you’ve evacuated, do not return home until authorities give the all-clear. Wildfires can leave hotspots or areas still at risk.
- Stay informed: Check Skamania County alerts or speak with local fire officials before going back.
- Be cautious: When returning, be on the lookout for potential hazards like fallen trees, damaged powerlines, and hot embers that could reignite the fire.
Stay Safe During a Wildfire
Acting quickly and calmly during a wildfire can save lives. Make sure you’re prepared with an evacuation plan, a ready-to-go emergency kit, and an understanding of the steps to take if you need to shelter in place. Remember, your safety is the top priority—when in doubt, evacuate early.
For real-time updates during a wildfire, follow Skamania County Emergency Alerts and tune in to local news broadcasts.
