LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. – In 2020, South Tahoe Now and the Tahoe Network of Fire Adapted Communities teamed up to present ways to protect you and your families in the case of wildfire. Also in that series were ways to prepare your home, create go-bags, and other helpful and necessary tips and tools.
We will be sharing that series again, with one focus a day over the next ten days.
Today’s Tip: Make a Family Evacuation Plan
Making a plan is one of the most important things you can do to prepare your family for wildfire. Whether your kids are home from school, your spouse is teleworking, or family members are social distancing, you can use this time inside to gather and discuss a wildfire evacuation plan.
Step 1: Explain the Risks of Wildfire
Tahoe communities are located within the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI), making our homes and families especially vulnerable to wildfire. It’s important to explain wildfire risks to family members, including small children*, and ensure they understand the importance of being prepared.
*Stay tuned! Next week’s tip is on how to talk to children about wildfire!
Step 2: Sign Up for Emergency Alerts
Next, make sure everyone in your family is signed up to receive emergency alert notifications to their phone. Each county around Lake Tahoe has its own “opt-in” system. If you often travel around the basin, signing up for multiple counties is a good idea.
Placer County
El Dorado County
Washoe County
Douglas County
Step 3: Become Familiar with the Neighborhood
Establish and practice exit routes out of your home and neighborhood. Evacuation routes may vary depending on the location of the fire, so familiarity is crucial for making on-the-fly decisions.
Step 4: Create a Written Plan
Once everyone understands the risks, has signed up for emergency alerts, and is familiar with the neighborhood, write down a family plan.
Be sure to include:
A designated meeting point outside of the hazard area
An out-of-town friend or relative to serve as a point of contact for the family
How to turn off the water, gas, and electricity in your home
How to assist seniors and disabled members of your family
A plan for pets and large animals
Some additional evacuation resources:
More on preparing for wildfire – https://www.tahoelivingwithfire.com/. Sign up for their newsletters at http://bit.ly/TNFACnewsletter.
Previous Tips:
#1 – Are you preparing for the possibility of wildfire in the Lake Tahoe Basin?