If there is fire, do you know how and when to leave South Lake Tahoe?

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - 2020 is turning out to be a year of large fires in California, and the South Lake Tahoe area is not immune from the danger of wildfire. It is very important to be prepared in case you must evacuate.

Benjamin Franklin said, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.”

Listed below are ways those in the South Lake Tahoe can start to plan, in hopes the plans never have to be used.

If there were just two things residents should know, South Lake Tahoe Fire Chief Clive Savacol said it would be to "evacuate early" and "have a plan."

The maps in the story above are the South Lake Tahoe Community Evacuation Map, legend and instructions. It is important to know these based on neighborhoods prior to the danger of wildfire in our community.

Savacool said the earlier people evacuate, the better. He said if all leave at the same time there are traffic jams and people need to abandon their cars as was seen in the 2019 Paradise Fire. He added to know your trigger point, at what point will you leave?

"Always error on the side of getting out early," he said. It is safer and there will be less traffic.

"If your house is going to burn its going to burn with or without you there, so why not get out?" said Savacool.

The fire chief said planning on what you're going to do once you decide to go is very important:
1. Have supplies to last a few days
2. Have a vehicle filled up with gas. He said to be realistic on the number of cars you are taking. If every family took two cars when they left, the roads would be twice as jammed. "Have a team player attitude," Savacool said.
3. Know what you'll take. Most likely where you are going will be busy. Don't forget medications, cpap machines if using, important daily medical needs.

Chief Savacool said to keep in touch with first responder and City's social media pages. "The sooner you're supplied with information the sooner you'll know when and where to go," he said.

The City of South Lake Tahoe has an emergency alert system where anyone can get a text and email. Sign up here - https://www.cityofslt.us/1017/15697/Sign-Up-for-Notifications.

Before evacuation it is important to be prepared

Sign up for El Dorado County's emergency CODE RED alert system at https://ready.edso.org/. If living in other counties, they all have emergency management systems for alerts.

Per-evacuation plan
1. Have a "go bag" ready. What needs to be in the bag are listed here: https://www.ready.gov/kit. After an emergency, you may need to survive on your own for several days. Being prepared means having your own food, water and other supplies to last for several days. There may not be any motels available to stay.
2. Print maps and have these plans available in your vehicle and "go bag."
3. Prepare family and friends by letting them know your plan

Financial preparedness
Americans at all income levels have experienced the challenges of rebuilding their lives after a disaster or other emergency. In these stressful times, having access to personal financial, insurance, medical and other records is crucial for starting the recovery process quickly and efficiently. Find more information here - https://www.ready.gov/financial-preparedness

Pets and Animals
Remember, during a disaster what’s good for you is good for your pet, so get them ready today. If you leave your pets behind, they may be lost, injured or worse. Never leave a pet chained outdoors. More information here - https://www.ready.gov/pets.

Find more valuable information on the Ready.gov website - https://www.ready.gov/