|
Home > 72 Hour Kits Needed for Wildfires
| | |
|
Wildfire Preparedness |
72 hour kits are a must if ther is a lot of vegetation around your house making it vulnerable to wildfires. These fires are usually caused by lightning, the careless use of camp fires or accidents. Wildfires can spread quickly, igniting brush, trees and homes. To assist you with your wildfire emergency preparedness planning, review the following information. Also, visit our Emergency Preparedness Tips page.
If wildfire threatens you home and time permits, take the following steps: |
 |
- Shut off gas at the meter. Only your gas company can safely turn the gas back on.
- Seal attic and ground vents with plywood or other sealing materials.
- Turn off propane tanks.
- Place patio furniture inside.
- Connect garden hoses to outside hose bibs. If you have a composite or wood shake roof, place lawn sprinklers on the roof and near above-ground fuel (e.g., propane, diesel) tanks.
- Wet or remove shrubs within 15 feet of your residence.
- Gather fire tools such as a rake, axe, handsaw or chainsaw, bucket, hose and shovel.
- Back your car into the garage or park it in an open space facing the direction of escape. Shut doors and roll up windows. Leave the key in the ignition and the car doors unlocked. Disconnect automatic garage door openers.
- Load your 72 hour kits into the car.
- Open fireplace damper and close fireplace screens.
- Close windows, vents, doors, blinds and heavy drapes. Remove flammable drapes or curtains.
- Move flammable furniture away from windows and sliding glass doors.
- Close all interior doors.
- Place valuables that will not be damaged by water in a pool or pond.
|
If advised to evacuate, do so immediately with your 72 hour kits. Choose a route away from the fire hazard or follow evacuation directions. Watch for changes in speed and direction of the fire and smoke.
A National Association of State Foresters survey found more than 44,000 communities are at risk of wildfire. Yet, less than 10 percent have a community wildfire protection plan. Learn more about protecting lives and property from wildfire.
For additional emergency preparedness information follow this link to order the "Are You Ready?" book from FEMA. |
| |
| | |
|

| |