Article Written by:
Glenn Nader, University of California Cooperative Extension, Yuba City, CA
There is no universal answer to when it is too late to safely evacuate in a fire, as fire location and speed will vary greatly. In general, traveling on the roads when the fire is in the area increases the risk. The closer the fire, the more dangerous it is to be on the road as smoke can limit visibility, and evacuation routes can be cut off …
Article Written by:
Glenn Nader, University of California Cooperative Extension, Yuba City, CA
Pre-fire planning and taking action ahead of time, including making a list of what to do and what to take with you, is the best way to reduce the potential stress of an evacuation.
Some pre-fire evacuation tasks include:
Article Written by:
Glenn Nader, University of California Cooperative Extension, Yuba City, CA
Have pet carriers ready in case you need to evacuate. This will prevent the animals from escaping during evacuation by limiting their movement in the vehicle and when you arrive at the evacuation destination. Make sure you have a leash if your dog(s) are too large to fit in a pet carrier. Many shelters do not take pets, so make plans before …
Article Written by:
A basic knowledge of fire will greatly help you understand what you need to do to protect your house and property from a wildfire.
Fire is driven by heat transfer. …
Evaluating damage to your home after a wildfire should be done at the first opportunity. Your insurance agent should be the first person you contact. The agent will be able to tell you how to proceed with a claim. Do not start to clean up or throw away anything until your agent has inspected the damage. Do start taking pictures and video as soon as you arrive back home.
It may be necessary for a construction professional to come and …
Article written by: Yvonne Barkely, University of Idaho Extension, Moscow, ID
The condition of your forestland after a wildfire should be assessed as soon as possible after the event. Fire-based forest ecosystems are extremely resilient and are supremely adapted to disturbance by fire. From a management perspective damages are defined as the unfavorable effects of fire-caused changes that make management objectives difficult to achieve or unobtainable. Benefits are the favorable effects of fire-caused changes and are factors that contribute to …
After a fire, many landowners will mistakenly think that their oak trees are dead. A publication by the University of California tells how to determine which ones are going to live after a fire.
Burned Oaks: Which Ones Will Survive (ANR Publication 8445)…
Many homeowners wonder when it is safe to return to their homes after a wildfire. Once you are given the “all clear” to go home, what you should look for outside and inside the home to ensure you and your families safety?
In most states, permission to return home after a wildfire is usually given by a local fire or law enforcement authority such as your county sheriff’s office. They deem it …
Article Written by:
Janean Creighton, Oregon State University Extension, Corvallis, OR and
Ron Hodgson, Fire Research and Management Exchange System
Firefighters’ ability to protect people and their property in wildfires depends on the intensity of fires they face. When homes and businesses are surrounded by landscapes that ignite easily and burn very hot, firefighters and homeowners cannot survive the heat released and must pull back or suffer serious injury or death. If whole neighborhoods are …
Most fire authorities have priorities in wildfires:
Firefighters’ first priority is to save lives. This includes the public as well as those fighting the fire. If a home has poor access, lack of escape routes and safety zones or no safe place to fight the fire, then firefighters will not protect that home because it puts their lives at too great of a risk. This …
