Wildfires

If you live on a remote hillside or in a valley, prairie, or forest where flammable vegetation is abundant, your residence could be vulnerable to wildfires. These fires are usually triggered by lightning or accidents and can spread quickly, igniting brush, trees and homes.

If wildfire threatens you home and time permits, take the following precautions:

• Shut off gas at the meter. Only your gas company personnel can safely turn the gas back on.
• Seal attic and ground vents with pre-cut plywood or other commercials seals.
• Turn off propane tanks.
• Place combustible patio furniture inside.
• Connect garden hose 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 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.
• Open fireplace damper and close fireplace screens.
• Close windows, vents, doors, blinds or noncombustible window coverings, and heavy drapes. Remove flammable drapes or curtains.
• Move flammable furniture into center of the home 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 survival kit(s). Choose a route away from the fire hazard or follow emergency responder directions. Watch for changes in speed and direction of the fire and smoke.