With wind and fire conditions constantly changing, residents need to be prepared should the evacuation area expand.
 
The below resources from California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and the Congressional Wildfires Caucus are a set of best practices for preparing for a wildfire:
 
Pre-Evacuation Steps – Protect Your Family And Your Home
 
For a list of Local Wildfire Evacuation Shelters – Click Here.
 
Create An Evacuation Plan
Learn your local community’s evacuation plan including escape routes and meeting points.
 
Ask friends or family members outside of your area if you can stay with them.
 
If you have a disability, make a plan with family members and care providers.
 
Check with your county emergency management office to find out what shelters are open in case you need to evacuate your home. Follow guidance from local public health and emergency management officials on when and where to shelter. (LA County provides information here. LA City provides information here.)
 
If you have pets, find out which shelters allow animals and up to what size. If you plan to take your pet with you, bring their medications.
 
Find out which sites are sheltering larger barnyard animals if applicable. 
 
Pack a “go bag” (see list below).
 
Place all important documentation in a fireproof safe, or bring it with you when you evacuate.
 
Withdraw cash in case the power goes out.
 
Monitor wildfire updates.
 
Get Your Home Ready – Protect Your Home
Here is some helpful guidance to prepare. If you don’t have time to complete all of these steps – skip some – and leave promptly when ordered to do so.
Close all windows and doors especially your garage door. Remove all flammable window shades and curtains. Close metal shutters. 
 
Move flammable furniture to the middle of the room, away from doors and windows.
 
Shut off gas at the meter. Turn off pilot lights and air conditioning systems. 
 
Gather flammable items from outside of the house (patio furniture) and bring them inside.
 
Create a five-foot perimeter around your home and remove flammable objects, such as by clearing fallen branches and cutting trees growing near the home’s roof line.
 
Turn off all propane tanks and move appliances away from structures.
 
Do not leave sprinklers or water running. Doing so can lower the water pressure for fire hydrants nearby and hinder firefighters’ ability to fight the fires.
 
Leave your lights on for firefighters to see your house through the smoke.
 
Prepare tools for your local firefighters. Attach garden hoses to outside taps for firefighter use. Fill buckets of water and scatter them around your property. Leave out any personal ladders you own for easy roof access.
 
What to Bring – Preparing Your “Go Bag”
It is suggested to pack a 3-day supply of items that are ready to go in case of an evacuation (a “go bag”).  Have these items ready to go either in your car or by the door: 
A map of at least 2 evacuation routes
 
Medications
 
Personal hygiene items
 
First aid kit & sanitation supplies
 
Flashlight with extra batteries
 
Baby supplies, if applicable
 
Pet supplies and medications, if applicable
 
Cell phones with chargers and portable power bank if available
 
N95 or KN95 masks (cloth and surgical masks do not protect from wildfire smoke)
 
Important personal documents (social security card, car registration, passport, birth certificate)
 
Several changes of clothing
 
Wear the right clothing. Dress to protect yourself in a wildfire. Wear clothes that cover your skin (100% cotton is best), like long pants and tops, and tough shoes. This helps guard you against heat and sparks.
 
Only pack valuables, family photos, computer data & hard drives, and irreplaceable items that are easy to carry, and if time allows.

Protect Yourself From Fire Smoke
Wildfire smoke is a mixture of air pollutants that can irritate the lungs, cause inflammation, and alter immune function. It can also increase susceptibility to respiratory infections. 
 
People who are particularly vulnerable to wildfire smoke exposures are:
Children under the age of 18
 
Adults over the age of 65
 
Pregnant women
 
People with chronic health conditions such as heart or lung disease, including asthma and diabetes
 
People recovering from a respiratory illness
 
The U.S. Forest Service and EPA have a joint AirNow Fire and Smoke Map to map wildfire smoke and resulting air quality impacts in your area. This Fire and Smoke Map also includes past smoke history, and actions you should take to reduce risk in the case of poor air quality. You can also use the Air Quality Index (AQI) to check the air quality in your area. 
 
If wildfire smoke is affecting the air quality, wearing an N95 or KN95 mask can help protect you.
 
Returning home safely
 
Watch for dangers: Look out for things like downed power lines.
 
Check gas lines: Be cautious with propane tanks and gas lines.
 
Inspect for fire hazards: Search for any hidden embers or fires.
 
Long-Term Recommendations for After the Fire
 
Harden your home from direct flames, radiant heat, and flying embers. CalFire provides tips, tricks, and resources for hardening your home here: https://readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/hardening-your-home/
 
Create defensible space – otherwise referred to as a buffer zone – to bolster your home’s wildfire safety. For more info on how to create defensible space, click here: https://readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/defensible-space/
 
Ensure that the landscaping around your home is fire-smart. Fire-smart landscaping is cost-effective too, as it conserves water and can increase your property value. For more info on fire-smart landscaping, click here: https://readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/fire-smart-landscaping/