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Hopefully, this info will not be needed, but with the recent tragic wildfires in our areas, it’s a good idea to review this and be prepared.
LEVEL ONE means there is a fire in your area, and you should be vigilant, and start making plans. Check out www.ready.gov/ for info on general preparedness. They suggest you have water and food for three days for each person and pet, masks, medications, glasses, pet food, cash, credit cards and important documents, such as insurance policies and bank info. It’s also smart to pack books and games. Have an out of area contact person, kept updated with your location and status. Tape all contact info to your refrigerator. Make plans to transport all animals and livestock to a safe location.
LEVEL TWO means it is possible you will need to leave. Pets should be confined in case you need to leave quickly. Transport animals and livestock away from danger. Two years ago, our area rodeo and fairgrounds opened to accept livestock. Find out what the requirements are, and what you will need to provide.
LEVEL THREE means go now! You should be notified by phone if you need to leave, or else firefighters will knock on your door. If you are on Facebook or Twitter, you can follow Spokane County Emergency Management for updates on evacuation levels.
Stevens and Pend Oreille Counties also have Emergency Management Facebook pages and Twitter accounts. You can sign up at AlertSpokane.org for updates on evacuation levels attached to your home address.
Generally, make sure the gas tanks in your cars are kept filled. Keep your cell phones fully charged. If you suspect you might need to evacuate, call your neighbors.
Another excellent site for info is the Wildfire Evacuation Checklist at Firesafemarin. org. They remind you to shut off all gas or propane, shut windows and doors and leave your lights on. If there is time, it might be helpful for firefighters to have your hoses turned on, and ladders placed at the corners of your house. Be sure and leave all your gates open for access.
If you need to be evacuated, the Red Cross will ensure that people have a safe place to stay, food and recovery resources. They can be contacted at redcross.org “Emergency” or 1-800 733 2767.
Many of our rural residences have limited access. A firefighter’s nightmare is trying to get equipment into a fire when the roads are blocked with people leaving. Plan ahead.
If you intend to burn, you must get a permit from DNR. If your fire gets out of control, you will be billed for the cost of extinguishing it.
