Fire Season FAQs

Identification, money, credit cards, checkbooks, insurance records, medications and any other important documents. Personal hygiene items, heavy bedding and clothing to be used as protection. Clothing: Avoid polyesters, rayons, and other flammable material. Cotton is best. Cell phone, portable radio, flashlight; and, if practical, jewelry and other valuables. One gallon or more of drinking water per person per day, food that will not spoil, and a shovel. The most important thing is to get yourself and your family out of danger as quickly as possible.

Don't panic, think before you act, park in an area with the least amount of flammable vegetation. Park on the opposite side of the road from the approaching fire, don't block the road. Avoid sharp switchbacks; they generally indicate a dangerous chimney. Stay in your vehicle with motor running at moderate RPM, air conditioner on, windows closed. Put blankets or heavy clothing against windows especially on the side in which the fired is approaching. Cover yourself with heavy material for protection against heat. Don't leave your vehicle until the fire has passed over.

Go to an area with the least amount of vegetation, such as a stream, Creek, lake or pond, rock Out-Cropping, grazed off areas, logging deck or clear cut area rather than brush. Take advantage of trees, rocks, and low lying areas to shield yourself from the heat. Cover all exposed skin. A shovel held in front of your face may help shield heat. If you have time, try to clear an area around you of grass and flammables. Stay close to the ground while protecting your face, especially your mouth and nose; place a DRY cloth over your mouth and nose to provide some protection to your respiratory system. Fire burns quickly uphill, run laterally or downhill to escape. Run to blackened area; run until completely out of the fire. Once out of the fire, extinguish burning clothing by removing or rolling on the ground.

Remain calm and Wait for instruction from fire or law enforcement officials. Conditions in the assembly area may seem extreme, but will be better than the surrounding areas. Remember to drive safely with the headlights on, watch for fire equipment and other evacuees, expect smokey conditions, which may obscure your vision and breathing. When the fire gets close to the assembly area you will notice increased winds, heavy Smoke and Swirling firebrands. Remain calm, stay in place, talk to and encourage others. Be prepared to put out all spot fires within the assembly area.

Have a minimum of 100' or more clearance around your home, as the law requires. Close all doors and windows (inside and out). Turn off gas or propane, move all flammables away from windows. Leave power to water pump on. Remove flammables from exterior of house. Cover structural openings, windows and vents with plywood. Place a ladder against the roof for quick access. Connect all garden hoses. Wet down roof and exterior of home, if time permits. Leave a note in your home telling where and how you can be located.

Take pets with you if feasible; if not, leave them outside not tied up or penned. Let livestock out of pens or fenced areas so they can fend for themselves. Have a predetermined safe area such as pasture to take livestock to. Large animals have proven to be quite resourceful in staying out of harms way.

Note: The Squaw Valley Rodeo Grounds serves as the livestock shelter in case of a fire.