Create an Evacuation Action Plan
Creating an action plan now will help you and your family be prepared to leave home if a wildfire threatens your area. Plus, you can take action now to help protect your home from burning in a wildfire. It is also important to know what to do if you are caught in a wildfire. The basics of these topics are covered below. Click the links for more details.
Tips on creating your evacuation action plan
Use CAL FIRE’s app to create a personalized wildfire action plan for your family that includes:
- Knowing how you and your family will get out of the house quickly with your emergency supplies
- At least one place where you can go in an emergency (such as a family member or friend’s house)
- It is better to have more than one option in case your safe house is also threatened by wildfire or roads are blocked
- When a wildfire threatens your area, you can find local evacuation centers listed on the San Mateo County (SMC) Wildfire Response webpage
- Pets or livestock (if you have them)
- It is best to take animals with you when you evacuate if you can
- Be aware that not all evacuation centers accept animals
- For more details about including animals in your emergency evacuation plans, see CAL FIRE’s website
- At least two routes you can take to get to your safe house
- If your routes are blocked, check Fire Safe San Mateo County’s interactive evacuation map with real-time information
- When a wildfire threatens your area, just type in your address and it will recommend evacuation routes
- Completing all the tasks on CAL FIRE’s evacuation checklist before leaving (if you have enough time
to do so safely)
What to do if you are caught in a wildfire
CAL FIRE’s website also has advice about what to do if you are caught in a wildfire. The instructions differ depending on whether you are in your vehicle, on foot or at home.