Steps to Protecting Your Family and Home from Wildfires

After the devastating CZU, Lahaina, and Palisades wildfires that ravaged thousands of acres and caused billions in damages, it’s clear that we need to be proactive in safeguarding our families, pets, and homes. With skyrocketing fire insurance premiums and major carriers hesitant to cover California properties, preparation is more critical than ever.

In 2019, as California Mother of the Year, I organized the North Rodeo Gulch (NRG) Firewise community in Soquel and created a YouTube video demonstrating an easy way to prepare a Go-Bag [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JqDaLIdwvY]. Below are six simple steps to help you prepare for emergencies and potentially save lives. Let’s work together to reduce the stress and fear associated with wildfires.

1: PUT TOGETHER GO-BAGS

Prepare a Go-Bag with essentials to help you survive during an evacuation. Here are two types of Go-Bags to consider:

• Go-Bag #1: For Your Car
• This bag should contain supplies for 3-5 days:
• First aid kit
• Food (high-protein, energy-boosting, non-perishable items, plates, and utensils)
• Personal hygiene items (toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, tampons, contact lenses/solution, medications, etc.)
• Water (3 gallons per person; water purification tablets)
• Tools (wrench, screwdriver, saw, hammer, can opener, phone chargers)
• Battery-powered radio and flashlight
• Clothes (non-synthetic long pants, sweatshirts/jackets, sturdy shoes, hats)
• Sleeping bags/pillows
• Important paperwork (copies of IDs, insurance policies, prescriptions, important contacts, backup drives, passwords, and small cash bills)
• Pet supplies (bowls, food, medications, vaccination records, leash)

Go-Bag #2: For Your Home

This bag should include items you’ll need to grab during an evacuation:

• Precious jewelry
• Cash
• Medications/medical equipment
• Important documents (mortgage papers, insurance policies, investments, passwords, etc.)
• Current projects and bills
• Computers, backup drives
• Photo albums and video drives
• Framed photos and artwork

2: SIGN UP FOR CRUZAWARE

CruzAware.org is Santa Cruz County’s reverse 9-1-1 system, replacing CodeRED. By registering your cell or VOIP number and enabling GPS services, you’ll receive emergency notifications like evacuation and disaster updates automatically.

3: UPDATE YOUR STATUS WITH YOUR LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT

Provide essential information to your local fire department to help them prioritize rescues:

• Full names of residents
• Street address (include directions if your home is hard to find)
• Contact details (landline, cell phone, email)
• Ages of elderly, disabled, or young children
• Pets (names, breeds, ages, and locations)
• Locations of propane/gas tanks and PG&E meters/shut-off valves
• Water storage (tank locations, size, valve type, and current levels)
• Access roads and evacuation routes
• Medical training or certifications (e.g., EMT, CPR)
• Ham radio availability (licensed operators)

4: CREATE AN EVACUATION PLAN AND MEETING LOCATION

Establish a family evacuation plan:

• Identify evacuation routes and alternate paths in case roads are blocked.
• Plan to evacuate by car when possible; know walking routes as a last resort.
• Agree on a central meeting location, assuming cell service may be down. My family meets in the Safeway parking lot, where there’s plenty of open space. If we move, we leave a note with our new location.
• Designate an out-of-state emergency contact to coordinate updates and share their information in all Go-Bags.

5: SET UP A BUDDY COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

Coordinate with your neighborhood:

• Form a group of 10-12 households and exchange contact information.
• Select a group leader to organize communication and evacuation efforts.
• Use a phone tree: the leader informs three volunteers, who each contact four households. Volunteers should check on non-responsive households in person.

6: PRACTICE FIRE PREVENTION

Inside Your Home:

• Install and test smoke alarms monthly.
• Maintain fire extinguishers on each level, in the kitchen, near fireplaces, and in the garage.
• Use timers when heating pans to avoid starting a fire.
• Clean dryer and heating ducts regularly.
• Use heavy-duty extension cords and store flammable liquids in ventilated spaces.
• Place candles on stable, fire-safe surfaces.
• Use a metal fire screen in front of fireplaces.

Around Your Home:

• Two defensible space zones can reduce fire risk:
• Zone 1 (0-30 feet from your home):
• Remove dead plants, grass, and weeds.
• Clean gutters (leaves, pine needles).
• Trim tree limbs up to 10 feet above the ground.
• Remove branches overhanging roofs, decks, and chimneys.
• Move wood piles and flammable plants away from structures.
• Relocate wooden furniture and play structures to Zone 2.
• Zone 2 (30-100 feet from your home):
• Keep grass no taller than 4 inches.
• Remove fallen leaves and small branches exceeding 3 inches in depth.
• Create horizontal spacing between shrubs and trees.
• Ensure vertical spacing between ground vegetation and tree canopies.
• For detailed guidelines, visit: ReadyForWildfire.org.

In Your Neighborhood:

Encourage neighbors to prepare their homes. Host block parties or meetings to develop a community fire prevention plan. Coordinate with local fire departments, CalFire, and Resource Conservation Districts to access grants and mitigation funds.

Taking these steps can make all the difference in protecting your loved ones and property during wildfire season. Let’s work together to create safer, more resilient communities.