Should a house be threatened by wildfire, the occupants may be advised to evacuate by a fire or law enforcement official. The purpose of evacuation is to protect people from life-threatening situations.

• Evacuate all family members, as well as pets.
• Contact a friend or relative and relay your plans.
• Make sure family members are aware of the prearranged meeting place.
• Tune into a local radio station and listen for instructions.
• Place vehicles in the garage, have them pointing out, and roll up windows.
• Place valuable papers and mementos in the car.
• Close the garage door, but leave it unlocked. If applicable, disconnect the electric garage door opener so that the door can be opened manually.
• Shut off propane at the tank or natural gas at the meter.
• Wear only cotton or wool clothes. Proper attire includes long pants, long sleeved shirt or jacket, and boots. Carry gloves, a handkerchief to cover face, water to drink, and goggles.
• Close all exterior vents.
• Prop a ladder against the house so firefighters have easy access to the roof.
• Make sure that all garden hoses are connected to faucets and attach a nozzle set on “spray”
• Soak rags, towels, or small rugs with water to use in beating out embers or small fires.
• Inside, fill bathtubs, sinks, and other containers with water. Outside, do the same with garbage cans and buckets. Remember that the water heater and toilet tank are available sources of water.
• Close all exterior doors and windows.
• Close all interior doors.
• Open the fire place damper, but place the screen over the hearth to prevent sparks and embers from entering the house.
• Leave a light on in each room.
• Remove lightweight and/or non-fire resistant curtains and other combustible materials from around windows.
• If available, close fire resistant drapes, shutters, or venetian blinds. Attach pre-cut plywood panels to the exterior side of windows and glass doors.
• Turn off all pilot lights.
• Move overstuffed furniture (e.g. couches, easy chairs, etc.) to center of the room.
• Keep wood shake or shingle roofs moist by spraying water. Do not waste water. Consider placing a lawn sprinkler on roof if water pressure is adequate. Do not turn on until burning embers begin to fall on the roof.
• Continually check the roof and attic for embers, smoke, or fire.