Wildfire season is here

Rising temperatures and dry conditions are the perfect ingredients for summer wildfires. While they seem more common in the western parts of the U.S., a wildfire can occur in any forested area of the country. Public service announcements on TV talk about preventing forest fires, but information about what to do in the event of a wildfire is not well known. As the weather grows warmer, keep the following tips in mind regarding wildfires.

Wildfires: What to Do

• Prepare your family: Create an emergency disaster kit and plan where you would go if a wildfire caused you to evacuate. Think of more than one route to get to your evacuation destination as a wildfire may cause roads to close.
• Prepare your home to in advance: During the summer, keep the plants surrounding your home pruned and well watered. Healthy plants around your home can help protect it from burning; dry plants fuel a fire. Additionally, make sure your irreplaceable items are in a fireproof location (like a safety deposit box) and that you have copies of important documents and cherished photographs in a location other than your home.
• Keep all combustible away from your home, including propane tanks you use for your grill.
• Call the fire department: If you see a wildfire, do not assume the fire department knows about it; you may be the first person to report the event.
• Follow all evacuation orders: Staying in your home will not save it from a wildfire.
• Plan to recover: Even the most prepared individuals can get caught off-guard. Keep the number of a disaster restoration company in your list of emergency contacts. They can help you recover from smoke damage, restore wet books and recover damaged documents.

Contact us for more information or if you need disaster preparation and recovery assistance.

Photo: Staff Sgt. Eric Harris with DVIDS