Now a fire is close

[Chalco]

Fire in Castaic moved from 50 to 5000 acres in 1 hour! We're not in either the evacuation or warning zone but will be next. Got everything packed. If we get in warning zone I'm leaving. Hopefully my husband will leave, too.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Stay safe!

[mahina]

2. wishing you and your community safety.

and all.

[biophile]

3. Forewarned is forearmed!

Glad you are being proactive!

[LoisB]

4. It sure did! I hope you don't have to evacuate but I'm glad you are ready. Stay safe!

[Nigrum Cattus]

5. Best of luck with the wind

I'm about 80 miles east and we have had the juice turned off
3 times for a total of 4 days in the last 2 weeks. The red flag
warnings change daily and if you get lucky maybe it slow-up
blowing long enough for the F.D. to hit it hard - +++ Vibes

[BigmanPigman]

6. I'm watching that new fire grow rapidly

on The Weather Channel. It is scary!

No wonder I'm always anxious...
There is 18% humidity right now in San Diego. This "fire season" is going to be a long one. Some fires popped up near me yesterday and I've been very nervous.

I can tell how much rain we got this year by looking at my car....filthy dirty. I bet if I have to pay $20 for the car to get washed it will rain within 48 hours.

[Chalco]

7. Supposed to rain 1/4 inch on Friday.

This is a nightmare.

[BigmanPigman]

9. I saw that, too.

I'm a realist and I won't believe it until I see it/experience it. There have been many rain "events" and all they produced was a wet pavement for 30 minutes. It's so dry that when ever I hear a few raindrops I turn the sound off of my TV and I look out my back door and I act like an idiot, jumping up and down, clapping and going "woo hoo!". That is how rare the rain is. The smell of rain is better than a cinnamon bun. When my little dog was alive I would hold her close to me and take her outside for a few minutes so she could experience this rarity.

This new LA fire is moving super fast. Any rain would be a godsend.

[stillcool]

8. good vibes coming at you...

[JoseBalow]

10. If you evacuate, turn off your gas and electric

Also leave the doors unlocked and leave a ladder outside, in case firefighters need it.

And if you have time now, review these checklists...

https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/wildfire-evacuation-checklist.pdf

https://www.ready.gov/wildfires


Good luck!

[LauraInLA]

11. Also turn off your water, so the firefighters have that extra pressure!

[JoseBalow]

13. Yes, good point. Turn off all utilities, if possible.

[Chalco]

14. How do I find water main shut off?

[LauraInLA]

15. At our house, there is a faucet next to our house in the front flowerbed. Next to that faucet's handle

is another handle on the pipe going into the house. That turns off the water to our house. I’m guessing yours will be in the front yard, because it will be on a line from the street to your house. If you have a plumber come to fix your toilet or something, ask them — they can help you find it.

[Chalco]

16. Thank you. Found it!

[LauraInLA]

17. Yay! Stay safe!

[LauraInLA]

12. So sorry, especially after you experienced the fire last week ;(. Hoping it goes well for you and your neighbors!

[applegrove]

18. Sounds like a plan.

[usonian]

19. PLEASE read what CalFire has to say.

https://readyforwildfire.org/


Evacuation Guide
https://readyforwildfire.org/prepare-for-wildfire/go-evacuation-guide/

Leave lights and water on for firefighters. Gas off.

Inside the house

Pack your ‘Go Bag’ or Emergency Kit, ready to grab
Check that your Wildfire Action Plan is up-to-date
Know your community’s emergency plan, evacuation routes, and destinations
Close all windows and doors but leave them unlocked
Take down flammable window treatments like shades and curtains, and close metal shutters
Clear away light curtains
Move anything that burns easily to the middle of rooms, away from windows and doors
Turn off the gas at the meter and pilot lights
Leave lights on for firefighters to see your house in smoke
Switch off the air conditioning

Outside the house

Bring in flammable items from outside, like patio furniture, toys, doormats, and trash bins. Alternatively, place them in your pool
Shut off propane tanks
Move grills and other propane BBQ appliances away from the house
Attach garden hoses to outside taps for firefighter use and fill buckets with water to scatter around
Don’t leave sprinklers or water running as it can lower critical water pressure.
Keep exterior lights on to make your home visible in smoky or dark conditions.
Put your emergency kit in your car
Park your car in the driveway, facing outwards, loaded and ready, with all doors and windows shut
Have a ladder handy for firefighter roof access
Seal attic and ground vents with plywood or commercial seals
Keep an eye on the fire situation and don’t wait for an evacuation order if you feel at risk
Check with neighbors to ensure they’re also prepared

Animals

Keep pets close and ready to go
Plan for farm animal evacuation early, arranging transport and safe locations

LOTS MORE

Full Site.
https://readyforwildfire.org/

[Chalco]

20. Thank you!

That was very helpful. I printed out the list.

[usonian]

21. It contradicts posts above, but what CalFire says is gospel to me.

And do check out the entire ready for wildfire site.

https://readyforwildfire.org