How to Plan for the Upcoming Wildfire Season Out West

Posted: May 22, 2021 10:11 am

It is shaping up to be another active wildfire season out west. With drought conditions throughout 75% of the western US, forecasters are warning that this year could rival the record-breaking 2020 wildfire season. Although you cannot control what Mother Nature does, you can control how you react to the onset of wildfire season. Here is how you can best prepare yourself for what potentially lies ahead in the months to come.

Have a Plan in Place

The single best thing that you can do to prepare for the upcoming wildfire season is to make a plan. Start with the important people in your life, making sure that you have a plan to connect with loved ones. Having a pre-determined text group already set up can assist in ensuring fast communication in the event of an emergency.

When planning an evacuation plan, be sure to account for all of your most important possessions. This includes pets, vital documents and paperwork such as birth certificates, passports, immunization records, and insurance information.

It is also a good idea to take pictures of all of the possessions in your home and store them electronically. This may be invaluable if your property sustains damage from a fire and you need to document your possessions for insurance.

Lastly, be sure to have a to-go bag always packed with your essentials. Be sure to include extra medication, contacts, personal hygiene items, and a change of clothes for everyone in the family. In this bag, put a list of all of the last-minute items you will need to grab in the event of an evacuation. Items to consider include jewelry, photo albums, and electronic devices.

Protect Your Home

One of the best things that you can do prior to the beginning of wildfire season is to take steps to protect the outside of your home. Start by removing the dead vegetation on your property. Trimming off dead tree branches and removing dry and brittle bushes and grass can help to create a more hostile perimeter around your house. You should also remove all firewood and other flammable materials on your property. Lastly, be sure to stay on top of the upkeep of your gutters. These gutters may house debris that can easily spread a fire if ignited.

Gather Protective Masks

The most dangerous part of a wildfire is not always the flames. It is sometimes the smoke that can cause the most harm to humans. Even if you have plenty of cloth and surgical masks on hand due to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, it is important to note that these face coverings do not provide the same level of protection as a mask designed to filter air. A well-fitting N95 mask is the gold standard in helping to protect your lungs from the smoky air.

Regularly Check Air Quality

A wildfire does not have to threaten your house to wreak havoc on your life. Fires burning hundreds of miles away can send air quality levels plummeting depending on the way that the wind is blowing. It is a good idea to get into the habit of regularly checking air quality levels in your area.

If the air quality is in the green or yellow zone, it is most likely fine for you to be outside. However, once this index reaches orange, the most vulnerable people should not be engaging in strenuous activity outside. Readings in the red or purple zone should send everyone inside, regardless of health.

Protect Air Quality Inside the Home

If you notice that the air quality index readings near your home are poor, you need to be proactive about protecting the air inside your house. You can do this keeping the windows closed and setting the HVAC system to run continuously. Homeowners should also check the air conditioning filter to ensure that it is clean and ready to handle the rigors of the season. You may also want to consider investing in an air purifier if you live in an area prone to smoky conditions. A certified HEPA air cleaner will yield the best results.

If you live on the West Coast or in the Southwest, now is the time to start thinking about how you can protect yourself, your loved ones, and your home as wildfire season approaches. Being proactive now will give you peace of mind as the season kicks into high gear in just a few months.

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