If you live in wildland areas – on remote hillsides, in valleys, prairies or forests where flammable vegetation or crops are abundant – your house could be a target for wildland or range fire. You need to be prepared for these intense fires, triggered by lightning or accidents, that sweep through these areas.

Check with local officials to determine the adequacy of fire protection and discover potential problems.

Evaluate building sites for fire safety. Canyons act as natural chimneys, drawing in fire. Gradual slopes encourage a fire to spread. Build on the most level portion of your property. Provide a 30 to 100 foot setback from slopes.

Is there a nearby water source? If not, develop a small pond or make sure your cistern or well is equipped with an auxiliary power source to run the water pump.

Allow adequate driveway space for fire trucks to enter and exit.

Make sure the road name and house number are clearly visible. Mark driveway entrances to homes not visible from the road.

 Create a 30 foot safety zone around your home.                       

Ask your local fire department for advice. Talk with your neighbors about tools, equipment and other resources you could share in an emergency.

Escape Routes. Normal and alternate routes.

Safety Zones. Locations of, and routes to, large areas with little or no vegetation or other fuels where family members can ride out the fire if it’s too late to evacuate.

Family Assignments. Who is to do what in an emergency.

If you are warned that a wildfire is threatening your area, tune into your local radio station for reports and/or evacuation information. Follow the instructions of local officials.

Back your car into the garage or park in an open space facing the direction of escape. Shut doors and roll up windows. Leave the key in the ignition. Close garage windows and doors, but leave them unlocked. Disconnect automatic garage door openers.

Confine pets to one room.

Wear protective clothing – sturdy shoes, cotton or woolen clothing, long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, gloves and a handkerchief to protect your face.

Take your Disaster Supplies Kit.

Lock your home.

Tell someone when you leave and where you are going.

Choose a route away from the fire hazard. Watch for changes in the speed and direction of fire and smoke.

Inside:

Close windows, vents, doors, venetian blinds or non-combustible window coverings and heavy drapes. Remove lightweight curtains.

Shut off gas at the meter. Turn off pilot lights. 

Open fireplace damper. Close fireplace screens.

Move flammable furniture into the center of the home away from windows and sliding glass doors.

Turn on a light in each room to increase the visibility of your home in heavy smoke.

Seal attic and ground vents with pre-cut plywood or commercial seals. 

Turn off propane tanks.

Place combustible patio furniture inside.

Connect garden hoses to outside taps.

Place lawn sprinklers on the roof and near above-ground fuel tanks. Wet the roof.

Wet or remove shrubs within 15 feet of your home.

Gather fire tools.

This is dangerous and should only be done in an emergency, but you can survive a firestorm if you stay in your car. It’s much less dangerous than trying to run from a fire on foot. 

Roll up windows and close air vents. Drive slowly with headlights on. Watch for other vehicles and pedestrians. Don’t drive through heavy smoke.

If you have to stop, park away from the heaviest trees and brush. Turn headlights on and ignition off. Roll up windows and close air vents.

Get on the floor and cover up with a blanket or coat. 

Stay in the vehicle until the main fire passes. Do not run! Engine may stall and not restart. Air currents may rock the car. Some smoke and sparks may enter the vehicle. Temperature inside will increase. Metal gas tanks and containers rarely explode.

Stay calm. As the fire front approaches, go inside the house. You can survive inside. The fire will pass before your house burns down.

The best temporary shelter is in a sparse fuel area. On a steep mountainside, the back side is safer. Avoid canyons, natural "chimneys" and saddles. 

If a road is nearby lie face down along the road cut or in a ditch on the uphill side. Cover yourself with anything that will shield you from the fire’s heat.