Fire evacuations are happening around the Central Coast. What can you do to prepare?
CENTRAL COAST, Calif. (KION) Thousands of people around Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties have been ordered to leave their homes due to wildfires.
The CZU August Lightning Fire and the Carmel Fire currently have no containment, and the River Fire is 7% contained, so there is still the potential for more evacuations.
To help prepare people for potential evacuations, the Red Cross and fire agencies have put out tips and resources to make sure everyone stays safe.
To prepare, the Red Cross suggests taking these measures if you have time:
- Park facing in the direction of your evacuation route.
- Confine pets to one room so you can find them quickly.
- Keep windows and doors closed to limit exposure to smoke and dust.
- Don't use anything that burns, such as candles, fireplaces or gas stoves.
- Wear long sleeve shirts, pants and gloves.
If you are trapped outdoors, the Red Cross suggests taking these measures:
- Crouch in a pond, river or pool if possible.
- Do not put wet fabrics over noses or mouths because moist air can damage your airway more than dry air at the same temperature.
- Take shelter in a cleared area or bed of rocks if there is no body of water. Lie flat with your face down and cover your body with soil. Breath air close to the ground.
This is what the Red Cross and Cal Fire suggests having in a survival kit:
- At least one gallon of water per person, per day. For evacuation, there should be a 3-day supply or a 2-week supply for the home.
- Non-perishable and easy to prepare food items. They suggest a 3-day supply for evacuation or a 2-week supply for the home.
- Flashlight
- Battery-powered or hand-crank radio
- Extra batteries
- First aid kit
- 7-day supply of medications and medical items
- Multi-purpose tool
- Sanitation and personal hygiene items
- Copies of important documents
- Cell phones and chargers
- Emergency contact information
- Extra cash
- Blanket
- Map of the area marked with at least two evacuation routes
- Change of clothing
- Extra glasses or contact lenses
- Extra set of keys, bank cards and checks
- Face masks or coverings
If time allows, Cal Fire suggests taking valuables that are easy to carry, photos and other irreplaceable items and computer information on hard drives or discs.
When officials say it is safe to return home, the Red Cross suggests taking these measures:
- Inspect the roof immediately and extinguish sparks or embers.
- Check the home for embers.
- Avoid power lines, poles and wires that are damaged or downed.
- Keep animals under control.
- Wet down debris.
- Wear leather gloves and shoes with heavy soles.
- Throw away food that has been exposed to heat, smoke or soot.
Find a family disaster plan template here.
For information about accommodations, call 211 or the Red Cross at 1-866-272-2237.
Contact the Santa Cruz County Human Services benefits hotline at 1-888-421-8080.
Get Santa Cruz County email updates here.
See Santa Cruz County traffic advisories and restrictions here.
For help evacuating animals in Santa Cruz County, call 831-471-1182.
See an evacuation map for Santa Cruz County here.
Text MCFIRES2020 to 888777 for updates on Monterey County Fires.
For information about the River and Carmel Fires, call 925-532-5455.
Register for Monterey County evacuation alerts here.
For Monterey County animal evacuations, call the SPCA at 831-264-5455.
Find information about Monterey County traffic advisories and road closures here.
See the River and Carmel Fire information page here.
Learn more about giving or finding resources in Monterey County here.
Learn more about the Dolan Fire in Big Sur here.
