I stepped out on my deck on a recent morning to enjoy the singing of the birds only to shudder when a strong wind hit me; not from the cold, but from the chilling thought of the destruction that wind could bring.
High winds can be dangerous in the arid West and can prompt Red Flag Warnings when wildfire conditions become dangerous. There were 218 fires burning in the West as of press time for this edition, with 38 of those in California, which is experiencing its second consecutive dry winter. An average snowpack is needed to ensure an adequate water supply to Nevada (read Mark’s story “Who owns the water from Lake Tahoe & Truckee River?” in this edition) and to provide enough water to our forests for a healthy ecosystem and one that is safe from wildfires.
I was right to be concerned as only hours later our Copy Editor Katrina Viet texted me that Colfax was being evacuated due to the River Fire that had grown to 1,400 acres with zero containment as we went to press on Aug. 6.
I made a mental checklist of the things I would need to grab in case I would have to evacuate. I checked in with a neighbor to make sure to get my cat if I wasn’t home. As I drove to Truckee the next day, I thought of the traffic logjam that an evacuation would cause and the limited routes in and out of our mountain community. I made a mental note to head east to Reno but avoid westbound I-80 and Highway 50 on South Shore at all costs. Traffic would be at a standstill.
I thought about the things I didn’t have ready like the backup drive for my computer that’s not in the firebox. Then I ordered decals to post on the door to let firefighters know my cat was inside (I also have a card in my wallet). I organized the gear I keep in my car checking for the first aid kit, extra clothes, shoes, blankets and jackets, and I put new batteries in my flashlights. I made a mental note to add a jug of water and move the solar phone charger to the car.
I prepared to make a video of everything in the my house for insurance purposes and I pulled out my Emergency Preparedness and Evacuation Guide to read. Or check with your local fire department for one.
As I penned this column on Aug. 6, the smoke grew heavier outside. I vowed to take the time to go through the house and gather everything together in one location that I would want to take in case of an evacuation.
Take the time to be prepared for an evacuation even if you’re on vacation, understand what a Burn Ban means, check the local weather conditions daily to see if a Red Flag warning has been issued and sign up for emergency alerts (find links at TheTahoeWeekly.com). Stay safe.
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- Download the Emergency Preparedness Guide
- Sign up for emergency alerts
- Learn what a Red Flag Warning means
- Learn what a Burn Ban means
