Courtesy Tahoe Fire & Fuels Team & Cal Fire
Download the Wildfire Evacuation Checklist
Find more wildfire safety info
Wildfires are exploding across the West and can happen at any time in the Tahoe Sierra. Everyone – from residents to visitors – need to be ready to evacuate in the event of an emergency. Being prepared in advance with these tips will help you leave quickly if in the event of a disaster. Each family’s plan will be different, depending on a variety of issues, needs and situations.
Wildfire Action Plan
- Meet with household members. Explain dangers to children and work as a team to prepare.
- Discuss what to do about power outages and personal injuries.
- Post emergency phone numbers near phones.
- Learn how to turn off the water, gas and electricity.
- Select a safe meeting point in case you are separated.
- Complete a family communications plan that includes contact information for family members, work and school.
- Teach children how to make phone calls.
- Complete an inventory of home contents and photograph/video the house and landscape. Place files in your Go Bag and store a second copy elsewhere.
- Identify escape routes and safe places. Draw an escape plan highlighting two routes out of each room. Be sure everyone in your family knows them.
- Prepare an EVACUATED sign. Select a site to post signs where they will be clearly visible from the street.
- Prepare to address the special needs of vulnerable populations, including the elderly and people with medical problems or disabilities.
- If the family member is dependent upon medications, equipment or has special dietary needs, plan to bring those items with you. Documentation about insurance and medical conditions should also accompany the person.
- Plan transportation in advance for anyone with special needs.
- Make sure dogs and cats wear properly fitted collars with identification, vaccination, microchip and license tags.
- Exchange veterinary information with neighbors and file a permission slip with the veterinarian authorizing emergency care for your animals.
- Make sure all vehicles, trailers and pet carriers needed for evacuation are serviced and ready to be used.
- Assemble a pet Go Bag.
If you anticipate an extended evacuation at an emergency shelter or your family is returning to a home without functioning electricity and water, consider also creating a disaster supplies kit. Find information at redcross.org.
Always keep a sturdy pair of shoes and a flashlight near your bed and handy in case of a sudden evacuation at night.
Follow the Six Ps for immediate evacuations
- People and pets
- Papers, phone numbers and important documents
- Prescriptions, vitamins and eyeglasses
- Pictures and irreplaceable memorabilia
- Personal computer hard drive and disks
- Plastic (credit cards, ATM cards) and cash
Resources
Cal Fire | readyforwildfire.org
Create a disaster kit | redcross.org
Create a home wildfire checklist | readyforwildfire.org
Current fire conditions & restrictions | tahoelivingwithfire.com
Nevada Fire Info | nevadafireinfo.org
Prepare for a disaster | tahoelivingwithfire.com/get-prepared
Truckee Travel Alert | visittruckeetahoe.com
Wildfire Evacuation Checklist | livingwithfire.com
Un Kit De Suministros De Emergencia | readyforwildfire.org
Emergency Preparedness Guide
& Evacuation Routes
Alpine County | alpinecountyca.gov
Incline Village & Crystal Bay | nltfpd.org
North Lake Tahoe & West Shore | bit.ly/3CRDgtG
South Lake Tahoe area | southtahoeemergencyguide.com
Tahoe Donner | tahoedonner.com
Truckee | truckeefire.org
Hard copies available at local fire districts
Sign up for emergency alerts
Alpine County | alpinecountyca.gov
City of South Lake Tahoe | cityofslt.us
Douglas County | douglascountynv.gov
El Dorado County | ready.edso.org
Nevada County | mynevadacounty.com
Placer County | placer.ca.gov
Town of Truckee Nixle alerts | local.nixle.com
Washoe County | washoecounty.us
