Signing up for emergency alerts will provide valuable time and information before a disaster occurs, helping to make sure you and your family remain safe during an emergency. Find a list of how to sign up for local alerts in this guide.
Emergency alerts provide immediate notification on cell phones and other mobile devices when emergencies happen in areas that may be, or currently are, under evacuation warnings or orders.
Tune into local radio stations for updated emergency alerts as there may be no cell service. Find a list of stations in this guide. | news.caloes.ca.gov
Evacuation terminology
Advisory | A notice to be on alert and follow recommendations.
Evacuation Warning | Potential threat to life and/or property. Those who require additional time to evacuate such as the elderly and disabled, and those with pets and livestock, should leave now. Find details on preparing a Go Bag in this guide.
Evacuation Order | Immediate threat to life. This is a lawful order to leave now. The area is lawfully closed to public access.
Shelter in Place | Go indoors. Shut and lock doors and windows. Prepare to selfsustain until further notice and/or contacted by emergency personnel for additional direction. Read how to prepare a Disaster Survival Kit in this guide.
Evacuation Order(s) Lifted | The formal announcement of lifting evacuations in an area currently under evacuation.
Hard Closure | Closed to all traffic except fire and law enforcement.
Soft Closure | Closed to all traffic except fire, law enforcement and critical incident resources such as utility companies and road crews.
Resident Only Closure | Soft closure with the additional allowance of residents and local government agencies assisting with response and recovery. ID may be required to reenter.
Clear To Repopulate | It is safe to return to your home. Be aware of your surroundings and go through the returning home checklist.
Normal | There is no current knowledge of threats affecting your area and that you can carry on with normal activity.
Courtesy California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
Call 9-1-1
- If you are stuck in an Evacuation ORDER zone without transportation and there is an immediate threat to your life.
Call 2-1-1
- If you are in an Evacuation WARNING zone and you need transportation.
Tips for surviving a wildfire if trapped
Courtesy Cal Fire
Be sure to follow local fire warnings and evacuation notices in the event of a wildfire. If you do become trapped in your home or car, or in the open, follow these tips to survive until help arrives.
In a vehicle
On foot
At home
Download Tahoe Guide’s 5th Annual Wildfire Preparedness Guide
