As I sit in my home in San Diego County there are more than a dozen major fires between Los Angeles and the Mexican border, and tens of thousands of acres have burned. In San Diego alone, there are more than eight fires burning right now. Schools and most businesses have closed for the day, and many SD cities here have ordered mandatory evacuations. Although I’m in a safe location, the smoke is so bad that it is not recommended that we leave the house. I am apparently near the line of fire and might have to evacuate by nightfall (evacuations in my neighborhood are voluntary at the moment).
It brings back terrible memories of the 2003 Cedar fire. The largest fire in
This year, people seem much more prepared. Homeowners are voluntarily leaving and we have reverse 911 calls to alert people of immediate evacuations. The governor has also just made San Diego a number one priority. At my company, we set up an online message board to keep track of employees and many of us have offered up our spare bedrooms and couches to anyone who has to leave their home.
Although I have never lost anything in a fire or other natural disaster, my best friend lost her home and all her belongings to a fire, and my sister and her family had to evacuate during Hurricane Katrina and couldn’t return for two months. I thought to myself that because I know about the fire and have been monitoring its progress, I am well prepared to evacuate if it ever came to that. But am I? I am in the process of packing the following so that I am ready to leave at a moment’s notice. Am I missing anything?
Important papers - property records, insurance, passport, social security card, financial information
Pictures and momentos – especially those from the pre-digital camera days
My laptop – includes other important docs, pictures and access to the InternetClothes and toiletries for numerous days
Clothes - to last numerous days
Portable radio – I have a crank up model specifically for emergencies that requires no batteries or electricity
I also got cash at the ATM, filled gas tank, charged my cell phone and there are fresh batteries in my flashlight. Lastly, I went to the grocery store (the lines were getting long and they were getting ready to close) and picked up food and water for a number of days in case I don’t have to evacuate.
Below are some links to news about this fire and resources for packing in an emergency. More news to follow. Be safe.
Emergency preparation from FEMA
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