Ready, Set, Go!

WILDFIRE IS COMING. ARE YOU READY?

While the beauty of the Cleveland National Forest and the outdoor experiences it offers Corona are a wonderful commodity, living in a Wildland Urban Interface does pose some risk to our Community. When fires start, your firefighters are prepared to protect you and your property; but we need your help.

The Corona Fire Department in partnership with Cal Fire has published this Ready, Set, Go! Wildfire Action Plan to give Citizens the tips and tools necessary to prepare for such an event. This plan will teach you how to prepare for a fire long before one starts, what to do when a fire is burning, but not yet threatening you and your property, and finally, knowing when to leave your property to get out f harm's way and allow firefighters to work.

Get prepared for wildfire before it strikes by following Ready, Set, Go! Download the Publications below for further step by step process of preparing for wildfires!

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GET READY

Being Ready for wildfire starts with maintaining an adequate defensible space and by hardening your home by using fire resistant building materials. Defensible space is the buffer you create by removing dead plants, grass and weeds. This buffer helps to keep the fire away from your home. Hardening your home means using construction materials that can help your home withstand flying embers finding weak spots in the construction, which can result in your house catching fire. It takes the combination of both Defensible space and the hardening of your home to really give your house the best chance of surviving a wildfire.

See below for more information on Defensible Space, Hardening Your Home, and Fire Resistant Landscaping.

MAINTAIN DEFENSIBLE SPACE

Keep your property lean and green to help protect your family and home.

Creating defensible space is essential to improve your home’s chance of surviving a wildfire. It’s the buffer you create between a building on your property and the grass, trees, shrubs, or any wildland area that surround it. This space is needed to slow or stop the spread of wildfire and it protects your home from catching fire—either from direct flame contact or radiant heat. Defensible space is also important for the protection of the firefighters defending your home.

Defensible Space Zones

Two zones make up the required 100 feet of defensible space.

Zone 1
Zone 1 extends 30 feet* out from buildings, structures, decks, etc.

• Remove all dead plants, grass and weeds (vegetation).
• Remove dead or dry leaves and pine needles from your yard, roof and rain gutters.
• Trim trees regularly to keep branches a minimum of 10 feet from other trees.
• Remove branches that hang over your roof and keep dead branches 10 feet away from your chimney.
• Relocate wood piles into Zone 2.
• Remove or prune flammable plants and shrubs near windows.
• Remove vegetation and items that could catch fire from around and under decks.
• Create a separation between trees, shrubs and items that could catch fire, such as patio furniture, wood piles, swing sets, etc.

Zone 2
Zone 2 extends 100 feet out from buildings, structures, decks, etc.

• Cut or mow annual grass down to a maximum height of 4 inches.
• Create horizontal spacing between shrubs and trees. (See diagram)
• Create vertical spacing between grass, shrubs and trees. (See diagram)
• Remove fallen leaves, needles, twigs, bark, cones, and small branches. However, they may be permitted to a depth of 3 inches.

*San Diego County requires 50 feet of clearance in Zone 1. Check with your local fire department for any additional defensible space or weed abatement ordinances.

Plant and Tree Spacing
The spacing between grass, shrubs, and trees is crucial to reduce the spread of wildfires. The spacing needed is determined by the type and size of brush and trees, as well as the slope of the land. For example, a property on a steep slope with larger vegetation requires greater spacing between trees and shrubs than a level property that has small, sparse vegetation.

Vertical Spacing
Remove all tree branches at least 6 feet from the ground.

Allow extra vertical space between shrubs and trees. Lack of vertical space can allow a fire to move from the ground to the brush to the tree tops like a ladder.

To determine the proper vertical spacing between shrubs and the lowest branches of trees, use the formula below.

Example: A five foot shrub is growing near a tree. 3×5 = 15 feet of clearance needed between the top of the shrub and the lowest tree branch.

Horizontal Spacing
Horizontal spacing depends on the slope of the land and the height of the shrubs or trees. Check the chart below to determine spacing distance.

FIRE-SAFE LANDSCAPING

‍Fire-safe landscaping isn’t necessarily the same thing as a well-maintained yard. Fire-safe landscaping uses fire-resistant plants that are strategically planted to resist the spread of fire to your home.

The good news is that you don’t need to spend a lot of money to make your landscape fire-safe. And fire-safe landscaping can increase your property value and conserve water while beautifying your home.

HARDENING YOUR HOME

Flying embers can destroy homes up to a mile from a wildfire. “Harden” your home now before a fire starts by using ember-resistant building materials.

Here are some things you can do to harden your home and make it more fire resistant.

Roof
The roof is the most vulnerable part of your home. Homes with wood or shingle roofs are at high risk of being destroyed during a wildfire. Build your roof or re-roof with materials such as composition, metal or tile. Block any spaces between roof decking and covering to prevent embers from catching.

Vents
Vents on homes create openings for flying embers.

• Cover all vent openings with 1/8-inch to 1/4-inch metal mesh. Do not use fiberglass or plastic mesh because they can melt and burn.
• Protect vents in eaves or cornices with baffles to block embers (mesh is not enough).

Eaves and Soffits
Eaves and soffits should be protected with ignition-resistant* or non-combustible materials.

Windows
Heat from a wildfire can cause windows to break even before the home ignites. This allows burning embers to enter and start fires inside. Single-paned and large windows are particularly vulnerable.

• Install dual-paned windows with one pane of tempered glass to reduce the chance of breakage in a fire.
• Consider limiting the size and number of windows that face large areas of vegetation.

Walls
Wood products, such as boards, panels or shingles, are common siding materials. However, they are combustible and not good choices for fire-prone areas.

• Build or remodel your walls with ignition resistant* building materials, such as stucco, fiber cement, wall siding, fire retardant, treated wood, or other approved materials.
• Be sure to extend materials from the foundation to the roof.

Decks
Surfaces within 10 feet of the building should be built with ignition-resistant*, non-combustible, or other approved materials.

• Ensure that all combustible items are removed from underneath your deck.

Rain Gutters
Screen or enclose rain gutters to prevent accumulation of plant debris.

Patio Cover
‍Use the same ignition-resistant* materials for patio coverings as a roof.

Chimney
‍Cover your chimney and stovepipe outlets with a non-combustible screen. Use metal screen material with openings no smaller than 3/8-inch and no larger than 1/2-inch to prevent embers from escaping and igniting a fire.

Garage
‍Have a fire extinguisher and tools such as a shovel, rake, bucket, and hoe available for fire emergencies.

• Install weather stripping around and under the garage door to prevent embers from blowing in.
• Store all combustible and flammable liquids away from ignition sources.

Fences
‍Consider using ignition-resistant* or non-combustible fence materials to protect your home during a wildfire.

Driveways and Access Roads
‍Driveways should be built and maintained in accordance with state and local codes to allow fire and emergency vehicles to reach your home. Consider maintaining access roads with a minimum of 10 feet of clearance on either side, allowing for two-way traffic.

• Ensure that all gates open inward and are wide enough to accommodate emergency equipment.
• Trim trees and shrubs overhanging the road to allow emergency vehicles to pass.

Address
‍Make sure your address is clearly visible from the road.

Water Supply
‍Consider having multiple garden hoses that are long enough to reach all areas of your home and other structures on your property. If you have a pool or well, consider getting a pump.

Useful Links
University of California—Homeowner’s Wildfire Mitigation Guide

*Ignition-resistant building materials are those that resist ignition or sustained burning when exposed to embers and small flames from wildfires. Examples of ignition-resistant materials include “non-combustible materials” that don’t burn, exterior grade fire-retardant-treated wood lumber, fire-retardant-treated wood shakes and shingles listed by the State Fire Marshal (SFM) and any material that has been tested in accordance with SFM Standard 12-7A-5.

FIRE-RESISTANT LANDSCAPING

A fire-safe landscape isn’t necessarily the same thing as a well-maintained yard. A fire-safe landscape uses fire-resistant plants that are strategically planted to resist the spread of fire to your home. Fire resistant plants are great in California because they are often drought tolerant, too.

The good news is, you don’t need a lot of money to make your landscape fire safe. And you will find that a fire-safe landscape can increase your property value and conserve water while beautifying your home.

Choose Fire-Resistant Plants and Materials

• Create fire-safe zones with stone walls, patios, decks and roadways.Use rock, mulch, flower beds and gardens as ground cover for bare spaces and as effective firebreaks.
• There are no “fire-proof” plants. Select high-moisture plants that grow close to the ground and have a low sap or resin content.
• Choose fire-retardant plant species that resist ignition such as rockrose, ice plant and aloe.
• Select fire-resistant shrubs such as hedging roses, bush honeysuckles, currant, cotoneaster, sumac and shrub apples.Plant hardwood, maple, poplar and cherry trees that are less flammable than pine, fir and other conifers.

Check your local nursery, landscape contractor or county’s UC Cooperative Extension  service for advice on fire-resistant plants that are suited for your area.

French Lavender    

Red Monkey Flower

California Fuchsia    

Sage

California Lilac    

Society Garlic

Ornamental Strawberry    

Yellow Ice Plant

Coreopsis    

California Red Bud

GET SET

Before wildfire strikes, it is important that you get Set. Prepare yourself and your home for the possibility of having to evacuate. There are three main preparation actions that should be completed and familiar to all members of your household long in advance of a wildfire.
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3 Steps to Getting Set:

1. Create a Wildfire Action Plan that includes evacuation planning for your home, family and pets.
2. Assemble an Emergency Supply Kit for each person in your household.
3. Fill-out a Family Communication Plan that includes important evacuation and contact information.

CREATE A WILDFIRE ACTION PLAN

Your Wildfire Action Plan must be prepared, and familiar to all members of your household well in advance of a wildfire. Use the checklist below to help create your plan. Each family’s plan will be different, depending on a variety of issues, needs, and situations.
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YOUR WILDFIRE ACTION PLAN CHECKLIST

‍Create an evacuation plan that includes:

• A designated emergency meeting location outside the fire or hazard area. This is critical to determine who has safely evacuated from the affected area.
• Several different escape routes from your home and community. Practice these often so everyone in your family is familiar in case of emergency.
• Have an evacuation plan for pets and large animals such as horses and other livestock.
• A Family Communication Plan that designates an out-of-area friend or relative as a point of contact to act as a single source of communication among family members in case of separation. (It is easier to call or message one person and let them contact others than to try and call everyone when phone, cell, and internet systems can be overloaded or limited during a disaster.)

Be Prepared:

• Have fire extinguishers on hand and train your family how to use them (check expiration dates regularly).
• Ensure that your family knows where your gas, electric, and water main shut-off controls are located and how to safely shut them down in an emergency.
• Assemble an Emergency Supply Kit for each person, as recommended by the American Red Cross. (See next section for details.)
• Maintain a list of emergency contact numbers posted near your phone and in your emergency supply kit.
• Keep an extra Emergency Supply Kit in your car in case you cannot get to your home because of fire or other emergency.
• Have a portable radio or scanner so you can stay updated on the fire.
• Tell your neighbors about Ready, Set, Go! and your Wildfire Action Plan.

PREPARE YOUR FAMILY

How to Prepare to Evacuate from a Wildfire

Download and save a Family Communication Plan.

Evacuation plans for families with young children should include helping toddlers understand how to quickly respond in case of fire, and how adults can escape with babies. Prepare ahead of time by practicing your family’s fire escape plan, and what to do to be safe when there is a wildfire nearby.

It is important to talk to toddlers and small children at a level that they understand and that does not frighten. Here are a few resources that offer guides and tips for families with young children about fire safety and preparing for a disaster:

• Ready.gov Kids : FEMA’s site for older kids to prepare and plan for a disaster. Includes safety steps, tips, and games to help children learn about and be ready for an emergency.

Preparing Seniors and Disabled Family Members
Seniors and people with disabilities also need special consideration when preparing for a disaster. Below are several resources that help individuals and families with special needs plan and prepare for an event such as a wildfire.

• Disaster Preparedness for Senior by Seniors : The American Red Cross booklet designed by and for older adults to prepare them for a sudden emergency.
• Disaster Preparedness for People with Disabilities : American Red Cross Disaster Services booklet with information and resources to help people with physical, visual, auditory, or cognitive disabilities design a personal disaster plan.
• Emergency Preparedness for People with Disabilities and Other Vulnerable Populations: Inclusive Preparedness Center website with information and resources for emergency planning.

ASSEMBLE AN EMERGENCY SUPPLY KIT

Put together your emergency supply kit long before a wildfire or other disaster occurs and keep it easily accessible so you can take it with you when you have to evacuate. Plan to be away from your home for an extended period of time. Each person should have a readily accessible emergency supply kit. Backpacks work great for storing these items (except food and water) and are quick to grab. Storing food and water in a tub or chest on wheels will make it easier to transport. Keep it light enough to be able to lift it into your car.

EMERGENCY SUPPLY KIT CHECKLIST

• Three-day supply of non-perishable food and three gallons of water per person.
• Map marked with at least two evacuation routes
• Prescriptions or special medications
• Change of clothing
• Extra eyeglasses or contact lenses
• An extra set of car keys, credit cards, cash or traveler’s checks
• First aid kit
• Flashlight
• Battery-powered radio and extra batteries
• Sanitation supplies
• Copies of important documents (birth certificates, passports, etc.)
• Don’t forget pet food and water!

Items to take if time allows:

• Easily carried valuables
• Family photos and other irreplaceable items
• Personal computer information on hard drives and disks
• Chargers for cell phones, laptops, etc.

Always keep a sturdy pair of shoes and a flashlight near your bed and handy in case of a sudden evacuation at night.
For more information on emergency supplies, visit http://www.ready.gov/

ARE YOU FINANCIALLY PREPARED FOR A WILDFIRE?

PROTECT WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU—GET YOUR FINANCES AND PROPERTY READY FOR WILDFIRES

A home is generally your largest asset. Protect it. Insurance is the critical back-up plan enabling you to rebuild your home after a wildfire. Federal catastrophe grants are not enough to rebuild a home. Make sure your family’s financial safety net is in place, in case disaster strikes. Follow these tips as part of your Ready, Set, GO! wildfire preparedness plan:

Tips 1: Conduct an Annual Insurance Check Up
Call your agent or insurance company annually to discuss your policy limits and coverage. Make sure your policy reflects the correct square footage and features in your home. Consider purchasing building code upgrade coverage.

Tips 2: Know What Your Policy Covers
The details matter. Understand if you have a replacement cost policy that pays to replace all your items at current market price or an actual cash value policy that takes depreciation into account and pays less for aged items.

Tips 3: Update Your Policy to Cover Home Improvements
If you make home improvements, be sure to call your agent or company to update your coverage. Make sure your insurer knows about the changes, so the new countertops, floors or room are covered if you must rebuild.

Tips 4: Maintain Insurance
If your home is paid off, be sure to maintain homeowner insurance. Without insurance, do you have the money to rebuild your home? Check with loved ones whose homes are paid off to be sure they continue to carry homeowner insurance.

Tips 5: Get Renters Insurance
Renters can lose everything in a fire and be left to start over. Many insurers bundle renters insurance coverage with an auto insurance policy at affordable prices.

MAKE A HOME INVENTORY

Recovery is easier if you have an accurate home inventory. Document the contents of your home before a fire occurs. Use your smartphone to video your belongings. Keep your inventory & photos outside home or in the cloud.

Tip 1: Video or photograph each room of your home.
Remember to document drawers and closets.

Tip 2: Describe your home’s contents in your video.
Mention the price you paid, where and when you bought the item.

Tip 3: Remember to note important or expensive items.
Video your electronics, appliances, sports equipment, TVs, computers, tablets.

Tip 4: Save receipts for major purchases.
Store key documents in the cloud or fireproof case. Keep home inventory offsite or in the cloud.

Tip 5: Video the Garage
Don’t forget to video or photograph what is inside your garage.

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GO! EVACUATION GUIDE

Give your household the best chance of surviving a wildfire by being ready to go and evacuating early. This includes going through pre-evacuation preparation steps (only if time allows) to increase your home’s defenses, as well as creating a Wildfire Action Plan for your family. Being ready to go also means knowing when to evacuate and what to do if you become trapped.

Remember: When immediate evacuation is necessary, follow these steps as soon as possible to get ready to GO!

1. Review your Evacuation Plan Checklist.
2. Ensure your Emergency Supply Kit is in your vehicle.
3. Cover-up to protect against heat and flying embers. Wear long pants, long sleeve shirt, heavy shoes/boots, cap, dry bandanna for face cover, goggles or glasses. 100% cotton is preferable.
4. Locate your pets and take them with you.

PRE-EVACUATION PREPARATION STEPS

When an evacuation is anticipated, follow these checklists (if time allows) to give your home the best chance of surviving a wildfire.

Home Evacuation Checklist – How to Prepare for Evacuation:

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Inside the House

• Remove flammable window shades, curtains and close metal shutters.
• Remove lightweight curtains.
• Move flammable furniture to the center of the room, away from windows and doors.
• Shut off gas at the meter; turn off pilot lights.
• Leave your lights on so firefighters can see your house under smoky conditions.
• Shut off the air conditioning.

Outside

• Gather up flammable items from the exterior of the house and bring them inside (patio furniture, children’s toys, door mats, trash cans, etc.) or place them in your pool.
• Turn off propane tanks.
• Move propane BBQ appliances away from structures.
• Connect garden hoses to outside water valves or spigots for use by firefighters. Fill water buckets and place them around the house.
• Don’t leave sprinklers on or water running, they can affect critical water pressure.
• Leave exterior lights on so your home is visible to firefighters in the smoke or darkness of night.
• Put your Emergency Supply Kit in your vehicle.
• Back your car into the driveway with vehicle loaded and all doors and windows closed. Carry your car keys with you.
• Have a ladder available and place it at the corner of the house for firefighters to quickly access your roof.
• Seal attic and ground vents with pre-cut plywood or commercial seals.
• Patrol your property and monitor the fire situation. Don’t wait for an evacuation order if you feel threatened.
• Check on neighbors and make sure they are preparing to leave.

Animals

• Locate your pets and keep them nearby.
• Prepare farm animals for transport and think about moving them to a safe location early.

TAKE ACTION IMMEDIATELY WHEN WILDFIRE STRIKES

When immediate evacuation is necessary, follow these steps as soon as possible to get ready to GO!

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Evacuation: What to Take and Do:

1. Review your Evacuation Plan Checklist.
2. Ensure your Emergency Supply Kit is in your vehicle.
3. Cover-up to protect against heat and flying embers. Wear long pants, long sleeve shirt, heavy shoes/boots, cap, dry bandanna for face cover, goggles or glasses. 100% cotton is preferable.
4. Locate your pets and take them with you.

WHEN TO EVACUATE

Leave as soon as evacuation is recommended by fire officials to avoid being caught in fire, smoke or road congestion. Don’t wait to be ordered by authorities to leave. Evacuating the forest fire area early also helps firefighters keep roads clear of congestion, and lets them move more freely to do their job. In an intense wildfire, they will not have time to knock on every door. If you are advised to leave, don’t hesitate!

• Officials will determine the areas to be evacuated and escape routes to use depending upon the fire’s location, behavior, winds, terrain, etc.
• Law enforcement agencies are typically responsible for enforcing an evacuation order. Follow their directions promptly.
• You will be advised of potential evacuations as early as possible. You must take the initiative to stay informed and aware. Listen to your radio/TV for announcements from law enforcement and emergency personnel.
• You may be directed to temporary assembly areas to await transfer to a safe location.

The terms “Voluntary” and “Mandatory” are used to describe evacuation orders. However, local jurisdictions may use other terminology such as “Precautionary” and “Immediate Threat.” These terms are used to alert you to the significance of the danger. All evacuation instructions provided by officials should be followed immediately for your safety.

Do not return to your home until fire officials determine it is safe. Notification that it is safe to return home will be given as soon as possible considering safety and accessibility.

WHEN YOU RETURN HOME:

• Be alert for downed power lines and other hazards.
• Check propane tanks, regulators, and lines before turning gas on.
• Check your residence carefully for hidden embers or smoldering fires.

WILDLAND FIRE SAFETY FOR YOUR PETS

You’ve taken steps to keep your family and home fire safe. Don’t forget your pets. With some advance planning you can increase their chances of surviving a wildland fire.
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PETS

• Plan ahead. Know where you will take or leave your pets. In case you are not home when disaster strikes, arrange in advance for a neighbor to check on or transport your pets. Make sure your neighbors have your contact numbers (cell phone, work, home, etc.). In the event of evacuation pets may not be allowed inside human emergency shelters – have an alternate prearranged location to take your animals.
• Make sure your pets are always wearing properly fitted collars with personal identification, rabies and license tags.
• Each animal should have it’s own pet carrier. Birds, rodents and reptiles should be transported in cages. Cover cages with a light sheet or cloth to minimize their fear.
• Store vaccination/medical records, veterinary contact information, proof of owner- ship, a current photo, and a Disaster Preparedness Kit in one location.

Pet Disaster Preparedness Kit

• Pet carrier for each pet
• Two week supply of food and water
• Non-spill food and water bowls
• Pet first-aid kit
• Medications and dosing instructions
• Car litter box and litter
• Plastic bags for waste disposal
• Paper towels
• Disinfectants
• Leashes/collars/harnesses
• Blankets
• Toys and treats
• Newspaper

IF YOU MUST LEAVE YOUR PET

• If you must leave your pets, bring them indoors. Never leave pets chained outdoors!
• Use a room with no windows and adequate ventilation, such as a utility room, garage, bathroom, or other area that can be easily cleaned. Do not tie pets up!
• Leave only dry foods and fresh water in non-spill containers. If possible open a faucet to let water drip into a large container or partially fill a bathtub with water.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU'RE TRAPPED NEAR A WILDFIRE

While in your vehicle:

• Stay calm.
• Park your vehicle in an area clear of vegetation.
• Close all vehicle windows and vents.
• Cover yourself with wool blanket or jacket.
• Lie on vehicle floor.
• Use your cell phone to advise officials—call 911.

While on foot:

• Stay calm.
• Go to an area clear of vegetation, a ditch or depression on level ground if possible.
• Lie face down, cover up your body.
• Use your cell phone to advise officials—call 911.

While in your home:

• Stay calm, keep your family together.
• Call 911 and inform authorities of your location.
• Fill sinks and tubs with cold water.
• Keep doors and windows closed, but unlocked.
• Stay inside your house.
• Stay away from outside walls and windows.