Preparing for fire season: understanding evacuation levels and having a plan

LEAVENWORTH — When wildfire threatens a community, having a plan can make a critical difference in how quickly and safely people respond. With the potential for a long wildfire season this year, it’s never too soon to begin preparing.

“I would just encourage everybody to do all your preparation ahead of time so that when that time comes, you're able to just leave,” said Chelan County Fire District 3 Deputy Chief and Fire Marshal Mike Smith.

Before disaster strikes, local officials recommend that residents familiarize themselves with evacuation routes and notices, sign up for alerts, assemble a go-bag, and make a plan for evacuating family members, pets and large animals such as horses and livestock. Numerous checklists can be found online, but a clean, comprehensive guide can be found on Lake Wenatchee Fire and Rescue’s website.

This wildfire season, stay informed

“Pay attention to red flag warnings, wind events and things like that…Especially if we do get a fire in the area, just make sure you're paying attention to what's going on and not forgetting that we are at that high danger level,” said Smith.

Smith added that residents can follow CCFD 3 and or their local fire district’s social media, which usually keeps updated on these alerts. Chelan County residents are also encouraged to sign up for Everbridge Emergency Alert System, a program used by the county to send emergency alerts via text, email or voicemail. During wildfire season or other active emergencies, residents who are not signed up for alerts may still receive notifications on their cell phones if location services are enabled, as the county is able to send alerts to devices within a targeted area.

“When the message comes to evacuate, whether through a siren or an [Everbridge] message or some notification…Please pay attention and be ready to move to a place of safety,” said LWFR Deputy Chief of Operations Steve Foley.

Chelan County Emergency Management utilizes a “Ready. Set. Go!” evacuation model, which is important to understand before an emergency occurs. Residents can view up-to-date evacuation levels on the department’s website and map, with updates also posted on social media.

Level 1–Stay Alert 

A level 1 advisory means there is a fire in the area and you should stay updated on conditions, fire behavior, and changes in evacuation levels.

Chelan County Emergency Management’s checklist also suggests having a plan and an emergency supply kit ready and checked over. This plan can include listing important contacts, evacuation routes and additional considerations, such as pets. In your safety kit, consider health and safety items, documents and photos, and evacuation needs.

Level 2–Be Prepared

You should prepare to evacuate, as the fire in the area may threaten you and your family.

If time permits, there are a number of things you can do both inside and outside to prepare your home, according to Chelan County’s Evacuation Planning Guide. Inside, you can close all windows and doors, remove flammable window shades and close metal shutters, move furniture away from windows and doors, and turn off pilot and air conditioning. Outside, you can remove combustible items from the exterior of the house, turn off propane tanks and other gas at the meter, cover attic and ground vents, and position your car for a quick departure.

During a Level 2 advisory, emergency management recommends those who feel unsafe or need extra time, such as residents with large animals or small children, evacuate. 

Level 3–Go Now

While residents have a right to stay, fire officials recommend evacuating promptly when a Level 3 advisory is issued, as the fire poses an immediate threat to safety.

“I would encourage everybody to get out of their property. We care about it as much as anyone else. We do not want to lose anyone's home, but at the end of the day, life safety comes first, and we don't want to see anyone get hurt,” said Smith.

If you do become trapped on your property, Chelan County advises staying inside your home until the fire passes, sheltering away from outside walls, bringing garden hoses inside to protect them from embers, filling sinks and tubs for emergency water supply, placing wet towels under doors to keep smoke and embers out, and patrolling your home and attic for spot fires and extinguish them. If you can, let people know where you are.

Sites to keep in mind:

Evacuation updates, resources and Everbridge Emergency Alerts sign-up: Chelan County Emergency Management

Traffic updates: Washington Department of Transportation’s real-time travel map

Information on large fires: Inciweb

Smoke: WA DOE Air Quality Map and Washington Smoke Blog

Weather: National Weather Service’s Spokane Forecast Office

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media