Know how you will evacuate
By Dave Mason
Scripps Ranch Fire Safe Council
Before there is smoke in the air or an evacuation order on your phone, we hope you’ll take time to prepare an evacuation plan for you and your family. Know more than one way out of your neighborhood.
In a fast-moving wildfire, the road you normally use may not be the road you can use. Thinking it through now can help you act more quickly and calmly later.
The Scripps Ranch Fire Safe Council has prepared an evacuation plan for you and your family. It will be available free at our Fire-Safety Open House on Saturday, June 6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fire Station 37, 11640 Spring Canyon Road.
The open house is a chance to tour the station, meet firefighters, learn more about wildfire preparedness and take home practical information you can use right away. Bring your questions, bring your family and bring home a plan.
A good evacuation plan should help you answer a few important questions before an emergency happens:
- Where will you meet if you cannot return home?
- Which roads could you use if your usual route is blocked?
- Who will help children, older family members, neighbors or pets?
- What should be packed and ready to go?
Preparedness is only part of the job. Prevention matters, too. Nearly every wildfire in California is caused by human activity, which means many fires can be prevented by simple choices. Wildfire readiness is not about fear. It is about giving yourself and the people you love a better chance to act safely if the day ever comes when you need to leave.
We are fortunate to be protected by dedicated firefighters who train, prepare and respond quickly when fires do start. Their skill, courage and fast action have helped extinguish many fires before they could become far more dangerous. The best way you can support their work is to do your part before an emergency: prevent fires when you can, prepare your home, and have an evacuation plan ready.
We will have one ready for you on June 6 at Fire Station 37 on Spring Canyon Road. Reach out to us anytime: srfiresafecouncil@gmail.com or call (858) 201-3711.