I'm probably going to need to evacuate due to fires in North CA, how will I be notified if I need to evacuate?

Question

I'm probably going to need to evacuate due to fires in North CA, how will I be notified if I need to evacuate?

Answer 1

Either the Police or the Fire Dept. will be around- knocking on doors & telling people to get out. If You think this COULD happen, you'd be WISE to pack a few days clothes & your Important Papers in a Suitcase & have them "READY TO GO"- just in case...  :0

Answer 2

they will send you a reverse 911 call, where the emergency calls your home.  Another way the fire department will come with megaphones or yell and tell you to evacuate in 30 minutes, but i reccomend watching the NEWS.  They will also tell you when to evacuate and you could also use your best judgement.  i know how it feels!!! good luck to you and your family!  god bless!

Answer 3

there are three ways:

The most common is local law enforcement driving through your neighborhood announcing the evacuation order over their PA systems, combined with going door to door if the evacuation is more urgent.

In many areas there is the "Reverse 9-1-1 system" which allows your local 9-1-1 dispatch to call you to inform you of an emergency situation in your area.

Third and most useless is the "emergency alert network" which interupts local TV and Radio broadcasts to issue alerts.

I'm near the "hummingbird fire" near Morgan Hill, and we're relying on the first option, which has worked very well.

Answer 4

watch t.v, listen to the radio, they might even come to your door and tell you. you will know if you need to be evacuated. they have a system everywhere. in iowa they come to your door, and when your gone you have to leave a white rag on your door letting authorities know your gone, if evacuation is mandatory and you dont leave its a felony...

Answer 5

They will come to your door and notify you of an evacuation.

I agree that you should pack things to be ready.  Or at the very least start a list of the essentials so you don't forget in the panic of the moment.

I also live in No Cal. A couple of years ago, we had a fire not more than 5 acres away from us.  When I started looking around my house for things to take with me, I realized something.  Other than a few legal documents (like pink slips to vehicles) and photos - everything was replacable. If my children, husband and pets were safe, I had everything I needed.

Answer 6

if you can see the smoke and know the fire is only a few miles away...then id get out if i were you

Answer 7

Someone should come to your house and tell you that you need to evacuate.

Answer 8

Unless one of the fires makes an unexpected move the following should occur.

1.  You will be notified that you should be prepared to evacuate.  Have valuables and needed supplies in your car.  This notice could come in person or by reverse 911 if it is available in your area.

2. A voluntary evacuation order will be given. Again in person or by reverse 911.  This is the time to leave, when it become mandatory it can be very dangerous.  Many wildland areas have only one exit, you don't want to be caught with your only exit on fire

3.  Mandatory evacuations will be ordered. usually this time it will be in person by the sheriff or Firemen.

If you are "extremely rural", like you can't see your neighbors house,  you may only get one warning when the fireman come to put out the fire.  I have been evacuated twice over the years and it goes fairly smoothly.