Wildfire Prep: Hardening Home & Habits

Objective

Survive a wildfire threat by hardening your home, setting early evacuation triggers, and avoiding entrapment routes.

Scenario (Example)

Example: Red Flag warning; fire 15 km away with shifting winds. You live in a wildland‑urban interface with one main road out and a secondary dirt route.

Home Hardening (Zones)

• Zone 0 (0–1.5 m): Noncombustible area against the house—bare soil, gravel, or pavers. No mulch or flammable decor.
• Zone 1 (1.5–9 m): Clear leaves/needles; trim branches; move wood piles away. Install metal gutter guards and ember‑resistant vents.
• Zone 2 (9–30 m): Thin trees/shrubs to break fuel continuity; keep grass short; remove ladder fuels.

Trigger Points

• T1 (Prep): Pack car, close vents/windows, shut off gas, set sprinklers to wet the immediate perimeter.
• T2 (Leave): When smoke column leans toward you, visibility drops, or official advisory upgrades—go now.
• T3 (Emergency): If routes close or fire is visible nearby—don’t delay for more packing.

Evacuation Checklist

• Go-bags, meds, IDs, cash, hard drives
• Pets in carriers; leashes; pet food
• Long sleeves, pants, sturdy shoes; N95 masks; goggles
• Vehicle nose-out; lights on; windows up; AC on recirc

On the Road

• Avoid canyons and tree tunnels that channel heat and embers.
• Keep distance from utility lines and crews.
• If trapped: park in a cleared area, face away from fire, stay in vehicle, engine running if safe, lie low, cover skin.

Real Example

A neighborhood that cleared gutters, screened vents, and staged early evacuation kept all homes intact when embers fell. They left at T2, avoiding gridlock that formed 30 minutes later.

Contingencies

• Power loss → manual garage door release.
• Pets hiding → pre-stage carriers and practice loading.
• Primary road closed → use pre-scouted secondary route.

After-Action

Replace air filters; wash ash off roofs and gutters; update triggers and routes based on what you saw.

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