Evacuation warnings can change to orders in an instant.
You DO NOT need to wait for orders to leave. 

During times of an emergency, it is critical to understand the terminology used by public safety officials. Emergency notifications from different counties may not use the same terms, so become familiar with your county's instructions. It is your responsibility to be familiar with these terms because they can save your life.

Pre-Evacuation Warning

Pre-evacuation Warning means that there is a high probability that you will be ordered to evacuate. Prepare to leave. 

• People with mobility, special needs, or medical issues should evacuate if given a pre-evacuation warning.
• If you need additional time to evacuate, get prepared to leave now.
• You do not have to wait to be ordered to leave. 

Continue listening to local radio, television, or the official agency social media outlets for further instructions. 

Evacuation Order

Public safety officials will issue an Evacuation Order if your area is in imminent danger.

• If you receive an Evacuation Order, you must leave IMMEDIATELY.
• If you are not at your home when an Evacuation Order is given, DO NOT try to go home.

Continue to listen to local radio, television, or the official agency social media outlets for further instruction. 

Shelter-In-Place

Public safety officials may advise you to Shelter-in-Place. This means that the best way to stay safe in an emergency is to get inside a building or vehicle. Where you should stay can be different for different types of emergencies.

Continue to listen to local radio, television, or the official agency social media outlets for further instruction. 

Consider these Steps When Evacuating 

Consider these steps before your evacuation, however, chances are you may not have time to complete every step. When an evacuation is anticipated, follow these checklists (if time allows) to give your home the best chance of surviving a wildfire.

Inside the Home

• Place your Emergency Supply Kit inside your vehicle (or have a second kit already stocked in your vehicle). 
• Shut all windows and doors, leaving them unlocked. 
• Remove flammable window coverings 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 the Home

• Gather up flammable items from the house’s exterior and bring them inside or move it in the yard, as far from the house as possible (patio furniture, children’s toys, doormats, trash cans, firewood, etc.). 
• Turn off propane tanks and move them away from the house. 
• Move propane BBQ appliances away from structures. 
• Connect garden hoses to outside water valves or spigots for use by firefighters. 
• Shut off sprinklers systems. Do not leave them running as they can affect critical water pressure for firefighters and most likely will not provide protection to your home. 
• Leave exterior lights on so your home is visible to firefighters in the smoke or darkness of night. 
• Back your car into the driveway with the 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 the attic and ground vents with good quality duct tape rather than plywood or other materials. 
• Patrol your property and monitor the fire situation. 
• Check on neighbors and make sure they are preparing to leave.

Evacuation Order 

• Take only 1 vehicle - this will help you stay together and keep extra vehicles off the road.
• Back any additional vehicle into the garage, roll the windows up, and leave the keys on the front seat.
• Do not take RV's, boats, toy trailers, haulers, etc.
• If possible, dress in cotton material, wear long pants, long sleeve shirts, and sturdy shoes.
• Close the garage door and set it up for manual operation in case firefighters need to make entry to your home.

*Some information on this page is from the CalFire readyforwildfire.org website.