Emergencies: What to do when wildfire threatens

Fire-ready homes or properties are more likely to survive a wildfire. But when a catastrophic wildfire is threatening your area, there are additional steps you can take:
  • If you see a fire approaching your home, call 911.
  • Dress to prevent burns. Wear long pants, cotton or wool long-sleeve shirts or jackets, and gloves. Do not wear short-sleeve shirts or clothing made of synthetic fabrics.

If a wildfire forces evacuations, residents should hang a white towel or sheet over their front door or mailbox after they leave so firefighters will know they have gone. Anyone who needs special help should put a large red X in a front window.

Prepare to Evacuate

  • Contact your neighbors and tell them about the fire.
  • Park the car in the garage, facing out with windows closed and keys in the ignition. Do NOT leave it running.
  • Close the garage door, but leave it unlocked. Disconnect the automatic garage door opener.
  • Place documents, family mementos, and pets inside the car in the garage, ready for quick departure.
  • Take personal items for minimum of three days.
Outside Your Home
  • Cover windows, attic openings, eave vents, and sub-floor vents with fire resistant material.
  • Shut off propane or natural gas valves.
  • Remove gasoline and barbecues from property.
  • Attach garden hoses to spigots and place them so they can reach any area of your house.
  • Fill trashcans and buckets with water and place them where firefighters can find them.
  • Place a ladder against the house on the side opposite the approaching fire to help firefighters get onto your roof.
Inside Your Home
  • Close all windows and doors to prevent sparks from blowing inside. Remove your curtains or drapes.
  • Turn on porch and yard lights to make the house more visible in heavy smoke or darkness.
Evacuating
  • Let authorities know of neighbors who may need assistance evacuating.
  • Use preplanned routes, away from the approaching fire front.
  • If you are trapped by fire while evacuating in your car, park in an area clear of vegetation, close all vehicle windows and vents, cover yourself with a blanket or jacket and lie on the floor.
  • If you are trapped by fire while evacuating on foot, select an area clear of vegetation along a road, or lie in the road ditch. Cover any exposed skin with a jacket or blanket.
After it passes
  • Check the roof immediately, extinguishing embers.
  • Check the yard for burning woodpiles, trees, fence posts, or other materials.
  • Keep the doors and windows closed.
  • Continue rechecking for embers for at least 12 hours.

Help your animals
During a wildfire, pets and livestock are often stranded and frightened – but there is help available in our county.  
Tonya Kahler, director of animal services for the La Plata County Humane Society, said  space will be available at the La Plata County Humane Society shelter in Durango during an emergency. 

>If they run out of space, they will call on a group of local volunteers to provide temporary homes for stranded animals.

"If people are willing to offer an emergency foster home for livestock or companion animals, they should go to the shelter put their name on a call-out list. There is some emergency space available for livestock, but there is a need for volunteers with horse trailers to help with large-animal transport." Kahler said

The Humane Society of the United States offers these tips to keep animals safe during a wildfire:

  • If you are forced to evacuate, do not leave your pets, horses or livestock behind.
  • Securely fasten an up-to-date identification tag on the animal’s collar or halter, and mark livestock.
  • Carry a photo of your pet for identification purposes.
  • Be sure to pack a week’s worth of food,
    water and other supplies such as cat litter and
    medication.
– Karla Sluis, Herald special sections editor

– Colorado State Forest Service