As roaring wildfires overtook sections of the Los Angeles area, tens of thousands of Southern Californians were urged to flee their homes on Tuesday and Wednesday.
About 3,000 acres of the Pacific Palisades, a suburb in Los Angeles situated between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, have already been destroyed by the largest of the wildfires.
Destructive wind gusts were predicted to reach 100 mph on Wednesday, and the fires remained a threat to homes. Anthony C. Marrone, the fire chief for Los Angeles County, issued a warning, stating that all inhabitants of the county are at risk due to the National Weather Service’s prediction of a persistent red flag weather event with high winds and low humidity.
Officials suggest that if you have been ordered to evacuate, you should do so right away and not hesitate.
If not, even a tiny bit of planning can have a big impact if something changes. And once more, if you believe you are in danger, don’t wait to be told to leave.
What’s the first step to being prepared?
In the event of an evacuation, individuals should know who to call, where to meet other members of their household, and how to safely escape, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire. According to U.S. Department of Homeland Security guidelines, you should have a single plan that all members of your home can agree on.
In the event that you are not home when you need to evacuate, federal officials recommend that you also have subsequent evacuation plans in place for places you frequent, such as your workplace or your child’s daycare facility.
Where should you go?
In order to prepare evacuation routes and identify the closest evacuation shelters, residents should be informed about road closures.
The Westwood Recreation Center for Palisades Fire evacuees and the Ritchie Valens Recreation Center for Hurst Fire evacuees were among the evacuation shelters in the area run by the Los Angeles Fire Department as of Wednesday morning.
Monitor updates closely
Residents can download the FEMA App to get real-time information and alerts from the National Weather Service. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security provides real-time, sign-up-free notifications to broadcast networks and all mobile phones during crises.
The Los Angeles Fire Department updates its website and X account in real time.
What to pack in a ‘go-bag’
Residents are advised by Cal Fire to prepare a “go-bag” that contains the following items:
- a three-day supply of non perishable food
- three gallons of water per person
- a map with at least two evacuation routes
- necessary prescribed medications
- a change of clothes, extra eyeglasses
- an extra set of keys
- credit cards and cash
- a first aid kit
- a flashlight
- a battery-powered radio with extra batteries
- copies of important documents such as passports or birth certificates
- pet food and water
Evacuees may think about retrieving computer hard drives, cell phone and laptop chargers, and other priceless belongings, such as family photos, if time permits.
What should you do if you’re trapped?
The first piece of advice given by specialists in the sad situation of being trapped is to remain composed.
Cal Fire recommends remaining indoors, away from exterior walls and windows, filling sinks and tubs with cold water, and keeping doors and windows closed but unlocked when you’re at home.
Cover yourself with a wool blanket or jacket, park your car in a spot free of foliage, and shut off the windows and vents.
The department advises getting to a clear spot, such a ditch or level ground, and covering your body while lying face down if you’re running on foot.
The agency recommends contacting 911 if at all possible in each of these situations.
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!