What to turn off and leave on during evacuation preparation.
Let’s talk evacuation preparation. You’ve got a detailed wildfire action plan and you know what to take with you when evacuating your home. But what about the house itself?
There are a few simple things to do before leaving to help Butte County responders preserve your home once you’ve evacuated.
Mark your shut-offs
Clearly mark the shut-offs for the main gas and water lines and central heat/air. Then, make sure all adults and older children know where they’re located and how to operate them.
Turn off the gas if you have to evacuate
In the event of an evacuation, turn off any gas lines coming into the house. Whether you have a municipal natural gas line or a line leading from a propane tank, gas seeping in through open lines can fuel flames and increase the risk of an explosion.
Turn off the water if you have to evacuate
This minimizes the chance of flooding should pipes burst during a fire. Uncontrolled water is also a hazardous obstacle for firefighters and rescue personnel. If you have time, evacuation preparation can include:
- Fill bathtubs and sinks with water and place buckets throughout your home. Having standing water sources available can help firefighters.
- Connecting garden hoses to your outside spigots for firefighters to use should they need them.
Leave the power on
During a wildfire evacuation, you’ll want to leave the power on. In fact, leave your interior and exterior lights on so firefighters can find your home under dark, smoky conditions.
Note: During an electrical fire, shut off your power.
Turn off your air conditioning or heating
Prevent embers and smoke from traveling into your home and interfering with firefighter efforts to preserve your property.
For additional evacuation preparation tips and precautions, check out specific Butte County resources here, here, and here. And better yet, share them with your neighbors as well! It’s all part of getting ready to be ready when wildfires strike.