FAQ Topic: Evacuation

How do I learn more?

There are many great resources available to you. Mark Brown, Executives Officer of the Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority narrates an informational video called Wildfire Evacuation: Make it Downhill Alive. Another video offers an overview of how to plan for an evacuation for yourself, family, and pets. There are many examples and templates to help you create an evacuation check-list.

What if I need help evacuating?

Make sure you develop a plan today.  It is unlikely that public safety personnel will need to be responding to the incident and will not have capacity to help individuals evacuate. Work with your neighbors, friends, family and professional care givers to develop your plan. If you know you will need extra help evacuating, consider … Continued

What if I get stuck in traffic?

Evacuations may be phased to limit the amount of traffic and cars on the road. Take only one car to help reduce traffic. It is possible there will be traffic and confusion during an evacuation. Continue to follow the rules of the road unless otherwise directed by public safety personnel. Staying in your car on pavement, which … Continued

What if I can’t get to 101?

That’s ok- being on a noncombustible road with well maintained vegetation is a pretty safe, even if scary, place to be during a wildfire. In some cases you may be directed to an area of refuge, like a parking lot, sports field, or other area unlikely to experience high fire intensity.

Where should I go?

If you are told to evacuate, or feel unsafe where you are, calmly move away from danger. Follow the direction of any public safety personnel and be alert of responding units. In general, during a wildfire you will want to go downhill and away from dense vegetation and combustible structures, including homes. This likely means … Continued

How will I know I need to leave?

Make sure you are opted into our County Emergency Alerts at AlertMarin.org. If you set your phone to Do Not Disturb or silence your ring tone, make sure you create a bypass for Alert Marin messages. In addition to Alert Marin, have a redundancy, such as a friend or neighbor that will check on you, a NOAA Weather … Continued

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