The Burn Institute wants everyone to be wildfire prepared

SAN DIEGO – Currently, a number of major wildfires are burning throughout the state of California. With extremely high temperatures, gusty dry winds and low humidity, wildfire risk for the San Diego area is heightened. The Burn Institute urges San Diego County residents to stop, think, prepare and practice what their family would do in the event of a wildfire.

“If you live in an area close to a canyon or open bushland, then you are at a higher risk of experiencing the consequences of a wildfire. During wildfires, evacuations are put in place to protect lives. Your property can be replaced, but your life cannot. Therefore, the Burn Institute strongly recommends that you evacuate when told to do so by authorities, or even earlier if you feel you are at risk” Susan Day, executive director of the Burn Institute stated.

Every family should have a proper evacuation plan in place:

• Create a list of important items that they would need to take during an evacuation. This list should include prescriptions, eyeglasses, important documents, essentials for their pets such as food and leashes, photos, a change of clothes and necessary toiletries, and anything else of value to their family.
• Be sure to park their vehicle facing outwards so they have the best visibility when they have to drive away and turn their headlights on when that time comes.
• Know various routes out of their neighborhood in case the usual roads become blocked. Practice driving these escape routes before an actual emergency occurs.
• If time permits, close all windows and doors when they evacuate their home, remove curtains and other thin combustibles from windows and leave their lights on to help firefighters see their home.

The Burn Institute offers a free 16-page educational “Living With Wildfire” Guide For The Homeowner that contains information on proper brush clearance, landscaping for fire resistance, how to maintain a defensible space around their home, evacuation tips and much more.

To obtain a free copy of this guide, call the Burn Institute at (858) 541-2277 or download a copy at www.burninstitute.org/fire-and-burn-prevention/wildfire-program.