Are you prepared for the Next Wildfire?
Wildfire has become a way of life in our mountain communities and being prepared for a wildfire requires you to take personal responsibility for protecting yourself, your family, and your property. The information below will help you create your personal Wildfire Action Plan so that you’ll be prepared to assess wildfire risk and evacuate at a moment’s notice.
Get Notified!
You must REGISTER in advance to receive emergency alerts and evacuation notices. Register NOW for Clear Creek County’s Smart911.
If you do not have internet access or need assistance, call Clear Creek County Smart911 at
(303) 679-2393.
Planning and Preparation
Take some time to think about and prepare your Personal Wildfire Action Plan so that everyone in your family knows what to do in the event you receive an emergency wildfire notification. Items to consider include:
- Family escape plan, routes to safety zones
- Family communication and planned contacts – all external support people, including family, financial, medical, insurance
- Essential survival kit (packed and ready to go) people and pets, financial information, insurance policies, identification (passport, birth certificate, social security card, driver’s license), emergency contacts phone numbers
- Personal support kit – 3 days
Review and download the Colorado-Ready-Set-Go-Wildfire-Action-Plan below for easy step-by-step planning.
Here are the 5 “Ps” FEMA says you need ready to quickly gather up when ordered by the local authorities to get out.
- People — Be ready to flee with yourself and your family, and if safely possible, with pets and other animals
- Prescriptions — Have them bagged and ready to go including medicines; medical equipment; batteries or power cords; eyeglasses; and hearing aids
- Papers — Important documents (hard copies and/or electronic copies saved on external hard drives or portable thumb drives
- Personal needs — Such as clothes, food, water, first aid kit, cash, phones, and chargers, and items for people with disabilities and others with access and/or functional needs, such as older adults, children, and those with Limited English Proficiency
- Priceless items — including pictures, irreplaceable mementos, and other valuables
FEMA officials also suggest another very important “P” to remember — Protect your property.
Take steps long before the fire to reduce the sources of fuel in and around your home or business and use fire-resistant construction materials when possible. The National Fire Protection Association recommends a defensible space of up to 200 feet from a structure.
Wildfire Resources and Links
Clear Creek County Office of Emergency Management
Colorado Ready Set Go – Your Personal Wildfire Action Plan
Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment
Colorado Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Management
