Spring 2006 Page 4

Mt. Shasta Vista Volunteer Fire Company Newsletter Spring 2006

Evacuate!

“Evacuation is not something we do because we want to inconvenience residents"> Spring 2006 Page 4

Mt. Shasta Vista Volunteer Fire Company Newsletter Spring 2006

Evacuate!

“Evacuation is not something we do because we want to inconvenience residents,” says CDF Battalion Chief Jeff Burns. “Evacuation contributes to firefighter safety – to everyone’s safety. Look at the situation here – we have narrow roads, when there’s a fire there can be heavy smoke and very limited visibility. We want to get everyone out before the fire trucks try to get in. Two vehicles traveling in opposite directions on narrow roads in limited visibility is a recipe for disaster.”

It is easy to say, “Stay calm” says Chief Burns, but will we be able to do that when disaster strikes? “If you are not used to that big shot of adrenalin, you may not know what to do with it.”

That is why it is important to plan what you will do when wildfire approaches your home.

Burns emphasizes that we should all prepare, before a fire, while we are calm, a checklist of important documents and things we will take. “When confronted with a crisis, people need something to reference. People will forget things under stress. After the Hotlum Fire people were saying, ‘Well, I took this but then I thought: Why didn’t I take that?’”

If you keep those important documents and irreplaceable family photos in a fire proof safe, you might want to plan on taking the safe with you. “Fire proof safes are not foolproof,” says Jeff Burns. “If the safe is exposed to a hot fire for more than an hour, you might open it to find it full of ashes. “

“Be familiar with multiple ways out of the subdivision,” Burns advises Mt. Shasta Vista dwellers. “If one way is blocked you will need another way out. Whatever you do,” he says, “do not get off the road. Mt. Shasta Vista subdivision soils are normally loose and unstable, containing large amounts of volcanic ash and sand. The potential for getting stuck in this soil is huge, especially when it is dry.”

Once you get out of harm’s way, you’ll want to know if your family members are also safe. “Every family should have a designated point to make contact after the fact,” says Burns. “And plan for what to do with your animals. Animal control has limited resources to handle large scale incidents.” Your plan should include not only transportation for your critters, but a destination as well.

There are many more steps you can take now to prevent and prepare for future fires. For more information, please visit our new web site at www.msvvfc.com. Or write, call or email me for a free copy of the California Fire Safe Council’s “Homeowners Checklist”. Mail your request to:
Marjorie King, MSVVFC, 13502 Roland Drive, Montague CA 96064. Telephone me during business hours at my Reel Mowers, Etc. office: 530 938-0350 or email to: marjorieking@reelmowersetc.com.