Being prepared helps you avoid problems in the first place and, if you do find yourself in a tight spot, helps you stay calm because you have a plan for what to do in the situation. You’ll find some good info here about what to do if you are trapped and a wildfire is approaching fast. (And they are fast. In 2018, the Camp Fire in the Paradise area devoured the length of a football field every second. At that rate, it would have decimated the entire town of Placerville in approximately 8 seconds.)

Wildfires are unpredictable, and even the best-laid plans can go amiss. If you find yourself trapped by a wildfire, you can take steps to increase your chances of survival. The roar of a wildfire can be extremely loud, and the house will get very hot and smoky as the fire front passes, so you must be emotionally prepared to deal with the horrific sound and strong natural urge to flee.

The most important thing is to choose the place best able to withstand the flaming front of the fire. This may not be your home, but an outbuilding, shop, or even your car. The structure should have:

• A “Class-A” noncombustible roof
• Noncombustible siding or at least 30-feet between the siding and vegetation
• Eave areas and areas under decks boxed in, totally enclosed, and cleaned of flammable debris
• 1/8-inch screens on attic, foundation, and eave vents
• Dual-pane or tempered glass windows

To survive, YOU MUST STAY INSIDE THE SHELTER until the fire front passes. Although it will be very hot, it can be four- or five-times hotter outside.

• Close all windows and doors; place wet towels under door and window openings.
• Have your fire extinguishers out and ready to use.
• Fill sinks, tubs, and buckets with water for extinguishing any embers that enter the space as well as for drinking and flushing toilets.
• Plan for loss of power. Have flashlights and batteries ready.
• Disconnect electric garage door openers. Operate doors manually.
• Close metal window blinds. Remove flammable window treatments.
• Move furniture away from windows and sliding glass doors.
• Shut off attic fans, whole house fans, swamp coolers, and interior fans to keep smoke and ash from being drawn into the structure.
• Wet or remove swamp cooler pads to prevent them from catching on fire.
• Bring pets inside and place them in carriers.
• Put livestock and horses in an irrigated pasture or area where fuels have been removed.
• Leave exterior and interior lights on to help firefighters find your house in dense smoke.
• Stay in the center of the structure, away from windows and glass doors.
• Wet down your surroundings.

Most of these things you can plan for ahead of time. Then, when the fire comes, if you can't get out (evacuating early is always preferred), go into action.

• Strategically place sprinklers to wet your shelter and surroundings and turn them on.
• Protect some hoses from flames and have them ready to use once the fire front has passed.
• Close exterior doors and windows, but leave them unlocked.
• Close or cover outside attic, eave, and basement vents to prevent embers from entering.
• Move all flammable materials at least 30-feet away from your shelter, including vehicles and recreational equipment, lawn furniture, and firewood.
• Plan for loss of power. Have emergency generators ready to power your well’s pump.
• Store water for putting out burning embers or small fires after the fire front has passed.
• Shut off natural gas and propane.
• Open gates to prevent flames from spreading from a fence to your shelter.

A structure will offer more protection than a car, so if there is a building nearby, get inside it. Otherwise, park and stay in your car. It will be safer than being in the open, where you would be directly exposed to flames and radiant heat.

• STAY IN THE VEHICLE.
• Find a safe place to park with little or no vegetation.
• Turn on headlights and emergency flashers to make your car more visible in heavy smoke.
• Close all windows and doors, shut off air vents, and turn off the air conditioner.
• Get under blankets or coats, preferably wool, and lie on the floor.
• Wait until the fire front passes and the outside temperature has dropped. Then get out and go to a safe area that has already burned.

Here are some questions and answers that El Dorado County FD Fire Marshal Brandon McKay passed along via email to Oak Hill area neighbors who attended an August 2018 neighborhood fire safety meeting. These are things to consider when making plans (Q&A paraphrased):

Question: What do you think of the suggestion to go to a wide-open space to wait for rescue?

Answer: Don’t do that! We have a procedure where we can evaluate conditions and do a shelter-in-place if conditions allow. If you leave your house, we will not know where you are, and fire conditions can drastically change. You will be left to the elements with no protection or safety gear. VERY BAD SITUATION.

Comment: There are times when it is not safe to remain in your house. You will need to use your best judgement. There are also times when it is not feasible or advisable to evacuate using crowded roads with fire approaching fast. 

Question: We have one-way in and one-way out. If the main road is not passable, should I take a back way out? This might entail breaking through some gates, traveling over very rough roads and crossing streams.

Answer: If you’re in a dire situation, do what you have to do. This can be potentially deadly if you are going across unimproved roads/fields. Your vehicle can become stuck leaving you stranded in the way of the fire. Also, your catalytic convertor and muffler are very hot and can ignite brush behind you causing another fire to start. Once again, you will be out in an area where we don’t know where you are. If we don’t know where you are, we can’t help you.