Wildfire Ready Plan: Your Essential Guide to Safety in Durango

Living in Durango, CO, means understanding the inherent risks associated with wildfires. Creating a comprehensive wildfire ready plan is not just a recommendation; it’s a necessity for protecting your family, your property, and our community. As a fully volunteer non-profit organization serving La Plata County, we understand the importance of proactive fire safety measures. This guide will walk you through the essential steps to develop your own wildfire ready plan, ensuring you’re prepared should the unthinkable happen.

Part 1: Understanding the Risks and Building Your Foundation

Being proactive about wildfire preparedness starts with understanding the specific risks in La Plata County. Our beautiful environment, while a treasure, can become vulnerable during dry seasons. It’s crucial to stay informed about local conditions and take concrete steps to mitigate potential dangers. This initial phase focuses on gathering essential information and implementing preventative measures around your home.

Stay Informed, Stay Ahead: Knowledge truly is power when it comes to wildfire safety.

• • Home Safety Check: Assess your home’s vulnerability to wildfire by using the online assessment provided by La Plata County. This valuable tool acts like a personalized wildfire risk audit for your property. You can find it here: https://forms.lpcgov.org/Forms/HomeWildfireRiskSiteAssessment.
  • Planning Pro Tips: For expert advice on crafting a robust emergency plan, La Plata County offers comprehensive resources. These tips will guide you in developing strategies for various scenarios. You can access this information at: https://www.lpcgov.org/get_prepared/index.php.
  • Monitor Conditions: Keep a close eye on snowpack levels, weather forecasts, and any fire bans issued by local authorities. The La Plata County Sheriff Department, along with our local Fire Department, will provide crucial updates. Furthermore, the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management offers statewide information at https://dhsem.colorado.gov/info-center/colorado-hazard-information/wildfire.

Taking Proactive Steps Around Your Home

Taking tangible steps around your home can significantly increase its defensibility against wildfire.

• • Escape Plan Central: Develop clear evacuation routes from your home and designate a safe meeting place for your family outside of the immediate area. It’s also wise to have alternative routes and meeting points in case your primary options are compromised. Ready.gov offers valuable insights into evacuation planning: https://www.ready.gov/evacuation.
  • Get the Alerts: Sign up for Code Red notifications through La Plata County. This system delivers timely alerts and crucial information directly to your mobile devices during emergencies.
  • Go-Bag Essentials: Prepare a readily accessible “Go-Bag” containing essential supplies such as water, non-perishable food, necessary medications, copies of important documents, a first-aid kit, a flashlight, and a portable charger for your phone. Project Wildfire (https://projectwildfire.org/kit/) and GEICO(https://living.geico.com/saving/life-hacks/go-bag) offer helpful suggestions for what to include.
  • Home Inventory: Create a detailed inventory of your valuable possessions, including photographs or videos. This documentation will greatly simplify the insurance claims process should the need arise.
  • Practice Makes Perfect: Conduct practice evacuation drills with your family. This exercise will help everyone become familiar with the plan and ensure a smoother, more efficient response during a real emergency.

Part 2: When a Wildfire Alert is Issued: Acting Decisively

Upon receiving a wildfire alert, swift and focused action becomes paramount. These critical moments require a calm demeanor and adherence to your pre-established wildfire ready plan. Each step you take can significantly influence your safety and the well-being of those around you. Responding promptly and effectively to an alert is a key component of wildfire preparedness.

Stay Informed, Stay Updated: Continuous access to reliable information is crucial during a wildfire event.

• • Emergency Website: Regularly check the La Plata County Emergency Management website for the most up-to-date information and instructions: https://www.lpcgov.org/departments/emergency_management/index.php.
  • Social Media Updates: Follow your local County Fire Department’s Facebook page for real-time updates, situational awareness, and important announcements.

Final Preparations Before Potential Evacuation

As a wildfire threat intensifies, take these final steps to ensure your safety and the security of your property.

• • Go-Bag Verification: Quickly double-check your Go-Bags to confirm that all essential items are present and accounted for.
  • Family Briefing: Hold a brief family meeting to reiterate the evacuation plan and address any last-minute questions or concerns.
  • Home Security Measures: Turn on exterior lights to increase visibility for first responders, close all windows and doors to prevent embers from entering, and ensure the fireplace damper is securely closed.
  • Proof of Residency: Gather essential documents that prove your residency, such as your driver’s license, a recent utility bill, or your lease agreement. These may be required for re-entry into your neighborhood after the threat has passed.
  • Vehicle Readiness: Ensure your vehicle has a full tank of gasoline, park it facing outward for a quick departure, and load your Go-Bags into it. The U.S. Fire Administration provides additional information on wildfire evacuation procedures: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/wui/outreach/wildfire-evacuation.html.

Part 3: Evacuation Orders: Prioritizing Safety

When an official evacuation order is issued by authorities, it is imperative to remain calm and strictly adhere to the directions provided by emergency personnel. Hesitation or questioning the order can jeopardize your safety and the safety of others. Acting swiftly and responsibly during an evacuation is non-negotiable.

Follow Official Instructions: Your safety depends on your cooperation and compliance with emergency directives.

• • Code Red Guidance: Follow the specific instructions provided through Code Red alerts. These alerts will clearly indicate evacuation routes and designated shelter locations.
  • Emergency Communications: If you have urgent, non-life-threatening questions, contact the La Plata County Emergency Communications Center at 970-385-8700. Please reserve 911 for immediate life-threatening emergencies only.
  • Drive with Caution: If you are driving, exercise extreme caution, adhere to all traffic laws, and follow the designated evacuation routes. Traffic congestion is likely, so remain patient and focused.

After Reaching Safety

Once you have evacuated and are in a safe location, take these steps.

• • Family Accountability: Check in with your family members at your pre-determined meeting location to ensure everyone is safe.
  • Inform Others: Notify friends or relatives outside the affected area that you have evacuated safely. This helps alleviate worry and keeps communication lines open.
  • Secure Accommodation: Arrange for temporary lodging if necessary. This could involve staying with friends or family or utilizing designated shelters if available.
  • Stay Informed: Continue to monitor official news sources and emergency channels for updates on the wildfire situation and when it is safe to return to your home.

Handy Resources for Your Wildfire Ready Plan:

• La Plata County Emergency Management: https://www.lpcgov.org/departments/emergency_management/index.php (Be sure to explore their Wildfire Resource Center!)
• Evacuation Checklist: https://cms9files.revize.com/laplata/LWF/Evacuation%20Checklist%20During%20an%20Event.pdf
• Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management: https://dhsem.colorado.gov/info-center/colorado-hazard-information/wildfire
• Ready.gov Evacuation Information: https://www.ready.gov/evacuation
• U.S. Fire Administration Wildfire Evacuation Information: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/wui/outreach/wildfire-evacuation.html

Being prepared for wildfires provides invaluable peace of mind for you and your loved ones. As a volunteer non-profit serving La Plata County, our priority is the safety and well-being of our community. Taking the time to develop and implement your wildfire ready plan is a significant and commendable step in protecting yourself, your neighbors, and the beautiful landscape we all cherish in Durango, CO.

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