Prepare Now for the Fire Next TimeAn Ounce of Prevention Department….

As we contemplate a future of “constant fire season,” there are still ways to feel empowered, and to lay the groundwork for dealing with a sudden emergency. At CRT we know that being as prepared as you can be in the event of an emergency can be crucial, and with the changes in climate and the uncertainty of fires, it’s certainly best to get as ready as you can be.

Sudden conflagrations, such as the Paradise fire, the Obenchain firestorm, and others have provided some hard lessons learned; but there is no reason you can’t be proactive in meeting these threats as well.

Here’s what you can do to prep your household in times of wildfire danger:

Sign up for emergency alerts where you live to receive communications about severe weather, wildfires or other dangers. Some places offer alerts via texts, push notifications, phone calls and emails. Josephine and Jackson Counties are currently wrangling over their alert system, but these are increasingly in place and can be a life-saving resource.

If first responders order you to evacuate because of a coming threat, do so immediately, no questions asked. This can’t be over-stressed. Residents and visitors leaving at the last minute tie up roadways and limit access to emergency vehicles, as we saw disastrously both at Paradise and here in Southern Oregon.

Take digital photos and/or videos of your home and possessions, so you'll have documentation for a potential insurance claim. Put them on a flash drive for storage in a safe-deposit box or with a relative.

Fully insure your home and belongings.

If possible or practical, form a neighborhood support/communcation/emergency group. Not only does this foster community, but it can help everyone work together in case of a disaster.

Safeguard what's on your home computer by backing it up to the cloud. That way documents, photos, videos and other files will be preserved if the computer is destroyed. Firms offer this service for about $60 a year.

With regard to automobiles: Keep gas in your tank and your vehicle in good shape. Know how to open your garage door if power fails — or, if there's a looming threat, leave the vehicle outside the garage. Also, you might want to check and make sure you know all your car controls: for example, some models have an emergency trunk release. If you’ve tucked your manual away somewhere, it might be worth it to take another look at it.

Keep an evacuation checklist so you're not trying to do everything at the last minute. This will help you remember to bring your medications, for example, during the stress of taking flight.

A final note that cannot be over-emphasized: Include your entire family in preparedness and planning. This prevents the confusion of running in all directions in time of crisis. Plus, for those young families, giving your little ones simple chores to do in case of emergency will help them connect and lessen fears.

If all this prep seems daunting or over-cautious, keep things simple: Just prepare in advance. That way, when an emergency comes, you can keep your family and pets safe, and have a clear exit planned. If framed rightly, as a family event, prep can even be fun.

You’ll sleep easier, and at CRT, we get that.