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Cheat sheet: A short guide to giving your home a fighting chance if you need to evacuate
Firefighters run as the Palisades Fire burns on Jan. 7, 2025.
(
David Swanson
/
AFP via Getty Images
)
If you’re under an evacuation order from the Palisades Fire, the Eaton Fire, or other Southern California wildfires, here’s some advice from CalFire officials for protecting your property inside and out. But you and your family’s safety is the top priority, so only take these steps if you have time and it’s safe to do so.
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On the outside
- Turn off propane tanks.
- Move propane tanks, BBQs, and grills away from any buildings.
- Move flammable items such as toys, doormats, and furniture inside, or place them in a pool.
- Leave your garden hoses connected and easily accessible for firefighters.
- But don’t leave hoses or sprinklers running — it can lower the water pressure.
- Put a ladder out so firefighters can get on the roof if need be.
- Seal the attic and ground vents.
- Leave gates unlocked or easy to open.
- Check with your neighbors, and drive safely.
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said at a news conference Wednesday that deputies are assisting evacuating residents and are securing those areas.
“So if you are thinking about coming into any of these areas to steal from our residents, I'm going to tell you something,” Luna said. “You're going to be caught, you're going to be arrested, and you're going to be prosecuted.”
On the inside
- Grab your go-bag with important documents and necessities.
- Close all windows and doors, but leave them unlocked.
- Leave your house lights on so firefighters can see through the smoke.
- Take down shades and curtains and clear them from the area.
- Close any metal shutters.
- If you have anything that’ll burn easily, move it to the middle of the room. The farther away from doors and windows the better.
- Turn off your gas meter and pilot lights.
- Turn off air conditioning.
These fires are fast-moving and straight up frightening. For the most up-to-date information about the fire you can check:
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Palisades Fire
Eaton Fire
Watch CalFire for new incidents ▶
Evaluate your risks
Want to take a closer look at some of your potential risks? First Street Foundation, a nonprofit research group, has a new tool called Risk Factor: Input your address for data about the risk for fire and flooding in your area. (The website notes, however, that this should not be relied upon for in-the-moment details about "active events.")
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Sign up for local alerts
Sign up for local alerts. They’re a reliable clearinghouse for up-to-date news, and early warnings.
- L.A. County alerts ▶
- Orange County alerts ▶
- Ventura County alerts ▶
- San Bernardino County alerts ▶
- Riverside County alerts ▶
- Santa Barbara County alerts ▶
Be familiar with your reliable local news sources (we do our best here at LAist.com and LAist 89.3 to stay on top of any Southern California fires that lead to evacuations.)
- Bookmark Fire.CA.Gov/Incidents, which gives you an at-a-glance look at blazes in progress. This is especially important if you plan on traveling.
- ReadyForWildfire.org is your friend to get everything prepped. It guides you through the three critical stages: READY (go bag prepped), SET (the ability to leave at a moment’s notice), GO (get out of there as soon as authorities give the word.) It’s a great starting place on how to prepare your home and family.
Listen to our Big Burn Podcast
Listen
39:42
Get ready now. Listen to our The Big Burn podcast
Jacob Margolis, LAist's science reporter, examines the new normal of big fires in California.
Do you have a question about the wildfires or fire recovery?
Check out LAist.com/FireFAQs to see if your question has already been answered. If not, submit your questions here, and we’ll do our best to get you an answer.
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Resources to prep and cope with wildfire
- Wildfires are getting worse. What you need to know
- Every day is now fire season. Let's get you ready for the next wildfire burning near you
- Evacuation terms can be confusing. Here’s what they mean and how to sign up for alerts
- How to keep yourself safe from wildfire smoke
- This is why fire officials don't want you to stay and defend your home
- What does 'containment' of a fire mean, exactly
- What to do — and not do — when you get home after a wildfire
- If you want to help fire victims, resist the urge to volunteer
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Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
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